What is Predator Friendly Ranching?
This is not some tree hugging, hippie type of Disney- wolf loving fanaticism. To me this is ranching AND co-existing with our wild neighbors.
• Finding a balance between ranching and
environment
• Being a caretaker of our natural world
• Understanding the importance of all
species, also keystone predators
• Understanding that livestock management
is the biggest step in being able to ranch
with wolves, bears, cougars and coyotes
• We utilize various approaches to persuade
predators to go elsewhere, we use
guardian dogs, herding dogs, fencing,
corralling, protecting the young and weak
• We actually go out and manage our sheep
and cows
• We try to be aware of which predators are
in the area
• We lamb indoors to protect the baby lambs
• We run older cows with the heifers to help
the heifers to be able to protect their first
calves
• Our bulls and rams share a pasture with a
guardian dog. Running multi species
together also adds to protection level in
the pasture.
All in all, we try to find a way to ranch with the wildlife that inhabits our area.
Photo by Ty Smedes
"We do not own a gun, do not trap or bait any predators. We believe that using a combination of management tools, we can prevent predation on our livestock."
10 / Sport and Trail Magazine