New York Times 50:50 Project - Montana
Highlighting environmental solutions in all 50 states
Footage kindly shared with permission by landowner Mike Leys
As grizzly bears move onto the prairie in Montana, wildlife managers are refashioning an ancient technology to deter grizzlies from farmsteads: livestock guardian dogs.
“During the study by Dr. Young and Mr. Sarmento, the four farms that received dogs saw an almost 90 percent drop in GPS detections of collared bears within roughly 1,000 feet of the farmstead. And there was a 58-fold reduction in camera-trap detections of bears compared with neighboring farms that did not get dogs. It was a tiny study, so more research is needed. But the farmers say they’re convinced,” writes Catrin Einhorn for the New York Times.
The Ahrens’ Farm
Steven Ahrens with his 180-pound livestock guardian dog named Billy on their farm outside of Shelby, Montana, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. The Ahrens are small grain farmers that produce wheat, barley, and pulse crops. Grizzly bears were visiting the Ahrens’ property because they were attracted to grain as a food source. Billy’s presence led to a decrease in grizzly bear activity.
Aaron Leys shows a photograph of four grizzly bears in his backyard feeding on apples outside of Choteau, Montana on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. The Leys produce wheat, barley, sheep and cattle. Grizzly bears first started showing up on their property in 1985.
Patton, the Leys' livestock guardian dog, dashes across the backyard outside of Choteau, Montana on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. As grizzly bears move onto the prairie, farmers in Montana are repurposing an ancient solution for deterring bears from their homes: livestock guardian dogs.
Equipment on the Ahren’s farm outside of Shelby, Montana, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Former grizzly specialist for Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Wesley Sarmento, 36, poses for a portrait in a grain field near Shelby, Montana, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Sarmento started a program to deter grizzly bears from farmsteads in central Montana using livestock guardian dogs.
Mike Leys, and his livestock guardian dog, Patton, share a moment outside of Mike's home near Choteau, Montana on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
A sign pointing the way to Pendroy and Conrad in Montana on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. The population for Pendroy, a small rural agriculture town, is likely under 25 people.
The Marias River, a "highway" for grizzly bears, on Monday, May 12, 2025. Grizzly bears primarily use waterways like rivers, creeks, and streams to navigate the prairie landscape of central Montana.
Steve Becker helps tag and vaccinate newborn calves on the Becker's ranch outside of Valier, Montana, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. His family, who have two livestock guardian dogs, raise grass fed beef and pork on Stick Leg Ranch.
Jojo Becker, 5, Henry Becker, 9, and Paul Becker, 8, play in the yard on their ranch outside of Valier, Montana, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The Becker family have two livestock guardian dogs for deterring grizzly bears after a near miss with one of their kids in 2022.
Seth and his father Steve Becker tag and vaccinate newborn calves on the Becker's ranch outside of Valier, Montana, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The Beckers, who have two livestock guardian dogs, raise grass fed beef and pork on Stick Leg Ranch.
Steven Ahrens, 63, and Julie Ahrens, 62, with their 180 pound livestock guardian dog named Billy outside of Shelby, Montana, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. The Ahrens are small grain farmers, a food attractant for grizzlies on the prairie.
The Ahren’s farm equipment outside of Shelby, Montana, on Monday, May 12, 2025. As grizzly bears move onto the prairie, farmers in Montana are repurposing an ancient solution for deterring bears from their homes: livestock guardian dogs.
Sheep, which are protected by a livestock guardian dog named Patton, on the Leys farm outside of Choteau, Montana on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. These 80-170 pound working dogs, which include breeds like Anatolian, Kangals, and Boz Shepherds, are bred to deter large carnivores.
Jojo Becker, 5, explores a coulee with grizzly bear dens in the background outside of Valier, Montana, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The Becker family estimate there are eight grizzly bear dens nearby.