Committee approves 2024 wildlife damage claims; APHIS administrator named for county program

The Natural Resources Committee approved a set of 2024 wildlife damage claims administered under the state wildlife damage program, and heard that administration of the county’s cost-share program has shifted to a contracted APHIS specialist.

Jay (Zoning and Conservation staff) explained the county contracts with APHIS to administer the wildlife damage abatement and claims program and introduced Josh Spangler, identified by staff as the new wildlife specialist who will administer the program for Sawyer County going forward. Jay told the committee the program is a state option that counties can participate in and that funding for payments to producers comes from the state; the county receives the services contract invoice and submits reimbursement requests to the state.

Josh Spangler presented the 2024 claims and recommended approval as submitted. He reported that deer damage has remained consistent year to year, that bear damage rose slightly in 2024 after a high acorn crop in 2023 reduced field damage the previous year, and that the county has seen a downward trend in bear captures since a targeted program began in 2019. Spangler described primary abatement methods as trapping and relocating, supplemented where necessary with crop damage tags or shooting permits processed under state rules.

A committee member moved to approve the damage assessments; the motion was seconded and carried. Staff said the approved claims will be submitted to the state for payment to producers and that the county will receive an invoice for APHIS administrative services, which the county then submits to the state for reimbursement.