Domestic Animal Losses to Coyotes and Dogs in Iowa

摘要: Losses of domestic livestock to coyotes (Canis latrans) and dogs were investigated from claims filed at county courthouses in Iowa between 1960 1974. A total 5,800 was examined, representing losses 18,309 sheep, 826 cattle, 2,257 swine, 6,839 chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks. For all reported sheep losses, 49 percent attributed 36 coyotes. The proportions poultry killed by also greater than those Since 1960, the proportion predator loss has increased, although there been no change magnitude predation losses. Overall, predators a mean 1.5 lambs born maximum 3.5 production on 14-county area. Sheep, greatest summer or early fall cattle spring. depredations appeared be more function availability density. Traditional management tools that result taking primarily winter (hunting, trapping bounties) have little effect during season when are occurring. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 42(2):362-372 In recent years, wildlife managers recognized need for factual data predator-livestock relationships if managed intelligently. To date, studies concerned with centered western sheep-raising industry areas where coyote densities high human populations relatively sparse. Presnall (1948) first concluded large West attributable Balser (1974), however, pointed out do not differ much eastern United States where, he speculated, heavy parasite loads may offset relationship native versus feral is poorly understood both types occur. Wildlife agencies commonly presented conflicting, often extreme, viewpoints concerning relative severity predators. major sources reviewed Leopold (1964), Wagner (1972), Cain et al. Nesse (1976), Gee (1977). These include records government (most these collected incidental other activities), obtained mail questionnaires personal interviews, field assessment designed locate necropsy dead sheep. All conducted almost exclusively some control effect. Denny (1974) few data, even rational estimates, available scope property dogs. This despite fact number about 34,100,000 'Journal Paper No. J-8718 Agriculture Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames. Project 2031. 2 Present Address: Kansas State University, Southwest Area Extension Office, 1501 Fulton Terrace, Garden City 67846. 362 Wildl. Manage. 42(2):1978 content downloaded 157.55.39.183 Thu, 26 May 2016 05:20:55 UTC use subject http://about.jstor.org/terms LIVESTOCK LOSSES TO COYOTES AND DOGS" Boggess 363 (American Humane Association 1972, cited 1974). Feral free-ranging dogs, as well coyote-dog hybrids, exist many (Young Jackson 1951, Gipson Scott Causey 1973, Nesbitt 1975). nationwide survey damage caused found that, an economic standpoint, state agricultural ranked damages most important problem posed paper represents results investigation into timing livestock. study area organized program Domestic animal producer provided unique opportunity compile incurred over period several years wide From we able determine only but yearly monthly trends, factors great potential significance any applied program. portion M.S. (Boggess 1975) financed Conservation Commission, Federal Aid W-115-R-2 Station. M. K. Petersen, F. Heer, L. D. Wing, A. Farris gave valuable criticism this manuscript. Augustine aided collection Cox T. Bubolz help statistical analysis data.