AIS dangers lurking, good winter for deer

The state of Montana is not immune from the dangers of aquatic invasive species.

At a meeting last week, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Wildlife Biologist Vanna Boccadori discussed the dangers of zebra and quagga mussels, and stressed the importance of cleaning boats after use.

Boccadori discussed recent findings in water samples that found that AIS were present in the Tiber Reservoir and possibly in the Canyon Ferry Reservoir.

Boccadori said this is a huge deal, and if the mussels get into Montana waters it could really destroy the fisheries we have in the state. She said they do not want AIS coming over to this side of the Continental Divide.

Boccadori said there are currently inspection stations at Canyon Ferry and Clark Canyon, as well as locally in Butte and Anaconda. She said the inspections look at the bottom of the boat and propeller for possible AIS. She also discussed the importance of cleaning and drying boats after usage stating the AIS cannot survive without water.

In other news, Boccadori said there were around 220 wolves harvested this season, which is very similar to the number for the past three or four years. She said the number of wolves harvested through traps last season decreased, with the number around 35 percent. She added the wolves program seems to be working very well.

Boccadori reported that after the winter, the deer numbers in Southwest Montana are looking good. She said there was not a lot of winterkill in the area.