Montana doled out more than $247,000 for livestock depredation in 2019. That total is more than in any previous year and the third consecutive year of record payments to farmers and ranchers who lost livestock to predators.
Livestock owners filed claims for 360 animals killed by grizzly bears, mountain lions and wolves.
George Edwards, executive director of the Montana Livestock Loss Board, told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle that statistics tracked by the loss board are more of a snapshop of the state’s losses and do not reflect overall numbers since some ranchers do not file claims.
Go here to view a listing of Montana livestock losses dating back to 2008.
(Photo source: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)