The National Wildlife Refuge System is a part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which, in turn, falls under the jurisdiction of Department of the Interior. Region Six of the National Wildlife Refuge System is also known as the Mountain-Prairie Region and covers several states that include Montana and Wyoming. According to a November 23, 1973 memo within this collection, the Billings area of Region Six included the following refuges: Benton Lake, Charles M. Russell, Medical Lake, National Bison Range, National Elk Range, Ravalli (Lee Metcalf), Red Rock Lakes, Seedskadee, and U.L. Bend-Bowdoin. According to a 2010 mission statement, the National Wildlife Refuge System is responsible for the administration of a network of lands and waters "for the conservation, management, and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats." Amongst the appropriate public uses identified by the system are "hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, interpretation, and education."
The National Wildlife Refuge System Region Six reports contains narrative reports for refuges in Montana and Wyoming. While the file names reflect the current names of refuges as of 2010, reports in the collection contain names that would have been current as of the writing of the reports. Any name changes reflected by the reports are indicated in the notes sections of this guide under the appropriate file name. Reports include data and descriptions related to weather conditions, wildlife, refuge management, and public relations. In addition, some reports incorporate photos, pamphlets, and clippings into the primary research. The reports were produced annually beginning in 1964. Prior to 1964, the reports cover 4 month spans.
In addition to the narrative reports, this collection contains a file of memorandums relating to the filing of the narrative reports. Many of the memorandums are carbon copies to Robert M. Ballou.
Reports are arranged alphabetically according to refuge, then chronologically. Memormandums are filed at the end of the collection.
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes.
[Name of document or photograph number], National Wildlife Refuge System Region Six Reports, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
The acquisition of this collection was not documented.
Actions taken during original processing went unrecorded. In 2010 the collection description was expanded.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
This file contains annual narrative reports for the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, which includes Creedman Coulee, Lake Thibadeau, Black Coulee, and Hewitt Lake. Beginning in 1978, the reports covered both the refuge and Bowdoin Wetlands Management District.
This file contains narrative reports for the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, which was called the Fort Peck Game Range until January 1963. By 1978, the area was officially referred to as a National Wildlife Refuge.
This file contains annual narrative reports for the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, which was called the Ravalli National Wildlife Refuge until 1978.
This file contains annual narrative reports for the Northeastern Montana Wetlands, which is contained within Roosevelt, Sheridan, and Daniels counties.
This file contains annual narrative reports for the Northwestern Montana Wetlands, which is contained within Flathead and Lake counties. In 1976, the district was called the Northwest Montana Waterfowl Production Area, which was administered by the National Bison Range.