FWP program helps keep yard animals safe

HELENA – With bears and other predators on the hunt for food, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) has a program that can help residents protect their smaller animals.

Jamie Jonkel, FWP Game Warden, stated in an email to the Flint Creek Courier, “Electric fencing is an excellent way to protect livestock, fowl and contain residential attractants. Electric fencing is a method of ensuring that bears or other predators that check out yard areas will not come back again. A good shock is the best way to teach bears to keep away.”

Jonkel further indicated that programs are available for installing electric fence around home sites, livestock holding pens, chickens, cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, bee yards, fruit orchards, gardens and other sites that might attract bears or other wildlife.

To get more information on these programs interested parties can contact Jonkel (406-544-1447) or Rory Trimbo (406-465-9343).

Below is a worksheet used by the program for parties interested in joining the Cost Share Program.