The Prairie Star: Montana ranchers receive $140,000 under Tester's wolf kill bill
The law boosts Montana’s state-run livestock loss fund with money from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The fund repays Montana ranchers the full market value of animals killed by wolves, and it helps ranchers prevent future wolf attacks.
The Montana Department of Livestock confirmed wolves last year killed more than 300 head of livestock in the state in 2009. “As Montana’s wolf population has grown, Montana’s ranching families have seen an increase in livestock losses and wolf/livestock conflicts,” said Errol Rice, executive vice president of the Montana Stockgrowers Association.
“Sen. Tester understands the federal government has a financial responsibility for proper wolf management, and his law helps meet that responsibility,” said Dave Hinnaland, president of the Montana Woolgrowers Association.
“As Montana’s livestock producers work to coexist with wolves, federal participation is a key factor in moving ahead,” said Christian Mackay, executive office for the Montana Department of Livestock. “We appreciate his efforts in support of Mon-tana’s wolf loss and mitigation program and of Montana’s livestock industry.”
