Depredation hunts on for rez

FLATHEAD RESERVATION — Deer numbers are high locally, despite low statewide hunting numbers, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are asking for local hunters help to lower those numbers.

“We’re putting together an effort to get a calling list together of hunters who might be interested in doing it,” CSKT Wildlife Program Director Dale Becker said. “We’ve talked to a couple of landowners who are interested in hosting hunters to help in deer reduction.”

Open to enrolled Tribal members, the only group allowed to hunt on the Flathead Reservation, the program is designed to reduce conflicts between big game and landowners who don’t want animals eating their produce and hay, Becker said. The conflicts generally begin when winter snow cover blankets the area, he said, so depredation is important now as the weather remains cold.

“We’re still creating the program but we do have interest from both sides,” Becker said. “People have already been getting deer in past problem areas coming to the same areas.”

The meat harvested off game will be donated to Tribal programs for the needy and elderly, Becker said, making it a win-win for the community.

After getting approval from the Polson City Council last year, Becker said CSKT Natural Resources is looking into beginning deer removal this year from within city limits as well. The animals would be trapped and put down, with the meat again harvested for local programs.

“It’s paradise for deer with gardens, grass plants and great munchables,” he said of residential areas. “They’ve settled in to being in town year-round. There’s no human hunting pressure and it’s almost an ideal refuge for them.”

Becker said one such problem is car wrecks involving deer, usually by the golf course or out east of town. Polson Police Chief Doug Chase said his department usually hears of three or four such incidents each year, but not a public outcry for reduction, at least at this point.

From initial interest, Becker thinks the program could be a hit, and create a needed service in the area. He’ll have to wait and see until the program begins in earnest.