Letter to the Editor: Predator Conflicts???

The Missouri Headwaters Partnership, a group made up of the 9 watershed councils in the area, has been contacted by a group, the Blackfoot Challenge, wanting to “help” us reduce conflict with grizzly bears, wolves and other large predators. Most of this kind of “help” is really designed to get taxpayer funded grants for the individuals leading the effort with solving any problem with landowner or grass roots involvement being the bait to get the money. That may or may not be the case here.

I have found over the years that it is better to have some involvement with these kind of efforts, than to let them run totally amok. They can, and often, do things that are both costly and harmful. Not being involved does not always stop them from claiming “landowner involvement and support” for what can be some really bad ideas/actions.

The have asked to have another meeting with interested landowners, and, of course, the State and Federal agencies, after the first of the year. If you would like to attend this meeting please send me your contact information via E-mail or phone and I will try to inform you about the meeting. If you have had any predator conflicts or have any methods to reduce conflicts that you would like to share, please share them with me/and or come to the meeting ready to share them.

My Email address is sims@ixi.net and my phone number is 287-5117.

Bob Sims

Boulder