DECADES OF DEDICATION

After 38 years of dedicating himself to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Wildlife Biologist Bruce Sterling has retired. His efforts in managing protected areas for future generations of wildlife, sportsmen, and recreationalists is a career highlight for both Sterling and FWP.

Beginning in 1982, Sterling signed on with FWP as a fish culturist at Bluewater Springs Trout Hatchery in Bridger, Montana. He furthered his career moving into a wildlife biologist position while implementing elk-based projects in the Elkhorn Mountains. Sterling and his wife Meredith commented that during this time there were no computers, cell phones or GPS units that aid resource management today. He used a landline, typewriter with carbon copies and "boots on the ground – hours upon hours of boots on the ground."

Relocating to Thompson Falls in 1985 as a biological and enforcement technician, Sterling embarked on what would be the rest of his career, managing 2,100 square miles of land. After three years as a technician, in 1989 Sterling was promoted to a biologist position, which he would hold until retirement.

Having logged over 1,000 miles in the air, helicopter surveys became a passionate facet of Sterling's job. "This alone produced one of the largest and most consistent datasets for elk and sheep in northwestern Montana," stated FWP of the aerial surveys, "and has been the cornerstone of elk and sheep management in the area." Sterling's determination in following what the data and biological evidence suggested helped shape public attitudes, wildlife populations and sportsman expectations.

Sterling is most proud of his conservation efforts in the purchase and development of five Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Most notable for him are the Mount Silcox and Bull River WMAs. In comparison to many WMAs, their substantial size sets them apart and the acquisition by FWP ensures they will provide protected wildlife habitat in the future. Sterling describes the areas as "legacy" - gifts he has been instrumental is bestowing to habitat conservation efforts.

Bighorn sheep became an emphasis for Sterling as he was integral in placing wildlife fencing, electrified matting and an underpass along the Highway 200 corridor between Thompson Falls and Plains; a project that took 10 years to complete. His passion for sheep conservation continued indoors as he served as a board director for Montana's Wild Sheep Foundation and Kaniksu Land Trust; and the regional representative for the FWP harvest survey working group. For many years, Sterling was the state representative for Wild Sheep Working Group, Terrestrial Resource Technician Advisory Committee and the Wild Sheep Foundation's sheep show held in Reno, Nevada, which hosts a globally representative attendance of over 20,000.

Sterling shared a career experience he will most likely never forget. While driving goats on the National Bison Range during the early 1990s (there used to be over 100 goats there) he was gored by a billy goat. "Periodically, we would capture them with a helicopter by setting nets over the hill and the helicopter would push them," he continued. "I was in one spot and two billy goats came up and got tangled." Sterling said once a goat is on the ground you can hold it down with one finger. Having two goats down posed more of a challenge for Sterling.

One billy goat was underneath him and one was a couple of feet above him. "I did not have a good reach on both, so I let go of one and it gored me in the waistline," he said. "I had Carhartt's on, but it went though." Reminiscing, Sterling said he drove home and called Dr. Randy Lovell, who he visited after hours receiving shots and antibiotics. "Their horns are like needles!" he accentuated. "I saw him dip his head, so I saw it coming," giving him some time to prepare for the hit.

Trapping mountain goats, sheep, elk, bears, deer and various wildlife has also been a big part of Sterling's career. He served as project lead for many large-scale translocation operations aimed toward managing established sheep populations and creating new ones. Some of these relocations "involved taking sheep off of Wild Horse Island to maintain the health of that bighorn population," he stated.

"As a biologist's wife," shared Meredith, "I remember the midnight and 2 a.m. phone calls, the dead animals left on our front porch, the bear bait and small animals used for research in our home freezer, and the time I had to rush our children into the house and call the police because someone was mad and brandishing a gun.

"But the perks of the job offset the bad. I remember the animals that we would care for until we could get them to the rehabilitator; the otter, fawns, hawks, eagles, owls and bears," she continued, analyzing the other side of the situation. "I was invited to a grizzly bear release!" she emphasized. "And of course, we always knew the best hiking trails, campsites and where the huckleberries were thick because Bruce was out walking and researching every inch of his territory."

Sterling has closed his career saying "98% was enjoyable." Although some have been rather loud vocally in opposition to his management, he said "the majority of people in Sanders County have been wonderful." For that, the Sterlings are grateful. His only regret is retiring before having the opportunity to augment the Cube Iron Mountain goat herd, as it will be left in the hands of his replacement.

Unlike bears in the winter, Sterling is not planning on spending his retirement in hibernation. Having clocked more than 5,250 hours in check stations during hunting season, he plans to do a lot more hunting and fishing; hobbies he has had limited time for because of his FWP job requirements. Even though, Sterling said, "It was a marvelous career."