Paying for Predators
Sublette County Predator Board meeting Dec. 7
by Sublette County Predator Board
November 19, 2018
Wolf depredation on livestock has resulted in increased local costs to control problem predators in the county. Livestock producers in Sublette County are encouraged to attend an upcoming Sublette County Predator Board meeting to discuss this matter, and whether the board should increase its fees collected during brand inspections.
Some producers are located within the trophy game area for wolves, in which the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has the responsibility for controlling depredating wolves, and providing compensation for losses. But livestock producers within the portion of the county where wolves are classified as predators do not receive compensation for losses, and the county predator board is charged with providing for damage control.
The Wyoming Legislature has provided some state funding for controlling wolves in the predator zone, and the county predator board also receives funding from the general fund of the Sublette County budget.
Livestock producers pay a predator fee of 20 cents per head on cattle, and 60 cents per head on sheep, at change of ownership. Sublette County is one of only a few counties in the state that does not charge the maximum fee of $1 per head. Counties which charge the maximum local fee are then eligible for additional state funding for predator management.
The Sublette County Predator Board will meet on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 at 1 p.m. in the commission meeting room of the Sublette County Courthouse in Pinedale. The board consists of three elected cattle owners, three elected sheep owners, and one person selected by the Sublette County Commission.
According to state statute, the elected directors "shall annually determine the predator management fee to be charged and collected in the district taking into consideration comments solicited from the producers present at the district’s annual meeting."
Directors representing livestock interests will be elected at this meeting, and the board will also set its budget, fees, and operational plan for the year.
Current board members include Clay Olson, Lou Roberts and Kevin Campbell representing cattle owners; Pete Arambel, Kay Malkowski and Cat Urbigkit representing sheep owners; and Gary Burstad, appointed by the Sublette County Commission.
|
