Projects
Grizzlies & Bear Safety
The Big Hole Watershed is home to both black bears and the occasional grizzly bear. Grizzlies have been seen, tracked, and photographed recently in the Big Hole watershed, and we expect to see more of them in the future as they migrate through and expand into our watershed as their populations grow. This is because the Big Hole watershed is an ideal migration corridor for large carnivore such as grizzly bears due to its:
-Proximity to the Greater Yellowstone, Northern Continental Divide, and Bitterroot Ecosystems;
-High percentage of both public lands and adjoining private lands, most of which are used for agricultural purposes (e.g. cattle ranching, hay production);
-Abundant wildlife species and excellent wildlife habitat, including sprawling ranches, hay fields, coniferous forests, clean water, wet meadows, and thriving sagebrush ecosystems;
-Slow rate of development and subdivision; and
-Low human population.
What We’re Doing About It
The Big Hole Watershed Committee (BHWC) is partnering with People and Carnivores (P&C) to prevent conflicts with large carnivores throughout the Big Hole Valley, keeping people and their property safe and large carnivores wild. This is a good time of year to check around your property for anything that may attract a bear or other wildlife: pull down birdfeeders, store garbage inside hard-sided buildings or in a bear-resistant manner; and the same goes for other attractive items such as livestock feed and pet food. Barbeques and other smelly items can also attract bears and should be stored properly. Vulnerable livestock can be protected using electric fences.
BHWC offers free livestock carcass removal to ranchers in the Big Hole Valley (and in the Sage Creek area on behalf of the Centennial Valley Association), removing boneyards and carcasses that may lure carnivores to your property. With grizzly bear populations expanding and recent grizzly bear reports in the Valley, removing carcasses improves the safety of both people and livestock. Ranches interested in participating in the program can contact John Costa, BHWC Wildlife Program Technician, at 209-628-2225 or contact the BHWC for more information.
We also have conflict prevention tool kits available right now for ranchers to check out for free that come with various scare devices and information about ways to prevent conflicts. Tool kits can help protect vulnerable livestock during times of high risk like calving or lambing. Additional tools like electric fencing may also be available.
Bear-resistant garbage canisters are also available to any Big Hole Valley resident in need. These specialized containers can be used to keep bears and other wildlife from accessing garbage as well as livestock feed. Canisters are available on first-come, first-served basis.
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).
Our Wildlife Conflict Reduction program is a collaborative effort with many partners and contributors, including People and Carnivores, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, WCS Community Partnerships Program, Defenders of Wildlife, USFWS-Montana Partners for Fish and Wildlife, USFWS-Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, the Montana Livestock Loss Board, the Cinnabar Foundation, the Vital Ground Foundation, and local ranchers & residents who have contributed wood chips, use of heavy equipment, knowledge, donations, and their time and participation.
Landowner-Led Regional Coordination
The 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
60+ bear-resistant garbage cans distributed to Big Hole residents
4 bear safety awareness/bear spray training events
People & Organizations Involved
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Heart of the Rockies Initiative
Southwest Montana Bear Education Working Group
United States Forest Service (Wise River Ranger District)
Project Photos
Project MAP
Status
Ongoing
Type
Wildlife Conflict