Tom McConnell, Farm Management
Specialist; Dave Davis, Extension Agent, Mineral County; John McCutcheon, Extension Agent, Greenbrier
County; Bill Shockey, Extension Agent,
Preston County ; Howard Scott, Extension Agent,
Wood County; Craig Abbott, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Damage Control,
Summer Intern; Mac McConnell, Wool Pool Volunteer
This study, a follow-up to the 1995 Predator Survey, was designed to answer two basic
questions: 1) What degree of predation are the three counties, identified with the
greatest sheep numbers and the highest level of predation, experiencing one year later?
and 2) Are there other areas (groups of counties) that are experiencing extreme predation?
Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph
The National Agricultural Statistics Service estimates that the sheep and lamb population
in these counties has fallen from 28,100 in 1995 to 24,900 in 1996. This represents a
decrease of 3,100 head or 11%.
This study involved face-to-face interviews with the owners of 19.5% of the sheep in
the three counties.
| Pendleton County |
| Lamb Losses @ $75/head |
Ewe Losses @ $100/head |
| Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
| 1657 |
257 |
29 |
143 |
21 |
36 |
| $124,285 |
$19,285 |
$2,143 |
$14,300 |
$2,100 |
$3,600 |
Total County Predation $165,713
Predation Cost Per Ewe Sheared $11.84 |
| Pocahontas County |
| Lamb Losses @ $75/head |
Ewe Losses @ $100/head |
| Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
| 483 |
30 |
53 |
35 |
30 |
4 |
| $36,196 |
$2,283 |
$3,913 |
$3,500 |
$3,000 |
$400 |
Total County Predation $49,292
Predation Cost Per Ewe Sheared $6.75 |
| Randolph County |
| Lamb Losses @ $75/head |
Ewe Losses @ $100/head |
| Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
| 546 |
17 |
13 |
0 |
54 |
129 |
| $40,437 |
$1,250 |
$975 |
$0 |
$5,400 |
$12,900 |
Total County Predation $60,962
Predation Cost Per Ewe Sheared $12.97 |
This data suggests that the three counties identified sustained $275,967 worth of
predation from all sources and $218,718 from coyotes (this figure represents 79% of the
total).
These three counties' sheep population of 26,000 breeding ewes represents 58% of the
surveyed population of 44,775.
Pendleton County experienced the greatest dog and coyote predation, but Randolph saw the
most damage from bears.
The second group of counties to be surveyed included those recognized as experiencing
significant damage, but not having an organized program of abatement beyond individual
efforts.
The Lewisburg wool collection area, primarily Greenbrier and Monroe counties, is included
in this group. The Moorefield pool collection area was also included in this second group.
This area included Hardy, Grant, Mineral, and Hampshire counties.
Lewisburg Wool Pool Area
(Greenbrier and Monroe Counties) |
| Lamb Losses @ $75/head |
Ewe Losses @ $100/head |
| Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
| 552 |
98 |
16 |
9 |
61 |
0 |
| $41,420 |
$7,330 |
$1,193 |
$900 |
$6,100 |
$0 |
Total County Predation $56,943
Predation Cost Per Ewe Sheared $11.86 |
The respondents in this survey group indicated a greater acceptance of a check-off
program where shepherds would be assessed, on a per ewe basis, to help defray part of the
cost of a professional trapper. This group thought a fee of $2 per head would be
appropriate. Every other group in this survey indicated that $1 was more in line.
Petersburg Wool Pool Area
(Grant, Hardy, Mineral and Hampshire Counties) |
| Lamb Losses @ $75/head |
Ewe Losses @ $100/head |
| Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
| 106 |
44 |
100 |
39 |
100 |
33 |
| $7,916 |
$3,333 |
$7,500 |
$3,900 |
$10,000 |
$3,300 |
Total County Predation $35,949
Predation Cost Per Ewe Sheared $4.61 |
The next 3 groups of counties surveyed included the rest of the state except the
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania pool that included Monongalia and most notably Marshall County.
There was not sufficient manpower to accomplish this task. These county pool areas have
not been recognized as having a widespread or unusual predation situation.
Weston Wool Pool Area
(Lewis, Marion, Harrison, Upshur, Doddridge and Nicholas Counties) |
| Lamb Losses @ $75/head |
Ewe Losses @ $100/head |
| Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
| 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
19 |
0 |
| $0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$1,900 |
$0 |
Total County Predation $1,900
Predation Cost Per Ewe Sheared $.92 |
Terra Alta Wool Pool Area
(Preston and Barbour Counties) |
| Lamb Losses @ $75/head |
Ewe Losses @ $100/head |
| Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
| 0 |
20 |
2 |
2 |
45 |
2 |
| $0 |
$1,470 |
$150 |
$200 |
$4,500 |
$200 |
Total County Predation $6,520
Predation Cost Per Ewe Sheared $2.33 |
Ripley/Parkersburg Wool Pool Area
(Jackson, Wood, Kanawha, Tyler, Putnam, and Roane Counties) |
| Lamb Losses @ $75/head |
Ewe Losses @ $100/head |
| Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
Coyote |
Dogs |
Bears |
| 24 |
9 |
0 |
14 |
33 |
0 |
| $1,810 |
$647 |
$0 |
$1,400 |
$3,300 |
$0 |
Total County Predation $7,157
Predation Cost Per Ewe Sheared $4.48 |
Summary
Predators have cost the shepherds in West Virginia $384,436. Coyotes
account for 72% of that total or $276.264. Dogs were reported as causing damage in every
survey area and account for $71,898 worth of damage or 19% of the state total.
The survey area centered in and around Weston experienced neither coyote
nor bear damage. The Preston/Barber survey area reported two ewes and no lambs lost to
coyotes.
The average predation loss per head in this study was computed at $8.59.
Randolph ($12.97), Pendleton ($11.84), and Greenbrier/Monroe ($11.86) survey areas were
above that figure. Pocahontas County was slightly below that average. Preston/Barbour and
the Jackson/Wood wool pool survey area were nearly half the state average. The Weston
survey area enjoyed the lowest per head predation figure of less then a dollar.
Coyote $276,264
Dog $71,898
Bear $36,274
Total $384,436
1996 Shepherds Survey - Numerical Summary
| County |
Lamb Losses @ $75 |
Ewe Losses @ $100 |
Total County Sheep/Predation |
County $Per Head |
| |
Coyote |
Dog |
Bear |
Coyote |
Dog |
Bear |
|
|
| Pendleton |
1657 $124,285 |
257 $19,285 |
29 $2,143 |
143 $14,300 |
21 $2,100 |
36 $3,600 |
$165,713 |
$11.84 |
| Pocahontas |
483
$36,196 |
30
$2,283 |
53
$3,913 |
35
$3,500 |
30
$3,000 |
4
$400 |
$49,292 |
$6.75 |
| Randolph |
546
$40,437 |
17
$1,250 |
13
$975 |
0 |
54
$5,400 |
129
$12,900 |
$60,962 |
$12.97 |
Greenbrier
Monroe |
552
$41,420 |
98
$7,330 |
16
$1,193 |
9
$900 |
61
$6,100 |
0 |
$56,943 |
$11.86 |
Grant
Mineral Hardy
Hampshire |
106
$7,916 |
44
$3,333 |
100
$7,500 |
39
$3,900 |
100
$10,000 |
33
$3,300 |
$35,949 |
$4.61 |
Marion
Doddridge Upshur
Harrison Nicholas Lewis |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
19
$1,900 |
0 |
$1,900 |
$0.92 |
| Preston Barbour |
0 |
20
$1,470 |
2
$150 |
2
$200 |
45
$4,500 |
2
$200 |
$6,520 |
$2.33 |
Jackson
Wood
Kanawha Tyler
Putnam
Roane |
24
$1,810 |
9
$647 |
0 |
14
$1,400 |
33
$3,300 |
0 |
$7,157 |
$4.48 |
| |
$252,064 |
$35,598 |
$15,874 |
$24,200 |
$36,300 |
$20,400 |
Total Coyote Damage $276,264
Total Dog Damage $71,898
Total Bear Damage $36,274 |
|
State Predation Loss, Per Head $8.59
WV Total Sheep Predation $384,436 |
|
