THE LOCAL NEWS OF THE MADISON VALLEY, RUBY VALLEY AND SURROUNDING AREAS Montana’s Oldest Publishing Weekly Newspaper. Established 1873 75¢ | Volume 147, Issue 39 Thursday, September 5, 2019 A Montanan Circle of Life Larkspur, cattle and grizzlies in the Gravelly Mountain Range contribute to trail closures BY HANNAH KEARSE lanky, leafless stems from [email protected] palmate-leafed patches that huddle close to the ground. The smell of rotting cattle Blue-violet flowers, with dash- carcasses is attracting grizzly es of white, cluster the tops bears in the southern Gravelly of the flowering stem in the Range. The Madison Ranger summer months. The peren- District announced a tempo- nial can survive 60 to 70 years rary closure of two trails Aug. and has been a part of Mon- 28 due to the heightened risk tana’s landscape much longer of grizzly bear encounters. than cattle. Eight cows grazing on pub- Tall larkspur contains up to lic land died after consuming 20 different alkaloids, which too much larkspur, a native vary in toxicity. Poisonous poisonous plant. The Mon- content is highest during the tana Fish, Wildlife and Parks early stages of its growth. estimated that the reeking Toxicity levels can vary from meat has allured as many as patch to patch, and year to 20 grizzly bears to the area. To year in a single patch. minimize risk to recreation- According to U.S. Depart- ists, bird hunters and bow ment of Agriculture Poisonous hunters, Forest Service trails Plant Research, cattle con- 6405 and 6422 and access into sumption of larkspur usually the Teepee and Lobo Mesa peaks in late summer, when areas have been temporarily toxicity levels are declining. closed. As much as 25-30 percent “For us it’s about keeping of a cow’s diet can be lark- folks safe and mitigating risks spur. Abundant consumption of grizzly bear encounters,” of larkspur within a short Madison District Ranger Dale amount of time contribute to a Olson said. “It’s a known thing fatal outcome. that cattle carcasses attract During and after storms, bears.” tall larkspur consumption Beef Magazine reported often increases partly due to that the annual average of cattle preferring to weather Grizzly sow and her cubs. PHOTO BY MIKE COIL. cattle that die because of tall storms in moist bottom lands, larkspur is nearly impossible ers reduce the plants density in particular area,” Olson said. Gravelly Range. larkspur is about 5 percent. where larger patches tend to because the underground buds areas using certain herbicides Olson had been at the Cattle grazing in the Spikes as high as 15 percent grow. USDA Poisonous Plant have to be killed or the plant or grazing sheep ahead of Madison Ranger District for a southern area of the Gravelly of a ranch’s cattle has been Research Laboratory has found will regrow the next year, cattle (tall larkspur isn’t toxic little over five years. Larkspur Range have also recently been known to die of tall larkspur that cattle losses are higher according to USDA Poisonous to sheep). has killed a few cattle over killed. In the same area where consumption. during wet years. Plant Research Laboratory. “It’s the first time that I’ve the years that he’s been here tall larkspur killed nine cows, Tall larkspur grows Total eradication of tall They recommend that ranch- heard of larkspur being in this but in other allotments of the wolves killed two cows and CLOSURES continued on A2 DISTRICT COURT ROUNDUP Madison County District Court Madison County District Court Aug. sentenced Jared Russle John Mc- 26. He is charged with a felony, stran- Court to five years to the Montana gulation of his partner, and a misde- Department of Corrections Aug. 26. meanor, assaulting his partner. The McCourt pleaded guilty to a felony other nine misdemeanors are for vio- charge of criminal endangerment in lating a no contact order. Each attempt Dirty water update May 2014. According to the affidavit, to make contact, directly or indirectly, McCourt was in a sexual relationship toward the individual in a no contact with a 15-year-old, which constitutes order is a separate offense. According By KEELY LARSON as too young for consent. He was 19 to the affidavit, about five hours after [email protected] years old at the time. After breaking the order was in effect, Ransom called nearly all the conditions of his parole, the person that he wasn’t to have con- On Aug 23 a new pump and motor was installed in one of the wells in Ennis, according to Kelly Elser, Director of Public Works for the Town of Ennis. The Madisonian published an the state revoked his probation. He tact with multiple times from a jail update about dirty water coming from faucets in town last week. At the time, it was thought was given 224 days of credit for time phone. Ransom posted the $8,000 to be caused by a main water break. Public Works checked the system and found no break, served. bond. His conditions include not mov- but believed the installation of the pump stirred up sediment in the water system. ing from his Harrison residence and Elser said hydrants were being flushed around town to clear up the sediment. If sediment Christopher Wayne Ransom not possessing firearms. is still found in faucet water, running the water until the sediment clears is suggested. pleaded not guilty to 11 charges at the TABLE OF CONTENTS LOCAL NEWS ................................................................................ 1-6 COMICS/GAMES ........................................................................... B4 OPINIONS ..........................................................................................4 CLASSIFIEDS ................................................................................. B5 Visit us online @ PANORAMA .................................................................................... B1 PUBLIC NOTICES .......................................................................... B6 HEALTH & WELLNESS .................................................................. B2 OUTPOST ..................................................................................... B10 www.madisoniannews.com COLUMNS ...................................................................................... B3 THE MADISONIAN A10 September 5, 2019 Chimney & Donna Schulz is turning 90 on Dryer Vent Cleaning September 13. She would love cards and greetings from her Gary Kinney many friends! 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Quote of the Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. ENNIS • 682-4537 Daily Parts Deliveries to Alder, Sheridan & Twin Bridges Areas Week: 24 Hour Towing (CELL 406-570-9872) Friday Mostly sunny skies. High near 75F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. “The secret Saturday of getting Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. High 79F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. ahead is Sunday Mostly sunny skies. High 82F. getting Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. started.” Monday Sunshine. High around 80F. Winds - Mark Twain SW at 10 to 15 mph. THE MADISONIAN A2 September 5, 2019 CLOSURES continued FROM A1 grizzly bears killed another stalk their prey, making them two, according to FWP. a high risk for grizzly bear The Beaverhead-Deerlodge encounters. National Forest encompasses But Olson said that he most of the Gravelly Range, would have closed these ac- Custom Building Design which is a popular place to cesses, if this had happened in & hunt. The increasing grizzly the middle of summer because activity in the area coincided the carcasses are close to the with the opening bird-hunting popular Mesa Trail. season Sept. 1. Bow-hunting “We’ll let the bears do their season closely follows, starting job and disperse again,” Olson Sept. 7. said. Mountain grouse