Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials pushed back on an assertion that the state was unwilling to help Libby with its turkey problem earlier this week.

Tonya Chilton-Radandt, wildlife biologist for the Libby area, told city councilors on March 21 that FWP was happy to help, but the municipality needed to take the lead. Talk of turkeys reemerged March 7 when City Councilor Gary Beach proposed reexamining the municipality’s approach to the bird.

“It’s important for us to reiterate that we’re on the same team and we would all like the turkey issue addressed,” Chilton-Radandt said.

Beach broached the subject earlier this month after receiving a complaint about the wildlife. When he proposed contacting the state for help, colleague Hugh Taylor replied that Helena had left the problem to City Hall.

“Their first answer was they weren’t willing to do anything,” Taylor said.

Not so, said Chilton-Radandt on March 21. She recalled meeting with Taylor in April 2021 about the problem.

“At that time, we let [Taylor] know the turkeys are best addressed in town,” she said. “As such, the city needs to take the lead on turkey management plan.”

Chilton-Radandt said FWP was happy to serve as consultants to any plan the city council developed. She foresaw a two-pronged approach to the problem. One part would focus on resident education, the other on the removal of the birds.

Referencing the FWP’s cooperation in the development of the city’s deer management program, Chilton-Radandt said the state had a strong interest in that undertaking owing to chronic wasting disease in the area.

On that note, Chilton-Radandt filled city councilors in on this year’s sampling of the local deer population. Of the 99 animals harvested by the state in and around the city, six tested positive for CWD.

For comparison, Chilton-Radandt said seven out of 100 deer tested positive for the disease last year.

“The results are pretty similar … and we’re pretty pleased,” Chilton-Radandt said.

The culling also meant the state could donate venison from 92 animals to the local food bank, she told city council.