Protecting Cattle from Predators

[Andrew T]

Anyone who has cattle knows the significant threat coyotes and other predators pose to them. The EPA has announced that it will allow the use of M-44 (cyanide) bombs to kill these predators.

I understand the threat that predators pose to our cattle, but I feel like this is not an ethical or necessary way to deal with the problem. What do you all think? How do you keep predators away from your cattle?

 

[Homestead Hustle]

I agree, these bombs seem unnecessary. We have a fence to protect our livestock. Granted, it was a pretty expensive endeavor, but I think it's well worth the cost. We try to repair holes and damage to the fence right away so we don't have to replace large sections.

 

[Chris T]

Coyotes, for instance, can squeeze through a 4-by-6 inch opening hence making a predator-proof fence hard to achieve. I also feel like the method suggested by the EPA is not ethical. How about using guardian animals like dogs? They can reduce predation to some extent.

 

[Jonny B Goode]

I don't think it's effective. If you have 2 or 3 coyotes moving in a pack and one takes the bait, you still have 1 or 2 left that can keep moving in. There are no sure-fire ways to protect cattle from coyotes, but motion sensing lights work as well as anything.

 

[The Big Cowhuna]

Won't that also kill any animal who eats the predator that was around the cyanide bomb? That can create more problems down the road. How silly. I worry about predators and have lost a cow or two to coyotes and wolves, but I do quite well by controlling the breeding schedule, using guardian llamas, and penning the cattle up at night.

 

[Kozzy49]

Llamas are supposed to be pretty good at giving coyotes a run for the money. A pair of Llama can do a fair job of watching your herd, depending on size of course.

 

[RichZ]

I use llamas to protect my goats and sheep, and they are very effective. Coyotes are actually beneficial, without them we'd be over run by wood chucks. Most studies have shown that coyotes and wolves favorite food are rodents, especially wood checks. Besides, killing coyotes and wolves seem like killing dogs.

 

[rockinbbar]

M44's have been in use for predator control (coyotes) for decades.

Either the Wildlife Services guy or the landowner has to be certified in their use, storage, and applications.

"Ethical" doesn't play a part of animal damage control. I'm sorry boys and girls, but some people are in this for the duration, and coyotes have wiped out many family farming and ranching operations.

If you don't like them, then don't put them on your ranch. There's no "bomb" anything on an M-44. To say so is just ignorant.

How many of you even know what that device does, how it works, or have it is naturally selective to target coyotes?

Please feel free to chime in and educate us. I DO know.

 

[Charli1]

Rockinbar, please fill us in. I really have no idea what the M44 is. I'd love to know more. I'm all about saving our cattle. We have lost a few in the last couple of years. I'm sure it was coyotes, you can hear them howling at night.

 

[rockinbbar]

Charli, there's lots of very bad misconception outright lies, and myths about M-44's, their use, and dangers.

I'll do my best to clear up some things.

First, here's an M-44 and the warning signage required to be placed in several locations around each device.

There's no explosive. There's no firearm cartridge. The spring in the device is about as strong as a clothespin spring... much less than a mouse trap.
The device is triggered by a coyote pulling a bait soaked cotton collar at the top of the device (it's brown in the photo)
To pull the bait upward trips the spring, and releases a small puff of cyanide powder directly into the mouth of the coyote, killing it on the spot.

The cyanide capsule has one gram, and is white on the left side of the photo.

The device targets only coyotes. Domestic dogs can pull the M-44 and have the same consequences. I sure wouldn't let my dogs run untended in an area with M-44's... But again, the signs are at all entrances to the property, along fences, and multiple signs are placed at various distances in the proximity of the deployed device itself.

Only a rancher or Wildlife Specialist that are certified with very stringent training and rules are allowed to use, possess, or have contact with M-44's.

In the event of accidental exposure, there's an antidote shot. But you'd better get it quick.

There's a few cases of collateral damage to pets, but they are very rare. Not aware of an instance where humans were harmed (Although the radical Left will tell you there are, I know that they would be dead within mere feet of getting a dose, so I know they are lying.)

The M-44 is only one tool in predator control, and isn't used as much as you may think.

Leg traps, and snares account for most of the animals taken.

Leaning what a calf or lamb actually dies from is a whole other ball of wax. Lots of deaths are blamed on coyotes, but are natural deaths, or they are killed by something else... lions, wolves, or domestic dogs.

There are forensic ways of knowing for certain what killed a calf or lamb. I have necropsied many animals, and most of the time, it wasn't what the rancher thought it was.