Feral Horses in Miller Creek

Leave them alone they aren't hurting anything or one of people want to keep them off their property that's what fencing is for, if your fencing isn't keeping them out maybe you need better higher fencing. The oldest article I have found about these horses actually say they have been here in miller creek since the 1940s or 50s. From what I have seen the woman Ramona Holt is an expert on the herd. I don't get why all of a sudden the story behind them has changed. My grandfather used to stock car race up here in the 50s and 60s and told stories of the horses that joined an already present wild herd when they escaped the rodeo stockyard. If the city was concerned about these horses at all they wouldn't keep letting more housing go up in the area when the horses have been here long before most the people and def before the ones who are complaining.

A proactive management plan with government oversight is just one concern. The horses are not a concern. They’ve managed themselves for 30 years. The residents and horses live together in harmony.

The second concern is developing more lands, the loss of open space, and new residents who don’t respect the long-standing cultural values of the neighborhood. The new residents drive too fast, have an expectation of pristine, water consuming yards and foliage, and unrealistic ideals about living in the area. The horses don’t require management, the humans do.

Have you ever taken a dog to training classes? The classes aren’t meant for the dog, they’re meant for the human.

The Miller Creek horse herd has been a part of the landscape for many decades. It isn't reasonable for people to move into the area, for the landscape and its features, and then remove key features, which vastly degrade the beauty, culture and heritage of the area.

I say deal with the aggressive deer. You can put up signage and some flashy light in blind spot areas warning people. Educate the people to leave them alone and fine them if they don’t.

I believe it is important that the public learn to coexist with wildlife--elk, bears, horses, etc. Regardless of FWP's classification, Missoula County should develop its own management plan/policy for the wild horses that begins with focused a public information and education campaign. People need to understand these these animals are wild, they should not be fed, or approached within 25 yards, etc. There also should be signs warning drivers about the horses (and other wildlife) and other steps should be taken to reduce speeding, especially as development in the area continues. A more proactive management effort in certain circumstances should include hazing horses (and other wildlife) away from the most densely populated areas so they don't linger too long and cause property damage. Perhaps a volunteer organization could be formed for this purpose.

Overall, I'd like to encourage the public to continue to coexist with these animals which have lived in the area for many decades. The Miller Creek wild horse herd has a unique history and we're fortunate to have them living here. I've noticed that Missoula County and their experts are intentionally (possibly strategically) referring to them as "feral," but that term is misleading and seems to suggests that these were someone's pets that escaped. Not only have wild horses been living in the Miller Creek drainage for over half a century, Salish horses likely ranged in the Sapphire mountains for hundreds of years. As far as this herd goes, a cursory review of historical newspapers shows that horses were turned loose in the drainage as early as the 1950s by rodeo organizers. Rodeo rodeo stock at the time were wild mustangs rounded up from other areas of Montana, Alberta, etc. The rodeo organizers captured wild horses and released them in Miller Creek because wild horse herds were being diminished elsewhere in Montana and Alberta. In other words, it is unlikely that these horses were ever domesticated. They were relocated wild horses and their offspring have survived as wild horses in Miller Creek for 70-plus years. I'm also curious if they may be genetically connected to Salish horses that remained in the Sapphires. I mention this because the history of the horses matters. Again, calling them feral suggests that they're recent escapees. These wild horses are similar to other wild horses elsewhere in North America.

The horses have obviously been here for decades. Sorry the area is getting overgrown with houses. We need to learn to live with nature and other animals ESPECIALLY the darned deer. Do something about that before we try to tackle another "problem" the horses, which they are not. They are at our area, upper Miller often and I see people out walking their dogs not on leash and the people let their dogs chase them. Makes me sad to see that. Fine the owners of those dogs. Fine people for trying to feed the deer and horses. I'd pay extra in taxes to have additional organizations policing this. We pay for open space, so let's protect what THAT is and WHAT lives wild and free in this beautiful city of ours. I don't want someone in New York City hearing about this and come and make a big stink when it's none of their business. Protect the horses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have never seen a horse jump out in front of an auto and all adults should be aware of the danger of approaching a non pet creature like horses and deer. We preach to our children and grandchildren that important lesson.
We have been forced to put up a yard fence not because of the horses but the deer. So start with controlling the deer.

Can we have some wild horse x-ing signs?

When they get North of the second junction of Upper and Lower Miller creek (the gravel pit) they are clearly hazardous.

The horses are frequently in my neighborhood. They are nice to watch but they are damaging public and private property. They are spending much time in the Maloney Ranch Park and the adjacent elementary school playground. The horses leave behind ample deposits of manure. The area that the horses range has increased significantly over the past few years.

Let’s stop the development in miller creek and let the horses reclaim the land.

These horses have been here for decades. To say they are a nuisance is absurd, we're the issue.

We're the ones expanding further and further up Miller Creek. For years they've roamed freely mostly unseen in residential areas until like 3 years ago.

Individuals are also feeding them like pets, drawing them down further into town. The real issue we need to address is the community feeding wildlife and not using common sense. This is why there are so many deer in town. Where's the petition to manage our "deer and squirrel epidemic," while we're at it? They are wild/ non-domesticated animals, just like all of our cats/bears/elk/ moose/Bison/ect.. But sure, let's go pet that Bison and cry when it's horns gore you.

Please! Just slow down and be a defensive driver. It's no different than needing to be alert for any other wildlife. Whether it's deer in the middle of downtown or the south hills, raccoons crossing Russell, elk running through Huson or Buttler Creek, Moose on 12. Just pay attention! Establishing a fencing boundary could be beneficial like at the Bison Range, and a shelter/center for BLM management.

Furthermore, the Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burros Protection Act of 1971 (16 USC Chapter 30) defined wild horses to mean all unbranded and unclaimed horses. I do believe this herd classifies as "unbranded and unclaimed." They deserve our protection. How lucky are we to have the Bison Range and these "Living symbols of the West," right in our backyard.

The County Commissioners are not doing nothing. They have gathered experts from various areas and are having a meeting to discuss a management plan this next week. They are taking everyone's opinions and perspectives into consideration. The laws that are being used against these horses have been on the books since before the 1930's. Right now these two bands of horses have limited protection and no one has jurisdiction over these horses. The status quo is not working anymore sadly due to the two auto accidents and the child being hurt. These incidents were human caused sadly and with the land development in that area these horses are now in trouble. They could be shot as nuisance animals. They could be rounded up as well. They want a management plan to have clear jurisdiction over the horses with tools on how to manage them. Ideally a rancher taking them in would be ideal. Does anyone know a rancher with land large enough because these herds roam a great distance. I don't know how they would react to being in a new area or neighborhood if they were relocated. It is my hope that no one wants them slaughtered just redomesticated for their own wellbeing. I know they have lived there since the 50s and 60s and us humans have taken up the land they roam. None of this is fair, just, or right. I have been loosing sleep over this myself. We all got to think what is best for these horses given what is happening in our growing community right now. My last thought is if we remove these two bands of horses then more will come to this area because it is a haven area for them. We solve the feral horses temporarily but more will come in hence a management plan is needed. I trust our County Commissioners and these experts to do the right thing by these horses and our community.

I live in Linda Vista. This summer, the horses came down Linda Vista as far as Marilyn Park and nearby side streets. They did less damage to vegetation than the numerous deer that consume gardens and landscaping. I appreciate the County’s measured, proactive response to the situation. Chris Lounsbury presented the County’s message clearly to the media for the evening news on December 4th.
I see the potential for more serious damage to property if they stay in residential areas for longer periods, and could cause more serious damage to vehicles and occupants if involved in a collision. Because they appear placid and tame, they are attractive to unsuspecting kids, and it may be just a matter of time before another child is injured if they approach. They are beautiful animals and currently appear healthy. If one gets hit or injured, what will be done for the animal? Is there a risk to domestic livestock ?
Lots of questions and scenarios to consider, so I’m glad the County is looking at the situation.

Shouldn't there be some sort of health check, lineage, and head count before plausible solutions can be offered?
And if these things are already known when will the general public know this?
Is there a petition to keep them in the area?
I welcome anybody's input.

Hopefully, co-existence will be possible. The horses may not be classified as “wild”, but they have lived in the area for more than 5 decades. They were here first, before all the houses and people. Humane anti-fertility drugs could be employed, but it is not ideal. Residents could join together to protect these horses with safety and “fencing-out” programs. The very worst thing would be roundups and shipments to Mexican or Canadian slaughterhouses, which horrifically happens to many wild horses “managed” by the BLM, and also to unwanted horse who end up at the sale ring. I truly hope that people will organize to discuss solutions, and be vigilant so that these horses don’t get loaded onto kill trucks.

I live on 6405 Gharrett Ave and do not want horses removed.
The people complaining are the ones that speed on our roads.
As far as growth in Miller Creek. How come you have not addressed roads to and from that area. The only accord Miller Creek and Gharrett. Now we have traffic that speeds at least 40 miles an hour.
Deer are more prevalent and people don’t care…
Keep our area rural…

Provide birth control and let the current herd live out their natural life spans.
Provide signage for traffic safety for horses and public.

I have lived up in miller Creek for a long time. I barely ever see the family of horses. You gave to go look for them. Due to a handful of people who like to complain this us where we are at. The Deer are more apt. To get hit than the horses. Just put lights up here and maybe some light up signs that say SLOW Down Deer and HORSES in area. Leave them alone please.

There is an email going around from Natalie at the County extension office talking about the culling of the stallion. Culling is "killing". They plan to humanely put down the stallion? This is your start of a management plan?? This just breaks my heart. I do not support the killing, rounding up, steralization or moving of the herd in Miller Creek and I will publicly fight for their freedom.