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Wildlife biologists request information on nesting trumpeter swans

News from CSKT

FLATHEAD RESERVATION — Wildlife biologists with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes began a project to restore trumpeter swans as a resident species on the Flathead Indian Reservation in the mid-1990s.

Subsequent efforts resulted in the release of 293 captive-bred trumpeter swans since 2002, which has resulted in at least 244 successful nesting attempts that produced 551 fledgling cygnets (swan nestlings) as of 2020. So far, this summer, 16 nesting pairs with 58 cygnets have been observed in northwestern Montana.

Most of the nesting success has occurred on the reservation, but nesting swans that originated from the restoration project have also nested near Eureka and Kalispell during the past few years. Others that likely originated from the project have nested at Glacier National Park and at the Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge.

A result of these efforts has been the successful restoration of Trumpeter Swans, which were once extirpated as a local resident species. Trumpeter swans are now commonly observed on the reservation and elsewhere in northwestern Montana and are continuing to return to their former habitats as their population increases.

As the released swans reach maturity at the age of three, they begin pairing and producing cygnets. In an effort to better document the expansion of trumpeter swans in northwestern Montana, the Tribal Wildlife Management Program annually surveys wetlands on the reservation to record nesting attempts and production; similar surveys by Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service personnel are ongoing elsewhere in northwestern Montana.

The Tribal Wildlife Management Program staff is requesting observations from the public of trumpeter swan nesting and production of cygnets throughout northwestern Montana. “If you have observed trumpeter swans nesting or adult swans with cygnets, please contact Whisper Means, tribal wildlife program manager by phone at 406-6752700, extension 7224 or by email at whisper. means@cskt.org. “Your cooperation and information is greatly appreciated.”

COURTESY PHOTO Trumpeter swans, above, can be identified by their straight, black bill with a red mark where the upper and lower bill meet and are bigger than Tundra swans. Tundra swans have a black bill with a yellow mark below the eye. Mute swans have an orange bill.

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102 1st Ave East • Polson

Story and photos by Rob Zolman / Valley Journal

POLSON — Rodeo competitors from across the United States and Canada saddled up and rode into Polson this past weekend for the Flathead River Rodeo.

Competitors were looking to win their share of the more than $5,000 in prize money and an automatic bid into the Indian National Finals Rodeo held in October.

“This is an important stop on the INFR tour,” said rodeo announcer Ray Champ during Saturday’s rodeo. “The Flathead River Rodeo is one of only seven one-time qualifier events on the tour this year. Winners tonight automatically advance directly into the INFR finals held in Las Vegas.”

The three-day event was held at the Polson Fairground’s Les Baldwin Arena and featured eight major rodeo events. The top 12 contestants from each event battled it out for an automatic ticket to Las Vegas. “There was far more than just a ticket to Vegas at stake,” said Champ. “Especially for the guys who are sitting in the top 15.”

Champ explained that since there were no regional rodeos this year, due to a format change, the INFR was giving the top 15 winners out of each event a spot at the Las Vegas finals. “With just a few sanctioned tour rodeos left, it’s very important to get the tour points,” Champ said. “There are still valuable points up for grabs.”

Headed into Saturday’s rodeo, ranked in the top 25 in the standings, local bulldogger Tyler Houle kept his Vegas hopes alive and also made a move up in the points standings by placing seventh overall.

On Saturday night, championship spurs were handed out along with the trips to Las Vegas.

PJ Fox, of Cardston, Canada, took the top spot in the breakaway event. Jay Joaquin, of Sacaton, Arizona, took home the spurs in the saddle bronc event.

Tuck Johnson, of Browning, won the steer wrestling event. Keira Simonson, of Loring, topped the ladies barrel racing, and local barrel racer Maddy Clary placed fifth.

In tie-down roping, Nolan Conway, of Cut Bank, took the championship spurs. Jhett Knight, of Rushville, Nebraska, claimed the bareback event. In the team roping event, header Erich Rodgers and Aaron Tsiniqine earned the top spot. On Saturday, Browning bull rider Preston Louis placed tops in the bull riding event with an 80 point ride.

ROB ZOLMAN / VALLEY JOURNAL Above: Kolby Kittson of Browning puts on a show with an 80-point ride during the Flathead River Rodeo. Below: Local cowboy Tyler Houle brings down his steer on Saturday evening during the Flathead River Rodeo.

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