WILDLIFE RESTORATION PROGRAM 



With the end of this biennium. the Montana Fish and Game Com- 

 mission has taken advantage of the Wildhfe Restoration program for 

 sixteen years. 



This Division was formed following legislative assent to the 

 Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson) in 1941. The monies 

 allotted to the various states for wildlife purposes under this Act are 

 obtained through an excise tax (119f) on sporting arms and ammuni- 

 tion. The amount that each state receives is based upon the number 

 of licenses sold and the area of the state. In developing the program, 

 the Montana Fish and Game Commission pays one-fourth of the cost, 

 the remaining three-fourths is paid from the funds derived from the 

 excise tax. 



The activities are originated by the State and carried on by State 

 personnel. All land or equipment obtained becomes the property of 

 the State. That the projects undertaken are substantial in character 

 and will directly benefit wildlife is the chief interest of the adminis- 

 tering agency, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 



The activities that can be carried out under this program include 

 habitat development and maintenance, fact finding or wildlife research, 

 and acquisition, which consists principally of obtaining big game winter 

 range areas and waterfowl marsh land. Following an amendment to 

 the Act, passed during the summer of 1955, various aspects of g^me 

 management may also be included under the program. 



Since this division has become part of the Montana Fish and Game 

 Department's organizational structure, a great many important wildlife 

 activities have been undertaken which would have been impossible on 

 the State budget alone. With the recent organization of the State into 

 management and administrative districts. Wildlife Restoration funds 

 have become increasingly important in furnishing the districts with a 

 biologist staff to aid in necessary fact finding and management. 



Winter game ranges obtaint-d under tlie program several years 

 ago have shown increasing values in the maintenance of important big 

 game herds. Winter use is being concentrated on these areas set 

 aside for game. Previous heavy use of adjoining private lands has 

 been overcome or materially lessened. 



The trapping and transplanting of various species of big game, 

 game birds and furbearers has represented a major aspect of the pro- 

 gram through the years. In this way, a more uniform distribution of 

 desirable game has been obtained on a statewide basis. 



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