Sheep bands in large pastures
Sheep of all ages are extremely vulnerable to depredation by wolves, coyotes, bears, cougars, and domestic dogs. When bands of sheep are grazed in large pastures, such as on public land allotments, a combination of measures need to be taken to reduce losses. This pasture grazing situation is most common in summer and fall.
Herders
The most important measure to reduce depredation on sheep in large pastures is the 24/7 presence of a sheep herder to monitor and protect the sheep. Herding is already a normal part of sheep ranching as the herder directs the sheep to food and water. During the day, the herder uses the sheep herding dogs to keep the sheep bunched, this makes the sheep more protectable. Sheep that are separated from the band are more vulnerable to depredation.
The herder’s camp needs to be close to the sheep gathered in the bedding area at night. If the herder is not nearbyand available,he will be unable to support theguarddogs or regather the sheepif anighttimeincident scattersthe sheep.
If wolves come near the band, the herder should be prepared to scare a wolf or wolves away by moving towards the wolves, making loud noises and, at night, shining a spotlight. Wolves are afraid of the sight and sounds of people and will usually move away quickly. Additional herders may be needed in areas y work at night if conflict with wolves is a problem.
Herder information flyer in Spanish (pdf)
Herder information flyer in English (pdf)
Livestock Protection Dogs
Using livestock protection or guardian dogs may be the second most important method of reducing conflict between wolves and sheep; they can also be effective against coyotes, bears and cougars. The use of specific breeds of guarding dogs can deter wolves and alert the herder to wolf presence. The guard dogs will bark aggressively to announce when a predator is nearby.
Pyrenees, Anatolian, Akbash, are established guarding breeds. Some guarding breeds used in the United States were selected decades ago to protect livestock from coyote predation and may not be as successful at protecting livestock from wolves. Some sheep producers and researchers are exploring additional breeds of large guarding dogs that show promise in their ability to deter wolves.
Multiple (5-7) trained adult dogs are recommended, but the number necessary to be effective will depend on the level of wolf activity in the area, how well the sheep are bunched, and behavioral characteristics of the dogs. Some dogs will stay close to the band, while others may range farther from the band to look for threats.
Guard dogs work best in combination with human presence. The dogs can be exceedingly effective at detecting the presence of wolves near livestock, and may be able to physically deter wolves in many encounters, but in certain situations they may not be effective at repelling the wolves without assistance from a herder.
The use of guard dogs is not recommended near wolf den sites and summer pup rendezvous locations. Wolves are highly territorial and may be more aggressive towards dogs in these areas as wolves may consider the dogs to be a threat to their pups. If dogs are used near these sites, additional deterrents to help protect the dogs and livestock are recommended.
Guard dogs are expensive and require specific training, care, and precautions. Producers should seek advice on the use of this method from other professionals or producers with experience using these animals.
Night-penning sheep
- Set up night camp strategically
- reduced stress on ewes
Fencing used specifically to deter wolves from livestock, may be permanent or temporary, and may be from a variety of fencing materials, depending on each situation. In general, fencing is considered when attempting to protect livestock in a small pasture, enclosure, or when stock is gathered in a reasonably protectable area (i.e., sheep nighttime bedding area).
dependent on the type of livestock and conditions, but includes two general types as follows.
Electromesh Fencing: May be effective, and often a good option for small numbers of livestock and/or small acreages or pens. Types of fencing vary and may include multiple-strand electric or electric mesh, woven wire mesh, panels, or other hard barriers. Fencing may also be used to create small temporary or permanent pens to protect livestock at night and may be used in conjunction with other measures such as noisemakers, guard animals, or lighting.
Fladry and Electrified Fladry: A rope or electric wire with evenly spaced red flags that hang down. Highly portable and can be installed relatively quickly, fladry can be used for a variety of livestock operations –sheep night penning, and some calving areas. It may be applied to certain open range situations but is best used as mobile protection on a short term basis. Producers are encouraged to work with biologists to determine if fladry is appropriate. Fladry requires regular maintenance for effective use. In general, fladry is not intended for use over long periods of time in the same location because wolves may become habituated, and thereby reduce effectiveness. ODFW or other organizations may develop cooperative fladry projects to assist producers with installing and maintaining fladry protection.
Application: Sheep: Electrified hard fencing is recommended for all small protectable areas that have sheep. Open range night penning of sheep in portable electric net fenced areas or fladry fences in areas of wolf use is highly recommended. Even with herders present, fladry may reduce depredation risk.
fladry or electrified mesh is most appropriate for temporary and movable night pens on open range in areas of wolf use.
Considerations and Limitations: Permanent fencing, though long lasting, is usually expensive and can often only be affordably applied to small areas. Fladry installation is also expensive and fladry is often limited in availability. Fladry, when determined to be an appropriate deterrent, is generally effective on a short-term basis, requiring the use of other tools for longer term deterrence.
Fencing on allotments must comply with grazing permit requirements, and may not be allowable in some cases.
Click here for more information and installation instructions (will link to separate pages for fladry and electromesh options)
Keeping sheep gathered during the day
With 1000-1500 sheep in a band it is important to keep track of the sheep. If a number of the sheep are separated from the band during the day, then they have no protection from the herder and guard dogs once night falls.
Light and noise scare devices
Light and noise devices that simulate human presence can be effective to deter wolves from small areas. In large pasture situations, they may be effective only at night in penning or bedding areas.
-RAGboxes
-Foxlights
Link to video of Foxlight flashing
Learn to recognize wolf sign and listen for howling
Link to tracks flyer
Link to carnivore sign online quiz
Link to wolf/coyote howl audios
Contact with ODFW
Though increased human presence will not prevent all wolf-livestock conflicts, it should be conducted in a manner which would reasonably be expected to deter wolf-livestock conflict, and this would be determined based on frequency of wolf use in the area, depredation patterns, seasonal patterns of wolf and livestock use.
Caught-in-act Shooting of wolves
One way to reduce depredation is to kill the wolves that are caught actively attacking livestock. This method assures that the wolves that are removed from the population are depredating animals.
As long as wolves remain federally delisted, anywhere in Oregon, a producer can legally shoot a wolf that is caught in the act of biting, wounding, or killing livestock or working dogs on land they own or lawfully occupy (including public lands) without a permit if certain conditions have been met. There can be no bait or actions taken to attract wolves. The shooting must be reported to ODFW within 24 hours, and the scene must be preserved.
ODFW manages wolves in two wolf management zones. The zones have different rules regarding harassment and killing of wolves. In the East Wolf Management Zone, a producer can also shoot a wolf that is chasing livestock. In the West Wolf Management Zone, a producer can shoot a wolf that is chasing livestock only under very limited circ*mstances.
Caught in the Act flyer with specific rules
Documentation
In Oregon,
Documentation: Producers should document activities when human presence is used. ODFW or other agency/individual presence which meets the above applicability standards should also be documented. Documentation could include, but is not limited to the following:dates, times, specific location, action taken, purpose or intent of action, and results.
Producers should keep records of guarding dog use including numbers of animals, dates, areas, species protected, etc.
Producers should document the dates, areas, type, and amount of fencing used as a non-lethal measure to reduce wolf depredation.
