“No Bull”
Published by BS Central
19
.8 , 20
Vol
Tues er 17
day, Septemb
Scotty Homecoming Royalty
Scotty Homecoming Week got underway yesterday
with “Pajama Day.” King candidates are (from left)
Wilson Overby, Kristian Price and Alec Boland. Queen
candidates are Anika Peters, Nicole Lippert and Kaylee
Ross. Today is “Color War” (frosh in green, sophomores
in yellow, juniors in blue, seniors in pink and faculty in
white); Wednesday is “Y2K”; Thursday is “Spaced
Out”; and Friday, as always, is “Red & White”. The Car
Parade and Bonfire is on Wednesday, leaving the El
Cor Del Lanes parking lot at 6:45 with a “Mad About
Plaid” Homecoming Dance after the Bonfire. This is
open to all GHS students and co-op athletes. Thursday
will have our red-hot Scotties (latest victim being
GHS Trust receives $2,000,000 from JIm Parke Estate
Story inside today’s Buzz
515 2nd Ave. S • Glasgow, MT 59230
406-228-4558 • fax: 406-228-4578
bscentral@nemont.net
photo by Isabel Montoya
Harlem, 25-8, 25-15, 25-15) playing Sidney in a non-
conference volleyball match with Sidney. Open to the
public, coronation will be on Friday at 1:10 p.m in the
GHS Auditorium. And then it’s time to litter the streets
with candy (and who knows, maybe a few road apples)
as the Scotty Homecoming Parade is at 2:30 featuring
the Saskatoon Police Pipes & Drums. They’ll also be
performing during halftime of the football game against
Cut Bank as the Scotties plan to “Wreck the Wolves”,
just as they have done to Conrad (48-6) and Baker
(32-6). Cut Bank is 0-3 with losses to Whitehall (12-6),
Bigfork (12-6 in overtime) and top-ranked Fairfield (28-
7). The Scotties are currently ranked #8 in Class B.
Region 6 CAC meets Thursday
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ Region 6 Citizen
Advisory Council (CAC) will meet from 10 a.m. to 3:15
p.m. on Thursday, September 19th at the Fort Peck
Multispecies Fish Hatchery in Fort Peck.
The meeting is open to the public and will include
wildlife, fisheries, state parks, and other updates from
FWP, and a roundtable discussion with CAC members.
Each of FWP’s seven administrative regions has
a volunteer CAC to help guide policies and programs.
The Region 6 group meets three times a year.
FWP ensures that its meetings are fully accessible
to persons with disabilities. To request special
accommodations for this meeting, please contact 406-
228-3700.
A nice
weekend
it was
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms
GHS Educational Trust Announces
before midnight. Cloudy during the early evening, then $2 MILLON Dollar Bequest From
gradual clearing, with a low around 48. Breezy, with a west
wind 18 to 23 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. the Estate of James ‘Jim’ A. Parke
Winds could gust as high as 32 mph. To say that Jim Parke’s bequest to the Glasgow
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 74. West wind 6 to 8 High School Educational Trust is a generous gift from a
mph becoming south in the afternoon. generous individual is a serious understatement. It is so
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. much more.
East wind 5 to 9 mph. It is a reflection of a life defined not only by
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73. East wind 8 to intellectual and professional excellence, but also by an
10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust
as high as 20 mph. abiding faith, loyalty, and concern for others that guided
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and his every move, from his earliest days in a small town on
thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a the Montana prairie to the pillars of the American and
low around 49. North wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high international business world in his career to his active
as 25 mph. and philanthropic retirement.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. James “Jim” A. Parke began life in Glasgow,
Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind 9 to 11
Montana, the son of Arthur and Audrey Parke, a banker
mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Friday Night: Showers likely, mainly before midnight.
and the city-county treasurer, respectively. His values
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. North wind 9 to 11 mph. were acquired early from his devoted and loving parents
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, and shared with his younger sister Ardis, who both
with a high near 64. Northwest wind 11 to 17 mph, with gusts adored and delighted him. The feeling was mutual.
as high as 25 mph. His participation at First Lutheran Church in study
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 69. West wind 7 to 11 mph. and worship, in Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Scout, in Key Club, serving as Montana’s Governor,
or Citizen Center and in football, playing quarterback and serving as
Seni en io r C i t i ze n Cco-captain,
enter all helped cement his values and displayed
WEDNESDAY S and developed his leadership potential. He graduated
from Glasgow High School with the class of 1964 and
Beef Stew retained and nurtured the friendships he formed there
Call for reservation by 10 AM
throughout his lifetime.
228-9500 continued on page 4
 BUZZIFIEDS
SUMMER CLOSE OUT BAG SALE September 16-28 on all summer
clothes and shoes. Hunting gear is excluded. Halloween décor is out.
DONATIONS WELCOME (No large Furniture Items) - SOROPTIMIST
THRIFT STORE
BUZZ
GLASGOW SCHOOL DISTRICT POSITIONS: GHS Special Ed. Aide,
wages $12.17-12.58 + full benefits. Substitute/Activity bus drivers and
teachers also needed. TO APPLY GO TO: https://glasgowsd.tedk12.
com/hire/index.aspx (Equal Opportunity Employer)
BUZZ
CAMPBELL LODGE: hiring for various shifts. CONTACT 228-9328 OR
PICK UP APPLICATION AT CAMPBELL LODGE
BUZZ
PRAIRIE TRAVELERS, INC. seeking Part-Time Relief Staffing Coordinator.
16-24 hours per week, day shift, after-hours call. Hours Monday and Friday:
8:00AM – 5:00PM, Weekend call Friday at 5:00PM to Monday at 8:00AM.
Weekday relief as needed. Starting Salary Range $17.00-$18.00 per hour,
plus after-hours/weekend call pay. Reporting Relationships: Chief Operating
Officer, Assistant Director of Operation, & the Board of Directors. APPLY
ONLINE AT WWW.PRAIRIETRAVELERS.COM
BUZZ
TOWN OF FORT PECK is hiring a full time Assistant Public Works Director.
First round of applications will be reviewed Monday, October 7th, 2019
at 4:00pm. Position will remain open until filled. $21.85/hour. APPLY
THROUGH JOB SERVICE OR AT FORT PECK TOWN OFFICE BY
STOPPING IN OR CALLING 526-3220 OR 526-7548.
BUZZ
THE COTTONWOOD INN Is looking for a responsible full time maintenance
worker. The starting wage is $12.50 DOE and includes benefits. General
Position: Keep all equipment in good repair with a minimum downtime by
providing day-to-day maintenance of the hotel. Complete maintenance
work orders from all departments on a timely basis by following the hotel’s
standard operating procedures. Continually work towards and support the
improvement of engineering service to guests, other departments and fellow
staff. PLEASE PICK UP AN APPLICATION AT THE COTTONWOOD INN.
BUZZ
FMDH POSITION OPENING Registered Nurse (Glasgow Primary Care
Clinic) Full-time, Monday- Friday, 8 am – 5 pm. Montana RN Licensure.
CPR (required), ACLS, or PALS. Qualified applicant to provide assistance to
Physicians as directed. Some duties may include assisting with treatments,
procedures, patient and wound care, along with on-going patient education.
FMDH is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. PLEASE
CONTACT THE HR DEPARTMENT AT (406) 228.3662 FOR MORE
INFORMATION.
BUZZ
VALLEY VIEW HOME is looking for CNAs to work the NOC shift. High
paid wage for CNAs with long term care experience along with a 75 cent
increase due to night shift work. PLEASE SWING BY VALLEY VIEW
HOME ADMIN OFFICE FOR AN APPLICATION AND JOIN OUR TEAM!
GREAT FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD CLOSE TO SCHOOLS!
2556 +/- sq. ft. home has 4 bedrooms, plus
bonus room, 2 baths, large open remodeled
kitchen with lots of seating at the island for
entertaining. Make your own design on
the partially finished basement to suit your
needs. Cozy enclosed porch off the back
with deck to back yard.Newer windows,
roof, hot water heater. Over-sized single
detached garage is a plus!
ASKING $174,900
Offered by: Karen Waarvik, Broker/Owner
(406) 228-2525 -
www.redfoxxrealestate.com
VALLEY VIEW HOME has an opening for a full time Activities Aide.
Pay depends on experience PLEASE VISIT VALLEY VIEW HOME’S
ADMINISTRATION FOR QUESTIONS / APPLICATIONS SOON!
BUZZ
FULL TIME COOK. The Cook prepares palatable, nutritionally sound meals
for our residents at Valley View. Our cooks are responsible in ensuring our
Dietary Aides provide service promptly with delegated authority from the
Department Head. Starting wage is $14.25 an hour. We want you to build
your career and grow with us! PLEASE PICK UP YOUR APPLICATION
FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT AT VALLEY VIEW HOME.
BUZZ
WANT A REWARDING CAREER? Come work at Milk River Inc. as a Direct
Support Specialist. We monitor adults with development disabilities. Looking
for motivated caring people. STOP BY MILK RIVER ACTIVITY CENTER
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND AN APPLICATION.
BUZZ
FULL TIME & PART TIME DIETARY AIDE. The Food Service Aide
prepares and serves palatable, nourishing, well-balanced diets to meet
the daily nutritional and special dietary needs of each resident. Pay starts
at $12.55/hr. This position provides a very meaningful role within Valley
View Home and you will feel gratitude daily for your work. PLEASE PICK
UP YOUR APPLICATION FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT
AT VALLEY VIEW HOME.
BUZZ
FOR RENT IN ST. MARIE: 1 bedroom, ¾ bath apartment. Has fridge
& stove/oven. Tenant responsible for electricity. No pets. $475/mo. with
matching deposit. CALL HELLAND AGENCY INC. 228-2114
BUZZ
FOR SALE OR RENT: Built in 2015. 2-story townhome. 4 bdrm/3 bath (1
bdrm/bath on main floor), 2-car heated garage, washer/dryer, sprinkler system
& more. $1,500/mo. rent. FOR MORE DETAILS CALL JOHN, 263-2046
BUZZ
APT. FOR RENT. 925 sf, 2 bdrm, 1 1/2 bth townhome apt. City of Glasgow.
Cozy. Good neighbors. Sm pets OK. Laundry room in unit, A/C. $595/
month. 360-750-6746
BUZZ
FOR RENT IN NASHUA: 2 bedroom, 2 bath. Washer & dryer, central air.
$600/mo plus deposit. CALL 263-7036
BUZZ
FOR RENT LARGE STORAGE UNITS 14’X40’ with 12’WX14’T doors.
Located East of Valley Builders. CALL SIMENIUK STORAGE 724-7079
BUZZ
FOR RENT: 1bedroom apt - No Pets No Smoking $485 plus lights & heat
and $200 deposit. 228-9092 OR 228-4577 ASK FOR MARGUERITE
JOIN OUR TEAM
Text ‘APPLY’ to 36453
(Message and data rates may apply)
#346 Learn more at mcdonalds.com/careers
Committed to being America’s Best First Job TM
505 1st Ave N in Glasgow • 406-228-2881
Jim Parke continued from page 2
He continued his education and honed his
leadership skills at Concordia College in Moorhead,
Minnesota, serving as student body president and
graduating in 1968 with a triple major in economics,
political science, and history. He later became a
generous supporter of the college, both financially and
with his professional guidance, serving on the Board
of Regents and other councils, where his expertise and
sound judgment were deeply appreciated. In 2017, he
was awarded an honorary doctorate by Concordia and
delivered the commencement address. It was revealing
that at the conclusion of his address, Jim Parke, then
battling stage-IV lung cancer, raised his fist up high and
in a strong voice recited Concordia’s motto: “Soli Deo
Gloria”—Glory to God alone.
Jim Parke began a 37-year career with General
Electric Company following his graduation from
Concordia College. His financial acumen, hard work,
collaborative style, and high ethical standards propelled
him through various enterprises within GE’s global
interests, resulting in his rise to the highest level of
management in GE. He retired from GE as Vice
Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of GE Capital
Services and Senior Vice President of General Electric
Company in 2005.
True to his nature, after his retirement, Jim
remained actively engaged in improving the lives of
others by enhancing financial services and promoting
educational opportunities. He served as a director of
Genworth Financial for 14 years and as a director of
First Community Bancorp in Glasgow, where his father
and his wife, Marilyn Sellers Parke, had worked decades
before. For 27 years, Jim served on the Board of Directors
of buildON, a nonprofit that builds and operates schools
in impoverished areas of underdeveloped nations. On
his passing in 2018, a school in Delva, Haiti, was built in
his name.
Through all of his successful endeavors, Jim moved
with a humility and humor that made him a cherished
friend and beloved family member. Taking time for
recreation was essential to him and experiencing other
cultures through his extensive travel was a priority and
a joy. It is clear by his gift to the Glasgow High School
Educational Trust, however, that no matter where he
went or what he achieved, he still loved his home town
and wanted to help its students to a brighter future.
The Glasgow High School Educational Trust was
established in 1964 by the Glasgow High School Class
of 1938. Gifts of cash, stock, and real estate from
supporters across the nation have grown the corpus of
the trust to over $7.9 million dollars. Interest earned on
its investments is awarded to eligible applicants through
a semi-annual process administered by the trustees.
Application deadlines are July 1st and October 15th of
each year.
All Glasgow High School graduates who have
completed one year of college or one semester of trade
school, are in good academic standing, attending full-
time (12 semester credits minimum) either on campus or
online, and showing steady progress toward completion
of a degree or certification are encouraged to apply. The
application, which lists additional requirements that
must be met, is available at www.ghsedutrust.org. It
must be completed properly, thoroughly, and submitted
on time to be considered. Financial need has always
been a primary consideration; therefore, the trust has
established levels of support to meet students’ diverse
needs, and it distributes the funds available accordingly.
Students may reapply for additional aid for a total
of eight semesters if they meet all of the eligibility
requirements. To date, the trust has made 2,397
awards to 734 different students totaling $2,309,500.00.
The trust has also made 122 awards to Glasgow High
School providing enrichment activities and advanced
equipment to every department. The dollar value of
these gifts totals $247,779.09.
Whenever the trust receives donations that total
$500 in the name of a particular individual, a gift is
given to a student or to Glasgow High School in honor,
memory, or recognition of that person. Gifts of $10,000
or more in the name of a particular individual allow for
an annual naming opportunity.
James “Jim” A. Parke led an extraordinary life. It
serves as an inspiration to all students to dream big,
work hard, stay true to themselves and their values, and
serve others. The Glasgow High School Educational
Trust is honored to include the first gift in memory
of Jim with those recently awarded for the 2019-2020
school year.
First Time Recipients:
• Alexander Fransen, Dickinson State University, IMO
Harold H. & Irene W. Smith (fall semester) IMO Harry
Rybock (spring semester)
• McKenna Gagne, Minot State University, IMO Class of
1969 (fall semester) IHO Stan Andersen Family (spring
semester)
• Bailee Holstein, MSU-Bozeman, IMO Leonard H. &
Kathryn L. Langen (fall semester) IMO Ronald A. Combs
(spring semester)
• Jesi Kennedy, Montana Tech–U of M, IHO Dorothy
 Final
ALIVE
@FIVE
Wednesday, September 18th
From 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
at First Community Bank
Music by 4th Street Band
Sam Waters and Crew will be Cooking
Kolstad (fall semester) IMO Vern & Edna Richardson
(spring semester)
• Kaylee King, ND State University, IMO Leonard A. &
Margery A. Bollinger (fall semester) IMO Maxine Fiedler
(spring semester)
• Madison Knodel, MSU-Bozeman, IMO Lois Wilson Markle
(fall semester) IMO Lois Wilson Markle (spring semester)
• Sophia Koessl, MSU-Bozeman, IHO Class of 1978 (fall
semester) IMO Horace O. & Emma C. Gamas (spring
semester)
• Sarah Law, Miles Community College, IHO Everett &
Elizabeth Breigenzer (fall semester) IMO Marsha Cotton
Hall (spring semester)
• Bryce Legare, MSU-Bozeman, IHO James & Ailene
Dokken Olk Family (fall semester) IMO James “Jamie” K.
Fewer (spring semester)
• Benjamin Phillips, ND State University, IMO Steven
“Steve” C. Bell (fall semester) IMO Arthur & Audrey Parke
(spring semester)
• Deann Rasmusan, Minot State University, IMO Ardis
Parke Fuhrman (fall semester) IMO James F. & Anne
Hoffmann (spring semester)
• Alexis Stahl, MSU-Billings, IMO Kathleen “Kathy” Logan
Block (fall semester) IMO Gary & Idella Mott (spring
semester)
Second Time Recipients:
• Kiauna Barsad, Rocky Mountain College, IHO Bill & Peggy
Pattison Endowment (fall semester) IRO Herb & Lucille
Friedl Family (spring semester)
• Luke Breigenzer, MSU-Bozeman, IMO James “Jim” A.
Parke (fall semester) IMO James “Jim” A. Parke (spring
semester)
• Des’Rea Dible, Arizona State University, IHO Gayle
Wagenhals Sage (fall semester) IMO Hovland Family
(spring semester)
• Teagan Fossum, University of Mary, IMO Curtis “Curt”
Wesen (fall semester) IMO Cecil & Chloe Toftness (spring
semester)
• Khloe Krumwiede, University of North Dakota, IMO Dean
Rusher (fall semester) IRO Leroy & Bess Lockwood
NFL THURSDAYS
Smothered Burritos
Fresh Chips & Salsa
Corona Specials
CAT/GRIZ GAMES ON SATURDAYS
Family (spring semester)
• Jordan Kulczyk, Williston State College, IMO Verda
Hoffarth Stewart (fall semester) IRO Stannebein Family
(spring semester)
• Taylor Padden, MSU-Bozeman, IMO O. E. & Lois Wilson
Markle (fall semester) IMO O.E. & Lois Wilson Markle
(spring semester)
Third Time Recipients:
• Andrea Hansen, MSU-Bozeman, IHO Sever & Esther
Enkerud (fall semester) IRO John & Catherine Etchart
Family (spring semester)
• Karissa Liebelt, ND State University, IHO Beryl Pehlke (fall
semester) IRO Paul & Joyce Ruffcorn Jacobson (spring
semester)
• Jacob Page, U. of Montana, IMO Dr. F. M. & Bernice
Knierim (fall semester) IMO Lila M. Sanders & IHO Phyllis
Moen Sanguine (spring semester)
• Brett See, MSU-Bozeman, IHO Charlotte Bruce (fall
semester) IRO Willard & Charlotte Bruce Family (spring
semester)
• Alexa Shipp, MSU-Billings, IMO Karen D. Newton (fall
semester) IRO Beatrice Trites & Family (spring semester)
• Alexandrea Simensen, MSU-Bozeman, IMO Donald J.
“Don” Baker (fall semester) IMO Donald J. “Don” Baker
(spring semester)
• Kendra Vaugh, MSU-Billings, IMO L. J. & Jean Baker (fall
semester) IRO Glenn R. & Carolee Grina Wallem (spring
semester).
Fourth Time Recipient:
• Kaleb Cole, MSU-Bozeman, IMO Aaron “Chappy” Chatten
(fall semester), IMO Wallace L. Johnson (spring semester).
The following equipment was also purchased for
Glasgow High School:
• GBC Heatseal Ultima 65 Roll Laminator, IMO Robert
“Bob” E. Rennick, Jr. , for the Library
• Boomerang Collaborate Desks, IRO Ione & Phyllis
Kleppin, for the Social Studies Department
• Framing Saw, IRO Tom & Flora Coghlan Family, for the
Industrial Technology Department
 Feeling overwhelmed?
Moving to Prairie Ridge,
The Manor or Valley View?
Let us help.

Call Shawn Beard • 230-1025

WEDNESDAY
SOUPS: Tomato • Chili
SPECIALS:
Spaghetti
Grilled Cheese

Dine at the “O”

228-8006

GLASGOW
SCHOOL MENU
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast
Biscuits & Gravy • Cheese Stick
Juice • Milk
Lunch
Cheese Burger w/ Fixings • Fries
Mixed Fruit • Scotcheroo
Milk

September 11-17, 2019

Family Pack Certified Angus Beef®
T-BONE STEAKS ......................$6.99 lb.
FP Certified Angus Beef® 80% Lean
GROUND BEEF .......................$2.49 lb.
Bone-In
PORK SIRLOIN ROAST ............. 99¢ lb.
Reynolds Own Homemade
BRATWURST ..........................$3.99 lb.
St. Louis Style
PORK SPARE RIBS ..................$2.49 lb.
La Mexicana 16 oz. Select Varieties
SALSA ...................................... 2 / $5
Bar S 1 lb. Select Varieties
BOLOGNA ................................. 2 / $3
John Morrell 8 oz. Cubed or Diced
HAM......................................... 2 / $5
Daily’s 16 oz. Big Buy
SLICED BACON .......................... 2 / $5
Cache Valley 16 oz. Brick Select Varieties
CHEESE ................................$3.99 ea.
Whole Juicy Sweet
CANTALOUPE ........................ $1.49 ea.
USFWS reviews sage IT’S HOMECOMING WEEK
Wear Scotty Colors and Get 10% OFF!
grouse status in 2020 Great New Items just Arrived for Fall!
New Clothing and Jewelry!
by Ron Stoneberg New Fall Floral and Décor!
It doesn’t seem possible that 2020 is just around New spooky Halloween Décor!
the corner. “What is the problem with that?”, you CELEBRATING HUMP DAY!
might ask. Wednesday, September 18
Well just when you thought the sage grouse Try our delicious food samples!
50% OFF Thymes Soaps Lotions Bridal Registry
would follow the spotted owl into oblivion, the US Capdeville & Leo
and Candles (Wednesday only)
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) plans to review September 28, 2019
FLASH SALES!!! Helland & Schultz
the sage grouse status in 2020 to determine whether
October 11, 2019
it should be listed under the Endangered Species Act Robyn’s Nest
Home Decor & Fine Gifts Etchart & Reichelt
(ESA). 501 1st Ave. S. 228-4646 January 4, 2020
I just heard on the Montana radio news the Confucius say:
Montana Sage Grouse group will shortly present Man who run
an update on the status of sage grouse in Montana behind car get
to the legislature. According to the report, they exhausted. Man
HUMP DAY SALE who run in front
have documented a three year population decline. One Day Only of car get tired.
Apparently, all we got for the 10 million dollars Wednesday, September 18th
we spent over the past 5 years was a number of 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
land-use restrictive conservation easements and All Men's & Women's
Summer Clothing
bureaucratically enforced stifling regulations.
Nationwide we have spent over a BILLION dollars on
1/2 of 1/2
CHECK OUT ALL THE
sage grouse in the last 20 or 30 years and we are still NEW FALL CLOTHING!
discussing whether they should be listed! Something
is wrong!
All Men’s & Women's Shirts
20% OFF Dart & Pool
Travelers through the northern great plains in All Winter Coats Players
the early 1800’s did not record many encounters with 20% OFF wanting to form a
sage grouse in their journals and reports. Even Lewis
A dad is washing the dart or pool team,
and Clark noted very few sage grouse as they traveled car with his son. or just want to play...
through Montana in 1805. This evidence suggests After a few minutes, Elks has a
they were not numerous on the northern great plains the son asks his father, “Do spot for you!
prior to the European invasion. References to them you think we could use a
sponge instead?” Call 228-2233 or 230-2165
were also scarce in the journals and reminiscences
of trappers, buffalo hunters, and open range cattle JOIN US FOR
ranchers in the mid to late 1800’s. Apparently, during
the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s sage grouse populations A ONCE IN A LIFETIME
exploded. Interviews I conducted with a few old
timers in the 1980’s confirmed that sage grouse were
CELEBRATION
very numerous in northeast Montana in the 1940’s LET’S EAT AND BE MERRY
and 50’s. They all claimed they dined on young ‘sage
chickens’ during the month of August. FOR TERRY JUNG’S
You would think the logical starting point to a
study of why sage grouse populations are declining
GOING AWAY PARTY
would be to try and figure out why their populations IN HONOR OF HER 23 YEARS OF SERVICE
exploded in the early 1900’s. It could not have been MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 AT 2 PM
the vegetation since the area was being hammered AT THE LOWER LEVEL OF FMDH
by domestic livestock. Nor could it have been an 621 THIRD STREET SOUTH
continued on back page GLASGOW, MT 59230
Sage Grouse continued from page 7
abundance of ephemeral wet areas, particularly
during the drought of the 1930’s. The obvious answer
is the extensive predator control carried out by the
homesteaders. The ranchers, who live with sage
grouse, have continually pointed out the negative
impact of predation on the grouse populations to
the researchers and bureaucrats. Subsequent studies
proved that losses to grouse populations were mainly
due to predation and disease (the recently arrived
West Nile Virus). But strangely no attempt was made
to mitigate or address the predation problem. This
would be like a rancher losing cattle to predators
figuring he could solve the problem by improving his
rangeland and/or purchasing more pasture. In both
cases the vegetation aspect of the habitat is not the
problem.
I recently came across an interesting article in
a British publication (Farmers Guardian) titled,
“Ground-nesting birds up thanks to predator
control”. In a decade long study
where predators, such as foxes, crows, and weasels
were managed, they found, “In sites where predation
control was implemented, there was an increase
in pairs that fledged young of several key species:
ground-nesting raptors were up 57 per cent, curlew
up 51 per cent, golden plover 75 per cent and lapwing
57 per cent.”
The science is out there, predator control will
benefit prey populations! The problem is, in this
day and age, we will never be able to fully implement
effective predator control like they did in the early
1900’s.
Therefore, we may have to accept the fact we may
be going back to what it looked like in the early 1800’s
when there were fewer sage grouse on the landscape.
Since it is obvious the efforts to improve sage
grouse populations have not worked in spite of
employing hundreds of top-notch researchers and
spending untold amounts of money, perhaps it is
time to step back and reevaluate the program. We
should shift gears and study the causes of mortality.
It may be different in different areas and the money
and effort could be focused on the specific problem.
For example, a nest predation study in
Saskatchewan found ground squirrels were the
main culprit. Therefore, money and effort could be
expended to control the ground squirrel only in the
sage grouse nesting areas.