August 16th - 31st, 2024 Range Rider Update

The Centennial Valley is starting to see a shift in seasons as summer moves into fall. Aspen trees are starting to show some color and the mornings have been chilly. Range Riders continue to ride daily, monitor game cameras, and communicate our observations with the producers and community. Predator activity has remained moderate, with no new livestock-cattle conflict to report in the herds we ride through. A community member did report several suspected depredations in a herd that we are not riding through. Range riders have not deployed any cameras in the vicinity, and the cattle were moved to hopefully avoid any further conflict.

By and large cattle that Range Riders monitor remain healthy, although there have been several recent losses due to natural causes (sickness and poisonous plants). Wildlife Services was called in to investigate one of these carcasses because there was some uncertainty about cause of death, but the loss was determined not to be a depredation. Range Riders continue to deploy cameras on carcasses regardless of cause of death to gather information about scavenging activity. Overall, the program continues to see consistent grizzly bear and black bear activity across the landscape, but have documented markedly less wolf activity this season.

Last Sunday an archery hunter was mauled by a grizzly bear northeast of Red Rock Pass near the Divide Creek Road in Idaho. The hunter and his partner used side arms to shoot the adult male grizzly bear, stopping the attack and killing the bear. Fortunately, the mauled hunter is expected to survive. General archery season starts September 9th in the Centennial Valley. This is a timely reminder 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://nbcmontana.com/news/local/archery-hunter-airlifted-to-hospital-grizzly-bear-killed-after-attack-near-island-park

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. To the right is a map of the current distribution of positive CWD samples (large orange spots) from across the state. More information about CWD and current management can be found on FWP’s website: https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/chronic-wasting-disease

There were seven documented grizzly bear observations. This included two sightings, two signs (tracks/scat) at different carcasses, two game camera events, and grizzly-hunter conflict mauling. Activity was dispersed throughout the Valley. One of the game cameras events was at a carcass and included a sow with a cub of the year and a second older cub.

There was one black bear observation in the north central part of the valley since the last report, sighted running off a carcass by one of the Range Riders.  

There were no wolf observations.

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 soon, and bull moose will be similarly rutting and competing for breeding rights. In some areas where there are high numbers elk, grizzly bears have learned to key into the mewing that cow elk make as a potential food source. Hunters often mimic this call to lure in bull elk, an action that has resulted in grizzly bear-human conflict on more than one occasion throughout the region. Just another thing to be aware of while out hunting and recreating in grizzly bear country!

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!

*** 2024 content is property of the Centennial Valley Association. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without written permission. ***

Film Premiere to Watch Thursday, September 12th at 1pm MDT
By Western Landowners Alliance 

Grizzlies and Grazing is a film that explores how the fate of these iconic landscapes and their inhabitants hangs in a delicate balance, where the survival of both grizzlies and ranchers are deeply intertwined. The film will be followed by a panel conversation with ranchers and land stewards, including: Steve Primm, Rick Sandru, Erik Kalsta, and Trina Jo Bradley. To register for free or learn more about the film, go to: https://westernlandowners.org/films/grizzlies-and-grazing/