Stockmen’s Association schedules wolf meeting
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RONAN — The Western Montana Stockmen’s Association will host a town hall meeting on how to protect interests in wildlife and livestock since the gray wolf has been re-listed as an endangered species.
The meeting will be held Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Ronan Community Center.
Ken McAlpin, vice president of the WMSA, said topics would include the status of the gray wolf, what can be expected in the future, protecting livestock, private and public reimbursement programs, and federal and state wildlife management.
Ranchers, hunters, farmers, and landowners are monitoring confirmed wolf sightings in Irvine Flats, Niarada and Dixon.
The re-listing of wolves as an endangered species is a concern for hunters because of the effects of wolf predation on deer/elk hunting populations. Stockmen are concerned that with the gray wolf back on the endangered species list, there is no means of control. Even if a rancher sees a wolf killing a cow, it’s illegal to shoot the wolf, McAlpin explained.
Additionally, Montana Wildlife Services and state trappers must confirm a wolf killed the cow so they are the judge and jury, McAlpin said, which makes Wildlife Services understandably cautious.
“This meeting is for everybody,” McAlpin added. He urges anyone who wants to learn more about wolves, whether they be hunters, landowners, or whomever, to attend the meeting.
