WORKING CIRCLE
Understanding Wolf Livestock Conflict Mitigation
There is a multitude of dynamics involved in understanding wolf-livestock conflict risk. Effective conflict mitigation requires the understanding of wolf hunting behavior and understanding prey vulnerability. This document provides a simplified overview of some factors to consider when evaluating and managing conflict risk.
Wolf-Livestock Conflict Mitigation
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Understanding Wolf Hunting Behavior
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Understanding Vulnerability in Livestock
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Understanding Wolf Hunting Behavior
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Understanding Vulnerability in Livestock
Understanding Wolf Hunting Behavior
As wolves circulate around their territory and encounter and test prey under various conditions, they gain information about prey's vulnerability to hunting (finding, catching, killing). Through trial and error, wolves end up with whichever prey they can capture.
As a top predator, wolves as a species who prefer large prey, face greater challenges than other larger predators such as mountain lion or bear. Mountain lion and bear, with their large claws and teeth along with their immense power, generally ambush their predators taking them down relatively quickly and efficiently. Wolves on the other hand, expend great energy when hunting. Pressuring prey to entice a response, the chase, relying on the packs cohesiveness and the risky take down of the prey is not an easy task and only leads to success 20% of the time. Once the attack starts, bringing down the animal can take minutes to hours. In addition, the hunt is risky business for wolves due to the relative size and build of wolves compared to the larger prey with hooves and antlers, thus it is not uncommon for wolves to be seriously injured or even killed during a hunt.
For this reason, wolves are very risk- adverse. Wolves have a strong sense of self-preservation. As such, they are continually weighing vulnerability against risk – Does the vulnerability of the prey outweigh the risk of injury or death? Unlike bear and lion, wolves are not ambush predators. Wolves are not physically equipped to take down prey like bears and lions. Wolves generally attack from behind, minimizing their risk of injury or death from a hoof or antler. Thus, wolves will pressure prey to entice them to flee. Getting their prey to run also allows the wolves to evaluate which animal is the most vulnerable, allowing them to single out and put their collective energy toward taking the weak target. If the prey, however, turns and faces the wolves, standing its’ ground, the risk to the wolf increases. If the wolves are unsuccessful in getting a flight response, in most cases, the wolves will back down and seek more vulnerable options.
When prey becomes trapped or hindered by a landscape feature like deep snow, downfall, fencing, or steep draw, wolves don’t need to take the weakest or slowest animal. They can take a healthy, full-grown elk bull hindered by challenging terrain. As long as the vulnerability outweighs the risk, wolves will take advantage of the circumstances.
A highly influential factor in determining wolf hunting success is prey vulnerability.
This goes for livestock.
This goes for livestock.
The fact that wolves are risk adverse is exactly why focusing on reducing vulnerability is key to reducing wolf-livestock conflict. The concept of vulnerability allows us the advantage of being pro-active by addressing potential vulnerability in cattle or operations, thus avoiding conflict to begin with.
Understanding Livestock Vulnerability
To reiterate, prey vulnerability is a highly influential factor in determining wolf hunting success. As wolves circulate around their territory and encounter and test prey under various conditions, they gain information about the prey's vulnerability to hunting. Through trial and error, wolves end up with whichever prey they can capture. Many factors lead to livestock vulnerability. Some examples include:
Wolves learn and remember the information gained about prey behavior, terrain, locations, and any other physical factors that will help them in their quest for food.
The above information can help in evaluating wolf-livestock conflict risk; there can be any combination of factors and factors not listed in this document. Keeping the above points in mind can help ranchers make proactive decisions regarding livestock management to reduce the vulnerability of livestock to predation by wolves.
When a conflict does occur, there is always a reason or combination of factors specific to that incident. Identifying and understanding these will help in preventing the potential for future events.
It is not uncommon to have repeat depredation events on the same one or two operations. This leads to the question of what is happening on those ranches that is not happening on the neighboring ranches. What vulnerability factors exist that lead to repeated hunting success. To identify this is key to halting the continued loss of cattle by wolves.
Understanding Livestock Vulnerability
To reiterate, prey vulnerability is a highly influential factor in determining wolf hunting success. As wolves circulate around their territory and encounter and test prey under various conditions, they gain information about the prey's vulnerability to hunting. Through trial and error, wolves end up with whichever prey they can capture. Many factors lead to livestock vulnerability. Some examples include:
- Response of livestock to predator pressure. This is one of the biggest factors in livestock vulnerability. Examples of responses that may decrease or increase vulnerability
- stand or flee
- group or scatter
- mother up or leave their calf behind
- Condition/health of livestock (this is the other biggest factor in livestock vulnerability)
- Nutrition
- Mineral program
- Terrain/topography
- Wolves can and will take advantage of landscape features that lead to increased vulnerability in prey, thus, higher hunting success
- Downfall
- Bogs or deep snow
- Draws and creek beds
- Woody areas
- Fencing
- Fringe territory (cattle gathered in an open pasture against dense woods
- Wolves can and will take advantage of landscape features that lead to increased vulnerability in prey, thus, higher hunting success
- Mothering instincts of cows
- Single/alone animals
- Scattered cattle vs. grouped herds
- Encounter rate
- can be increased by deadstock left on the landscape
- can be increased by pasture location in proximity to wolf activity and or prey location/migration routes
- Ungulates mingled with livestock
- Predictable location and movement of prey
- Dynamic vs. static grazing plan
Wolves learn and remember the information gained about prey behavior, terrain, locations, and any other physical factors that will help them in their quest for food.
The above information can help in evaluating wolf-livestock conflict risk; there can be any combination of factors and factors not listed in this document. Keeping the above points in mind can help ranchers make proactive decisions regarding livestock management to reduce the vulnerability of livestock to predation by wolves.
When a conflict does occur, there is always a reason or combination of factors specific to that incident. Identifying and understanding these will help in preventing the potential for future events.
It is not uncommon to have repeat depredation events on the same one or two operations. This leads to the question of what is happening on those ranches that is not happening on the neighboring ranches. What vulnerability factors exist that lead to repeated hunting success. To identify this is key to halting the continued loss of cattle by wolves.
If you are going to raise prey in predator country, you want to be sure that your cattle are the least vulnerable prey on the landscape
Whit Hibbard, Stockmanship Journal
Whit Hibbard, Stockmanship Journal
Conflict Risk Assessments
The importance of Identifying the underlying problem or vulnerabilities prior to implementation of a conflict risk reduction plan is key to not only saving valuable resources but in avoiding the emotional angst and frustration that goes along with failed attempts to stop or reduce conflict.
The presence of wolves can lead to emotionally charged decisions and investments that drain resources and may result in short-term solutions but don’t solve the underlying problem. Thus, apart from emergency response measures, we must focus on the discovery process first:
Why did the conflict occur? What factors or set of circumstances led to a successful hunt?
We must carefully evaluate the bigger picture of what’s happening, including vulnerability factors in livestock and operations, before implementing strategies. This will save valuable time and resources.
Working Circle provides in-depth Conflict Risk Assessments at no charge to the ranching operation.
Focus on the process of discovery before implementing the “solution”
~Hilary Anderson, Montana Rancher
~Hilary Anderson, Montana Rancher
Conducting in depth Conflict Risk Assessments requires years of experience and broad expertise. Working Circle’s team possesses this experience and expertise, thus is fully qualified to not only conduct in-depth risk evaluations but provide detailed recommendations for addressing identified issues, and in working with landowners/ managers and communities in implementing comprehensive and sustainable conflict mitigation plans that provide long-term positive and measurable outcomes.
Identifying the underlying problem or vulnerabilities and focusing on practices that address the root cause of conflict is not only is an effective approach to reducing wolf-livestock conflict risk, but also sustainable and provides long term results. In addition, it puts control back in the rancher’s hand.
Vulnerability vs. Chronic Depredation
Repeated depredations by wolves on livestock are often referred to as “chronic” depredation. However, more often than not, it is a case of vulnerability that may be addressed rather than actual chronic behavior. If you have one ranch experiencing repeated loss due to wolves while the neighbor has had no issues, this leads to the question of why wolves are killing cattle on one ranch and not the neighbor’s ranch.
This illustrates a classic vulnerability scenario with a specific ranch operation or herd of cattle. There is a window of time, which can vary greatly, in which the vulnerability must be addressed, and most likely can be addressed, to avoid the potential of wolves becoming true habituated depredators. For example, Ranch “A” has been proactive in addressing potential vulnerability concerns and has not experienced any loss of cattle to wolves, even with a high wolf-livestock encounter rate. A neighboring ranch, Ranch “B,” has not taken steps to address operational or cattle vulnerability and has experienced repeated loss due to wolves. Over time, if Ranch B does not take measures to address the areas of vulnerability, this lack of action may negatively impact not only Ranch B but also other ranches in the community or wolf pack range. If wolves continue to have hunting success on Ranch A, they will become more habituated to cattle and more assertive in their hunting of livestock.
This can grow into a community-wide challenge, leading to a chronic depredation scenario that is difficult to reverse. Thus, it is critical that the community, as a whole, be willing to take steps to evaluate and recognize wolf-livestock conflict risk and be proactive in addressing the vulnerabilities identified.
Prey Vulnerability and Surplus Killing
As with all predators, wolves kill to obtain the food needed to survive. For wolves, hunting takes a tremendous amount of energy, and most hunting attempts are unsuccessful. Thus, wolves take advantage of prey vulnerability to procure sufficient food with minimal effort and risk.
Like many predators, wolves can occasionally take more than can be immediately consumed. Though “surplus” killing is uncommon, it does happen, and generally, this is seen in late winter months when ungulates are more physically compromised. As with any predation event, there always exists a set of circumstances that led to the successful kill. It is no different in the case of surplus killing; sufficient vulnerability existed in a group of animals that allowed for multiple kills. Prey in a weakened state due to winter severity, deep snow, challenging terrain, herd illness, or prey behavior are some factors that can play into a surplus killing event.
If the carcasses are left on the landscape, wolves will generally return to a kill site for several days to continue consuming the remains. Surplus kills also provide valuable food resources to other animals via scavenging during the time of year when other carnivores need these resources the most.
Physical Deterrents
Wolves’ evaluation of risk vs. vulnerability and their fear of anything new or unfamiliar makes conflict deterrent tools, e.g., fladry and fox lights, a valuable option. However, the tools are only effective short-term as wolves will learn that these tools will not cause harm or death, and once the risk is no longer perceived to be higher than the potential for food, these tools become ineffective. Deterrent tools are best used for pastures and calving lots.
For open-range conflict risk management, understanding how the wolves use the landscape, how ungulates use the landscape, and how livestock uses the landscape and understanding the landscape can help inform a conflict risk reduction plan. Preparing cattle for open range via specific stockmanship practices that boost cattle defense and encourage herd behavior before turnout plays a vital role in boosting cattle’s natural defense and lowering cattle vulnerability.
Identifying the underlying problem or vulnerabilities and focusing on practices that address the root cause of conflict is not only is an effective approach to reducing wolf-livestock conflict risk, but also sustainable and provides long term results. In addition, it puts control back in the rancher’s hand.
Vulnerability vs. Chronic Depredation
Repeated depredations by wolves on livestock are often referred to as “chronic” depredation. However, more often than not, it is a case of vulnerability that may be addressed rather than actual chronic behavior. If you have one ranch experiencing repeated loss due to wolves while the neighbor has had no issues, this leads to the question of why wolves are killing cattle on one ranch and not the neighbor’s ranch.
This illustrates a classic vulnerability scenario with a specific ranch operation or herd of cattle. There is a window of time, which can vary greatly, in which the vulnerability must be addressed, and most likely can be addressed, to avoid the potential of wolves becoming true habituated depredators. For example, Ranch “A” has been proactive in addressing potential vulnerability concerns and has not experienced any loss of cattle to wolves, even with a high wolf-livestock encounter rate. A neighboring ranch, Ranch “B,” has not taken steps to address operational or cattle vulnerability and has experienced repeated loss due to wolves. Over time, if Ranch B does not take measures to address the areas of vulnerability, this lack of action may negatively impact not only Ranch B but also other ranches in the community or wolf pack range. If wolves continue to have hunting success on Ranch A, they will become more habituated to cattle and more assertive in their hunting of livestock.
This can grow into a community-wide challenge, leading to a chronic depredation scenario that is difficult to reverse. Thus, it is critical that the community, as a whole, be willing to take steps to evaluate and recognize wolf-livestock conflict risk and be proactive in addressing the vulnerabilities identified.
Prey Vulnerability and Surplus Killing
As with all predators, wolves kill to obtain the food needed to survive. For wolves, hunting takes a tremendous amount of energy, and most hunting attempts are unsuccessful. Thus, wolves take advantage of prey vulnerability to procure sufficient food with minimal effort and risk.
Like many predators, wolves can occasionally take more than can be immediately consumed. Though “surplus” killing is uncommon, it does happen, and generally, this is seen in late winter months when ungulates are more physically compromised. As with any predation event, there always exists a set of circumstances that led to the successful kill. It is no different in the case of surplus killing; sufficient vulnerability existed in a group of animals that allowed for multiple kills. Prey in a weakened state due to winter severity, deep snow, challenging terrain, herd illness, or prey behavior are some factors that can play into a surplus killing event.
If the carcasses are left on the landscape, wolves will generally return to a kill site for several days to continue consuming the remains. Surplus kills also provide valuable food resources to other animals via scavenging during the time of year when other carnivores need these resources the most.
Physical Deterrents
Wolves’ evaluation of risk vs. vulnerability and their fear of anything new or unfamiliar makes conflict deterrent tools, e.g., fladry and fox lights, a valuable option. However, the tools are only effective short-term as wolves will learn that these tools will not cause harm or death, and once the risk is no longer perceived to be higher than the potential for food, these tools become ineffective. Deterrent tools are best used for pastures and calving lots.
For open-range conflict risk management, understanding how the wolves use the landscape, how ungulates use the landscape, and how livestock uses the landscape and understanding the landscape can help inform a conflict risk reduction plan. Preparing cattle for open range via specific stockmanship practices that boost cattle defense and encourage herd behavior before turnout plays a vital role in boosting cattle’s natural defense and lowering cattle vulnerability.
See Wolf-Livestock Conflict Mitigation Practices for details on Working Circle's Approach to Conflict Risk Reduction Strategies
Considerations for Bigger-Picture Conflict Mitigation
Implementing comprehensive, lasting, and sustainable strategies based on adaptive herd, range, and resource management is the key to continued success. Each ranch operation needs to identify approaches that will help meet, not take away from, the overall goals of the ranch and lead to greater returns on investment (financially, emotionally, and energetically) over time while lowering predator-conflict risk.
Implementing comprehensive, lasting, and sustainable strategies based on adaptive herd, range, and resource management is the key to continued success. Each ranch operation needs to identify approaches that will help meet, not take away from, the overall goals of the ranch and lead to greater returns on investment (financially, emotionally, and energetically) over time while lowering predator-conflict risk.
“One understanding is worth a thousand techniques”
-Bill Dorrance
-Bill Dorrance
The presence of wolves can lead to emotionally charged investments that don’t build up the ranch
or solve the overall challenges. If a ranch experiences loss, a short-term crisis mode is
understandable, but remaining in a crisis mindset won’t solve challenges over the long run. Apart from emergency response measures, focusing on the discovery process first will save valuable time and resources when implementing strategies. Take it one step at a time.
It is beneficial to focus on more than conflict or deterrents. Rather than managing simply for wolves, manage for what will help meet the greater ranch goals. Look at conflict risk reduction strategies that fit into and serve the overall needs and desired outcomes for the ranch. Deterring wolves over thousands of acres is daunting; investing time and energy towards strategies that build the ranch to withstand wolves and lower vulnerability makes more sense.
There is no perfect or one-size fits all solution. Each operation, landscape, and wolf pack is unique. No one can claim that this is easy, especially during the early stages—but it can be done, resulting in success for the ranch on a comprehensive level. Looking toward a community-led and managed approach, resource sharing, and open communication can help the livestock community as a whole.
The combination of understanding, ability to adapt to changing circumstances on the ground, and taking advantage of available support will help avoid unnecessary losses to both cattle and wolves and ensure ranchers can keep ranching in the modern world.
For further information on wolf-livestock conflict risk management, risk reduction strategies, risk assessments, and support available, please reach out anytime. We are here 24/7/360
or solve the overall challenges. If a ranch experiences loss, a short-term crisis mode is
understandable, but remaining in a crisis mindset won’t solve challenges over the long run. Apart from emergency response measures, focusing on the discovery process first will save valuable time and resources when implementing strategies. Take it one step at a time.
It is beneficial to focus on more than conflict or deterrents. Rather than managing simply for wolves, manage for what will help meet the greater ranch goals. Look at conflict risk reduction strategies that fit into and serve the overall needs and desired outcomes for the ranch. Deterring wolves over thousands of acres is daunting; investing time and energy towards strategies that build the ranch to withstand wolves and lower vulnerability makes more sense.
There is no perfect or one-size fits all solution. Each operation, landscape, and wolf pack is unique. No one can claim that this is easy, especially during the early stages—but it can be done, resulting in success for the ranch on a comprehensive level. Looking toward a community-led and managed approach, resource sharing, and open communication can help the livestock community as a whole.
The combination of understanding, ability to adapt to changing circumstances on the ground, and taking advantage of available support will help avoid unnecessary losses to both cattle and wolves and ensure ranchers can keep ranching in the modern world.
For further information on wolf-livestock conflict risk management, risk reduction strategies, risk assessments, and support available, please reach out anytime. We are here 24/7/360
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