American Prairie’s Local Newsletter
FIELD NOTES
ISSUE 007
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The prairie snow is melting, revealing green shoots emerging from the ground. Our neighbors have begun the calving season, and dormant wildlife like bears and snakes are waking up from their dens across the prairie. Spring is the perfect time to reflect on the work being done to ensure Central Montana thrives for both wildlife and working lands. I am excited to share stories of collaboration among our neighbors and partners to protect and preserve this beautiful region.
This issue highlights how American Prairie and our neighbors work together. We define this collaborative program as Wild Sky.
American Prairie’s Wild Sky program economically incentivizes landowners to voluntarily enroll their private lands in a selection of land management practices that benefit wildlife and habitat, and support thriving working lands. Cameras For Conservation and Wildlife Friendly Lands are two of our most popular and powerful programs.
Currently, Wild Sky partners with 16 land managers across approximately 70,000 acres of private land. In 2025, Wild Sky is committed to cost-sharing the conversion or removal of over 11 miles of fencing to create safer passage for wildlife. Additionally, our partners have pledged to enroll nearly 30,000 acres in our carnivore-compatible program, prioritizing non-lethal management practices to reduce conflicts with species such as grizzly bears, wolves, and mountain lions. This issue of Field Notes highlights the dedication and stewardship of landowners across Central Montana who are working together to create a sustainable landscape for both wildlife and agriculture.
Katy Beattie, American Prairie Wild Sky Program Manager
Prairie Partners
Davene and Glenna Finkbeiner’s Partnership with the Wild Sky Program
Katy Beattie
American Prairie Wild Sky Program Manager
Just outside of Grass Range, Montana, Davene and Glenna Finkbeiner run a successful cattle and sheep operation that promotes coexistence between working lands and wildlife. Since 2020, their ranch has partnered with the Wild Sky program, a collaboration with American Prairie focused on promoting conservation practices that benefit both ranchers and wildlife. By adopting innovative approaches, the Finkbeiners are proof that working lands can serve as crucial habitat for wildlife while supporting a thriving ranch operation.
The Finkbeiners are aware of the challenges that livestock ranchers often face where wildlife and ranching intersect. Carnivores like coyotes, mountain lions, and bears are natural residents on the landscape, and their presence can lead to conflicts with livestock, particularly when it comes to sheep and lambs. Instead of resorting to lethal control methods, Davene and Glenna use tactics that prioritize tolerance and mitigate conflict.
One of the key strategies they employ is the use of livestock guardian dogs and bell collars. These dogs are highly effective at protecting the sheep from predation, especially when coyotes have access to other natural food sources. According to Davene, “The combination of the guard dogs and the bell collars has been working well for us. We like using non-lethal means to deter predators because in our experience lethal measures don’t work. If you kill every coyote on your property, more just fill in after them and the cycle continues. By using non-lethal deterrents, we are actually training the wildlife in our area and they learn that our livestock is not their food source.”
Another aspect of the Finkbeiners’ management is their focus on fence removal and conversion. Fencing is a common tool to control livestock movement, but traditional barbed wire fences can pose significant barriers for wildlife, preventing them from moving freely across the landscape. Over the years, Davene and Glenna have worked to improve their land by removing unnecessary fences or replacing them with wildlife-friendly designs. These new fences allow wildlife, such as elk, deer, and pronghorn, to pass through safely.
The Finkbeiners have also embraced technology to monitor their land and the wildlife it supports. As participants in Wild Sky’s Cameras for Conservation program, they have set up motion-sensitive trail cameras throughout their property to capture images of wildlife that shares the land. The Finkbeiners’ cameras have captured images of moose, black bears, elk, mountain
lions, foxes, pronghorn and many other species. These cameras offer valuable insight into the movement patterns and behavior of wildlife, which can then help inform management practices.
The Finkbieners’ operation serves as a powerful example of how working ranches can support wildlife. Their efforts are rooted in the belief that land management practices can be tailored to support both wildlife and agricultural production. By fostering an atmosphere of tolerance, reducing conflicts with carnivores, and working to remove barriers to wildlife movement, the Finkbeiners continue to forge a future where agriculture and wildlife exist together. Davene and Glenna’s partnership with Wild Sky exemplifies the value of collaboration, sustainable practices, and a deep commitment to both livestock and wildlife conservation. This work ensures a legacy of healthy land and animal populations for future generations.
As Davene puts it, “Wild Sky’s goals are the same as ours, and that’s why we chose this partnership. We all want to see a sustainable future for agriculture and wildlife, and that’s what we are working towards together.”
Wildlife-Friendly Fences Across the Landscape
Lars Anderson, Senior Program Manager of Landscape Stewardship
In the American Prairie region, fences are most often needed to control the movements of cattle. A fence needs to be high enough to dissuade adult cattle from jumping over, but close enough to the ground to keep young animals contained. A traditionally designed fence consists of 4-6 rows of barbed wire with even spacing of 6-8 inches; the top wire is usually about 45 inches off the ground and the bottom wire about 12 inches from the ground.
For prairie wildlife, this design is difficult to navigate. Pronghorn are built for wide open spaces and are poor jumpers. They will always search for a way to go under a fence but struggle to find passage through. If they do, the barbs cut up their backs and pull insulating hair. In winter, snow can block the narrow passages under a fence and pronghorn can become trapped in areas with no available food or cover.
Deer and elk are good jumpers and often try to jump over. While usually successful, they will occasionally catch a hind leg between the top two wires. As they come down on the other side, this twists the top two wires tightly on their lower hind leg and traps the animal. Prairie birds are also impacted by traditional fence designs. Low-flying birds like grouse, owls, and hawks often don’t see fence wires, which can impact them in flight. This can be as innocuous as a rough landing or can result in ultimately fatal broken bones.
The impact of fences is part of daily challenges for prairie wildlife. They are a form of habitat fragmentation that make it harder for animals to reach needed resources. In struggling wildlife populations, they are another hurdle to overcome among many.
Fencing is a controllable variable, (unlike weather or disease) and it is our responsibility as landscape stewards to minimize those negative impacts.
Wildlife-friendly fence is designed and constructed to prevent the movement of some animals (usually livestock) while allowing the movement of others (usually wildlife). A wildlife-friendly fence looks a lot like a traditional fence and accomplishes the same purpose with a much lower level of damage to wildlife. We use a design published by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. This prescribes that the top wire be no higher than 42 inches and the bottom wire be no lower than 16 inches. The spacing between the top two wires can be no more than 12 inches. This space helps prevent a deer or elk’s leg from getting tangled between the top two wires. A visual cue like flagging is also added to the top wire to make it easier for low-flying birds to see and avoid.
We also use these design principles for building wildlifefriendly fences to contain our bison. Our top wire is at 42 inches and our smooth bottom wire is usually 18 inches from the ground. Because bison have so much hair, the barbs of barbwire are not as effective for keeping them from pushing or rubbing on the fence. To solve this, we electrify our second from the top wire. This reinforces the idea that the fence is not a scratching post and should be avoided. Good fence maintenance and a reasonable
stocking rate are also vital to keeping bison inside the pasture.
Over the years, American Prairie has rebuilt or modified 150 miles of fence to wildlife-friendly standards, and removed 100 miles of fence from the landscape entirely, making passage across the prairie easier for our wild neighbors.
Coexistence With Carnivores
Danny Kinka Director of Rewilding
American Prairie has always worked to steward the land in ways that benefit both people and wildlife. That includes mitigating conflicts and preparing recreationists that visit the prairie to have a safe, responsible, and fun trip. This year if you travel to the PN property or Antelope Creek Campground, you will find we now have bear proof dumpsters, thanks to Republic Disposal Services, who recognized this growing need in Central Montana and made these dumpsters available in our region.
Grizzly bears are becoming a more regular presence in Central Montana and in 2023, using trail cameras, American Prairie documented a grizzly bear on the PN property, where the converging Judith and Missouri Rivers provide cover for bears that are expanding their range. While this was an exciting discovery, living and recreating with species like grizzlies requires added responsibilities. In order to avoid conflicts and keep bears and people safe, we’ve made adjustments like getting those bear proof dumpsters in place, and doing our part to inform visitors
of the need to be bear aware when traveling to the prairie. This is community wide work. Our neighbors are also adjusting to this reality and many are electrifying their beehives, removing attractants, carrying bear spray, and utilizing range riders.
Every year, Wild Sky partners with landowners on conservation projects that align with their management goals and benefit the wildlife and people of our communities. Wild Sky partner, Chris Moline, a fence neighbor and lessee of the PN, has been collaborating with American Prairie on a range riding project that is now in its third year.
Chris hires a range rider to keep an eye on his cattle and provide him with notes on the health of his range, livestock, and the wildlife species they encounter. The job of a range rider can involve harsh conditions and tough terrain, but these riders have a passion for the land, and a valuable skillset to provide producers. Chris says, “Range riders give me a peace of mind. There are so many other projects I have to work on that having range riders out here is a huge help to my management.” Range riders are able to access remote and rugged areas to look after cattle. They also encourage herding behavior in cattle that provides natural protection from predators. We look forward to continuing to partner with Chris on this project in years to come.
This year, private landowners stewarding nearly 30,000 acres across Central Montana have agreed to sign a pledge, through Wild Sky, that their land will be tolerant of carnivore species like grizzly bears, mountain lions, and wolves. They’ve agreed to prioritize non-lethal management practices to mitigate potential conflicts, and in return, receive a financial incentive to help offset the cost of these practices. This program aims to give recognition and reward to the valuable habitat and corridors their land provides – because it takes a community. If you’d like to learn more about the resources Wild Sky provides, please reach out to katyb@americanprairie.org.
Cameras For Conservation
American Prairie’s Wild Sky Cameras for Conservation program pays landowners for images of different species they capture on camera and incentivizes tolerance of wildlife on working lands. Take a look at some of our favorite images captured through the Cameras For Conservation Program on Wild Sky partner ranches around Central Montana.
What’s New At the National Discovery Center?
We are excited to bring a full slate of engaging programming to our community. Speakers and events cover topics ranging from Plains Ledger Art to Central Montana maps, animal ambassadors to classical music, and more. Additional details on events can be found at https://americanprairie.org/nationaldiscovery-center/. All events are free and welcoming to the public.
The John Lowell Duo
April 25 at 7:00pm
Award-winning singer-songwriter John Lowell teams with Joanne Gardner Lowell to perform a number of Western songs at the National Discovery Center.
New Twists and Unusual Turns in the Heartland ofMontana
May 17 at 1 pm
Dr. Sally Thompson explores short historical narratives, artwork, and maps from Central Montana with an eye toward understanding how our viewpoints have been shaped by those who have controlled the pen. An engaging conversation with the audience and a signing of her book, Disturbing the Sleeping Buffalo, will follow her talk.
Montana Chamber Music Concert
July 12 at 2 pm
Join us for a piano quintet featuring five world-class musical artists from Montana Chamber Music! The quintet is led by violinist Angella Ahn, Artistic Director of Montana Chamber Music.
The Art of John Isaiah Pepion
September 4 at 7 pm
American Prairie will feature an artist talk and exhibit of the works of Blackfeet artist John Isaiah Pepion. Pepion is best known for his ledger art, which is an art tradition that developed in Plains tribes when buffalo hide, traditionally used for painting, became scarce.
Our calendar continues to fill up. To check the latest programs coming to the NDC, visit https://americanprairie.org/national-discoverycenter/
A Peek into the Prairie: Camera Traps at the Field School
Dusty Rixford Education Manager
A group of middle school students work together to choose the best spot to set up a camera trap, or game camera, on the open prairie. Reading the landscape, they look for clues like worn paths in the grass, tunnels in the sagebrush, or tracks in the mud along a water source; one of these places, where wildlife may travel through, is where they will place the camera.
One of the activities at the American Prairie Field School is learning how to use, set up and capture wildlife photos on a camera trap. Because animal observation requires stealth and silence, this viewing method is not only exciting and educational, but also holds the greatest chance for noisy middle schoolers to see wildlife.
These cameras are motion-activated devices that capture images and videos of animals without disturbing their natural behavior. They also help students catch a glimpse prairie wildlife. During the day students may spy prairie dogs, insects, and birds in the prairie dog towns, but some critters, like the coyote and badger, will remain unseen, as they are only active at night while the students are sleeping. Students have caught images of burrowing owls, hawks, geese, prairie dogs, the rising moon, but the images that bring the most laughter are the ones of themselves!
Learning how to use game cameras helps to develop skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and observation. First, students must be able to identify signs of life, such as scat and tracks. Next, they have to choose ideal camera placement based on what they know about animal movement and behavior. And finally, their problem-solving skills come into play to determine camera placement height, angle and sunlight exposure.
The next day, the students excitedly collect the SD card from the camera and crowd around a laptop to see what the images reveal. The anticipation builds as some frames are empty of wildlife, but then frame after frame exhibits a pronghorn walking across the landscape or a burrowing owl ducking up and down from their nest in a vacant prairie dog burrow. The instructor points out what to look for in each photo to determine the species and behavior. The time stamp is also noted for the time of day that the animal visited this site. These photos tell a story, if you are willing to ask certain questions: Why was this animal in that location during that time? Seeking food? Avoiding a predator? Just traveling through?
We include camera traps in our outdoor education curriculum in part for the curiosity of the unknown, sparking an appreciation for the animals thriving in this very special ecosystem. We hope these images linger long
in the minds of our students, creating a lasting connection and love for these wild places.
Volunteer Update
Did you know? You can volunteer to support the Wild Sky Program’s great work with Cameras for Conservation – right from the comfort of home – by helping to identify species caught on camera traps! To learn more about this and other volunteer opportunities, visit https://americanprairie.org/ volunteer/
P.O. Box 908
Bozeman, MT 59771
[Recipient Address]
Thank you for your interest in American Prairie! Learn more at AmericanPrairie.org, and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns, or to share ideas for future newsletter topics.
CONTACT
Corrie Williamson
American Prairie Community Outreach Director corrie@americanprairie.org