Feral Horses in Miller Creek
Project Background:
Missoula County is currently exploring options to address concerns around a band of feral horses that roams between the Miller Creek area of Missoula and south into the Bitterroot Valley. The feral horses, believed to be descended from rodeo stock from a former ranch that existed in Miller Creek in the 1970s, have become increasingly present in densely populated residential areas over the last few years.
Residents have raised concerns about the feral horses related to public safety, spread of disease, their impact on area livestock, and increased habituation to people and human food sources. The County has also heard from residents who enjoy the feral horses' presence in their neighborhoods.
It is not clear under state law which agency, if any, has jurisdiction to manage feral horses in Montana. After discussing the issue with the Montana Department of Livestock, Missoula County plans to convene agency representatives with subject matter expertise in land and livestock management, ecology and law enforcement. This group will explore potential options for managing the feral horses and provide staff with their recommendations.
The County will engage the public on any potential recommendations sometime in early 2026. This will likely include a public event highlighting the recommendations and providing residents with a chance to bring any questions or concerns to staff.
The county commissioners would then consider adopting the recommendations at one of their public meetings, which take place most Thursdays at 2 p.m. Information on future meetings will also be posted on this page.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are the people in the advisory group being paid?
A: No, they are volunteering their time and expertise or are participating as part of their regular job duties.
Q: Aren't these horses protected under federal law?
A: No, the federal Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 does not apply to these horses. The band of Miller Creek horses, and the larger herd that roams between Upper Miller Creek and Florence, occupy a mix of private and state land. The 1971 Act only protects mustangs and burros on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management or the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Equines protected under this federal law are relegated to federal herd management areas. Miller Creek and the Bitterroot/Sapphire region are not herd management areas. Free-roaming horses that are not part of these federal herds are under the jurisdiction of state law.
Q: Can residents petition to have the horses removed?
A: Yes, there is a process to petition the commissioners under a state law first enacted in 1925: MCA 81-4-503. The commissioners have received no such petition. Missoula County’s goal is to avoid this scenario by exploring a proactive management plan.
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What’s your guys plan to do with em
People need to leave wild not feral horses alone it's that simple.
Leave the horses be. They seem healthy and aren’t actually bothering anyone. They are near my house frequently and we love to see them. My kids keep their distance and they have never caused problems. Do something about the over populated deer first. They destroy plants, could spread disease, and are a nuisance in the streets, parks and yards. I have zero concerns about the horses.
I have lived in Lower Miller Creek for over 20 yrs. We look forward to each visit from the horses. They have been here long before all of the housing developments. I agree we need to have an agency that can be called when a horse gets hurt but I am strongly opposed to removing the horses. I have been told that there is a herd of over 100 horses between Missoula and the Bitterroot. Removing these horses doesn't make any sense and won't make a difference. What I see as the problem is people that have purchased homes in an area with wild life and don't learn how to live with the wild life. This is part of what makes Montana Montana and shouldn't be changed.
I believe that they should stay there they mind their business if people are stupid enough to try and touch them that’s on them and as far as being in the road people need to watch because deer roam the road too all the time. Those horses have been there for a very long time and it’s not fair to them if you take away their home when people have moved into theirs.
Let's manage people, not horses. I love living in Missoula because of rare natural treasures such as wild horses. Please use funds and energy for educating residents on how they can change their habits so the herd is less likely to become habituated or mingle with their livestock.
I work at a business located at 6995 Linda Vista Boulevard. The horses often are in our parking lot and near our property and although it is fascinating to be a Close and personal with them, they post a danger to traffic and pedestrians. In addition, self for all of our clients have said that the horses attempted to meet with their animals on private property.
Over 600 residents have signed a petition to leave these horses alone. Please do not start regulating this and destroy the beautiy and sanctuary these horses provide. Im against this and I hope you take our voice into consideration.
https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/preserve-the-freedom-of-feral-wild-horses-in-miller-creek?source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawOKSRpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR4jLwibHfrUFMMwcprkUsOT2_2j4tE_sUJo0sgxbqziU_tgQKHDLVN23EE-_Q_aem_yOuuuYxn4UC2re85saSK_w
I have lived in Upper Miller Creek for over a decade; the horses have been here the entire time I’ve been here, and clearly well before I ever moved here. Montana is about natural life and beauty, so who are we to decide what that beauty should be limited to? We don’t have to tell children not to try and pet raccoons, deer, or bears, so why is it that horses are any different? It’s a shame that some of us can’t seem to allow what existed long before we lived in the area to live as they did before, greedy as it may seem to preserve a little bit of the natural world in a city rife with development.
I have seen people walk up to the horses from behind and allow their children to literally yell and run up behind the horses and causes the horses to run but leaves a huge chance of the mares turning and confronting the threat. Especially with the colts right there. It’s reckless. And I have video and will willingly share it if needed. Multiple videos (not of any childs face but of the adults with them).
These horses belong to be there. That is their home and has been for a very long time. The only reason this is being brought up is because someone recently hit one. It’s like trying to rid of the deer because they are eating peoples flowers and are a danger from being hit all of the time. We should just let nature be. It’s a beautiful thing and a privilege to have such exquisite animals just roaming here freely for us to view. I would be so honored and amazed to just have a horse be roaming freely in my yard, not concerned. That is their home. Way before all of the new housing developments. They deserve to be there.
Removed by moderator.
Although I admire these animals, they do not belong here. Non native species that is taking away food from our native deer and elk populations. They also permanently destroy native plant live by ripping it out from the roots, native animals browse so it regrow every year, these horses don't. In addition, I've almost hit these horses many times iny 5 years living up Miller Creek. They are often in the field next to happy paws and all over the road (which is 45 mph). Stop waiting for a kid to get kicked and killed or a driver to get themselves killed for animals that do not belong here.
As a miller creek resident who sees these horses daily for years there is no need to relocate them. There is however the need to deem them legally as wildlife so that if something happens there is someone (FWP or Animal Control) to deal with any issues. Just like the other wildlife, leave it alone and they leave you alone. Maybe some signs posting to warn new people that there are wild horses and they shouldn’t be fed or approached (just like the bears).
I actually think that this is a waste of time and money. There are far more pressing issues than this one to tackle. I love seeing these horses, and I give them a healthy amount of space for my safety and their safety. Others need to do the same. Whenever I see them, they brighten my day. Please work on more pressing issues such as road construction, taxes, and true public safety issues.
This area is what these horses have always known. They're healthy and happy. Houses shouldn't have taken over. Maybe secure some land near where they can freely go where no one can build. Doesn't MCPS own some land over there that's empty? Leave these poor creatures alone. Put street signs to warn driver's. They need to drive slow for residents and children, why not horses too? We love the horses!
Removed by moderator.
Sterilize them and leave them be.
I feel a management plan is important- as the herd grows. Education to the public is vital.
My question is how a county plan will work with the current state law on abandoned horses/property (this was published in the Missoulian awhile ago)?. A plan that is able to remain consistent in its approach is so important as this herd grows.
Leave them alone! They are less of a hazard than deer and elk!
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Phone 406-258-3293
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