Chapter 13 Predator Control

Chapter 13 Predator Control Brian Pugh In Oklahoma, goat producers are blessed with Figure 13-2 shows the percentage loss of sheep climatic conditions conducive to viable goat pro- and goats by predator species in Oklahoma in 2005 duction. However, they also are burdened with the compared with other causes of death. As expected, eastward expansion of predator populations that coyotes are Oklahoma’s top predator. It is also ap- constantly are increasing. Predator control within a parent from the graph that Oklahoma has a larger goat herd is probably one of the single most import- problem with goat predation due to dogs than the ant factors in maintaining profitable returns from a U.S. as a whole (27 versus 12 percent). This could goat operation. In 2004, U.S. losses of goats and kids be contributed to a higher human population den- to predators totaled more than 155,000 head at a val- sity, therefore, dog density when compared to other ue of $18.3 million. Figure 13-1 shows the percent- goat-producing areas in the U.S. age of sheep and goats lost to various predators in So how do producers deal with predators? Most the U.S. during 2005. Comparing these figures to a responses focus on a lethal method of control. Most death loss of 260,200 head with a value of $33.3 mil- producers often overlook the easiest and sometimes lion for all other causes (respiratory, viral diseases, most efficient methods of minimizing predation, weather, age, theft and other causes), shows what which are management practices keeping the pred- a heavy toll predators can take on a goat operation ators away from the prey. (United States Department of Agriculture, 2005). What are predators? Many animals qualify as Integrated Predator Management predators with respect to a goat herd. However, coyotes, feral or pet dogs and to a lesser extent bobcats top the list in goat depredation studies (Figure Most producers are familiar with the concept of 13-2). Occasionally, foxes, eagles, mountain lions IPM (Integrated Pest Management). However, pro- and bears also can cause losses of goats and kids. ducers should consider the concept of Integrated The day may come where goat losses to these latter Predator Management (IPM) for their goat herds. species may become more frequent in the forested IPM is just that, an integrated approach strategy for areas of Oklahoma. reducing and controlling predation within the goat Foxes Eagles Bears Bobcats Mountain Lions Dogs Coyotes 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Figure 13-1. The percentage loss of sheep and goats by predator species across the U.S. (USDA, 2005). Note: Data was not available for goat losses only. 82 Dogs Other causes Predator 27% of death kills Coyotes 66% 34% 65% Bobcats 3% Other** 5% Figure 13-2. The percentage loss of sheep and goats by predator species in Oklahoma (USDA, 2005). Note: Data was not available for goat losses only. ** Other refers to losses from foxes, vultures, eagles, and other small predators. herd. Many methods are available for predator con- Nonlethal Methods of Predator Control trol, ranging from a very passive control effort to (Passive Control) lethal control practices. Each producer has a choice Nonlethal predator control is the most widely of method to employ. However, no one method of used and trusted method for reducing goat losses. control will completely reduce depredation of the These methods are usually viewed by the public goat herd. Therefore, a number of these methods as management practices imposed by the produc- should be used together to address the prevention er and not predator control in the traditional sense. and control of predation events. These passive techniques work well because the From an economical standpoint, producers emphasis is on keeping the goats in a safe, healthy need to prevent predatory losses, rather than con- environment before problems arise. Once again, an trol the problem once it has occurred. The method ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. of only greasing the squeaky wheel is the wrong These methods do not directly address eliminat- approach for predator control. With predators, the ing predators from the area, but dealing with isolat- wheel should be constantly serviced to prevent the ing the goat herd from predators. Passive methods dreaded failure. Once any predator has killed, that used for predator control include: fencing, kidding predator will return again to claim another meal. sheds, day herding, night penning, fright tactics, Preventing that first meal is where this chapter will carrion removal, culling weak animals, frequent focus its attention. herd checks and habitat management. Another popular method used widely across the U.S. is the Basics of Integrated Predator presence of a guardian animal such as a dog, llama Management or donkey. The following methods are examples of nonle- Fencing thal predator management: A well-constructed fence of woven or high-ten- • physical separation (fencing, night penning sile electric wire can sometimes repel the majority and sheds) of predators. Coyotes prefer crawling under fenc- • cultural practices (herding, carrion disposal, es, and they are inclined to dig under an impassible herd checks, culling and habitat management) woven-wire fence. An apron fence prevents dig- • predator determent (fright tactics and guard ging, but is costly. Apron fences should be buried dogs) perpendicular to the existing fence and be approxi- mately 2 feet wide. If cost prohibits using an apron Lethal control predator management would fence on a large scale, it is a great option for corrals. include: Electric fencing also is a highly feasible option • predator thinning by trapping for most goat operations. To adequately deter coy- • hunting otes and dogs, a 5- to 6-foot fence with top wires no • using toxicants more than 8 inches apart and four bottom strands with a 4-inch spacing should be installed. This con- 83 figuration will practically eliminate predators from Chapter 11). The pens usually are constructed close crossing onto the property. An additional electric to the barn or the producer’s house for convenience wire can be added 8 to 10 inches out from the bot- and safety. Again, this method requires intensive tom of an existing electric or net wire fence, spaced labor inputs, but the rewards justify the additional 6 to 8 inches off the ground to discourage digging or work. The goats must be gathered in the evenings crawling under the fence. Fencing options are dis- and driven into the pen. In the morning, they can cussed in greater detail in Chapter 11. be let out into the pasture on their own accord. This method can be extremely effective with the help of Kidding Sheds a guard animal, who will learn the penning routine Kidding sheds are a simple, but effective meth- along with the goats and can be the sole protector od of removing goats and their kids from high-risk during daylight hours. Obviously, the size of the predation areas. Kidding sheds are structures for herd, grazing distance from the pen, and a produc- use during the kidding season, and they provide er’s penning facilities will dictate whether this is a not only relief from inclement weather, but also viable method of protection. reduce predation. The sheds are usually located in highly visible areas, close to a barn or house. These Fright Tactics sheds do not necessarily deter predators from en- Fright tactics also have been tested and used for tering, but they do remove doe goats from secluded quite some time. According to some research, fright areas of the pasture during kidding. Kidding sheds tactics are only marginally effective for predators. are discussed in more detail in Chapter 12. The tactics that work well do not work for very long. Predators are predators for a reason; they learn Day Herding through experience what is a meal, an enemy or a Day herding is another technique used to reduce dangerous situation. What might frighten them for predation on the goat herd. There are two forms of the first few days becomes second nature after a few day herding, herding by the producer (common in weeks, and they go back to their predatory ways. other regions of the world) and herding by a guard- Some tactics have included loud bursts of sound, ian animal. This is a very labor-intensive process moving and flapping objects, perimeter lights with if left up to the producer, which requires close su- motion sensors and even scarecrows. Some research pervision of the herd during daylight hours. With shows that for noise-making devices to be effective, many U.S. producers holding down another job they must be discharged within close proximity of during the day, day herding may best be accom- the predator’s ear (within 1 to 2 feet). This is very plished by a trained guardian animal. This method difficult to accomplish, and eventually the preda- seems to be the most widely used form of day herd- tor becomes conditioned to the sound stimulus and ing in the U.S., and it can drastically reduce preda- learns that it is no real danger. tion during daylight hours. Trained guard dogs will Other research studies have indicated (Linhart be discussed starting later in this chapter. et al., 1984) that timed devices, set to activate at However, even with constant supervision predetermined time intervals were less effective during daylight hours, a goat herd is likely to re- because the predators habituated themselves to the ceive the most pressure from predators at night. This stimuli. A tested device that was triggered every minimizes some of the effectiveness of day herd- eight minutes during darkness was effective for 91 ing without the use of a full-time guardian animal.

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