Organizations collaborate to reduce big game depredation on reservation
CSKT Wildlife Management Program, Western Montana Stockmen’s Association work together
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News from CSKT Natural Resources
FLATHEAD RESERVATION - Populations of migratory wildlife on the Flathead Indian Reservation are dynamic, and subject to yearly fluctuations as a result of a number of environmental factors. Living with wildlife can lead to conflict and, the CSKT Wildlife Management Program works with local ranchers to address the damage caused by big game. It is important that landowners and Wildlife Managers communicate and work together closely to reduce damage on property and crops.
The CSKT Wildlife Management Program develops and implements sound, scientific management of wildlife on the Reservation. When game population movements and feeding patterns come into conflict with other land uses, workable solutions for those problems are sought out on a case-by-case basis. While each conflict may require a different solution, the CSKT Wildlife Program offers a variety of tools to reduce conflict. Multiple meetings with local ranchers and the Western Montana Stockmen’s Associate Board of Directors has resulted in effective communication on causes of depredation, as well as adaptable solutions to reduce pressures of big game on local ranchers.
“Western Montana Stockmen’s Association Board of Directors commends the efforts CS&K Tribal Wildlife Management Program is making to communicate and assist ranchers and other landowners in their conflicts with wildlife” - Dusty Smith, President Western Montana Stockmen’s Association.
Currently, landowners who are experiencing crop depredation or property damage by big game presence can enroll in the Wildlife Management Program’s Big Game Depredation Hunting list. This list allows Tribal member hunters to coordinate with landowners to harvest big game on private property in areas that are experiencing pressures from local wildlife and big game populations. Buck/bull harvest by tribal members can occur year-round, and doe/cow harvest by tribal members can occur between September 1 and January 31. Landowners can contact CSKT Wildlife about enrolling their property into the program by emailingWildlife@cskt.org or by calling the 24/7 conflict call number (406)-675-2774 and leaving a detailed message. Tribal member hunters interested in helping landowners reduce pressures from wildlife populations can sign-up to be on a Hunter’s Call list by filling out our online form and emailing it to Wildlife@cskt.org.
During 2024, 14 landowners enrolled their properties in the CSKT Wildlife Program’s Big Game Depredation Hunting List. These landowners received over 65 visits by Tribal Members on their properties last year, which resulted in over 40 animals harvested by Tribal members, redistributing local herds enough to reduce overall property damage and crop-loss. “Our Program has begun to incorporate some additional depredation resources for use in coordination with landowners that are facing big game depredation. Over the last few seasons, we have tested the use of big game sound cannons around haystack yards, flare guns, hazing with dogs and four-wheelers, fencing modifications (fladry / PVC / laydown fencing, etc.), clover trapping and audial deterrents. We have received positive feedback from each of the new tools in our depredation tool-kit” – Kari Kingery; CSKT Wildlife Program Manager.
The CSKT has also recently created a Food Sovereignty Program that organizes hunts with administrative hunting staff and distributes meat to elders and Tribal members. This program has been highly effective at addressing big game conflicts.
“Tribal Wildlife’s cooperation with Western Montana Stockmen’s Association allows us to combine resources to help mitigate livestock and wildlife confrontations” - Dusty Smith, President Western Montana Stockmen’s Association.
The Tribe has also broken ground in the construction of a meat processing facility that will allow Tribal members to process wild game. This facility is scheduled to be complete in fall 2026, and will increase the capacity for Tribal members to harvest and process big game on the Flathead Reservation.
For more information contact Kari Kingery, Wildlife Program Manager @ kari.kingery@cskt.org.
