EVENT RECAP: MT BHA tackles fencing project at Dome Mountain 2019

The BHA volunteer fencing project on the Dome Mountain WMA was a big success!

A number of public land owners rolled up their sleeves on a beautiful Saturday to help our friends at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks with habitat improvement projects at the Dome Mountain Wildlife Management Area in the Paradise Valley.

Thanks to the solid turnout, the group was able to split up and tackle all three of FWP's priorities. One crew pulled about a mile of old barbed wire and fence posts on the newly acquired addition to the WMA, removing these entanglement risks for elk. The other two crews split up and worked in different directions mending and tightening more than a mile of fence that serves to keep cattle from grazing on the WMA, which is critical winter range for the Northern Yellowstone elk herd.

"I can’t speak highly enough about the efforts of Clark’s BHA crew, "said Gregg Todd, the Gardner District warden with Montana FWP. "We had over twenty volunteers and every single one of them came ready to rock n roll. They pushed through with great attitudes despite temps in the 80’s. What a great bunch of personalities. It was a pleasure to work and visit with them and they should, if not already, be number one on the volunteer speed dial list!"

A big thank you to all the BHA members who showed up to help, as well as the folks at FWP who worked with us to make this happen - biologist Karen Loveless, game warden Gregg Todd and maintenance man Bryson. We sincerely appreciate the efforts from Montana RMEF and the Park County Rod and Gun Club as well for their help in recruiting volunteers. But the final tip of the hat goes to BHA life members, Clark and Wendy Dodd for identifying, planning and executing this work project. Well done, Dodds!

Images courtesy of Jack Ballard