1968 was conducive to increased production of 

 upland birds and probable increased harvest. 



Waterfowl 



The waterfowl harvest was maintained at a high 

 level. In excess of 200,000 ducks and 11,000 

 Canada geese were harvested in the state. The 

 Pacific Fly way contributed most of the harvest. 

 SoUd research provided the key to estabUshing an 

 annual post-season hunt for drake mallards in the 

 Central Flyway portion of Montana, which 

 significantly increases the hunting opportunity for 

 Eastern Montana. 



Research in Montana Game Management 



Game research is being conducted in three 

 major fields: 



Big game research has involved study of food 

 and range requirements of deer, elk, antelope, 

 moose and bighorn sheep. These studies have 

 included, in pertinent areas, forage relationships 

 with livestock. Intensive studies of the seasonal 

 movements, harvest and productivity of segments 

 of the Sun River elk herd and investigations of the 

 productivity of Northern Yellowstone elk have 

 resulted in important findings assisting beneficial 

 management of these nationally-known herds. 

 These findings have useful appUcation as well to 

 even more comprehensive management of 

 Montana's big game and its habitat state-wide. 



Small game research examines the habits, 

 habitat requirements, life history, harvest effects, 

 land use and other factors concerning blue and 

 sharptail grouse, enabUng the perpetuation and 

 best utilization of these popular native grouse 

 resources. 



Pesticide-wildlife research details the effects of 

 insecticides and herbicides on game birds and 

 animals. Forest grouse-DDT studies contributed to 



discontinuance of use of persistent-pesticides on 

 pubUc forests. Effects of sagebrush removal on 

 antelope and sage grouse habitat and related plant, 

 animal and insect Ufe are being evaluated in central 

 Montana in a co-operative long-term study by the 

 Montana Fish and Game and the Bureau of Land 

 Management. Aheady providing knowledge with 

 immediate appUcation, the final results of this 

 study will be very important in future pubUc land 

 management decisions concerning the various uses 

 of sagebrush-grasslands for optimum pubhc 

 benefits. Game research projects are carried out by 

 a small efficient research staff. University System 

 personnel and faciUties are utilized for certain 

 research phases. 



Game Management Problems 



The process of adjusting big game animal 

 numbers to their winter forage supply is 

 continuous and there are still deer and elk problem 

 areas in Montana. The rapid changes of habitat for 

 other primary uses is a constant threat to big game 

 and small game species. The influence of the 

 department on landowners and land managers is 

 necessarily one of persuasion backed by solid, 

 reUable research on the effects of different land use 

 management and techniques on wildhfe. 

 Competition for land and water use is becoming so 

 severe that research requirements which must be 

 met grow directly in proportion. 



Hunter access is an item of growing importance 

 lest lack of it become a major problem. Although a 

 considerable amount of Montana is pubUc land, a 

 majority or substantial amount of the hunting 

 takes place on private land. Since fish and game 

 wildhfe management areas account for only 

 6/1000 of 1 percent of Montana's land, they will 

 never be able to provide sufficient open hunting 

 territory. Intensification of present programs to 

 maintain lands open to public hunting is necessary. 



The total effects of sagebrush removal are being cooperalivelv studied by the Montana Fish and Ganw Depurtniunt and the Bureau of Land 

 Managennent. The helicopter is spraying sagebrush. 



