INFORMATION AND EDUCATION 



One of the basic goals of fish and game 

 management is to provide more enjoyment of 

 the state's wildHi'e resources. This has been 

 expressed in many ways such as "shorten time 

 between bites" or "more game in the sights". 

 But whatever the terminology, the objective is 

 to achieve more understanding, enjoyment and 

 appreciation of the state's wildlife. To ac- 

 complish this end the Department of Fish and 

 Game has the responsibility of keeping the 

 public informed of regulations, new develop- 

 ments, plans and policies. It has a further 

 obligation in providing educational services so 

 the interested public can understand the basic 

 reasons for the various policies and activities. 

 Providing information and educational services 

 is an important part of the job of every depart- 

 ment employee. However, the need has become 

 so extensive that a special division has been 

 necessary to handle many of the services to 

 the public. 



The work is divided into several categories 

 with information and education being the pri- 

 mary objective. 



Information Services 



Because of ever changing conditions under 

 which fish and game live, it is necessary that 

 its management be equally fluid. This flexi- 

 bility makes it necessary that the public be 

 quickly and accurately informed of any 

 changes. Radio, television, and news services 

 are the best media of rapid news transmission. 

 To make u.se of these facilities the Information 

 and Education Division provides news to the 

 wire services as the stories develop. Each 

 week these stories are compiled and sent to the 

 state's newspaper.s, radio, television, and out- 

 door writers. Over 20,000 copies of the news 

 release which vary from three to six pages arc 

 distributed annually to sources which in turn 

 transmit them to the public. 



The department's free quarterly publica- 

 tion "Montana Wildlife" has continued in popu- 

 larity. It is placed in all Montana .schools and 

 is .sent to any person making a request. The 

 magazine features the activities and programs 

 of the department and stres.ses game programs 

 of interest to sp( rtsmen. Current readership 

 is estimated at 40,000. 



Articles and j'holo^raplis are supplied state 

 and national |jul)lications as reciuested. 



Spectators study a Fish and Game Department booth 

 being displayed at one of Montana's sport and home shows. 



During the biennium telet>pewriters have 

 been installed in all district headquarters. 

 These have made it possible to transmit rapidly 

 and accurately information of importance to 

 department personnel who can in turn release 

 this locally for public information 



Radio and television facilities are regular 

 features used to provide programs of an in- 

 formative and educational nature. 



Publicity 



Although the department does not ha\e i 

 special publicity section there is much work of 

 this nature accomplished. Each year the thou- 

 sands of inquiries on Montana hunting and 

 fishing are answered. The.so come from every 

 state and many foreign countries and include 

 not only requests for wildlife information but 

 camping, boating, and travel as well. A special 

 pamphlet "Guide to Hunting and Fishing in 

 Montana" h;is bcL>n prepared to answer ques- 

 tions. In addition, maps, regulations and thou- 

 .sands of individuil letters are included ni theso 

 mailings. 



Cooperation with the State Highway Ad- 

 vertising l)ivisit)n and the Montana Chamber 

 of Commerce thiough sport shows, outdmu- 

 writer tours, and by providing literature, were 

 additional services to the recreation industry 

 in Montana. 



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