scats collected from 96 otter latrines and representing all seasons 

 of the year is the basis for the findings presented. 



Fish remains appeared in 93 per cent of the total scats, inverte- 

 brates in 41 per cent, amphibians in 18 per cent, mammals in 15 per 

 cent, birds in five per cent and reptiles in less than one per cent. 



Two well defined and separated areas existed in this total col- 

 lection and analysis of each can be compared. One area showed the 

 three most commonly occurring fishes to be: sunfish present in 71 

 per cent of the scats, suckers 31 per cent, sculpin 19 per cent — 

 beaver in 0.2 per cent and muskrat 1.2 per cent. In the other area, 

 trout were present in 52 per cent of the scats, suckers 43 per cent, 

 sculpin 31 per cent, beaver three per cent and muskrat 19 per cent. 



The waters of the Thompson Lakes region are heavily populated 

 with fishes not particularly sought by fishermen. These fishes con- 

 stitute a high percentage of the diet of the otter. Fishing pressure 

 is light. These findings do not justify the conclusion that otter con- 

 stitute a menace to the sport fishing of the area. 



The data indicate that otter take some muskrat and beaver, 

 particularly in areas of high populations. These surplus animals, if 

 unable to establish a secure life, will become easy victims to predators 

 whether it be man, otter, coyote or bobcat. These depredations should 

 not be interpreted as a true reduction in population. They are more 

 suggestive of a top-heavy population possibly resulting from insuf- 

 ficient harvests. It would appear that muskrat and beaver trapping 

 in the area should be increased. 



The numbers of otter do not appear sufficient to warrant an open 

 season. There is the possibility, however, that a limited open season 

 might stimulate an increase in reproduction and survival in this 

 population and create a self-imposed protection by residents on an 

 animal now subject to acts of vandalism. 



An otter food habit study on the Gallatin River has been 

 completed to the point of obtaining a year-around collection of 

 more than 1,100 scats. The remaining studies will be on the Sun 

 River-Gibson Lake area and on the Madison and Missouri Rivers. 



ri liLK'ATIONS 



Publications produced during the biennium by Fur Rersources 

 Section personnel are: 

 (Technical) 



"Yearly food habits of the River Otter in the Thompson Lakes 

 Region, northwestern Montana, as indicated by scat analysis." Am- 

 erican Midland Naturalist, (in press). Kenneth R. Greer. 



"Progress on a marten live-trapping study," Transactions of the 

 North American Wildlife Conference, Vol. 19, pp 152-462. Fletcher 

 E. Newby and Vernon D. Hawley. 



"Distribution and status of the wolverine in Montana," Journal 

 of Mammalogy, Vol. 36 ( Tn press). Fletcher E. Newby and Phillip L. 

 Wright. 



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