Montana-Measure would compensate ranchers for livestock killed by mountain lions

Ranchers could receive compensation for livestock killed by mountain lions under a bill heard by a legislative committee. House Bill 286, introduced by Rep. Ray Shaw, and brought before the House Agriculture Committee, would add mountain lion predation to the purview of the Montana Livestock Loss Board. The board currently pays reimbursement to livestock producers for losses from grizzly bears and wolves, as well as provides tools to proactively prevent losses.In 2016, the board paid out nearly $165,000 on more than 200 predations statewide.  Shaw introduced his bill saying it came directly from ranchers who lost livestock to mountain lions and would like to see those predations reimbursed.