BHC Predator board sets budget, expects shortfall
By BRENDA TENBOER
Members of the Big Horn County Predator Management Board met Feb. 22 in Greybull and finalized figures for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The budget will be submitted to the Wyoming Animal Damage Management Board, along with a grant request of $219,000.
The same amount, $219,000 was requested last year, but ADMB granted only $124,000 of the request, presumably because the county predator management board held $346,000 in cash reserves.
The total operating expenses for 2009-2010 hit $364,145 and the program received only $47,000 in additional funds and saw a $97,972 shortage.
The $47,000 in additional operating funds came from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The total operating budget for 2010-2011 is projected to be $321,198, which is down from 2009-2010. The total budget includes $234,000 in salaries and wages. Jim Pehringer of Wildlife Services oversees trappers contracted to work in this county.
Secretary/treasurer Greg Flitner explained the operating budget is down roughly $43,000 because 50 live traps were purchased last year and one less trapper is contracted for services this year.
Chairman Fred Barnett said, “If the state is waiting for us to be broke before they give us more money, they don’t have to wait long at the rate we’re going.”
The program is expected to use another $100,000 of its cash reserves for predator control across the county this year.
According to a letter dated Feb. 9, from ADMB coordinator Kent Drake, if the Legislature approves the proposed budget, there should be approximately $2.4 million for this fiscal year.
“This compares to the last biennium when $2.7 million was granted the first year and, with the governor’s requested 10 percent cut, $2.1 million was granted in the last year,” Drake stated.
Traditionally, the BHC predator management board received almost $2,200 in rabies funding, but due to budget cuts those funds are not available this year.
Barnett said that given the dwindling cash flow the board needs to figure out how to do more with fewer man-hours
“Funds are going down, we need to think about how to make this program more effective and still do what we need to do,” Barnett said.
For example, keeping in mind the three-day trap check requirements required under state law and Wyoming Game and Fish Department guidelines and taking weekends and holidays into consideration, the trappers have 137 days or 37 percent of the year off. There may be some way to stagger work hours, Barnett suggested but also conceded that government contracts call for 40-hour work weeks.
“We need to go at this as good stewards and look at what’s required of us under the law (Wyoming Statute 11-6-205),” Barnett said.
G&F comments
WG&F wildlife biologist Tom Easterly attended the quarterly meeting of the predator board members and addressed a recent article and ensuing letter to the editor written by Easterly.
Easterly said he has “no problem with the program”, but cautioned members about making public statements without scientific surveys to prove the point.
“You can’t claim a benefit you can’t prove,” he said.
John Kelso, at last month’s county commission meeting said controlling predators increases habitat, which is not necessarily true, according to Easterly.
Vice chairman Lisa Kimsey said that officials announced pheasant numbers were up across the state.
Kimsey said if you take out a predator that preys on game birds, it stands to reason that more game birds will survive –— survey or no survey.
Easterly said he would jump at the opportunity to survey game birds in this area, but the funding is not available.
“I’ll continue to try to work with you guys,” Easterly said.
Flitner said ranchers in the county report less crop damage due to predators and that must equate to a healthier bird population.
“When those coons come through the corn and shake it down, aren’t we making more habitat (by removing raccoons)?” said Flitner.
Barnett said, “What are coons doing in corn in the middle of the day but eating pheasant eggs?”
Recent Russian olive removal projects throughout the county may have an affect on pheasant numbers, but that is yet to be seen, according to Barnett.
Easterly agreed that the tree removal has taken away some habitat.
Newly hired bookkeeper Serena Lipp of Shell referred to a booklet produced by the USDA that showed the total benefits of predator management in Wyoming is estimated to provide about $15.5 million per year to the state’s agriculture, based on the estimated reduction in the number of sheep and cattle lost each year.
Wildlife analysis are limited to coyotes and their impacts on mule deer and pronghorn antelope, according to the USDA.
“In addressing the benefits of wildlife, the researchers quickly ran into some fundamental questions that continue to confound wildlife managers,” as stated in ‘Protecting and Enhancing Wyoming’s Livestock & Wildlife Resources.’