Natrona predator board rolls over raven-project funds, keeps $360,000 budget ask

The Natrona County Predator Management District Board on Feb. 10 in Casper approved meeting minutes and the Secretary/Treasurer’s report, directed staff to let a March certificate of deposit mature while awaiting livestock-fee deposits, and voted to roll a $2,500 raven-control allocation into the next fiscal year.

President John Marton called the meeting to order at 5:56 p.m. and confirmed a quorum. Secretary/Treasurer Shannon Jackett presented the district’s profit-and-loss statement showing $325,997.10 in available income (not including certain CDs); the board approved the minutes from Nov. 4, 2025, and the treasurer’s report by unanimous votes.

Why it matters: the board is balancing ongoing operational costs — including contract services and fly time for trappers — against the expectation that livestock-fee income arrives in late winter. Letting the March 9 CD mature gives leaders flexibility to decide how much to invest once those receipts post.

Board members agreed to request the same 2026–27 budget proposal as last year: $360,000. The board’s notes say the district received $390,000 last year but chose to maintain the prior request; the proposal is due April 1.

Operations and trappers: the board reviewed fly‑time accounting and agreed to adjust trappers’ fly-time budgets to correct an end‑of‑year invoice timing issue. Trapper Clint Cummings reported, “I am running snare lines. I will be running them for another month as I get into spring.” Trapper Will Roberts said he is checking equipment and hunting at night with dogs and that his fly budget is adequate; Lee Sterner reported similar night work and occasional snares and said animals are being seen in pairs.

Raven project and other business: the board learned Brady Smith will not carry out the raven project this fiscal year; the district obtained an extension and voted to roll the $2,500 raven-control allocation into next year so it can concentrate on Bates Hole and Red Wall wildlife projects. The board also recorded that an ADMB member received a report of an M‑44 found on private property and noted the device was not placed by the district’s trappers; no further action on that incident was recorded in the meeting minutes.

Administrative items: the board discussed moving trapper payments to direct deposit and received a bank quote of $23.65 per month for unlimited transactions; the board tabled implementation pending additional information. The board approved gunner permits for Clint Cummings, Gene Heckel and Trevor Welch; President Marton signed the permits with board approval.

The board set its next meeting for March 10 at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned at 6:42 p.m.