The County Predator Control Board met on Tuesday for their annual budget meeting.

The Board passed motions to elect Arnie Mader as President, and Mike Moullet as Secretary.

While discussing the budget and the use of funds, the efficacy of the coyote denning program came up. Last year, through the efforts of seasonal employee Doug Mraz, over 300 coyotes (that number which includes fetuses) were killed through the denning program.

Curt Randall, local rancher, noted that the changes implemented by the Predator Board (which include more effective and wide-reaching ground control, as well as aerial hunting) has helped reduce the number of sheep deaths in his herd.

The Board discussed the need to sign more ranches up for the program, in order to help control the predator population as a whole. Pat Ruland, the county’s predator control specialist, spoke on the matter: “Coyotes are just like prairie dogs or leafy spurge. You can kill all you like on your place, but if your neighbors aren’t on board, you’re not getting much done.”

A goal expressed by the board was to expand the predator control to more ranches across the county, whereas in the past the program worked on a minimal number of livestock operations.

Board Member Bud Williams noted that there were 37 livestock owners in the county not signed up for the any part of the program (either aerial, ground control, or both), and the board would look to get as many folks signed up as possible. Williams commented: “We want to do the most good for the highest number of ranchers possible.”

Control via helicopter was discussed, with comments regarding the ability of the helicopter to better kill problem coyotes in the brushier reaches of the county, such as south of Broadus and towards the Custer Forest.

The Board moved and passed a motion to have the helicopter on call for when it may best be used, with a $15,000 budget set aside for the job.

The Board also moved and passed a motion to expand Doug Mraz’s time on the payroll from two month to four; Mraz will spend the additional time calling and denning coyotes, while also helping Ruland in his duties.

Mark Huseby of Huseby Flying Service currently provides aerial control via airplane, and he will continue to be used.

The Board is currently looking for a hanger where Huseby can park his plane, to save on flying hours to and from his home.

One comment overheard during the meeting noted the efficacy of the program: “We’re hearing from independent trappers and coyote hunters that this winter they’re having a harder time finding coyotes. That’s not something we’ve heard before.”