Creep Feeding in Montana

[Northern Rancher]

You might find it hard to believe but we lose more calves to Ravens than coyotes-over the last couple years we've had a couple twins picked open and one time they got bad on brands on some calves we bought and branded in the early winter. Funny how calves will run off from a yote but let them birds pick them. Lots of bear and wolves pass through but can't say for sure if we ever have lost a calf to them-neighbor lost a few on the calving ground in wintertime though-we calve late enough and I don't poison our gophers so the yotes are living on them since they can pack them back to pups.

 

[Anonymous]

A related story in todays Great Falls paper...The Grizzlies are moving back to the prairies....

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20091101/NEWS01/911010301&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

 

[Denny]

I guess I'd just shoot them if they are that much of a bother. We have alot of black bears and I have yet to see any proof of them killing any livestock in our area. Most people are scared of something that will do little to no damage. Bears prefer berries and acorns over meat they need sugars and fat's to put on their winter fat. Try baiting a bear with raw fresh meat you'll get alot of flies not many bears. In the spring they will eat whatever they can after hybrination. Oat and corn fields are at a greater risk than livestock.

 

[nmhighdesert]

Is it legal in MT for a stock grower to kill predators such as grizzlies if they are preding on livestock? It is down here for ranchers or their employees to kill them, as I have been told.