Helena, Montana – Montana has witnessed a remarkable decrease in conflicts between wildlife and livestock in 2023, a development hailed as “extraordinary” by the state’s Livestock Board Executive Director, George Edwards.
During the recent Montana Wool Growers Association convention in Billings, Mont., Edwards shared the notable decrease in claims for livestock losses. This reduction in wildlife-livestock conflicts is a significant change from previous years. “Claims are down and we have to go back to 2014 to get numbers that low,” Edwards stated.
The Montana Livestock Loss Program, established in 2017, plays a vital role in this context. It provides financial reimbursements to producers for losses caused by wolves, grizzly bears, or mountain lions. The program also promotes the use of preventive tools and incentives to minimize the risk of losses caused by these predators.
In 2023, there was a notable decline in claims across all three predator categories. Mountain lion attacks on livestock, which usually average around 60 per year, dropped to 35, as reported by USDA Wildlife Services. Similarly, grizzly bear claims decreased from an annual average of 156 to 112, with most removals occurring in Glacier County. Wolf claims also saw a reduction, dropping from an average of 100 per year to 58. This decrease in wolf claims led to the removal of 18 wolves.
“It’s been a lot of years since we’ve had a major wolf incident, although some people have had guard dogs that have gone missing,” Edwards added, highlighting the ongoing challenges.
While the report indicates a decrease in major predators’ activities, coyote attacks on livestock have seen an increase in 2023. USDA Wildlife Services noted a 37 percent rise in coyote reports, resulting in the removal of 10,500 coyotes in Montana.
In response to these challenges, government agencies like the Livestock Loss Board are intensifying efforts to fund programs or strategies aimed at reducing wildlife-livestock conflicts. Edwards mentioned the growing interest in applying for grants to prevent such conflicts, particularly for grizzly bear-related issues.
So far, the Livestock Loss Board has received $67,000 in grant requests, with a total of $197,000 available through July of 2024. “We have adequate funding for a project if you are a producer thinking about one,” Edwards assured, indicating the board’s readiness to support proactive measures.
The decline in big species complaint reports and the increase in preventative strategies point towards a more balanced coexistence between wildlife and livestock in Montana. This trend reflects the effectiveness of the collaborative efforts between livestock producers, government agencies, and wildlife management professionals.
