The Big Hole Watershed Committee will offer free livestock carcass removal to Big Hole Valley ranchers this spring, March-May 2022. Our driver, John Costa, will meet you at your ranch with a dump truck, where we just ask that you help load the carcass(es). Carcasses are hauled to our compost site next to Montana Department of Transportation’s maintenance shop on Highway 278 outside of Wisdom. We provide carcass removal in the spring to reduce predator attractant and prevent conflict between predators and livestock. Carcass removal is available throughout the Big Hole watershed.
Call John Costa at 209-628-2225 to arrange for carcass removal OR text “carcass” to 26989 for more information.
All information related to program participation, ranch operations, and livestock mortality is kept confidential. Funding for the 2022 carcass program was provided by the NRCS through their Conservation Innovation Grant. The dump truck is on loan from Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, who also pays for fuel for the program. Donations are always accepted, and we also accept donations of composting materials like old hay, wood chips, or manure (call John to make arrangements).
We want this service to be of value to you, so please contact us with any questions or suggestions. We wouldn’t have places like the Big Hole without ranchers, so please HELP US help you weather the impacts of large carnivores on your operations!