HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – The Hill County Park Board convened on Monday evening for their regular monthly meeting and approved a request from Park Superintendent Chad Edgar to reimburse beaver trappers for their efforts.
The Board authorized up to $4,500 towards reimbursement for the trapping of up to 150 beavers. This equates to about $30 per beaver.
Trapping season at Beaver Creek Park runs from October 15th through April 15th, and traps are usually set near water, but can be in other areas.
Edgar says there are currently around five spots in the Park where beavers are causing issues, one of which is severe.
Beaver trapping has become an annual occurrence at the Park, but the issue stirred up contentious debate over the last year as the Hill County Park Board’s Rules and Regulations Commission held open meetings about beaver management.
Last month, the Board approved a beaver management document that gives the Superintendent discretion to utilize trapping as a “necessary management tool.”
Alternative management methods, such as installing pond levelers and flow devices, were discussed at Committee meetings and could still be utilized if the Park Board approves funding for it. However, no alternative management methods were discussed at Monday’s meeting.
The next Park Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 1st at 5:30 PM in the Timmons Room of the Hill County Courthouse.
Also discussed at the meeting:
- The Board authorized the purchase of 25 photo books of the Bear Paw Mountains created by Peggy Ray. They are purchasing the books for $18 and will sell them for $25 as a fundraiser for the Park.
- Edgar said Park usage has been slow as of late, although it has been busy for this time of year. Conditions at the Park remain dry.
- Edgar says there are 1,643 cows grazing at the Park, most of which are pairs. So far, two cows have been hit on the highway. Grazing season runs through the end of the calendar year, and the nighttime speed limit on Beaver Creek Highway is 35 miles an hour.
- Edgar says insurance will not help pay for repairs the Lodge at Camp Kiwanis, as “initial construction wasn’t proper.” The Lodge has been temporarily stabilized, but they are developing a plan for repairs that will hold up over the long-term. Edgar says this project will be intensive and could include adjustable pillars.
