Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on proposed rules to manage the relocation of prairie dog colonies, a seldom-used management option.
The proposed rules cover all stages of relocation and are designed to reduce impacts on adjacent lands or the potential for spreading disease. The party carrying out the move would be responsible for all associated expenses
State law recognizes the dual need to conserve prairie dogs and to control them.
FWP is charged with managing prairie dogs as “nongame wildlife in need of management.”
Public meetings on the proposed rules are also set in Great Falls, Malta, Miles City and Billings in March.
*Great Falls, March 22, 2004, 7:00 pm, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 4600 Giant Springs Road
* Malta, March 23, 2004, 7:00 pm, Great Northern Hotel, 2nd South, 1st Street East
*Miles City, March 24, 2004, 7:00 pm, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Industrial Site West
*B illings, March 25, 2004, 7:00 pm, Hampton Inn, 1510 Southgate Drive
Comments will be accepted through March 26 and may be submitted to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Wildlife Division, 1420 East Sixth Ave., P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701 or by email to fwpwld@state.mt.us .
Prairie dogs are stout, burrowing animals within the squirrel family, approximately 14-17 inches long and weighing about 1-3 pounds. They are generally yellowish tan in color. Today, about 10 percent of all occupied black-tailed prairie dog habitat in the U.S. exists in Montana.
For a copy of the proposed rules for the movement of prairie dogs go to the FWP web site at www.fwp.state.mt.us , go to Public Notices and look under ARM Rules, or call 406-444-2612.
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