Fur Animal Research and Management 



Fur animals constitute a renewable resource worth millions of 

 dollars to the people of Montana. It is the moral and legal obligation 

 of the State Fish and Game Department to insure that this resource 

 is properly utilized. Accordingly, activities of the Fur Resources 

 Section are aimed at producing factual information about Montana's 

 fur resorucc as the foundation for economically and biologically sound 

 management. Findings of Section studies provide a basis for evaluation 

 of current management, for recommendations for future improvements 

 and for restoration of depleted areas. New techniques and facts are 

 constantly added to the existing fund of information. 



The various activities conducted by tlic Fur Resources Section are 

 brieflj' summarized as follows: 



ECONOMIC SURVEY 



Fur animals arc uniiiue as a wildlife resource in that they provide 

 a direct cash crop. This crop is harvested with relatively little invest- 

 ment on the part of the trapper and frequently is taken l)y seasonal 

 workers at a time of year when other types of employment arc scarce. 



The fur take for the 1955-56 season is not yet available. Instead, 

 the catch for 1954-55 is compared with that of 1953-54. During these 

 two seasons a total of 2,903 trapper's licenses were issued. Listed on 

 the following page are the furs taken by these trappers. Income to 

 trappers from sale of these pelts also is sliown 



Furs takiii during these two seasons totalnl approximately 155,000 

 pelts, worth more tlian three-quarter m'llion dollars. Three species — 

 beaver, mink and muskrat — produced nearly 90 per cent of the pelts 

 and almost all the income, reflecting current market trends. About 60 

 per cent of these furs were produced in tlie western half of tlie State 

 where two-thirds of the trappers operated. 



Prices for the more important fur animals rose during the bien- 

 nium. These price advances, coupled with improved beaver manage- 

 ment, resulted in an increase in the average income to the individual 

 trapper from $245 in the 1953-54 season to $350 in tlie 1954-55 season. 



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