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Email: timberwolfinfonetwork@gmail.com
Email: timberwolfinfonetwork@gmail.com

MT: Ranchers Fed Up, Jefferson County Considers Bounty On Wolves, Mountain Lions

JEFFERSON COUNTY

By Alyx Sacks

WHITEHALL, Mont. — Ranchers in Jefferson County say they are tired of predators killing their livestock.

Now county commissioners are considering whether to put a bounty on wolves and mountain lions.

John Kountz of Whitehall has ranched all his life. Over the last few years Kountz said wolves killed four of his calves, and for someone who makes their living off livestock that is four too many.

“We’re to a boiling point here and we’re just trying to get people listening,” Kountz said.

That boiling point has spilled over.

Jefferson County commissioners are considering offering a $100 bounty to hunters with wolves or mountain lion tags.

The idea has some folks up in arms.

“Bounty is a highly unethical and out dated way of managing wildlife. It’s a tool from the 1800s. Bounty shows a complete lack of respect,” Mike Leahy of Defenders of Wildlife said.

Kountz admits he doesn’t like the sound of a bounty much either especially since in order to do it ranchers would have help fund it.

The state manages wolves and mountain lions both with set hunting seasons.

Kountz figures it’s the state not the ranchers that need to manage predators.

“Let’s tax the Fish and Game or the federal government. The guys that started this deal,” Kountz said.

Ron Aasheim with Fish, Wildlife, and Parks said they’re doing the best it can, but for Kountz it’s time for things to change before he loses more livestock .

Kountz said he needs the wolves gone, but doesn’t want it coming out of his own pocket.

In order for the bounty to be offered, ranchers will have sign a petition and pay taxes and even then it would be next season before any licensed hunter could kill a wolf or a lion for money.

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