OSU Sheep Team

Dr. Stan Gehrt, OSU Extension Wildlife Specialist

(Originally Published in Sheep Team Newsletter April 2004)

The coyote is the largest carnivore in Ohio found throughout the state.  Although not an original native, this predator has shown its adaptability to different landscapes and is now found in every county in the state.  Its arrival has also brought livestock losses.  Coyotes, along with feral domestic dogs, are responsible for more sheep losses than any other predator.

Producers have two basic options to reduce predator kills: non-lethal and lethal control.  Non-lethal control often entails measures to prevent losses before they occur.  These include guard animals such as trained dogs, llamas, and burros.  The effectiveness of each of these guardians has been mixed, and may vary based on training level.   Other alternatives are electric fencing, putting flagging on fencing (called fladry), or electronic noise devices.  Each of these techniques may have short term success in specific areas.

Lethal control includes trapping with legholds and snares and shooting coyotes either before or following losses.  Predator calling, in which a call such as a squealing rabbit or pups, is an effective method for bringing in and shooting coyotes.   In addition to these traditional forms of control, trained professionals can also use M-44’s or ‘coyote getters’.  M-44’s consist of a modified cartridge placed in the ground, with a bait cap.  When the cap is pulled, the animal is shot with a lethal compound of sodium cyanide.  In the near future, livestock protection collars may be available to Ohio producers although they are not now licensed for use.  LPC’s are collars with pouches of 1080 compound that are placed on sheep, and as a coyote attacks the sheep they bite the pouch and ingests the 1080, which is lethal.  The advantage to this technique is it removes only guilty coyotes.  None of these techniques will work all the time, and the most successful strategy is to integrate a variety of these methods as specific situations warrant.