September 1st - 15th, 2024 Range Rider Update
Cool, wet weather ushers us into fall and weaning and shipping are right around the corner. As the season progresses, Range Riders continue to ride daily, monitor game cameras, and communicate observations with the producers and community. Cattle herds remain healthy, and Range Riders have had mostly positive observations to report to producers from rides. There has been one loss since the last report due to natural causes. There was evidence of grizzly bear scavenging, but game camera were only able to capture photos of eagles and coyotes by the time it was deployed.
Most producers will be weaning between now and the first week of October. Hopefully depredations will continue to stay at a minimum between now and when the calves are out. Calves continue to be the most vulnerable to depredations, and once they are out of the valley, we rarely see any conflict. In addition to routine riding schedule, Range Riders will help some with gathering, trailing, and shipping. Working directly with producers for these few days a year has proven to be an incredible opportunity to build relationships, trust, and understanding which provides a great foundation for communication the rest of the year.
Predator activity has remained moderate, with no new livestock-cattle conflict to report in the participant herds. Unfortunately, there was another hunter related conflict north of West Yellowstone. Archery hunters shot at a charging sow with two yearling cubs, killing the sow and injuring one of the yearlings which has not been located since the incident. The two hunters remained uninjured. With two hunter-grizzly bear conflicts in as many weeks, it is more an important than ever to be bear aware, carry bear protection, avoid going out alone, make noise when you can, and keep a clean camp. For more information about the incident, you can read the full article here: https://jacksonholeradio.com/another-grizzly-bear-killed-by-hunters-after-attack/
Hunters, just as a friendly reminder, please be respectful of the Centennial Valley and its community; do not trespass, practice good hunting ethics, clean up after yourself (i.e. garbage and toilet paper), and drive respectfully. Thank you! Also, please consider sending in lymph node samples for CWD testing if you harvest a deer, elk, or moose this season. CWD is a 100% fatal disease that affects these species. Although it has not been known to infect humans, the CDC recommends not consuming meat that is CWD positive. More information about CWD and current management can be found on FWP’s website: https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/chronic-wasting-disease
The Team documented four grizzly bear observations, including one sighting, two observations of tracks, and one observation of sign at a carcass from scavenging activity. All activity was in the northwestern quadrant of the valley.
There were two black bear observations. One was a sighting from community members and the other a set of tracks, both in the eastern half of the valley.
There was one wolf observation of tracks since the last report. Wolf activity continues to be rather quiet this season.
Elk, pronghorn, and moose are rutting or starting to rut. This means you’ll notice large groups of pronghorn across the valley with one or two males and many females. Elk should be bugling and competing for females, and bull moose will be similarly rutting and competing for breeding rights.
The Team and the cameras cannot capture the entire Valley each day, so community reports are extremely valuable to understand how wildlife use the Valley. If you have any wildlife reports to share (big or small!) please contact Erika Nunlist, Wildlife Program Coordinator, at wildlife@centennialvalleyassociation.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
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