Urban Wildlife Management Task Force

Minutes ADLC Urban Wildlife Management Task Force Anaconda Saddle Club May 9, 2024, 6:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT Chairman Kurt Wyant, Commissioner Ed Beaudette, Chief Bill Sather, Fred Boyer, Rick Morse, Chris Marchion ABSENT George Kortum, Chad Gochanour, Chuck Stokke MEMBERS OF THE PRESS Not Present. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Per sign in Sheet. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Wyant called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM APRIL 24, 2024 Motion passed unanimously to approve the minutes from April 24, 2024. OPENING COMMENTS Commissioner Beaudette announced the purpose of the meeting. He stated that FWP was here tonight to give us some updates and answer any questions. DISCUSSION Kirstie Yeager gave a brief overview of the deer issues in the West Valley. She discussed Mr. Clark’s property and his concerns with the number of deer that are present in his alfalfa fields. It was discussed that Mr. Clark normally has around 30-40 deer on his property but at times as many as 70. It was also mentioned that the neighboring properties are dealing with the same issue. A discussion was had in regard to an archery hunt on his property to thin this herd out; then donating the meat to the local food banks. Kirstie stated that over the next few months she would survey the valley multiple times to identify the resident animals. Braid Bailis, FWP Bear Management Technician, briefed the board on the grizzly bear situation in this area. He stated that the West Valley has a lot of unsecured attractants and is prime bear habitat. He mentioned that he does have more conflicts within the city limits than in the West Valley. It was discussed that people in the West Valley may be more tolerant of the bear activity and this is why there may be less reports in this area. He mentioned that in the last month there has been reports of grizzly bears in Wise River, two in Deer Lodge, one in Garrison and various other sightings. Securing food sources will keep the bears from coming back to the same spot. 1|Page Urban Wildlife Task Force Management Meeting Minutes May 9, 2024 More discussion was had in regard to the damage hunt, specifically which types of weapons are allowed. Kirstie mentioned getting locals and local children with tags to participate in the hunts, who then can take the meat home. There were questions asked in regard to the processing of these animals; Kirstie stated that the meat processor must be attached to a food bank, the State will then reimburse them for the processing fees. PUBLIC COMMENT Audience Member – I struggle with the Montana mentality of ‘live and let live’ versus we have a problem, and we need to deal with it. We are too afraid to step on toes. I do not live in the West Valley; I live in town, but we are dealing with the same thing. There is not much being done about the community feeding the deer. Let’s start with education and then move on to enforcement. We have a serious problem here and we need to get control of it. Is there hunting on private lands? Is there block management land for hunting? I am not a hunter, so these are some of the questions that I have. Commissioner Beaudette – John do you think the problem out here is people feeding the deer? John Clark – I have not seen anyone out here feeding the deer, but I have seen it in town. Audience Member, Tammany Street – When I walk my dogs, I see several small herds of 6-7 deer all throughout the neighborhood. I have lived here for twenty years, and the problem has never been this bad. You have to be careful driving in town as well. Last year, I heard of at least a half a dozen bear sightings; I quit walking my dogs in a certain area because of the bear sightings. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Commissioner Beaudette – Brad, are these sightings an indication of a higher population or indication of a bear that is just making the rounds?  Brad Bailis – I cover from the West end of Helena down the west side of Butte to the Big Hole. Anaconda is my main area of concern right now due to the amount of unsecured food sources that are available. I don’t think the bear population is changing at all. The rate of development in the area will most likely cause an increase in conflicts. Feeding the deer is exacerbating the bear problem. Eliminating the deer feeding and keeping garbage from being readily accessible will keep the bears moving. It’s not so much of a population issue as it is unsecured attractants.  Sara Basso, FWP Biologist – When we try to trap the bears, we are usually unsuccessful because they won’t go into our trap when there is garbage available.  Brad Bailis – When they get food conditioned, our bait is not good enough for them. Addressing this issue now will hopefully prevent a grizzly bear coming to town. Audience Member – Stated seeing mountain lions in the area for the last year and a half. I have lived there for 40 years; it seems that during the dryer summers the bear problem is worse. Getting people to stop feeding the deer is the first step, I believe that would put us in a better position. Chief Sather – When we get reports of people feeding the deer all we can do is warn people right now. Commissioner Beaudette – In Washoe park after feeding the ducks, does the food they leave behind attract the deer? Can we put trail cams up to identify any problems in the park?  Brad Bailis – I don’t think putting up trail cams would be a bad idea from an education standpoint. I don’t think people know exactly what is coming into town.  Kirstie Yeager – I believe that adding some sort of sign in the park stating that they will be fined for feeding wildlife would be a deterrent.  Brad Bailis – I am trying to secure grant funding for areas such as Washoe Park for bear resistant containers. When the city begins to add these bear resistant containers community members will take notice and it should be taken seriously. Audience Member – Maybe we could request that the County remove the non-native ducks from the park. At least this would eliminate the feeding of the ducks and another food source for the wildlife. 2|Page Urban Wildlife Task Force Management Meeting Minutes May 9, 2024   Sara Basso – They do not fall under FWP because they are domesticated.  Commissioner Beaudette – So, it is County responsibility?  Sara Basso – You do have that authority, there would be no issue having them euthanized. You would not be able to relocate them because of Avian Flu.  Audience Member – I don’t think we can just get rid of them , this might cause too many emotions in the community. In the past there were volunteers that would house the ducks in the winter. Annette Smith – When they have large parties at Washoe Park, and they leave the trash and food waste those bears are immediately attracted. A couple of years ago they tried to put in proper garbage cans, but it was never followed through. People need to be bear aware, take bear spray, make noise, and follow the rules. Sara Basso – There needs to be a ton of education available to the community. People just have their trash cans overflowing, people are intentionally feeding deer, but you are intentionally feeding bears with your garbage when you know it is an issue and nothing is being done. Braid Bailis – Bear resistant containers are not cheap; they can run from $300.00 - $500.00. There are avenues that we can take to help make this more obtainable for people. We would have to do this in small areas and slowly switch out the regular cans for the bear resistant ones. I would like to be able to help secure funding for Anaconda Disposal to start this process; they have been great to work with. Another option would be to have your garbage secured indoors until the day of pick up. The bear issue has to be addressed at a community level. Commissioner Beaudette – I do wish that we would have more community involvement tonight, but it does show us that it is a different type of problem than what is happening in town. Kirstie Yeager – I am optimistic that we are getting together and getting this process started. It is not going to happen overnight, but we are moving in the right direction. With Brad here I think we are looking at this from the right perspective in viewing this as a wildlife plan and not just a deer plan. NEXT MEETING DATE Discussion took place regarding the location and time of the next meeting. It was determined that the next meeting will be held May 22, 2024, at 6:00 PM at the Metcalf Center. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM 3|Page Urban Wildlife Task Force Management Meeting Minutes May 9, 2024