LUSK - Flush with nearly $6 million from the Legislature, the state's Animal Damage Management Board is drafting rules on how it will distribute that money for predator management efforts in Wyoming.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department directors expect most of those dollars will be used by county predator management districts for predator control projects that aim to benefit livestock and human health and safety. They anticipate, however, that some of those predator control projects will also be intended to benefit wildlife.

Game and Fish commissioners decided Thursday it would be a good idea to have some sort of policy in place that outlines the department's "stance" regarding when the control of predatory animals and predacious birds is warranted for the benefit of wildlife.

The commission directed the department during a meeting here to develop a draft policy for the board to consider when it meets in September in Casper.

Game and Fish Director Terry Cleveland told commissioners he fully expects department personnel will be indirectly and sometimes directly involved in the Animal Damage Management Board grant process.

"I anticipate as these county predator boards ask for grant monies … that there will probably be some contact with local Game and Fish personnel to gain support for those grant projects that benefit wildlife," Cleveland said. "And that raises a little concern for me."

Cleveland said with a commission policy on control of predatory animals and predacious birds for the benefit of wildlife, "every department employee will have clear guidance when to support" predator control projects that benefit wildlife.

"This will allow every department employee to refer to the commission policy … and they in turn can say this is the commission's stance on predator control," Cleveland said.

Commissioners supported the idea.

"There is going to be, I think … these future board projects and proposals submitted for consideration and without this policy, it will be difficult for the department to provide what I think they're going to be asked to provide" to the animal damage board, Commission Kerry Power said. "And the department may well be asked to submit projects too."

Funding increase

After intense debate between the agriculture industry and conservationists, the Wyoming Animal Damage Management Board was established by the 1999 Legislature to coordinate a statewide predator program. The program is administered by a 15-member board, of which 12 are voting members.

The board was established to organize predator management activities statewide to benefit sportsmen, wildlife and agriculture, and to mitigate damage caused to livestock, wildlife and crops by predatory animals.

Some ranchers and others argue that predators take a serious toll on wildlife such as deer and antelope in parts of the state. But many conservationists say predators are not a serious problem and that money would be better spent on wildlife habitat improvements.

A House bill during the 2006 Legislative session initially asked for $10 million for an expanded predator control program, far beyond the annual $500,000 in funding provided by the Game and Fish Department and livestock fees.

The funding was knocked down to $5.5 million and approved by lawmakers.

Cleveland said as part of the Animal Damage Management Board rule-making process that's under way, there likely will be a requirement for county predator management districts to develop management plans to address wildlife issues, in addition to livestock and human health and safety issues.

He said if a district board determines state funds are necessary for an effective predatory management program and state funds are appropriated, then three directors representing sportsmen and hunters from the district shall be appointed to the board by county commissioners serving local districts.

"It seems reasonable to assume that these three individuals … will be discussing and possibly requesting grant dollars from ADMB to control predatory animals and predacious birds for the benefit of wildlife," Cleveland said.

Reporter Jeff Gearino can be reached at 307-875-5359 or at gearino@tribcsp.com.