The World's Expert

Hamp Kennedy became the world’s expert on the history of crayfish in Montana. Mr. Kennedy was hired by the U.S. Forest Service to explore the historical records in hopes of finding out when crayfish were introduced to Montana. His research provides an answer to a long-asked questions about crayfish in Montana. His research will be published in the peer-reviewed journal WIRE’s Water Journal this year. We sat down with Mr. Kennedy to learn more about his work in Montana.

Tell us a bit about the history of the project.

Wildlife biologists manage species differently depending on whether they are native to a region or not. A "cryptogenic" species is one without a known origin. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks wrestled with this question in regards to its crayfish population. Crayfish burrow into riverbanks, causing erosion, but whether they can be harvested by outdoorsmen or not depends on their native status. Because biologists did not begin studying crayfish in western Montana until the 1970s, the U.S. Forest Service hired me to explore the historical record to try and find any mention of crayfish or potentially evidence of their introduction.

What sparked your interest in Montana crayfish?

Very few historical accounts exist from Montana in the early 1800s. Most individuals during that time were passing through on scientific expeditions, like the Lewis and Clark Expedition, or to expand the fur trade. I found it peculiar that these travelers mentioned crayfish in nearby Idaho and other parts of the Columbia River basin, but never in Montana. Missionaries arrived in the early 1800s as well, and recorded dictionaries for the indigenous populations in the area. Again, these dictionaries had no word for crayfish, and no missionary's accounts mentioned them in the state, despite abundant descriptions of other fish and wildlife. During the latter half of the 19th century, the United States government financed expeditions in the territory to determine a railroad route to the Pacific, and despite volumes of naturalist data, crayfish remained absent.

When did crayfish start getting attention in Montana?

It was not until the early 1900s that crayfish began appearing in local newspapers. In the 1930s, several newspapers reported on finding crayfish in local rivers, to the astonishment of the local population. I found a 'smoking gun' in one article, where an individual had purchased live crayfish to put in his ponds as fish food. In the following decades, newspapers in western Montana advertised their value as bait for fishing and frequently described them in the river systems. This historical evidence indicates that they were likely introduced in the early to mid 20th century, and were not native to the region prior.

How do you go about doing this type of research?

I conducted my research under the supervision of Susan Adams, my co-author and a biologist for the US Forest Service Southern Research Station. I also had the opportunity to travel to Bozeman and Missoula to explore the archives in Montana State University and the University of Montana, respectively. I met with David Schmetterling, the Fisheries Research Coordinator for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to share my findings and discuss management practices. I even had a chance to dip my toes in the Bitterroot River, only to find a crayfish between my feet.

Tell us a bit about where the research will be published?

This research has been accepted for publication in WIREs Water journal, a peer reviewed publication for aquatic sciences. It is titled "Interdisciplinary Approaches Improve Understanding of Cryptogenic Species: A Historical Case Study of Crayfish in Montana, USA."

I never thought my first academic publication as a historian would be in a science journal! This project illustrates the value of multi-disciplinary efforts in solving biological questions. The whole research and writing process was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed digging through the historical record, visiting Montana, and going through the publication and revision process.

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