Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs: Encouraging effective and responsible use for reducing predator/livestock/human conflicts Living with Wildlife while Managing Working Landscapes Hopland Research & Extension Center Dec 1 st – 2 nd, 2015

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Resource Management Specialist

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Resource Management Specialist  Assist WS in broadening knowledge in the use of non lethal wildlife damage management methods and approaches

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Resource Management Specialist  Assist WS in broadening knowledge in the use of non lethal wildlife damage management methods and approaches  Primary focus on livestock protection/predation management methods

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Resource Management Specialist  Assist WS in broadening knowledge in the use of non lethal wildlife damage management methods and approaches  Primary focus on livestock protection/predation management methods  Livestock Protection Dogs

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Resource Management Specialist  Assist WS in broadening knowledge in the use of non lethal wildlife damage management methods and approaches  Primary focus on livestock protection/predation management methods  Livestock Protection Dogs  Resource for WS partners/stakeholders, WS Operational and NWRC personnel  Communication  Development of informational material  Outreach

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Sheep and LambsUS Predator losses194, ,032 credited to coyotes 118,032 credited to coyotes 61% of predator related losses 61% of predator related losses Sheep and Lamb Predator and Nonpredator Death Loss in the United States, 2015 USDA/APHIS/VS National Animal Health Monitoring System, September 2015

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Integrated Wildlife Damage Management

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Integrated Wildlife Damage Management IWDM encompasses the integration and application of all approved methods of prevention and management to reduce wildlife damage WS Directive 2.105

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Integrated Wildlife Damage Management for Livestock Protection

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Integrated Wildlife Damage Management for Livestock Protection Methods can generally be divided into -Control ( Predator population management)

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Integrated Wildlife Damage Management for Livestock Protection Methods can generally be divided into -Control ( Predator population management) -Preventative ( Adaptive deterrent management)

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Control methods usually are put into place after damage has occurred and are targeted at specific animals; usually lethal to the predator

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Preventative methods are implemented prior to predation problems and are generally non-lethal to the predators

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Resource Management  Animal Husbandry  Night penning  Shed lambing  Range riding  Guard Animals  Dogs, llamas, donkeys  Carcass Management  Remove/dispose of attractants

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Physical Exclusion  Fencing  Predator-resistant Fences  Temporary Fencing  Barriers, Netting, and Other Exclusion Methods Exclusion Methods

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Harassment  Lights  Sounds  Human presence

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife The Wildlife Society states: “Prevention or control of wildlife damage, which often includes removal of the animals responsible for the damage, is an essential and responsible part of wildlife management.”

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Must be recognized that no tool is 100 percent effective and there is no “once size fits all”

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife In the late 1970’s, a resurgence in the use of Livestock Dogs for sheep protection began

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife In the late 1970’s, a resurgence in the use of Livestock Dogs for sheep protection began Result of:

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife In the late 1970’s, a resurgence in the use of Livestock Dogs for sheep protection began Result of:  Federal restrictions on the use of predacides

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife In the late 1970’s, a resurgence in the use of Livestock Dogs for sheep protection began Result of:  Federal restrictions on the use of predacides  Inability of existing techniques to provide adequate relief from predation

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife In the late 1970’s, a resurgence in the use of Livestock Dogs for sheep protection began Result of:  Federal restrictions on the use of predacides  Inability of existing techniques to provide adequate relief from predation  Desire by some to use a non-lethal approach

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs (LPDs)  LPDs have been used around the world for centuries

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs (LPDs)  LPDs have been used around the world for centuries  While LPDs are most commonly used to protect sheep, they are also helpful in protecting other livestock from predators

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs (LPDs)  LPDs have been used around the world for centuries  While LPDs are most commonly used to protect sheep, they are also helpful in protecting other livestock from predators  LPDs are working dogs that stay with or near sheep most of the time, with the purpose of aggressively repelling predators

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock protection dogs are an important component of managing predation on small-farm flocks and on large landscapes, including public lands ( US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management grazing allotments)

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Producer costs to implement predator control methods (US)

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Cost and Effect of Predation Prevention Measures (US)

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Pros

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Pros LPDs can guard a variety of livestock LPDs can guard a variety of livestock

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Pros LPDs can guard a variety of livestock LPDs can guard a variety of livestock LPDs are typically able to analyze threats LPDs are typically able to analyze threats

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Pros LPDs can guard a variety of livestock LPDs can guard a variety of livestock LPDs are typically able to analyze threats LPDs are typically able to analyze threats LPDs bond to the livestock they are protecting LPDs bond to the livestock they are protecting

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Pros LPDs can guard a variety of livestock LPDs can guard a variety of livestock LPDs are typically able to analyze threats LPDs are typically able to analyze threats LPDs bond to the livestock they are protecting LPDs bond to the livestock they are protecting LPDs may alert the producer to potential threats LPDs may alert the producer to potential threats

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Pros LPDs can guard a variety of livestock LPDs can guard a variety of livestock LPDs are typically able to analyze threats LPDs are typically able to analyze threats LPDs bond to the livestock they are protecting LPDs bond to the livestock they are protecting LPDs may alert the producer to potential threats LPDs may alert the producer to potential threats LPDs may allow for greater pasture use and grazing LPDs may allow for greater pasture use and grazing

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Pros LPDs can guard a variety of livestock LPDs can guard a variety of livestock LPDs are typically able to analyze threats LPDs are typically able to analyze threats LPDs bond to the livestock they are protecting LPDs bond to the livestock they are protecting LPDs may alert the producer to potential threats LPDs may alert the producer to potential threats LPDs may allow for greater pasture use and grazing LPDs may allow for greater pasture use and grazing LPDS provide long term protection, as predators do not become accustomed or habituated to the dogs LPDS provide long term protection, as predators do not become accustomed or habituated to the dogs

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Cons

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Cons LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Cons LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Cons LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Cons LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced LPDs may be aggressive to strangers LPDs may be aggressive to strangers

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Cons LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced LPDs may be aggressive to strangers LPDs may be aggressive to strangers LPDs may not tolerate herding or other farm dogs LPDs may not tolerate herding or other farm dogs

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Cons LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced LPDs may be aggressive to strangers LPDs may be aggressive to strangers LPDs may not tolerate herding or other farm dogs LPDs may not tolerate herding or other farm dogs LPDs need time and guidance to mature properly LPDs need time and guidance to mature properly

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Cons LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced LPDs may be aggressive to strangers LPDs may be aggressive to strangers LPDs may not tolerate herding or other farm dogs LPDs may not tolerate herding or other farm dogs LPDs need time and guidance to mature properly LPDs need time and guidance to mature properly LPDS will bark, especially at night LPDS will bark, especially at night

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dogs Cons LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced LPDs may be aggressive to strangers LPDs may be aggressive to strangers LPDs may not tolerate herding or other farm dogs LPDs may not tolerate herding or other farm dogs LPDs need time and guidance to mature properly LPDs need time and guidance to mature properly LPDS will bark, especially at night LPDS will bark, especially at night LPDs cannot be used in conjunction with most other predator control methods (traps, snares, poisons) LPDs cannot be used in conjunction with most other predator control methods (traps, snares, poisons)

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Protecting the Resource

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Protecting the Resource Education

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Protecting the Resource Producer Responsibility

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Increasingly, more and more people are seeking to use public lands for a variety of purposes. This use includes hiking, biking, horseback riding, ect., in some areas historically utilized for livestock grazing. Unfortunately, harmonious co-existence is threatened by increased LPD/human conflict.

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Additionally, increasing urbanization has led to a number of conflicts between livestock protection dogs and neighbors in historically rural areas.

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife U.S. & WORLD Ranching, recreation collide in the great outdoors The mountain biker was excited about her big race in Colorado's wilderness. And nothing irked the sheepherder like the sports crowd. It was a disaster waiting to happen. By Nicholas Riccardi November 27, 2009 Reporting from Camp Hale, Colo.

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Fierce sheepdogs alarming tourists in SW Colorado Modified: January 29, 2012 at 12:00 am Published: January 29, 2012 Photo by Gazette File SILVERTON — Turkish sheepdogs prized for their fierceness are raising concerns they may be a little too tough for the southwest Colorado communities where ranchers are using them. The Akbash dogs weigh up to 120 pounds and are especially aggressive toward animals near the sheep they guard. But that can include hikers and other backcountry tourists, prompting debate about whether the breed should be regulated.

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Livestock Protection Dog Best Management Practices

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife What are BMPs? Recommendations to enhance the professional qualifications and judgment of livestock producers utilizing LPDs  Optimizes the use of LPDs  Minimizes conflicts

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Cooperative effort involving:  USDA Wildlife Services  US Forest Service  US Bureau of Land Management  American Sheep Industry

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Protecting the Resource Research

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife Wolves kill 120 sheep at ranch near Dillon By EVE BYRON of the Helena Independent Record | Posted: Friday, August 28, :30 am HELENA GYC News September 03, 2009 Carol Ryan Dumas | Capital Press …a sheep producer from Terreton, Idaho,suffered $40,000 in wolves killed losses this summer due to wolf predation. He said wolves killed six guard dogs more than 100 rams, ewes and lambs and six guard dogs in 11 separate incidents in his grazing areas in Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming.

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife

Protecting People Protecting Agriculture Protecting Wildlife QUESTIONS?