Predator control in relation to livestock losses in central Texas.

Records of the 1971-76 federal-state Animal Damage Control (ADC) program in central Texas reflected 0.27% annual domestic sheep and goat losses to predators despite intensive control efforts. Sheep and goat numbers decreased, but their value, cattle numbers, and cattle values increased. Losses to coyotes and bobcats were proportionately greatest in brushy, uneven terrain on the periphery of the Edwards Plateau. In 1975, cooperative ADC predator control efforts protected 438,649 (40%) of the sheep and goats on 8,912 km2 (3,441 miz), or 15.5% ofthe total land area in 21 counties studied at an average cost of 46 cents for each sheep or goat protected. Heaviest losses to predators occurred from October to May when small lambs were present; control efforts were most successful during winters. An estimated cost-benefit ratio to measure the effectiveness of the ADC program was 1:4.5 for 1975. We observed that losses to predators were lowest when annual precipitation was highest; high losses coincided with dry years, which were probably the periods of lowest wild prey abundance. Increasing sociological and political controversy about predator control from local to Congressional levels has increased the need to evaluate the effectiveness of control efforts. This paper analyzes records from a continuing cooperative federal-state program in 2 1 Texas counties to evaluate the effects of present control methods in this country’s largest and most concentrated sheep and goatraising area. In other parts of the West, detailed loss studies in three no-control situations and several areas with unmeasured controls have provided views (discussed later) of several aspects of predation. We add to that information by providing some insight from the broad view of a control organization as opposed to individual ranch studies of loses to predators.