Projects

Carcass Removal & Composting

DONATE TO SUPPORT THE CARCASS REMOVAL AND COMPOSTING PROGRAM

BHWC provides carcass removal to Big Hole watershed ranchers during spring calving/lambing (March-May) free-of-charge (although donations are accepted). We do this to remove predator attractant from the landscape, both to help livestock producers maintain their livelihoods in the presence of large carnivores and to help those carnivores exist on a shared landscape without being lethally removed. Carcasses are hauled to our livestock carcass compost facility outside of Wisdom, where they are broken down into minimal amounts of compost using wood chips and water. Compost produced is used to jumpstart the composting process in new carcass piles. Carcasses are hauled using a dump truck borrowed from Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and turned using a loader borrowed from a local rancher.

To arrange for carcass removal at your ranch or residence, call or text John Costa at (209) 628-2225 or Justin Cottingham (406) 600-8295.

More about the compost site: The Upper Big Hole carcass compost facility was opened Spring 2017. The project is managed by BHWC and was put in place to provide an effective, efficient means of livestock disposal for local ranchers. Mortality is an unfortunate but normal part of ranching, and historically carcasses have been thrown in pits, buried, hauled to the dump, or even blown up as methods of disposal. The presence of carcasses on ranches can attract predators, including wolves, bears, and mountain lions, which are often dealt with lethally once they develop the problem behavior of feeding on carcasses or predating on livestock. Carcass composting provides an alternative that is acceptable to wildlife, water quality, and people.

About BHWC’s Wildlife Programs

The Big Hole Watershed Committee’s Wildlife Conflict Reduction program was created to help livestock producers and wildlife thrive on a shared landscape. With that in mind, we have developed wildlife programs and initiatives to address wildlife conflict, including livestock carcass removal & composting during calving/lambing, bear-safety training & distribution of bear-resistant garbage cans, and a range rider who patrols summer grazing allotments monitoring for predator activity and livestock condition. We also participate in the landowner-led, regional wildlife conflict reduction group coordinated by the Heart of the Rockies initiative and provide carcass removal to Sage Creek ranchers for the Centennial Valley Association (for which they reimburse us).

Landowner-Led Regional Coordination Group

BHWC participates in the landowner-led, regional coordination group hosted by the Heart of the Rockies Initiative and the Blackfoot Challenge. Along with eleven other groups, BHWC works to find sustainable solutions to help livestock producers and wildlife thrive on a shared landscape. This is accomplished through collaboration and capacity building in regards to nonlethal wildlife conflict reduction (e.g. range rider programs, carcass removal & composting, bear safety, etc.).

Project Results (2015-2023*)

445 livestock carcasses composted

11 participating ranches

*Project is ongoing.

People & Organizations Involved

People and Carnivores

USFWS – Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Montana Department of Livestock – Livestock Loss Board

Montana Department of Transportation

Montana Department of Environmental Quality

Vital Ground Foundation

Heart of the Rockies Initiative

Western Landowners Alliance

Natural Resources Conservation Service

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Centennial Valley Association

Tash T Diamond Post & Pole

Private landowners, who participate in the program as well as donating wood chips and manure for the composting program, the use of heavy equipment to turn compost piles, and more.