By Michael Tucker, staff writer
A loose-knit group of Gallatin County hunting guides, cattle producers and government officials are in the beginning stages of talking with folks in other southwest Montana counties about the consequences of wolves and hunting on the local economy.
County Commissioner Joe Skinner was contacted about efforts in other counties to study the effect of dwindling elk numbers and hunting revenue. Skinner met with local hunting guides, members of the Gallatin Beef Producers and Rep. Ted Washburn, R-Bozeman, Wednesday to discuss the issue.
“After me met, we all have a perception that the wolves have really decreased the huntable elk population and we feel that there is an economic impact to the county,” he said.
In the next month, the group will gather economic information from businesses and producers about the issue, Skinner said. Once the data is gathered, letters will be written to state and federal officials to bring attention to the issue.
“If there are fewer hunters coming in because there are less elk, there will be information out there,” he said. “We’re already hearing some of that.”
Skinner said he is acting alone at the moment, but will seek approval from the rest of the county commission.
Similar efforts are ongoing in Ravalli and Madison counties. Madison County Commissioner Dave Schulz issued a Nov. 7 letter to southwest Montana commissioners that focused on predators’ effects on livestock.
In the letter, Schulz questioned the effect of a recent Legislative bill, Senate Bill 348, meant to manage wolves where livestock conflicts occur. He sent a petition to livestock producers in Madison County calling for the formation of a livestock protective committee, allowable by state law, that will address “rustling, movement and sale of livestock, disease in livestock and predator management.” The law allows the committee to assess a fee toward wolf management in the county.
“Because the appropriation allowed in SB 348 is not being used in the manner it was intended by legislature, this is the only way livestock owners can address this problem,” Schultz wrote.
“Many find it interesting that the (federal government) created the problem, the (state) took it over and is convinced you can deal with it, and yet the producer will carry the financial and emotional burden.”
The Ravalli County Commission is addressing the economic effects of wolf depredation on local elk herds, according to the Ravalli Republic newspaper. Ravalli County officials are gathering data from the business community and seeking input from sportsman.
Washburn, chair of the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee, said hunting is an important piece of the local monetary pie.
“Up to this point, we can see how the various elk herds are getting smaller due to the grizzly bear and wolf depredation,” he said. “What we are looking at is the effect on the economy. We want the hard, cold facts. This is affecting a lot of counties.”