Private Sector

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of
information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0579-XXXX. The time
required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 45 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search
existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collected. Send comments regarding this burden
statement or any other aspect of this information collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to APHIS.PRA@usda.gov.

OMB
Approved
0579-XXXX
EXP: XX/202X

Livestock producer perceptions of predators
and predator damage management methods

You are being asked to participate in a research study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate
the methods, strategies, and outcomes associated with large predator damage management
you or Wildlife Services have conducted on or around your livestock operation. The large
predators of focus in this study are wolves, black bears, grizzly bears, and mountain lions (not
coyotes). To participate in the study, simply fill out this questionnaire; we expect the
questionnaire will take you approximately 45 minutes to complete. Your participation is
voluntary, and you may skip any question you do not wish to answer or withdraw at any time.
We are not collecting directly identifying information, and when we report and share the data
with others, we will combine demographic data from everyone who takes the survey. You must
be 18 years or older to participate. If you have any questions about the research, you may reach
out to the following researcher:
Hailey Ellis, Social Scientist, USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services
Phone: (970) 266-6148; Email: hailey.e.ellis@usda.gov
You indicate that you voluntarily agree to participate in this research study by submitting the
survey.

Page 1 of 40

Your help on this study is greatly appreciated!
To access this survey, please enter the code below that was provided in the invitation letter you
received.
________________________________________________________________
Instructions: To complete this survey, please follow the specific directions provided throughout
this survey to answer each question. In most sections of this survey, back arrow buttons located
on the bottom of the page will allow you to return to previous questions. You can also leave the
survey at any time and re-enter where you left off by clicking on the survey link again.
We ask that you please complete the survey no later than X.
Did you maintain any of the following types of livestock on your property in the last 12 months?
Please select "yes" or "no" for each livestock type.
Yes

No

Adult cattle





Calves





Sheep





Horses





Beehives





Other livestock type not listed above





Display This Question:
If Did you maintain any of the following types of livestock on your property in the last 12 months?... =
Other livestock type not listed above [ Yes ]

Besides adult cattle, calves, sheep, horses, and beehives, what other livestock type did you
maintain in the last 12 months?
Please specify the other livestock type below.
________________________________________________________________

Page 2 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you maintain any of the following types of livestock on your property in the last 12 months?... =
Other livestock type not listed above [ Yes ]

What is the maximum number of ${Q2.3/ChoiceTextEntryValue}1 you maintain in the last 12
months?
Please enter a number below.
________________________________________________________________
Display This Question:
If Did you maintain any of the following types of livestock on your property in the last 12 months?... =
Other livestock type not listed above [ Yes ]

Do you believe you lost any ${Q2.3/ChoiceTextEntryValue}2 to wolves, grizzly bears, black
bears, or mountain lions in the last 12 months?
Please select one.

o
o

Yes
No

1

This code automatically populates the respondent’s response from the question “Besides adult cattle, calves, sheep, horses, and
beehives, what other livestock type did you maintain in the last 12 months?”
2

This code automatically populates the respondent’s response from the question “Besides adult cattle, calves, sheep, horses, and
beehives, what other livestock type did you maintain in the last 12 months?”

Page 3 of 40

Display This Question:
If Do you believe you lost any ${q://QID228/ChoiceTextEntryValue} to wolves, grizzly bears, black
be... = Yes

Under each of the following scenarios, how many ${Q2.3/ChoiceTextEntryValue}3 do you
believe you lost to each of the large predators in the last 12 months?
For example, if 5 of your ${Q2.3/ChoiceTextEntryValue}4 were confirmed by an official
depredation investigator to have been killed by wolves (the first scenario described below),
enter “5” in the space provided under the column titled “Wolves.” If no livestock were lost to a
large predator under a given scenario, please enter "0."

Wolves

Grizzly
bears

Black
bears

Mountain
lions

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was confirmed by an official
depredation investigator to have died
because of a large predator.

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was classified "probable" by an
official depredation investigator to have
died because of a large predator.

3

This code automatically populates the respondent’s response from the question “Besides adult cattle, calves, sheep, horses, and
beehives, what other livestock type did you maintain in the last 12 months?”
4

This code automatically populates the respondent’s response from the question “Besides adult cattle, calves, sheep, horses, and
beehives, what other livestock type did you maintain in the last 12 months?”

Page 4 of 40

Wolves

Grizzly
bears

Black
bears

Mountain
lions

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was confirmed by an official
depredation investigator to have not died
because of a large predator. However, you
still believed the death was because of one.

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured but no investigation took place.
However, you believed the death was
because of a large predator.

An animal went missing, no carcass was
found, and you believe the disappearance
was because of a large predator.

Page 5 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you maintain any of the following types of livestock on your property in the last 12 months?... =
Adult cattle [ Yes ]

What is the maximum number of adult cattle you maintained in the last 12 months?
Please enter a number below.
________________________________________________________________
Display This Question:
If Did you maintain any of the following types of livestock on your property in the last 12 months?... =
Adult cattle [ Yes ]

Do you believe you lost any adult cattle to wolves, black bears, grizzly bears, or mountain lions
in the last 12 months?
Please select one.

o
o

Yes
No

Page 6 of 40

Display This Question:
If Do you believe you lost any adult cattle to wolves, black bears, grizzly bears, or mountain lions... =
Yes

Under each of the following scenarios, how many adult cattle do you believe you lost to each of
the large predators in the last 12 months?
For example, if 5 of your calves were confirmed by an official depredation investigator to have
been killed by wolves (the first scenario described below), enter “5” in the space provided under
the column titled “Wolves.” If no livestock were lost to a large predator under a given scenario,
please enter "0."

Wolves

Grizzly
bears

Black
bears

Mountain
lions

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was confirmed by an official
depredation investigator to have died
because of a large predator.

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was classified "probable" by an
official depredation investigator to have
died because of a large predator.

Page 7 of 40

Wolves

Grizzly
bears

Black
bears

Mountain
lions

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was confirmed by an official
depredation investigator to have not died
because of a large predator. However, you
still believed the death was because of one.

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured but no investigation took place.
However, you believed the death was
because of a large predator.

An animal went missing, no carcass was
found, and you believe the disappearance
was because of a large predator.

Page 8 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you maintain any of the following types of livestock on your property in the last 12 months?... =
Calves [ Yes ]

What is the maximum head of calves you maintained in the last 12 months?
Please enter a number below.
________________________________________________________________
Display This Question:
If Did you maintain any of the following types of livestock on your property in the last 12 months?... =
Calves [ Yes ]

Do you believe you lost any calves to wolves, black bears, grizzly bears, or mountain lions in the
last 12 months?
Please select one.

o
o

Yes
No

Page 9 of 40

Display This Question:
If Do you believe you lost any calves to wolves, black bears, grizzly bears, or mountain lions in th... =
Yes

Under each of the following scenarios, how many calves do you believe you lost to each of the
large predators in the last 12 months?
For example, if 5 of your calves were confirmed by an official depredation investigator to have
been killed by wolves (the first scenario described below), enter “5” in the space provided under
the column titled “Wolves.” If no livestock were lost to a large predator under a given scenario,
please enter "0."

Wolves

Grizzly
bears

Black
bears

Mountain
lions

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was confirmed by an official
depredation investigator to have died
because of a large predator.

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was classified "probable" by an
official depredation investigator to have
died because of a large predator.

Page 10 of 40

Wolves

Grizzly
bears

Black
bears

Mountain
lions

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was confirmed by an official
depredation investigator to have not died
because of a large predator. However, you
still believed the death was because of one.

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured but no investigation took place.
However, you believed the death was
because of a large predator.

An animal went missing, no carcass was
found, and you believe the disappearance
was because of a large predator.

Page 11 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you maintain any of the following types of livestock on your property in the last 12 months?... =
Sheep [ Yes ]

What is the maximum number of sheep you maintained in in the last 12 months?
Please enter a number below.
________________________________________________________________
Display This Question:
If Did you maintain any of the following types of livestock on your property in the last 12 months?... =
Sheep [ Yes ]

Do you believe you lost any sheep to wolves, black bears, grizzly bears, or mountain lions in the
last 12 months?
Please select one.

o
o

Yes
No

Page 12 of 40

Display This Question:
If Do you believe you lost any sheep to wolves, black bears, grizzly bears, or mountain lions in the...
= Yes

Under each of the following scenarios, how many sheep do you believe you lost to each of the
large predators in the last 12 months?
For example, if 5 of your sheep were confirmed by an official depredation investigator to have
been killed by wolves (the first scenario described below), enter “5” in the space provided under
the column titled “Wolves.” If no livestock were lost to a large predator under a given scenario,
please enter "0."

Wolves

Grizzly
bears

Black
bears

Mountain
lions

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was confirmed by an official
depredation investigator to have died
because of a large predator.

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was classified "probable" by an
official depredation investigator to have
died because of a large predator.

Page 13 of 40

Wolves

Grizzly
bears

Black
bears

Mountain
lions

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was confirmed by an official
depredation investigator to have not died
because of a large predator. However, you
still believed the death was because of one.

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured but no investigation took place.
However, you believed the death was
because of a large predator.

An animal went missing, no carcass was
found, and you believe the disappearance
was because of a large predator.

Page 14 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you maintain any of the following types of livestock on your property in the last 12 months?... =
Horses [ Yes ]

What is the maximum number of horses you maintained in the last 12 months?
Please enter a number below.
________________________________________________________________
Display This Question:
If Did you maintain any of the following types of livestock on your property in the last 12 months?... =
Horses [ Yes ]

Do you believe you lost any horses to wolves, black bears, grizzly bears, or mountain lions in
the last 12 months?
Please select one.

o
o

Yes
No

Page 15 of 40

Display This Question:
If Do you believe you lost any horses to wolves, black bears, grizzly bears, or mountain lions in th... =
Yes

Under each of the following scenarios, how many horses do you believe you lost to each of the
large predators in the last 12 months?
For example, if 5 of your horses were confirmed by an official depredation investigator to have
been killed by wolves (the first scenario described below), enter “5” in the space provided under
the column titled “Wolves.” If no livestock were lost to a large predator under a given scenario,
please enter "0."

Wolves

Grizzly
bears

Black
bears

Mountain
lions

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was confirmed by an official
depredation investigator to have died
because of a large predator.

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was classified "probable" by an
official depredation investigator to have
died because of a large predator.

Page 16 of 40

Wolves

Grizzly
bears

Black
bears

Mountain
lions

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured and was confirmed by an official
depredation investigator to have not died
because of a large predator. However, you
still believed the death was because of one.

An animal was found deceased or lethally
injured but no investigation took place.
However, you believed the death was
because of a large predator.

An animal went missing, no carcass was
found, and you believe the disappearance
was because of a large predator.

Page 17 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you maintain any of the following types of livestock on your property in the last 12 months?... =
Beehives [ Yes ]

What is the maximum number of beehives you maintained in the last 12 months?
Please enter a number below.
________________________________________________________________
Display This Question:
If Did you maintain any of the following types of livestock on your property in the last 12 months?... =
Beehives [ Yes ]

Do you believe you lost any beehives to black bears or grizzly bears in the last 12 months?
Please select one.

o
o

Yes
No

Page 18 of 40

Display This Question:
If Do you believe you lost any beehives to black bears or grizzly bears in the last 12 months? Pleas...
= Yes

How many beehives do you believe you lost to grizzly bears or black bears in the last 12
months?
For example, if 5 of your beehives were destroyed by a black bear, enter “5” in the space
provided under the column titled “Black Bears.” If no livestock were lost to a large predator,
please enter "0."

Black bears

Grizzly bears

Number of beehives lost

Page 19 of 40

Overall, how would you describe your feelings towards each of the following large predators?
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Very negative" and 5 = "Very positive"), please select one response
that corresponds to your answer. If the large predator is not present in your state or area, select
“Not applicable.”
Very
negative
1

Somewhat
negative
2

Neither
negative
nor positive
3

Somewhat
positive
4

Very
positive
5

Not applicable
(does not exist
in my state or
area)

Wolves













Grizzly
bears













Black
bears













Mountain
lions













For each of the following large predators, what change in their population numbers would you
like to see in your state?
On a scale of 1 to 6 (1 = "Completely removed" and 6 = "Increased greatly"), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer. If the large predator is not present in your state,
select “Not applicable.”

Completely
removed
1

Decreased
greatly
2

Decreased
somewhat
3

Remain
the
same
4

Increased
somewhat
5

Increased
greatly
6

Not
applicable
(does not
exist in
my state)

Wolves















Grizzly
bears















Black
bears















Mountain
lions















Page 20 of 40

Which of the following large predators do you believe represents the greatest threat to your
livestock?
Please select one.

o
o
o
o

Wolves
Black bears
Grizzly bears
Mountain lions

Please rate your agreement with the following statements concerning
${Q2.24/ChoiceGroup/SelectedChoices}5.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = “Strong disagree” and 5 = “Strongly agree"), please select the
response option that corresponds to your answer.
Strongly
disagree
1

Somewhat
disagree
2

Neither
agree nor
disagree
3

Somewhat
agree
4

Strongly
agree
5

They are an important part
of the environment.











I can reduce risks
associated with them by
making changes around the
areas where I keep
livestock.











The way they kill livestock is
brutal and cruel.











They are a serious threat to
the livelihoods of livestock
producers in my state.











Too much government
funding gets spent trying to
manage them.











I wouldn’t mind them being
around if I was able to
lethally remove the ones











5

This code automatically populates the respondent’s response from the question “Which of the following large predators do you
believe represents the greatest threat to your livestock?”

Page 21 of 40

Strongly
disagree
1

Somewhat
disagree
2

Neither
agree nor
disagree
3

Somewhat
agree
4

Strongly
agree
5

They are a safety risk to
people.











There are some years I
don't worry about them
causing problems.











causing problems.

When thinking about ${Q2.24/ChoiceGroup/SelectedChoices}6, which of the following have you
experienced in the last 12 months because of their presence?
Please select all that apply.

▢ An increase in monetary costs associated with protecting my livestock.
▢ An increase in overgrazing of some areas due to large predator pressure.
▢ An increase in time spent on managerial activities (for example, hiring staff or financial
planning).

▢ An increase in negative ecological effects on your property due to the decline in other
wildlife species.7

▢ A decline in human health due to worry or psychological demands.
▢ A decline in other wildlife-related damage on your property (for example, less hay eaten
by elk).

▢ A decline in wildlife carrion or carcasses on your property.
▢ Other (please specify below):
__________________________________________________

6

This code automatically populates the respondent’s response from the question “Which of the following large predators do you
believe represents the greatest threat to your livestock?”
7 This survey item was highlighted as being an important consideration in previous research. Without prompting respondents, this
survey item will help us to understand if respondents believe the presence of large predators on their operation is causing a trophic
cascade (indirect interaction in an ecosystem where a change at one trophic level causes a ripple effect that impacts multiple levels
below it) including negative impacts on desired wildlife (e.g., depredation of deer or turkey) and the local ecosystem landscape.

Page 22 of 40

Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools on your livestock operation in the last 12 months to manage wolves, black bears,
grizzly bears, or mountain lions (not coyotes)?
Please select "Yes" or "No" for each method or tool.
Yes

No

Fladry (flags strung along a line of rope that may be electrified)





Predator exclusion fencing (tall, firmly fixed fencing with ground skirting or aprons)





Electric fencing (portable, high voltage fencing that may be set up for semipermanent use)





Range riders (persons on horseback or ATVs who ride along with livestock herds,
often in rough terrain or off-road environments, to reduce livestock-predator
interactions)





Livestock guardian dogs





Lethal removal (for example, ground shooting or trapping/killing)





Page 23 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Fladry (flags strung along a line of rope that may be electrified) [ Yes ]

Did Wildlife Services provide supplies, funding, or physical support toward implementing fladry
on your livestock operation in the last 12 months?
Please select one.

o
o
o

Yes
No
Unsure

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Fladry (flags strung along a line of rope that may be electrified) [ Yes ]

How effective do you believe the fladry was in the last 12 months?
Effectiveness refers to how well fladry helped protect your livestock from large predators.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all effective" and 5 = "Extremely effective"), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all effective 1
Slightly effective 2
Moderately effective 3
Very effective 4
Extremely effective 5

Page 24 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Fladry (flags strung along a line of rope that may be electrified) [ Yes ]

How feasible do you believe fladry was to implement on your livestock operation in the last 12
months?
Feasibility refers to how practical it was for you and your staff to use and maintain fladry on your
livestock operation.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all feasible" and 5 = "Extremely feasible"), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all feasible 1
Slightly feasible 2
Moderately feasible 3
Very feasible 4
Extremely feasible 5

How interested are you in using fladry on your livestock operation in the next 12 months?
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all interested" and 5 = "Extremely interested"), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all interested 1
Slightly interested 2
Moderately interested 3
Very interested 4
Extremely interested 5

What were your reasons for using or not using fladry on your operation in the last 12 months?
Please explain below:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Page 25 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Predator exclusion fencing (tall, firmly fixed fencing with ground skirting or
aprons) [ Yes ]

Did Wildlife Services provide supplies, funding, or physical support toward implementing
predator exclusion fencing on your livestock operation in the last 12 months?
Please select one.

o
o
o

Yes
No
Unsure

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Predator exclusion fencing (tall, firmly fixed fencing with ground skirting or
aprons) [ Yes ]

How effective do you believe predator exclusion fencing was in the last 12 months?
Effectiveness refers how well predator exclusion fencing helped protect your livestock from
large predators.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all effective" and 5 = "Extremely effective" ), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all effective 1
Slightly effective 2
Moderately effective 3
Very effective 4
Extremely effective 5

Page 26 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Predator exclusion fencing (tall, firmly fixed fencing with ground skirting or
aprons) [ Yes ]

How feasible do you believe predator exclusion fencing was to implement on your livestock
operation in the last 12 months?
Feasibility refers to how practical it was for you and your staff to use and maintain predator
exclusion fencing on your livestock operation.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all feasible" and 5 = "Extremely feasible" ), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all feasible 1
Slightly feasible 2
Moderately feasible 3
Very feasible 4
Extremely feasible 5

How interested are you in using predator exclusion fencing on your livestock operation in the
next 12 months?
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all interested" and 5 = "Extremely interested"), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all interested 1
Slightly interested 2
Moderately interested 3
Very interested 4
Extremely interested 5

What were your reasons for using or not using predator exclusion fencing on your operations
in the last 12 months? Please explain below:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Page 27 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Electric fencing (portable, high voltage fencing that may be set up for semipermanent use) [ Yes ]

Did Wildlife Services provide supplies, funding, or physical support toward implementing
electric fencing on your livestock operation in the last 12 months?
Please select one.

o
o
o

Yes
No
Unsure

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Electric fencing (portable, high voltage fencing that may be set up for semipermanent use) [ Yes ]

How effective do you believe electric fencing was in the last 12 months?
Effectiveness refers to how well electric fencing helped protect your livestock from large
predators.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all effective" and 5 = "Extremely effective" ), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all effective 1
Slightly effective 2
Moderately effective 3
Very effective 4
Extremely effective 5

Page 28 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Electric fencing (portable, high voltage fencing that may be set up for semipermanent use) [ Yes ]

How feasible do you believe electric fencing was to implement on your livestock operation in
the last 12 months?
Feasibility refers to how practical it was for you and your staff to use and maintain electric
fencing on your livestock operation.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all feasible" and 5 = "Extremely feasible" ), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all feasible 1
Slightly feasible 2
Moderately feasible 3
Very feasible 4
Extremely feasible 5

How interested are you in using electric fencing on your livestock operation in the next 12
months?
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all interested" and 5 = "Extremely interested"), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all interested 1
Slightly interested 2
Moderately interested 3
Very interested 4
Extremely interested 5

What were your reasons for using or not using electric fencing on your operations in the last
12 months? Please explain below:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Page 29 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Range riders (persons on horseback or ATVs who ride along with livestock
herds, often in rough terrain or off-road environments, to reduce livestock-predator interactions) [ Yes ]

Was the range rider(s) who worked on your operation in the last 12 months provided by or paid
for (partially or entirely) by Wildlife Services?
Please select one.

o
o
o

Yes
No
Unsure

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Range riders (persons on horseback or ATVs who ride along with livestock
herds, often in rough terrain or off-road environments, to reduce livestock-predator interactions) [ Yes ]

How effective do you believe range riders were in the last 12 months?
Effectiveness refers to how well range riders helped protect your livestock from large predators.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all effective" and 5 = "Extremely effective" ), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all effective 1
Slightly effective 2
Moderately effective 3
Very effective 4
Extremely effective 5

Page 30 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Range riders (persons on horseback or ATVs who ride along with livestock
herds, often in rough terrain or off-road environments, to reduce livestock-predator interactions) [ Yes ]

How feasible do you believe it was to use range riders on your livestock operation in the last 12
months?
Feasibility refers to how practical it was for you and your staff to use range riding on your
livestock operation.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all feasible" and 5 = "Extremely feasible" ), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all feasible 1
Slightly feasible 2
Moderately feasible 3
Very feasible 4
Extremely feasible 5

How interested are you in using range riders on your livestock operation in the next 12
months?
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all interested" and 5 = "Extremely interested"), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all interested 1
Slightly interested 2
Moderately interested 3
Very interested 4
Extremely interested 5

What were your reasons for using or not using range riders on your operations in the last 12
months? Please explain below:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Page 31 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Livestock guardian dogs [ Yes ]

Was the livestock guardian dog(s) used on your operation in the last 12 months provided by
Wildlife Services?
Please select one.

o
o
o

Yes
No
Unsure

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Livestock guardian dogs [ Yes ]

How effective do you believe livestock guardian dogs were in the last 12 months?
Effectiveness refers to how well livestock guardian dogs helped protect your livestock from large
predators.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all effective" and 5 = "Extremely effective" ), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all effective 1
Slightly effective 2
Moderately effective 3
Very effective 4
Extremely effective 5

Page 32 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Livestock guardian dogs [ Yes ]

How feasible do you believe it was to use livestock guardian dogs on your livestock operation
in the last 12 months?
Feasibility refers to how practical it was for you and your staff to use and maintain livestock
guardian dogs on your livestock operation.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all feasible" and 5 = "Extremely feasible" ), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all feasible 1
Slightly feasible 2
Moderately feasible 3
Very feasible 4
Extremely feasible 5

How interested are you in using livestock guardian dogs on your livestock operation in the
next 12 months?
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all interested" and 5 = "Extremely interested"), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all interested 1
Slightly interested 2
Moderately interested 3
Very interested 4
Extremely interested 5

What were your reasons for using or not using livestock guardian dogs on your operations in
the last 12 months? Please explain below:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Page 33 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Lethal removal (for example, ground shooting or trapping/killing) [ Yes ]

For which of the following large predators did you use lethal removal in the last 12 months?
Please select all that apply.

▢ Wolves
▢ Black bears
▢ Grizzly bears
▢ Mountain lions
▢ I did not use lethal removal for any large predator listed above
Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Lethal removal (for example, ground shooting or trapping/killing) [ Yes ]

Did Wildlife Services provide supplies, funding, or physical support toward the lethal removal of
large predators on your livestock operation in the last 12 months? Please check one.

o
o
o

Yes
No
Unsure

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Lethal removal (for example, ground shooting or trapping/killing) [ Yes ]

How effective do you believe lethal removal was in the last 12 months?
Effectiveness refers to how well lethal removal helped protect your livestock from large
predators.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all effective" and 5 = "Extremely effective" ), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all effective 1
Slightly effective 2
Moderately effective 3
Very effective 4
Extremely effective 5

Page 34 of 40

Display This Question:
If Did you or Wildlife Services use any of the following predator damage management methods or
tools... = Lethal removal (for example, ground shooting or trapping/killing) [ Yes ]

How feasible do you believe it was to use lethal removal on your livestock operation in the last
12 months?
Feasibility refers to how practical it was for you and your staff to lethally remove large
predator(s) from your livestock operation.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all feasible" and 5 = "Extremely feasible" ), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all feasible 1
Slightly feasible 2
Moderately feasible 3
Very feasible 4
Extremely feasible 5

How interested are you in using lethal removal on your livestock operation in the next 12
months?
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all interested" and 5 = "Extremely interested"), please select the
response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all interested 1
Slightly interested 2
Moderately interested 3
Very interested 4
Extremely interested 5

What were your reasons for using or not using lethal removal on your operations in the last 12
months? Please explain below:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Page 35 of 40

Before Wildlife Services provided you with nonlethal predator damage management assistance,
how interested were you in using nonlethal predator damage management methods on your
livestock operation?
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = "Not at all interested before" and 5 = "Extremely interested before"),
please select the response that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all interested before 1
Slightly interested before 2
Moderately interested before 3
Very interested before 4
Extremely interested before 5

After receiving nonlethal predator damage management assistance from Wildlife Services, how
interested were you in continuing to use nonlethal predator damage management methods on
your livestock operation?
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = “Not at all interested after” and 5 = “Extremely interested after”), please
circle the number that corresponds to your answer.

o
o
o
o
o

Not at all interested after 1
Slightly interested after 2
Moderately interested after 3
Very more interested after 4
Extremely interested after 5

Page 36 of 40

If you were choosing between a lethal predator damage management method and a nonlethal
predator damage management method that were equally effective at protecting your livestock,
how much more would you be willing to pay to use the nonlethal method?
Please select one.

o
o

I wouldn’t pay more because I prefer lethal predator damage management.

I wouldn’t pay more because I don’t have any preference between lethal and nonlethal
predator damage management.

o

I prefer nonlethal to lethal predator damage management, but I wouldn’t be willing to pay
more for it.

o

I would pay up to $__________________ more per year for the nonlethal predator
damage management method. (please specify the dollar amount below):
__________________________________________________
If Wildlife Services were no longer able to provide you with any nonlethal predator damage
management assistance, which of the following methods (if any) would you choose to use at
your own expense?
Please select the appropriate response for each nonlethal method.
Already using at
own expense

Would use at own
expense

Would not use at
own expense

Fladry







Predator exclusion fencing







Electric fencing







Range riders







Livestock guardian dogs







Other method not listed
(please specify below):







Page 37 of 40

Please rate your agreement with the following statements concerning your perceptions of
Wildlife Services.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = “Strong disagree” to 5 = “Strongly agree”), please select the response
that corresponds to your answer.
Strongly
disagree
1

Somewhat
disagree
2

Neither
agree nor
disagree
3

Somewhat
agree
4

Strongly
agree
5

WS staff treat me fairly.











WS staff are honest with me
about predator damage
management.











WS staff listen to me when
discussing predator damage
management.











I trust WS staff to act in my
best interest when it comes
to predator damage
management.











I expect that WS will make
the right decisions regarding
predator damage
management.











I am confident that WS will
do a good job helping me
protect my livestock from
predators.











WS is operated by
employees who possess the
technical expertise
necessary to manage
predators.











WS staff are more
experienced at managing
predators than other natural
resources professionals.











Page 38 of 40

Are there other nonlethal predator damage management methods you think Wildlife Services
should use?
Please select one.

o

Yes (please specify the method(s) below and describe why you think they should be
used): __________________________________________________

o

No

The following demographic information will be used to help us make general conclusions about
producers who received nonlethal predator damage management assistance from Wildlife
Services. As a reminder, your responses remain strictly confidential.
What is the ZIP code of your primary residence?
Please enter your 5-digit ZIP code below, such as “85763”
________________________________________________________________
Approximately what percent of the land where you keep livestock is owned by you or your
family?
Please enter a number below.
________________________________________________________________
In what year were you born?
Please enter your 4-digit birth year below, such as “1991”
________________________________________________________________

Page 39 of 40

What is your race and/or ethnicity?8
Please select all that apply.

▢ American Indian or Alaska Native
▢ Asian
▢ Black or African American
▢ Hispanic or Latino
▢ Middle Eastern or North African
▢ Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
▢ White
What is the highest level of education you have obtained?
Please select one.

o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Did not graduate high school or receive GED
High school diploma or GED
Some college, no degree
Associate degree
Trade/technical/vocational training
Bachelor’s degree
Graduate or professional degree

If you have any comments you would like to leave about this survey, please write them below:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!

8

Figure 3 of the SPD15 Gold Standard was selected for this study for 3 reasons: (1) to reduce burden time on the respondents; (2)
respondents are more likely to respond to a simpler demographic questions such as Figure 3 than a complex question such as
Figure 1 and 2; and (3) questions such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 are logistically difficult to build in cloud-based experience
management platforms, such as Qualtrics which will be used by this study to develop an electronic multi-item questionnaire.

Page 40 of 40