URAIT ELS APPENDIX J 



Individual livestock producers should be rewarded for taking voluntary measures to reduce the potential for wolf- 

 livestock conflict. Examples include reducing conflict availability by altering turnout dates, type of livestock, or the 

 timing of breeding/calving cycles. If problems are chronic, a livestock producer would have the option to move or 

 receive payment from a private organization for retiring a public grazing allotment, with concurrence from the land 

 management agency. Federal land management agencies do not have administrative or budgetary procedures to pay 

 a producer to retire an allotment. Such funds must be secured from other sources. However, the federal land 

 management agencies do have administrative flexibility to address chronic wolf-livestock conflicts by working with 

 individual producers or grazing cooperatives to modify grazing practices to the mutual agreement and benefit of all 

 interests. 



Producers should also be rewarded for their willingness to cooperate in experimental protocols testing non-lethal 

 management tools, such as scaring devices or noise-makers. Because wolves learn quickly and may habituate to 

 certain management tools, no single non-lethal technique will work in all situations or for extended periods of time. 

 The National Wildlife Research Center (the research arm of WS), in conjunction with other partners, has been 

 actively developing and field-testing methods to discourage wolves from approaching livestock (Bangs and Shivik 

 2001). This work will continue in the future. 



Despite our collective attempts to minimize the potential for depredation, livestock depredation will still occur. 

 Livestock producers should have a quick and efficient means available to address wolf depredation problems, 

 particularly if the incident occurs on private property. There will be a positive relationship between wolf numbers 

 and landowner flexibility to address wolf depredations. As wolf numbers increase, landowner flexibility will 

 increase proportionately. 



Less than 15 Wolf Packs — Landowners or their agents may non-lethally harass a wolf or wolves without a permit 

 if wolves are disrupting hvestock on public or private land. The intent is to discourage wolf activity in close 

 proximity to livestock, before a depredation actually takes place and more intensive management actions become 

 necessary. If repeated and persistent non-lethal harassment does not discourage wolves from chasing, testing, or 

 otherwise disrupting livestock, the producer may contact MFWP to receive a special permit that grants permission to 

 kill wildlife under certain circumstances and according to certain provisions. These are also called "kill permits." 

 Montana statutes assign authority to MFWP for providing special kill permits to landowners. Administration and 

 follow up is also a responsibility of MFWP. Permit holders will be held accountable for adhering to the terms of the 

 permit. Existing statutes prohibit all citizens (including livestock producers) from taking legally classified wildlife 

 outside a MFWP Commission-approved season, the provisions of a special kill permit, or in defense of life/property. 

 Examples of some legally classified wildlife include deer, elk, mountain lions, upland birds, or wolves. Special kill 

 permits would only be valid on private land and would be subject to other restrictions mutually agreed on by both 

 parties. MFWT will issue fewer kill permits when wolf numbers are low. out of concern for overall wolf population 

 status. If a livestock producer kills a wolf under the special kill permit, he/she should not move or otherwise disturb 

 the carcass. After securing the scene, producers should then report the incident to MFWP. as soon as possible, but 

 within 72 hours. Upon investigation, the entire carcass must be turned in to MFAVP. Livestock producers will be 

 held accountable for wolves in the same manner as for other legally classified species killed under a special permit. 



Producers or their agents may also non-lethally harass wolves that disrupt livestock on public lands. MFWP will not 

 issue special kill jjermits to livestock producers to remove wolves on public lands when wolf numbers are low. If 

 non-lethal harassment does not discourage wolf activity around livestock on public lands, the producer or agent 

 should contact WS for guidance and appropriate agency action. 



If a depredation does occur on public or private lands, the producer should secure the scene and report the incident 

 to WS, as they presentiy do for other predator-related livestock losses. Upon a field investigation. WS may consult 

 with MFWP or initiate non-lethal or lethal control actions, as appropriate and according to an MOU between 

 MFWP, MDOL, and WS. 



Upon delisting, provisions of SB163 take effect. Producers (or their agents) can kill a wolf (without a special kill 

 permit from MFWP) if the wolf is "attacking, killing, or threatening to kill" livestock, regardless of whether the 

 incident takes place on public or private lands. This is consistent with the intent of allowing private citizens to 

 protect persons or livestock from imminent danger caused by wildlife (Montana Statute 87-3-130). If a livestock 

 producer kills a wolf under the defense of property provisions of SB 1 63, he/she should not move or otherwise 



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