There are tried and true solutions to the issue that would cost much less, while at the same time benefiting both the environment and the ranching industry. Please read the following and spread this information. Walkaboutlou has SEEN first hand, over a period of more than 40 years of first-hand ranching experience, the detriments of slaughter, and the benefit of working WITH (not AGAINST) the environment with guard dogs. His words:
If they spent A FRACTION of that money on quality LGD dogs and behavioral education for farmers and ranchers to learn how to use such dogs it would make difference. This is all about a lifestyle certain “animal control” folks and certain hunters want.
I know of large remote herds and ranges maintained by LGD that almost never experience such losses or behaviors. Excesseive herd sizes spread out in total isolation and not watched is the issue. Some individuals want to treat entire regions as one massive grazing pasture with no predatory wildlife. That’s what its about.
That is old school manifest destiny ranching. And some still are willing to waste millions of dollars enforcing their beliefs and hobbies.
When we hear individuals using terms such as vicious etc describing natural predators we have to stay calm and also see other side. Lambs and calves are dollar signs to ranchers..but also it really is emotionally upsetting to find them killed or injured graphically. It’s a “A Killing Crisis of Both Sides” since there are livestock being lost as well. The thing is…it’s a preventable Crisis. Yes.
But again the issue is behavioral shaping of wildlife. And lack of protection provided by fencing and LGD packs.
When we rent vast regions of BLM land or own vast regions which herds roam without daily protections these are magnetic to predators. When they find no resistance…its free food.
A 100 dollar bill on sidewalk doesn’t lay long.
Unprotected rarely checked herds in isolation will be checked out.
LGD are part of the answer. And the days are over not checking on herds weekly or even daily.
Also…coyote are viewed with almost extremism for many. They are an excuse to hunt without regulation or rules and some revel in that. Also..they influence other laws allowing other species to be included in “management”. Coyote are very political so to speak and you can easily affect wildlife management of other species allowing anti fervor to flame unabated.
So much to consider. More science and solutions are available more then ever. A pack of well bred well supported LGD truly act as a huge step resolving predator issues.
But many have a culture of resisting such solutions.
I did want to add one more solution that’s not popular in modern circles..but was in older days. And works.
Locally in our region we have ONE (that i know of) 1 Range Rider. A Range Rider travels range and checks on or stays with livestock. The one I know travels daily via a switched team of 2 mules and a mustang. He literally with several dogs rides everywhere checking for wolves, trespassers, calf checks etc. His wide and unpredictable patrols keep wolves very nervous..and they simply pass cattle. They do not tarry. They fear his sounds and prescence. They are literally taught certain areas…are patrolled and enforced.
Zero losses to predation. Range Riders are experts of land management and often have extensive training in animal behaviors as well as ecosystem enrichments. They improve herds, lands and wildlife coexistence.
But they aren’t free lol.
Anyhow. I think my insights are minimal. The PROOFS found in fencing, husbandry, Range Riders and LGD packs are abundant and available.
It just means not allowing people who literally want millions without feasible results to take control and take funds. They need more science then “ravens are vicious”.
(If I took millions before and there is still “predator issue” I either wasn’t thorough, I wasted your money, or I’ve found a way to funnel money for my own agendas.)
Jun 02, 2023 @ 20:33:14
Our state (WA), has range riders— and WDFW offers many more ranger riders to help ranchers, at no cost to themselves. But so many of the ranchers on public lands, our lands), refuse the help.
There is a mindset present in the West for the last one hundred and fifty years, that wants to use the lands , nearly rent-free, with no governmental interference—-and then wants to slaughter wildlife when a problem comes up. It’s as if they would rather lose cattle, than protect the environment.
Jun 02, 2023 @ 21:16:22
Thank you, Melinda, for your input. We need success stories to spread to those who won’t change. Walkaboutlou has actually SEEN how these solutions help. We need more people to chip in their stories so that more ranchers will be onboard. Also, Wyoming Fish & Game needs to rethink their policies and goals.
Jun 02, 2023 @ 22:14:04
Exactly.
Jun 03, 2023 @ 02:02:25
In my experience coyote populations are artificially increased because of sheep ranching here in Colorado. The coyote population naturally fluctuates with the populations of prey animals such as cottontail rabbits. When the prey populations are high, coyotes have better reproductive success but when the prey populations are low, coyotes have trouble feeding their young and reproductive success falls off.
The sheep rancher provides easy food for coyotes during times of prey
scarcity, thus preventing the coyote population from fluctuating naturally. Sheep are, after all, an invasive species.
The big question is, why does the government subsidize sheep ranching?
From what the sheep ranchers have told me, without the subsidy there is no way sheep ranching would continue to exist in the U.S. If you want to talk about wasting money, there it is!