The badger is a predator of minor economic importance. 



Bounties on mountain lions ($50.00) and 

 bobcats ( $2.00 ) were continued. In addition 

 the Commission reimbursed sportsmen's clubs 

 for one-half the bounty paid on crows and 

 magpies but not to exceed 10 cents per bird. 



The more thickly settled farmland areas 

 receive relatively little assistance with their 

 predator problems at present. Problems in 

 these areas are more likely to involve poultry 

 losses to the smaller predators. In many areas 

 skunks and badgers have increased. Fox and 

 raccoon have extended their ranges greatly in 

 recent years. Since they are new to many 

 areas, farmers inexperienced in trapping some- 

 times find these animals difficult to capture. 

 Other states have found extension instruction 

 very effective in dealing with problems of this 

 type. Accordingly, late in the biennium plans 

 were made to initiate an extension predator 

 control program on a pilot basis. 



The extension trapping instructor will 

 work with groups and with individuals. At 

 group meetings he will show movies and slides 

 of trapping, hand out informative bulletins and 

 answer questions. Field demonstrations are 

 made to groups or individuals right on a farm 

 where damage is occurring. The final set may 

 be made to catch the predator doing the 

 damage. 



This training is fast, effective and low in 

 cost. If damage recurs, the farmer is trained 

 and can handle the problem himself; or if more 

 training is needed, he gets it in a follow-up 

 call. This system will encourage the traditional 

 self-reliance of the Montana citizen and will 

 maintain the sovereignty of the private indi- 

 vidual. Anyone interested is simply taught to 

 help himself. It is anticipated that the same 

 approach will be useful in dealing with beaver 

 problems. 



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