information on the status of the waterfowl in the flyway. Data are 

 gathered by each state on such things as breeding ground populations, 

 production, hunter kill and winter populations. The effectiveness of 

 supplying sound data on waterfowl throughout the flyway has been 

 apparent in the recent relaxation of regulations governing the length 

 of the season. It is proposed that the Fish and Game Department 

 continue gathering reliable data on the status of the waterfowl popula- 

 tion and work with the Central Flyway Committee in order to secure 

 the best seasons possible for Montana waterfowl hunters, in keeping 

 with good management. 



The problem of the general public finding a place to hunt has not 

 become a major consideration in Montana. However, the problem is 

 developing. In order to insure the public the opportunity to hunt, at 

 least on a limited scale, the Department has purchased some lands for 

 game bird development. These lands are being developed to provide 

 habitat for both game birds and waterfowl. The public use of these 

 areas has indicated that tliey have tremendous potential value in 

 providing hunting and aesthetic recreation. 



FREEZEOUT LAKE (GREENFIELDS) 



Freezeout Lake, in Teton County, is the largest waterfowl manage- 

 ment area being developed by the State Fish and Game Department. 

 The project area includes approximately 10,000 acres. 



Freezeout is potentially one of the finest waterfowl areas in the 

 nation — comparing it to areas of similar size throughout the west. 



Development of this combined waterfowl management and pul)lic 

 hunting area was begun in 1953. Steady progress is being made toward 

 its completion. 



During the 1955-56 biennium, major dike construction was begun 

 on the jiroject. As a result (>i this construction, shallow water areas 

 will be impounded behind several low, earth dikes. These ponds will 

 lie adjacent to the main lake and will provide marshland essential to 

 both waterfowl and iumting. 



Freezeout is also known as Greenfields Lak because of its associa- 

 tion with the irrigation project. The lake has long been an important 

 resting s'oj) for ducks and snow geese — during both the spring and 

 fall migrations. Native waterfowl have been produced here in limited 

 nnml ers and there has lieen considerable Inniting o]) the area in past 

 years. 



During the 1940's. I'reezout Lake l)ecanio a pn)l)leni. It had no 

 outlet r.nd as a result became an expanding sump for waste water from 

 the Greenfields Irrigation project and local runoff. The elevation and 

 surface area of Freezout was gradually increasing. In 1952 and again 

 in 19.',^. excessive natural runoff water greatly increased the surface 

 area of the lake — it flooded adjacent private lands, a branch I'lU' of 

 the C. M. St. P. & P. Railroad and U. S. Highway No 89. 



.\t this point the Montana Fish and Game department entered into 

 a cooperative agreement with the Greenfields Irrigation District. The 

 objectives of the agreement wire to dexilo]) tju- Like as a w aterlOv. I 

 management area and at the same time alleviate the flood condition 



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