urban dwellers

[webfoot]

As much as the urban dwelling people were scared of the idea that there might be a rattle snake in the yard I have to wonder. It has been nearly 7 years since I last killed one that was actually in the yard. But what would they think about a bear in the yard? Especially a sow with cubs. Like the one which lived here for about 6 weeks in late August and September. Or the pack of coyotes which pulled down and ate an entire deer one night in the back yard. Only happened once in the yard but 3 or 4 other times within 100 yards of the house. Or cougars killing deer less than 200 yards of the house. Or the wolf killing a couple calves about 200 yards from our front door. I guess it doesn't scare me because I have lived my entire life in the outdoors. And I learned a long time ago to be aware of my surroundings. Where as they live in their security and safety being surrounded by people in town. Personally I feel safer surrounded by wildlife than I do surrounded by unknown people.

 

[jodywy]

we killed one a couple weeks ago, usually one a summer at least.

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

They seem fine with introducing wolves into agricultural areas and want us re-wild but heaven forbid they get wildlife wandering into a city.

 

[deff]

Don't get me started! Our place is in a very scenic mountain foothill valley. We have new neighbors that bought large ranches, kicked off the cows and renevated hay meadows for food plots for elk. They spend maybe two weeks out of the year on their recreation properties. We are left to contend with the damage to fences and hay meadows from the overflow of game from there. The wolves seem to be contented with just chasing the elk through our fences, so far we are unaware of much livestock losses from them so that's maybe kind of a positive... I guess!
A lot of random 20 to 40 acre parcels have sprouted houses and horse barns in the last few years. Montana allows the use of hounds for hunting bears during the Spring season. Houndsmen have taken an average of 4 or 5 big bears off the place each spring as well as at least 2 or 3 mountain lions during the winter. That definately shrinks our predation loses. Urbanites tend to raise a big fuss anytime they suspect that a hound has been anywhere near thier property making it difficult for houndsmen to run their dogs here now. The newcomers seem to want to transform the neighborhood into a big beautiful wildlife zoo just for their viewing pleasure! They don't spray their weeds or fix their fences and the nice people can't understand why this old codger seems grumpy!
Recently, grizzlies have been documented in the regeon. FWP put on a seminar in town that basically advised us to avoid the bears, lock our cattle up inside electric bear repellent fences and carry bear spray at all times. We have been struggling to make a modest living here for generations. Shouldn't that count for something?