Hunters Should Use Care Around Livestock

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With hunting seasons in full swing, hunters are urged to be especially careful in areas where livestock may be present.

"Every hunting season, we receive reports of livestock being injured or killed by a firearm," said Alan Charles, coordinator of Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ landowner/sportsman relations program. "While some incidents involve outright criminal behavior, like vandals shooting at signs or poachers spotlighting at night, accidents can happen when hunters don’t follow safe gun-handling rules."

Charles reminds hunters to be sure of their targets and beyond. "It’s a basic gun- safety rule that can help hunters prevent these costly accidents and preserve good relationships among Montana landowners and hunters," he said.

Livestock injured or killed during the hunting season costs the owner money, and such incidents can prompt a landowner to close gates to hunting access.   In addition, the loss of a favorite horse, or a youngster’s 4H steer or lamb, can be a wrenching experience for the entire farm or ranch family.  

Since 1985, FWP has administered a Livestock Loss Reimbursement Program in conjunction with the Montana Department of Livestock, whose inspectors investigate incidents involving livestock deaths or injuries and report the results to FWP.   Funded by sportsmen’s license dollars, the program compensates landowners who suffer livestock losses as a direct result of them allowing public hunting on their property.  

"If a hunter does accidentally harm livestock, the owner of the animal should be notified immediately," Charles said.   "It’s the right thing to do, and may go a long way toward preserving a landowner’s goodwill towards hunters."

Hunters and others who discover livestock loss situations or who witness crimes afield can report them to FWP via the 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668) crime-stoppers hotline.