MONTANA'S COUNTIES EAST OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE and south of the Canadian border are collectively called the Hi-Line. Here lie some of the state's most productive wetlands, remnants of long-gone glaciers, in Montana's Prairie Pothole Country. Most of Montana's duck species, including the northern pintail, congregate in these areas in early spring, many staying to nest and rear their young. These same areas are home to resident wildlife, including white-tailed and mule deer, pronghorn antelope, grey partridge, sharp-tailed grouse, and ring-necked pheasant. Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge in Phillips County lies in the heart of the some of the best waterfowl breeding and migration habitat on the Hi-Line.
THE BEAVER CREEK WETLAND PROJECT is a partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. It includes a recent 600-acre acquisition to the Beaver Creek Waterfowl Production Area (WPA), which is administered by USFWS. Five hundred and twelve acres of previously cropped land in this new acquisition were seeded to native grass to create more upland nesting cover for birds and other wildlife. Because there is a need for shallow wetland habitat on the Beaver Creek WPA to attract and provide feeding habitat for duck pairs, additional wetlands and water management capability were also needed. The partners are currently working together to design, build, and restore a number of new wetland areas which total over 200 acres.
