FWP Calls On Hunters To Be Weed-Aware

Friday, August 18, 2000
Headlines

This article was Archived on Monday, July 01, 2002

Noxious weeds, like knapweed, leafy spurge and Canada thistle are spreading across the Montana landscape and hunters in the state need to be aware of these silent invaders, according the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ statewide noxious weed coordinator Adam Brooks. "These insidious plants are capable of out-competing most of our native vegetation and pose a serious threat to grazing lands and the stability of stream banks and lakeshores everywhere," Brooks says. "Hunters and other sportsmen have an opportunity to help protect our lands if they are weed-aware and use that knowledge when they’re on the land. Brooks recommends that sportsmen:

• Learn to identify the noxious weeds in the areas they recreate in,
• Clean clothes, waders, pets and gear at the end of each trip to be sure they aren’t harboring hitchhiking weed seeds,
• Avoid driving through or parking vehicles & trailers in areas infested with weeds,
• Get into the habit of washing vehicles and trailers (especially the undercarriages) between outings.
• If small infestations of noxious weeds have not gone to seed, pull them and leave them in an undisturbed area with their roots exposed,
• For small infestations with seeds or flowers present, pull them and put them into a plastic bag and pack them out for proper disposal,
• For large infestations, report the location to the county weed department.

Noxious weeds pose a serious economic and environmental threat to the state. They also impact wildlife species by replacing preferred plant species for forage. Everything we do now to protect the habitat will help ensure strong populations of ungulates in the future.