During the past few years, the popular sport 

 of "paddlefishing" has been rediscovered, espe- 

 cially on the Yellowstone River. 



The paddlefish does not enjoy any measure 

 of protection under its present status. The Mon- 

 tana Fish and Game Commission recommends 

 that all species of the genus Polyodon (pad- 

 dlefish) be included as game fish so that the 

 commission can legally establish limits com- 

 mensurate to managing this sports fishery. 



Authority to Issue Special $20.00 Deer 

 and Antelope Licenses 



Since 1955 the Legislature has granted au- 

 thority to the Fish and Game Commission to 

 issue $20.00 non-resident deer and $20.00 non- 

 resident antelope licenses. The expiration date 

 of present authorization is December 31, 1964. 



The issuing of twenty-dollar deer and ante- 

 lope licenses has been a necessary means of 

 managing animals in high concentration areas 

 where resident hunting pressure is so light as 

 to not adequately harvest the herds. Without 

 this authority, deer and antelope in some of the 

 eastern Montana areas cannot be properly 

 harvested by residents and the severe use of 

 natural forage would become a serious prob- 

 lem. Excessive use of forage and crops on 

 private lands can become a problem to land- 

 owners. 



The commission recommends that authority 

 be given for the continued issuance of twenty- 

 dollar deer and antelope licenses. 



Marten 



An amendment to Section 26-321, Revised 

 Codes of Montana, is proposed which would 

 give the Fish and Game Commission authority 

 to manage marten as they do other furbearers. 



The proposed amendment would place mar- 

 ten in the same category as other Montana fur- 

 bearers (exception beaver). It would eliminate 

 all of the special detailed requirements of tag- 

 ging, transporting and reporting which are pres- 

 ently required. The commission feels that pres- 

 ent restrictions have outlived their usefulness, 

 and besides imposing an unnecessary burden 

 upon trappers makes it difficult for the Fish 

 and Game Department to establish a sound 

 long-range management program for this na- 

 tive furbearer. 



Place Beaver Under Commission 

 Regulations 



Years ago when beaver were at a premium 

 and there were no synthetic products to take 

 the place of furs, trappers depleted beaver num- 

 bers over much of the northwest. In Montana, 

 certain laws were enacted to aid in a program 

 to bring beaver back to abundance. 



For many years now, beaver have become 

 reestablished statewide and have actually be- 

 come a nuisance in many instances. Beaver 

 no longer need the additional protection af- 

 forded under some of the earlier laws. In fact, 

 administration of the required complex permit 

 system and payment of tagging fees by trap- 

 pers imposes unnecessary work and expense 

 for both the Fish and Game Department and 

 trappers. Permits and the payment of tagging 

 fees by trappers makes proper beaver manage- 

 ment difficult in most areas of the state and im- 

 possible in eastern Montana. 



Repeal of Section 26-401, Revised Codes of 

 Montana, would place the authority to manage 

 beaver with the Montana Fish and Game Com- 

 mission in the same status as other furbearers. 

 It would eliminate complex administrative pro- 

 cedures and allow for more practical manage- 

 ment. 



Residency More Clearly Defined 



One of the most frequent violations of fish 

 and game laws is that of nonresidents purchas- 

 ing resident hunting and fishing licenses. An 

 amendment is proposed to Section 26-217, Re- 

 vised Codes of Montana, so that there will be 

 more clear definition of who may purchase resi- 

 dent hunting and fishing licenses. This would 

 be a big aid in promoting uniform enforcement 

 throughout the state. 



Penalty for False Statement to 

 Procure Licenses 



The commission recommends that the pen- 

 alty for illegal purchase of resident licenses by 

 aliens and non-residents be set at not less than 

 $100.00 An increase in the penalty would help 

 to minimize false statements of residency in 

 order to buy resident hunting and fishing li- 

 censes. 



