There are no "dull moments" for 

 the enforcement officer. Warden 

 Kent of Helena prepares to haul 

 in supplies for fencing elk out of 

 haystacks. An inverted 

 automobile hood was discovered 

 to make a good sled. 



LAW ENFORCEMENT 



The need of enforcement for protection of 

 Montana's fish, wildlife and recreational resources 

 is continually growing. More people with an 

 increasing amount of leisure time seek relaxation 

 and recreation in Montana's great outdoors. 

 Guidance of the pubUc to a wise use of this 

 resource is a basic responsibility of the law 

 enforcement division. The law enforcement staff 

 has been expanded to keep pace with the increased 

 use. 



A rather recent innovation to the enforcement 

 program is the use of warden sergeants for special 

 investigation programs. During peak periods such 

 as season openings and special seasons, when the 

 pressure is unusually heavy at given locations, 

 warden sergeants are shifted to these areas to help 

 meet the situation. 



Montan maintains about 55 wardens to patrol 

 over 147,000 square miles. Many of these miles are 

 rugged back-country and wilderness areas. It is 

 practically impossible for a regular warden to 

 maintain a thorough coverage of his area, keep 

 current in his other duties and still be able to 

 investigate special enforcement problems that crop 

 up from time to time. Also, the local warden often 

 is limited in his operation because of his familiarity 

 to poachers, lack of time for continuous 

 investigation and surveillance and other duties that 

 keep him busy. Many of these special problems 

 require a man in plain clothes and an unfamiliar 



face to bring about a prosecution. This is one of 

 the duties where the special investigation program 

 has proven very successful. 



The higher court's recent decisions demand a 

 new and professional approach to law 

 enforcement. The Fish and Game training program 

 has been expanded and intensified to meet this 

 demand. Personnel quahfications are being 

 upgraded. New and improved equipment and 

 techniques are being used. 



There were 4,622 arrests for violations of 

 Montana Fish and Game laws during the past 

 biennium. This is a significant increase over the 

 preceding biennium of 39%. The increase reflects 

 increased public use, expanded enforcement duties 

 in water safety and better law enforcement. It also 

 reflects a more efficient and better trained 

 enforcement staff. 



Landowner-sportsmen relationships continue 

 to be of concern. More private land is closed to 

 public recreational use each year. The enforcement 

 staff has made a concerted effort to assist both 

 landowners and sportsmen in fostering a better 

 understanding and promoting reasonable public 

 recreational use of private land. The enforcement of 

 laws for better control of private land abuse has 

 been helpful. Landowners have been urged to open 

 their private property to reasonable public use. 



Wildlife and wildlife habitat protection are 

 prime objectives of a sound enforcement program. 



IJ 



