Informing • Entertaining • Empowering
TAKE ONE! FREE!
The Osprey Man Of The Flathead: Doug MacCarter
By Gail Jokerst; www.gailjokerst.com Photos courtesy of Doug MacCarter Undoubtedly, childhood events shape lives, and Doug MacCarter’s career as a wildlife biologist testifies to that. During his teen years living in
southeastern Montana, Doug’s capture of a fourlegged bull snake – not a normal snake – indirectly influenced his future when the Billings Gazette ran an illustrated story about it. This drew the attention of a local wildlife biologist who happened to be a falconer. “He called and asked if I would bring the snake over to his house, which I did. It completely surprised him. All he could say was, ‘It had to be a genetic oops.’ He didn’t know how else to explain it,” recounts Doug, who was transfixed by the raptors he saw eyeto-eye at the biologist’s home. Upon learning how eagles, hawks, and falcons could be trained, Doug’s curiosity took wing along with the birds themselves. Prac-
tically overnight, falconry replaced herpetology in his affections, and Doug’s interest in birds of prey, especially ospreys, has flourished ever since. “Ospreys are one of the most widespread raptors throughout Montana and the world. Where there are rivers, lakes, and streams – large or small – you’re going to find them,” says Doug. “They’ll nest by water if a platform or tree is nearby. If not, they will fly miles to water for food if necessary.” As Doug explains, ospreys are the only hawk with three toes in front and one in back with the ability to reverse a front toe to the back, just like owls. This helps them clutch fish, which comprise 99% of their diet. Contrary to what some believe, Montana ospreys are not vying with wader-clad anglers for blue-ribbon catches. According to Doug, ospreys dive only about three feet below the surface for food, which is not where prized trout dwell. “For instance, Flathead Lake ospreys eat mostly trash fish – large-scale suckers, lake whitefish, squawfish, things that are not good to eat,” notes Doug. “Game fish are found much deeper.” Considering that for some 40 years Doug has observed and studied these treetop denizens throughout their life (Continued on page 74)