GAME MANAGEMENT 



Big Game 



Numbers of hunters indicated by questionnaires shows 

 a general increase in elk hunters from 1963 to 1969 (66,622 

 to 73,848 respectively) and a slight increase in deer hunters 

 (124,831 in 1963 and 128,177 in 1969). Numbers of moose, 

 sheep and goat hunters have remained about constant for the 

 years 1967 through 1969. In the case of antelope hunters, 

 there was an increase from 1968 to 1969. The number of 

 hunters pursuing the latter four species are governed by 

 the number of permits available. 



Population densities and reproductive indices of those 

 big game species regulate permit numbers. Because weather 

 and big game distributions affect individual hunting seasons, 

 harvest figures must be viewed over several years to show 

 meaningful trends. 



Big game populations in the state are still being 

 maintained at levels which provide some of the finest hunt- 

 ing anywhere while insuring perpetuation of the various species, 

 This is being done in the face of ever increasing demands 

 both by hunters for the animals and by other interests for 

 their habitat. 



Upland Game Birds 



Harvest of game birds over the past few years reflects 



the normal population fluctuation of the species. Total birds 



harvested in 1969 increased from that of 1968 by some 70,000. 



12. 



