November 2014 Volume 3, Issue 6

THE POST RIDER

Marias River Livestock Association, 72 Sweetgrass Hills Rd, Sweet Grass, MT 59484 What Would Bison on INSIDE THIS ISSUE Bison on the Rocky Mountain Front 1 the Rocky Mountain Dave Rustebakke’s DVM thoughts 3 Annual Meeting and Election of Directors 4 Front look like? Membership Renewal 5 Dena Fritz Appointment to National Committee 6 Bull Bucks 7 By Maggie Nutter Musing of a Feed Salesman 8 Bobcat Angus –a cutting edge team 9 A few years back I received a call from a gentleman who Rib 10 lives in Canada. He had picked up our newsletter in Sweetgrass and wanted me to know that Canada was Save the Date & News Nibbles 11 planning on restoring bison to their National Parks and that Working for you 12 this action could directly affect us. How could that affect us?? So for the last few years my ears and eyes have been open to picking up little bits and BIG bits of info that all piece together to show a picture of how that may happen.

A quick Google search “Bison Restoration” brings up the Wildlife Conservation Society’s slide show “Ecological Recovery of American Bison” by Keith Aune, Senior Conservation Scientist. http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/files/norock/media/Aune_Oct2 011_EcoLunch.pdf Slide #20 in particular caught my attention—“Where will we restore bison? Sanderson et al, 2007 map. Our area is very much on that map and WHAT??? Slide 21 “Priority Reintroduction Sites” wouldn’t you know there we are distinctly circled in black. Also circled was of course the CMR area in Eastern Montana. This very quick click through slide show had me awake and paying attention.

A little more searching and sure enough there is a report, Reintroduction of bison into the Rocky Mountain Parks of Canada: historical and archaeological, by Charles E. Kay, Department of Political Science, Utah State university and Clifford A. White, Parks Canada, Banff National Park. Parks Canada is required by legislative statute to maintain the ecological integrity of Canada’s national parks, which includes restoring extirpated species (Parks Canada 2000a-b). To determine if bison (Bison bison) were Map above is slide #21 “Priority Reintroduction Sites” indigenous to the southern From the Wildlife Conservation. Society slide show- Canadian Rockies, we conducted a detailed analysis “Ecological Recovery of American Bison” by Keith Aune of first-person historical journals

and reviewed existing archaeological data….. At the FWP Bison Discussion Meeting in Great Fall, Oct 9th Yep, restoration is planned and going through the processes the Rocky Mountain Front was mention multiple times as a of deciding where and getting the public comment which sight that already was being prepared and looked at. hasn’t been all friendly.

People need to be prepared to speak to this. Also in 2008 the Department of Interior had come out with

Continued on Page 13

Page 2 The Post Rider

Third Annual

Prime Rib & Rib Tickler

Nov 15, 2014

Civic Center, Shelby

The Social Time begins at 5:30pm

With Prime Rib Dinner to follow There will be Door Prizes Rib Gustafson Bull Buck Drawing

His impish smile and twinkling eyes will shine on Merchant Dollars as stories of Rib are retold.

His mischievous rhymes, naughty songs and jokes MC- Art Taft from KRTV News in my mind will never grow old.

May God greet him in Glory with mercy and grace Music by and laugh at the pranks Rib pulled. Rob Quist & Great Northern

Here on earth we may mourn but should rejoice Band for all the memories of Rib we still hold. Full obituary pg 10

Coming right up Thursday, November 13th at the De Boo Ranch, Valier Montana. Lunch at 11:30am

The Post Rider Page 3 Animal and Human Health Precautions Contrasted

A friend sent me an e-mail containing the letter to the Editor of a Lewiston Idaho Newspaper. Being interested in what he had to say I Googled the name then dialed up Dave Rustebakke, the Vet who wrote this article. He is a very kind and friendly man and to tell you how small this world is when he first got out of Vet school he worked for late Rib Gustafson DVM who was a member of our Marias River Livestock Association (Rib is Wylie and Barr Gustafson's father, who are also members of our association)

Dave relayed how he had come up to our country and visited Rib last summer. In the old days when he worked for Rib, Sweet Grass was a hot spot for activity and him and Rib would frequent there. Dave grew up on a farm and ranch near Scobey, Montana. In 1972 He graduated with a DVM from Washington State University. He specialized in equine reproduction. Hope David A. Rustebakke, DVM you enjoy Dave’s thoughts.--Maggie Rustebakke Veterinary Service ______Clarkston, Washington The present Ebola crisis in the world is frightening. I have submitted the following letter to the editor of the Lewiston Morning Tribune:

Editor, Lewiston Morning Tribune: If I am a resident of Liberia incubating Ebola, to enter the United States all I need to do is present a valid visa, and lie If I wish to import a horse into the United States from when asked if I have been exposed to Ebola. Within hours Liberia or any African country other than Morocco, the (no quarantine required) I can be walking the streets of horse needs to undergo a 60 day quarantine period at a any city in the United States. USDA approved quarantine facility prior to mingling with the general population of horses in this country. Africa I feel very fortunate to live in a country that values our has a disease called African Horse Sickness that does not animals so highly. exist in the US; this is the way we have kept it out of this country. African Horse Sickness does not cause disease in David A. Rustebakke, DVM people, only horses; our government has determined that it would be devastating to the US horse industry if it were to come here.

The United States (and virtually all other countries) require a myriad of tests and often quarantine prior to bringing in a foreign animal.

I can’t legally cross state lines in the United States with a horse or cow without a health certificate signed by a USDA accredited veterinarian stating that the animal has been inspected and found free of infectious disease. In most cases blood tests are also required. In fact I can’t legally cross the Snake River and ride my horse in Idaho without a health certificate and a negative blood test for Equine Infectious Anemia.

I’m not complaining; the United States of America, the States of Idaho and Washington as well as the other 48 states take the health of our livestock very seriously, and we have a very good record at keeping foreign animal diseases out of our country. I am happy to do my part to maintain biosecurity in our animal population.

Page 4 The Post Rider

Lodging Options for Shelby, MT

Comfort Inn & Suites 434-2212 455 McKinley, Shelby MT Room w/ 1 Queen 2 people aprox $82 John Youngberg, Executive Vice President for Crossroads Inn 434-5134 Montana Farm Bureau and Jack Holden, Director for 1200 US Highway West, Shelby Montana Stockgrowers gave members some insight Room w/ 1 Queen 2 people aprox $60 into the upcoming 2015 legislative session. Glacier Motel & RV Park 434-5181 744 Roosevelt Highway, Shelby Marias River Livestock Association Room w/ 1 queen 2 people aprox $64

Annual Meeting O’Haire Manor 434-555 and Election of Directors 204 2nd Stree South, Shelby Room w/ 1 Queen 2 people $49

The Annual Meeting was held at Ringside Ribs in Shelby, MT. Shelby Best Western Inn & Suites 424-4560 Reports were given by John Youngberg and Jack Holden on (also has RV Park) what to expect from the upcoming 2015 legislative session. 1948 Roosevelt Highway, Shelby Room w/ 1 Queen 2 people $83-$125 Officers and Directors gave a report on what they thought was significant achievements of the MRLA during the past year. Totem Motel 434-2930 730 Oilfield Ave, Shelby New Directors were voted on for Toole and Liberty Counties. Room w/ 1 Queen 2 people $39 Bob Thompson will fill another term as Director for Liberty County while Paul Turner will be the new Director for Toole Remember to mention the event you will be attending County. when you make reservations as there may be a block of rooms with discounts. See www.MariasRiverLivestock.com for more details on lodging.

Jason and Pamala Enneberg and their newest family member, look on as Jack Holden gives an update on Stockgrowers information and the upcoming legislative session.

The Post Rider Page 5

October and November Marias River Livestock are Membership Membership Application DATE______Renewal Months NAME______So what does your membership dollars do for you and the livestock industry?? Let’s first look at the goals in the Marias River Livestock Association By-Laws. MAILING ADDRESS______1. Education of the public of the benefits of agricultural production and the problems facing ______livestock producers and those operating businesses linked with livestock production. TELEPHONE ______

2. Promoting legislation that is favorable to persons EMAIL ADDRESS engaged in agriculture. ______3. Informing members of Marias Livestock Association of local, State and Federal issues MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Marias River Livestock Association that may affect their livestock operations in a Carrie Sue Lerum timely manner. PO Box 56 4. Promoting interest in livestock production and Galata, Mt 59444 agricultural business to the youth of our communities. Active Membership is per individual not per ranch or corporation. 5. Promoting the values of individual liberty, limited This a new membership ____ government, and fiscal responsibility in local, This is a renewal _____ state and national government.

____ Active Member $50 This year we have held educational meetings, distributed Any individual 18 years of age or older, active in the livestock newsletters and hosted the Gentle Hand Livestock production industry in the counties of Glacier, Liberty, Conference and are one of the four co-operating Pondera, or Toole, Montana is eligible for active membership organizations for the Montana’s Next Generation in the Marias River Livestock Association Conference. Education of members and the public has been a huge push. ____ Youth Member $10 We have engaged with many Legislators during the this Youth are under 18 years of age and interested in learning last year and are educating ourselves and them about about livestock production, promoting the livestock industry issues such as wildlife, property rights, and water rights and willing to volunteer 5 hours a year. so that we can encourage favorable legislation for agriculture. ____ Associate Member $50 Marias River Livestock Association has a Facebook page An individual, firm, corporation or partnership, no matter and website for quick updates on comment periods and where it’s or his/her place of business or residence may be for anything from wolves to beef imports from countries eligible for non-voting Associate Membership with Foot and Mouth Disease. We also try to include such items in the Newsletter but with 30 day comment periods it isn’t always fast enough. To promote livestock production and interest in Agriculture we have organized the Two-year Heifer Breeding Project Awards for the Four County Marias Fair. We helped organize the Breeding for Success Award with Nationwide Insurance and we helped sponsor the Young Ag Leaders Conference and the Young Ag Couples Conference. We are working with FFA to perhaps organize and promote speakers and educational experiences in agriculture for them. Again we communicate with legislators about our concerns of over regulation and budgeting. We appreciate your membership and your participation in our meetings and events. The Board of Directors is there to hear your concerns and bring them forward so that they can be addressed. We hope that you will be motivated to join or renew your membership before November. Maggie Nutter

Page 6 The Post Rider

Dena Fritz Appointed HELP FOR THE AGES

to As the age of ranchers rises and the youngsters work in town Your cowboy crew can then become a bit whiter on the National Wildlife crown.

Services Committee The Vet was out to preg test at a long time ranchers place; there were 4 men helping out that day, grey beards on every face. USDA Appoints National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee Members Experience is priceless, you’ll get no argument from me but it brings on it’s own problems, as you will shortly see. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced (Nov 1, 2014) the appointment of 20 The youngest chap at 64 brought the cattle one by one. members to the National Wildlife Services Advisory Which he did at his own speed, ready or not, here they come.

Committee (NWSAC). Membership represents a broad The owner there at 72 was the head catch man of the hour, range of agricultural, animal welfare and wildlife releasing the gate on your command, until his hearing aid interests. lost power. During their terms, the committee members will advise The man with the vaccine gun was a steady workin’ guy USDA on the activities and policies of wildlife services tho’ he took a break just one quick time to turn his oxygen (WS), a program within the U.S. Department of tank on high. Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Selected candidates represent academia, airport safety, Just down the alley the final help was a man with some vanity; animal welfare, aquaculture, farmers, producers and disdaining a cane or hearing aid at the age of 83. livestock industry, private pest control, state wildlife agencies, Tribal nations and the veterinary field. The He was in charge of the gate cuts, the pregnant from the dry which tested patience and vocal cords yelling “Keep ‘er” or Committee serves as a public forum enabling those “let ‘er by” affected by the Wildlife Services program to have a voice in the program’s policies. “I can see that she’s a Hereford” he’d bellow back in rage, Serving their first appointment on the advisory board are: “Ya think I’m blind or something’ cuz I show a little age??!!”

Mark Zaunbrecher, Louisiana Rice Growers and Cameron But by golly all the work got done and nothing’ broke you Rice Growers Associations; Irma Cauley, farmer/producer; know Allen Olsen, livestock/sheep Industry; Dena Fritz, cuz the whole crew worked at a steady speed, which livestock industry; Brent Miller, Congressional happened to be super slow.

Sportsmen’s Foundation; Kenneth Wilson, Colorado State Gina Stevens University; Daniel Sullivan, U.S. Air Force BASH Team; Charles Williamson, National Aquaculture Association; Reginal Herman, National Sunflower Association; Joel Dennis, Texas Sheep and Goat Raiser’s Association; Burdell Johnson, American Sheep Industry; Joseph Lanham, National Wildlife Control Operators Association; Ronald Regan, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies; and Dr. James LaCour, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Committee members can serve up to three consecutive terms. Previously serving advisors eligible for re- appointment and selected are: Maggie Brasted, Humane Society of the United States; Andrea Lococo, Animal

Continued pg 10

The Post Rider Page 7

BULL BUCKS 2013 Participating Producers Buy Local Flesch Angus- Sale March, 2015 www.fleschangus.com You deserve the best! Holden Hereford- Sale Date March, 2015 The third annual Bull Bucks Drawing will be http://www.holdenherefords.com/ held November 15, 2014 at the Prime Rib and Rib Tickler. It’s not too late to become Turner Angus- www.TurnerAngus.com Paul Turner eligible, so join Marias River Livestock 406-434-2823 Association today. Diamond D Angus- Sale Nov 13, 2014 and some Spring All Charter and Active member of Marias Private Treaty www.diamonddangus.com River Livestock Association are eligible to be put in the drawing at the Annual Event Bobcat Angus- Sale Nov 24, 2014 www.bobcatangus.com November 15, 2014 at the Civic Center in Shelby Montana. Curry Cattle Inc- Gene & Cheryl Curry 279-3561 Replacement Angus females How it works: Participating Registered Bull Breeders and Seed Stock Female Producers Diemert Ranch Herefords- Ace & Tara Diemert 432-3412 each contribute $50 for the “POT.” At the http://www.ngrbulls.com/diemert_ranch_herefords.htm

Prime Rib and Rib Tickler Event a lucky winner Apex Angus Sale March 3, 2015 will be drawn from the current Marias River http://www.apexangus.com Livestock Association, Active Membership to receive a Bull Bucks Voucher. The Voucher is Superior Livestock Video Auction- Steve Reeverts good towards the purchase of Registered Bulls or Seed Stock Females from the participating Hawks Angus- Sale March 16, 2015 www.hawksangus.com Breeders/Producers. Kicking Horse Ranch Gelbvieh- Sale March, 2015 The amount of the Voucher depends on the www.kickinghorseranch.com number of Breeders/Producers who Gillespie Show Cattle- Butch & Doreen Gillespie 337-2943 or participate in the program. Currently the 949-4453, www.gillespieshowcattle.com Voucher is worth $800. The Voucher is good only for cattle purchases from the Enneberg Angus Ranch- Jason and Pamala Enneberg participating Breeders/Producers and cannot 406-845-4901 [email protected] be redeemed for cash. The Association keeps no money. All funds are placed in the POT for Nine Irons Seedstock, Darold and Lorna Tomsheck, the winning member’s Bull Bucks Voucher. 406-937-3726 www.blackranchesinc.com

Certain Creek Ranch, bred cattle, Kelly Mothershead 406-450-0866

Page 8 The Post Rider Musings of a Feed Salesman

By Jake “Spoon” Seavert

Well I am sure we have all speculated on the rough summer and fall we have been having when it comes time to harvest our crops. With all of the recent weather events there is definitely an abundance of sprouted grains available upon the Jake “Spoon” Seavert Nutritionist for Co-Feeds market place. Are these grains safe to feed? Am I going to gain efficiency by feeding these grains? I is important to consider what lies ahead as we are will present some pros and cons to the debacle faced also with higher cattle prices. To lose one many ranchers are facing within the region. $2500 bred cow or one $1600 calf would really be The fact is, grains contain starch and are a setback on the bottom line. highly fermentable within the cows’ rumen, which Weigh the risks against the benefits to may lead to acidosis, founder laminitis and bloat. assess your strategy to sprouted grains. Make Due to negative associative rumen micro flora sound decisions and always ensure adequate effects, feeding these highly fermentable, high forage and a good vitamin and trace mineral starch grains along with lower quality forages will program. Contact your local feed consultant, cause a reduction in fiber digestion. salesman or extension to discuss forage sampling What do the sprouted grains contain? They procedures. may contain molds and mycotoxins. These will affect the performance as well as the health of these cattle. It would be wise to have these grains sampled and tested for such issues. On top of the mold and mycotoxin issue is the threat of Ergot and Ergot toxicity. This issue may affect cattle in gestation. Some of the symptoms may include poor circulation which then the animal may lose the tips of their ears or the tips of their tails. Other extremities will also be affected such as showing some sign of lameness in the hind quarters as well. It would also be wise to send in a good representative sample to have tested. Some notes taken from a recent North Dakota State Extension publication suggest that some energy in the forage is lost due to the germination of the grain. Sprouting of the grain may improve feed value of the grain. Also some recent studies from several universities, suggest that performance of the cattle was not significant between sprouted and non‐sprouted grains. We are faced with everyday challenges of tending the earth, sowing and reaping the crops, it

The Post Rider Page 9

Bobcat Angus

In 1985, a fast friendship was formed between Ratzburg brothers, Bryan and Ernie and John Goggins as the three began their football careers at MSU Bozeman. This friendship did not weaken when they graduated from college, instead it developed into a cutting edge partnership in the registered cattle business.

Bryan Ratzburg was ranching in the Sweet Grass Hills when he purchased his first cattle from John Flesch in about 1992. Then a couple of years after that, John Goggins had some extra cattle that he sent up to Bryan. This simple act evolved into what is now known as Bobcat Angus with the three friends combining their college gained agriculture knowledge and marketing sense.

Ratzburgs started raising bulls for their own needs and that catapulted them in to raising registered bulls. Ratzburgs kept an eye on new technology and started working with Dr. Ralph Miller. Dr Ralph Miller, White Sulphur Springs, was a pioneer in using ultrasound to Bryan Ratzburg, John Goggins and Ernie Ratzburg age and sex embryos in bred heifers. make up Bobcat Angus, selling 175 registered bulls and 750 bred females in their sale this fall. Ratzburgs moved into the specialty market with AI’d heifers. Dr Miller through ultra sounding would age and sex the heifers so they could be sold in groups that Check out their catalog at : would calve in short periods of time. This allowed www.BobcatAngus.com ranchers who would rather purchase replacement heifers than raise them to save labor by purchasing groups of 50 heifers all selected to give birth to high grade bull calves in a 10 day calving period. The demand for these group bred heifers continues to grow.

Bobcat Angus first sale in 2005 was 55 bulls and 300 bred heifers. This year is the 10th Annual Sale and the catalog holds 175 bulls and 750 bred females.

Ratzburgs use the sale as a listening point so they can keep up with the ever changing market demands. They now are offering bred 3 year olds. These second calf heifers offer two great qualities- they are experienced at calving so require less labor and they have bred back after their first calf. The bonus is they are young and have years of production ahead of them.

Bryan says working on the farm and ranch passes on a great work ethic and respect for the ground and animals. These values started with his Great Grandfather in 1917 and continue on in their family. The demand for experienced agriculture workers continues to grow.

Bryan tags a cow undergoing ultrasound. Bryan, Ernie and John all hope to see their children Bryan believes working on the ranch grow up, get through college and come back to agriculture. Planning for the future is key in making will teach work ethic and respect for the land sure they will all to have a place or niche in the to the next generation business.

Page 10 The Post Rider

decades, facilitating extensive disease-free cattle and horse commerce across the international border. He inspected his last herd and penned his last health Obituary certificate in October 2012 after practicing veterinary medicine for 61 years.

Rib Gustafson Rib touched many lives in north central Montana, both human and animal. He mentored veterinary Sid Gustafson DVM students from all over America at his practice and on www.sidgustafson.com his ranch throughout his career. His spirit to enjoy life while making the world a better place for animals Rib Gustafson DVM is resting peacefully over the Chinook remains with all who knew and worked with him. For Arch. Below is his veterinary obituary. His family obituary can a complete history of his veterinary career please be accesses in the Tribune and Chronicle on Sunday. read his books Under the Chinook Arch and Room to Dr Raymond W. Gustafson (Colorado A&M, 1951) of Conrad, Roam. Montana peacefully slipped away from a lifetime of veterinary work Under the Chinook Arch on October 30, 2014. Dr Gustafson is survived by his five children, two of them veterinarians: Sid Gustafson DVM (WSU 1979) Born in Rapelje, MT in 1925, his father died of Rocky practices veterinary medicine in Big Sky, MT and is Mountain spotted fever in 1933. Rib completed high school the equine behaviour educator for the University of in Bozeman, enlisted in the Navy in 1943, and became a Guelph. Barr Gustafson DVM (Oregon State University naval aviator before completing his pre-veterinary education 1985 and WSU 1985) operates the family ranch and at Montana State University. He was accepted to veterinary practices veterinary medicine near Browning, MT. His school at Colorado A&M, where he became a world-class ski daughter Kristen Juras, an attorney, and his two racer for the Aggies, matriculating in 1951. Upon graduation, musician sons Erik and Wylie (famous for the Yahoo Rib practiced veterinary medicine and surgery, raised and yodel), survive Rib, as well. His dog and cat miss him trained horses, and cattle ranched under his beloved Chinook dearly. Arch for the rest of his life. He set up his first clinic in the ______Stockyards at Shelby, Montana in 1951 before moving to nearby Conrad in 1953 where he established a thriving Fritz Appointment cont from pg 6 mixed animal veterinary practice. Through perseverance and hard work, Rib was able to purchase a ranch on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in 1972 after pregnancy testing hundreds of thousands cows for his clients in the Golden Triangle of Welfare Institute; Howard Dew, Oregon Forest Montana. Industries Council; Scott Steckel, National Pest

Management Association; Scott Bender, Navajo Dr Gustafson was instrumental in eradicating brucellosis from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and surrounding Nation; and Stephen Schmitt, American Association counties. He tested virtually every cow in the region, some of of Wildlife Veterinarians and Association of Fish and them wild, securing brucellosis free status for the region, Wildlife Agencies. which has been maintained ever since. He was respected for Nominations for individuals to serve on the bringing his homebred and trained horses and cattle dogs along on his veterinary rounds to assist in the gathers to test committee were received from interested the cattle. He became a regulatory veterinarian for the organizations, the academic community, stakeholder Montana Horse Racing Board in the 60s, dramatically groups, individuals and other related parties cleaning up the sport. He felt horseracing was intended to measure the natural ability of horses and he effectively following extensive outreach. enforced and supported medication-free racing. Dr Gustafson The NWSAC advises on the activities, policies and fostered the traditional horseracing opinion that horses that research needed to conduct Wildlife Services, which require medication to race are not fit to race safely. assists where wildlife cause damage or conflict with

With the help of his wife Pat, and his five children, Rib people. This ranges from verifying and managing became a classy powder skier, bulldogger, storyteller, singer, livestock depredation by predators to offering advice and rancher. The man could rope and ride. He was an AQHA on limiting bird damage to aquaculture and crop judge for several decades, a successful horse breeder importing the first Texas Quarter Horses to Montana with his operations. With independent state offices, the brothers after WWII, a state legislator in the Montana House program responds to local requests with most direct of Representatives (1961-62), a Conrad school board assistance covered by user fees. member (1969-1974), the Chairman of the Montana Board of # Environmental Health (1992-1998), and a lifelong Deputy USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer State Veterinarian for the State of Montana Department of and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, Livestock. He was a lifelong member of the Montana write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Veterinary Medical Association, where he was president for Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250- one term in the mid-60s. He was the closest veterinarian to 9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720- the Canadian Border east of Glacier National Park for several 6382 (TDD).

The Post Rider Page 11

Save The Date

Nov 9- 11 MT Farm Bureau Convention, Billings Hotel and Convention Center

Nov 13 FWP Commissioners Meeting FWP Headquarters, Helena. Starts at 8 am sharp

Nov 15 MRLA- 3rd Annual PRIME RIB AND RIB TICKLER

Nov 17 & 18 Board of Livestock Meeting, Conference Room at Department of Livestock, Helena Mon 1pm -5pm, Tue 8am -12

Nov 20 Interagency Bison Management Plan Council Meeting Chico Hot Springs 8am – 5pm

Dec 2 Interagency Grizzly Bear Council (IGBC) Northern Continental Divide Subcommittee Meeting, FWP Regional Office, Missoula News Nibbles

Dec 9 & 10 IGBC Executive Meeting ( all sub committees and Partners) 8am-5pm both days. Holiday Inn Downtown Missoula With the redistricting that went on we lost seats that represented rural communities and agriculture. Agriculture Dec 4-5 Wool Growers Convention Billings & Livestock Loss is losing its voice in the Legislature and we need to be more Board Meeting active as organizations and individuals to make ourselves heard. –John Youngberg, Executive Vice President, Montana Dec 11- 13 Montana Stockgrowers Convention Farm Bureau

Jan 9 & 10 Montana Bison Association Annual Meeting, White Sulphur Springs. More Info at http://www.montanabison.org/ Via E-mail to answer budget question asked about the Dept of Livestock. I think we should send her to Washington DC Jan 21-24 35th Annual Young Ag Couples Conference, Red Lion What if a department doesn’t have enough money to make Inn, Helena MT. If you are a young couple interested in attending their budget work? Who pays the bills? please call Maggie Nutter 937-2751 “If there is not enough money, there should be no additional expenditures and no bills to pay.” Jan 28-30, Montana Ag Business Association 28th Annual Barbara Smith, Operations Manager, Legislative Fiscal Convention, Best Western in Great Falls. More info at: Division www.mtagbiz.org

Jan 30 & 31 Montana’s Next Generation Conference, Shelby MT “No problem. Whenever I get to speak up for us against Registration and agenda at www.MariasRiverLivestock.com bears, I'm down!” Trina Jo Bradly, Valier, when asked if she would attend the Interagency Grizzly Bear Fall meeting with me (Maggie)

The deadline for Comment on the EPA-Waters of the USA is November 12th. Go to http://ditchtherule.fb.org/ And comment. There is plenty of information there on the site to help you know what to say and the portal for comment is easy to use.

George Edwards, Livestock Loss Board, who was quoting from the MACo Jan 2013 newsletter— Seth Wilson of the Blackfoot Challenge Wildlife Committee (a subcommittee formed due to the increasing human-bear conflicts) said that composting efforts, coupled with electric fencing, sanitation, neighborhood networks, and general bear awareness reduced conflicts with grizzlies by 96% over a seven year period in its project area.

Continued pg 12

Page 12 The Post Rider

Livestock Loss Board has $25,000 in grants to help start preventative measures. There is some thought that a Working for You carcass composting site would work in the Glacier, Toole, Pondera, Teton area. If you are interested in

more details contact George Edwards (406) 444-5609. Sept 24 Event Committee met- Carrie Lerum –Chair, Janet Hawks, Lana Schock, Diana Thompson, Elaine Wickum, Coyote are still the number one predator in Montana. In 2013 there was over $500,000 in confirmed losses to Maggie Nutter. coyotes statewide. Removing bone piles won’t get rid of coyotes, foxes, or Sept 29 & 30 Board of Livestock Meeting Helena, Maggie lions but bears and wolves are very attracted to the Nutter bone yards-even old ones. The less time predators spend on your place the less apt there is to be Oct 7 FWP Citizens Advisory Council, Great Falls, Maggie depredation. That is why carcass composting makes sense. - Kraig Glazier, Wildlife Services Nutter

Statewide losses confirmed to Coyotes in FY 2013 was Oct 9 FWP Bison Discussion Meeting, Great Falls Marvin $590,815 and $566,319 in FY 2014 (that is Oct to end Kimmet, Butch Gillespie, Maggie Nutter of Sept). With prices up like they are a single calf will be a big loss in the 2015 calving season. Remember your Oct 16. TTO talk show KSEN Radio, Carrie Lerum & Maggie county petitions and about $300,000 a year from Per Capita paid to Department of Livestock help pay for Nutter Wildlife Services Predator Control.- Maggie Nutter

Oct 21 Carcass Composting seminar- Butch & Doreen Gillespie and Maggie Nutter

Oct 22 Marias River Livestock Association Board Meeting Four Corners (no really it was a meeting and we did business)

Oct 29 Informational Meeting with Board of Livestock, Shelby Mt, Butch Gillespie, Janet Hawks, Marvin Kimmet, Bob Thompson, Jeff Habets In every scenario one group has everything to gain Nov 3 Marias River Livestock Association Annual and the other group has all the burden to bare- Membership Meeting damage to property, loss of crops, disease risks. There is no fairness in it. There is no “Greater Good” for Nov 3 Event Committee Meeting, Carrie Lerum-Chair, society—you are really rewarding one group at the Janet Hawks, Lana Schock, Maggie Nutter, Diana expense on the other. – Chuck Denough, UPOM at the Thompson FWP Bison Discussion Meeting in Great Falls, Oct 9th.

406-434-5211 You need to consider the people. There are 4th, 5th, 6th generation ranchers on the land. We built up Toll Free 800-585-5212 that land from nothing. We can’t go back to the way 234 Front Street, Shelby MT it was and have bison roaming free.- Marvin Kimmet, 14 1st Street West, Chester MT comments at the FWP Bison Discussion Meeting, Great Falls.

The Post Rider Page 13 the “Bison Conservation Initiative.” Basically the DOI says buffalo (or bison) on Tribal/First Nations Reserves they don’t want to reintroduce bison themselves but are or co-managed lands within the U.S. and Canada,” supportive and directed to ensure that there are new herd the media release stated. The signing was an developed to preserve the bison and their genetics. “DOI acknowledgement that these tribes and First will work with interested parties, including States, Tribes, Nations have more ability collectively than landowners, and conservationists, to discuss advantages individually to undertake habitat restoration and and concerns associated with specific actions, guided by boost the iconic animal’s numbers, both because Executive Order #13352 - Facilitation of Cooperative of the area involved and resources and political Conservation. “ influence that each tribe brings to the table. Read more at Skip forward to the Interagency Bison Management Plan http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/201 meeting April 10, 2014 and the presentation of the Iinnii 4/09/25/bringing-back-bison-us-tribes-and- Initiative by Ervin Carlson, Browning, and other including canada-first-nations-join-forces-sign-treaty-157054 Leroy Little Bear, Lethbridge, Paulette Fox, Lethbridge and Helen and Sheldon Carlson, Browning. A video was also The stars continue to align to bring the bison back to the presented. It is a 10 min overview of the Iinnii Initiative Rocky Mountain Front and the Indian Country. So what and can be found on YouTube at would this look like? Contrary to what much of the public https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LJfPMoGMAg may think bison in Montana are not as likely to be reintroduced by the FWP as by another entity The full story about the Iinnii Initiative can be read at the Conserve Montana website with again Keith Aune as the It is quite possible the Canadian National Parks will contributor. reintroduce the bison to Banff /Waterton Parks and that Ultimately, we hope to design and implement they would wander into the US via Glacier Park, Forest habitat restoration strategies and a bison Service land or Tribal Land. They would be a native reintroduction that can be widely supported by species of wildlife like elk, deer or grizzly bears and tribal communities and federal land management allowed to stay. agencies. These strategies will harmonize with other conservation efforts by the National Park Another possibility would be that the Blackfeet would gain Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Waterton Lakes “Wild bison” from Fort Belknap or Fort Peck reservation or National Park to preserve the area’s ecological even from Elk Island as the American Prairie Foundation significance and cultural importance. did. If they then allowed those animals to leave the http://www.conservemontana.org/content/iinnii- reservation they would possibly fall under the wildlife initiative/cnm2F6F0A175A818BA6A designation as the Fort Belknap bison would according to the FWP and FT Belknap Memorandum of Understanding In December 2013 Helen Thigpen, Staff Attorney, entered into in 2013 and “upon completion” which will be Environmental Quality Control Council, prepared a legal in 2017. opinion of the jurisdiction of the State over Wild Bison. Basically the State does not control wildlife in National For the terms of this MOU, MFWP and FBIC agree Parks, Forest Service unless the right is given them by the that transferred bison will continue to be Federal Government. Tribal land also in not within the considered QFS bison. Upon completion of the States control. She suggests that the National Forest terms of this MOU, MFWP and FBIC agree that such Service is obligated to provide habitat to native species of bison will no longer be considered QFS bison, but wildlife. will be under the sole jurisdiction of FBIC unless http://leg.mt.gov/content/Committees/Interim/2013- they are found outside reservation boundaries, in 2014/EQC/Meetings/January-8-9-2014/legal-status- which case they would be considered wildlife and bison.pdf under the jurisdiction of MFWP pursuant to MCA §87‐1‐216. Then of course in September of 2014 we saw eleven tribes from US and Canada come together and sign a So as the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks continues on treaty as a step towards restoring bison to the land. with its Bison Scoping know that even the “NO ACTION” alternative does not mean that free roaming bison will not The Northern Tribes Buffalo Treaty was signed on end up in the State of Montana. They could easily leave September 23 in Blackfeet territory in Browning, any reservation and be considered wildlife. The Yellow Montana, by the Blackfeet Nation, Blood Tribe, Stone bison being diseased are a little more regulate but Siksika Nation, Piikani Nation, the Assiniboine disease free bison considered wildlife coming from a and Gros Ventre Tribes of Fort Belknap reservation or Federal Lands need to be planned for. Oh Reservation, the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of yes, there is a law to cover this, Montana Code Annotated Fort Peck Reservation, the Confederated Salish 87-1-216 (http://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/87/1/87-1- and Kootenai Tribes, and the Tsuu T’ina Nation, 216.htm) but when I asked Ken McDonald, according to a media release from the Wildlife Administrator, Wildlife Division, about this, his statement Conservation Society, which helped work out was that the issue would most likely be settled by the document’s details. litigation. The treaty establishes “intertribal alliances for cooperation in the restoration of American Marias River Livestock This month’s sponsor of The Post Rider Association 72 Sweetgrass Hills Rd Sweet Grass, MT 59484

Phone: 406-937-2751

E-Mail: [email protected]

Motto Honoring the Past Protecting the Future

We’re on the Web!

Visit us at: www.MariasRiverLivestock.com

For updates see us on Facebook.