The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1944-03-09
25,OOOBIRDS
STATEFARM'S
GOAL FOR "A
Fort Peck Propagation Center
Will Reach Its Capacity
This Season.
This Years Production Will Be
Distributed All Over
Montana.

The state fish and game commits
sion's farm near Fort Peck has a
near-capacity quota of rs 900 Chi
nese pheaSantS as its production
goal for the 1914 season, it was an
nounced today by V. w. Bailey,
farm supervisor.
While last year much of our work
was diverted to completing the
farm, it is o fully equipped and
we can give all our attention to
production of pheasants for Mon
tana sportsmen." the supervisor
said. He stated that ample stocks
of essential feeds are on hand. Last
year the farm was handicapped by
shortages.
Labor again may be a problem,
but the state department has given
authorization, if necessary, to draft
the services of deputy game wardens
during their slack times" he added.
In contrast with the production
goal are requests for &C 5000 birds
received from sportsmen's groups all
over the state.
Go Over Whole State
The supervisor said distribution
will be throughout Montana, al
though it will be controlled in part
by surveys showing where birds are
least populous. The Fort Peck farm
is the only n being operated by
the state this year.
This Una PC nrndiIpfiOn naaNr ha ~
creased by a new overtime" eX-
pertinent with the pheasant hens,
the first eYer tried on any wild life
farm. Six hundred of the 1000 hens
on the farm have been segregated
and, since January, have been in
protected shelters.
They have been fed augmented
diets. At the same time, electric
lights have been turned on in their
shelters each morning at 6 and are
kept on until daylight. The day is
further heightened by leaving lights
on until 10 each night.
The aim is to stimulate egg pro-
duction and start it earlier than is
normal under natural conditions.
The hens started laying Feb. 90,
compared with last years date of
April IT.
May Increase Output
Not only do we hope to have
earlier laying, but we believe we
can extend egg production from
about three months to five months.
In a normal season, a pheasant hen
may lay so eggs. We may be able to
bring this production up to 100.
Forced breeding and laying should
make it possible to get more use
out of u game farm equipment
and. at the same time bring earlier
of pheasants," the SUI
pervisor explained.
Another experiment this year is
with 20 pairs of valley quail. Quail
have neve been introduced in the
state. Offspring will be distributed
n western Montana in areas that
appear adaptable. also where pleas
have not thrived. The Missoula !
appears to offer a good ma 1
habitat for quail, Bailey said.
The farm is continuing expert
mental work with Chukar part
Fifty of the Asiatic birds
we're planted last fall along the
.hores of Fort Peck lake. Some
more will be distributed in protected
near Roundup and the Pipe c
tone region lear Butte. A few will v
'e kept for foundation stock. a
The farm is also continuing ex- l
'eriments with a cross, three-fourths I
and one-fourth Chinese /
or higher attitudes and another, ex- y
city opposite. for lower attitudes. .
these same crosses will be attempted .
n the wild state by introducing pure .
in areas where there is ,
strong Chinese population, and a
ice versa. =