Private Sector

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EXP: XX/202X

SECTION 1 – Livestock and Large Predators in Your Area
1) In the following table, please tell us what type(s) of livestock you maintained in the last 12 months by
writing in the maximum number of heads or beehives you had on your operation.
Livestock type
Maximum number of heads/hives in the last 12 months
Adult cattle
Calves
Sheep
Horses
Beehives
Other (please specify below):
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
2) Under each of the following scenarios, how many livestock (of each type) 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 calves” in the space provided after “Wolves.” If no
livestock were lost to a predator under a given scenario, please enter zero.
a. An animal was found deceased or lethally injured and was confirmed by an official depredation
investigator to have died because of a large predator.
Wolves_________

Black bears _________

Grizzly bears _________

Mountain lions_________

b. 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.
Wolves_________

Black bears _________

Grizzly bears _________

Mountain lions_________

c. 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
due to a large predator.
Wolves_________

Black bears _________

Grizzly bears _________

Mountain lions_________

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

Black bears _________

Grizzly bears _________

Mountain lions_________

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

Black bears _________

Grizzly bears _________

1

Mountain lions_________

3) 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 circle the number that
corresponds to your answer. If the predator is not present in your state, circle N/A (“Not applicable”).
Not
Very
Somewhat
Neither
Somewhat
Very
applicable
negative
negative
negative nor
positive
positive
(does not
positive
exist in my
state)
Wolves

1

2

3

4

5

N/A

Black
bears

1

2

3

4

5

N/A

Grizzly
bears

1

2

3

4

5

N/A

Mountain
lions

1

2

3

4

5

N/A

4) 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 circle the number that
corresponds to your answer. If the predator is absent in your state or area, circle N/A (“Not applicable”).

Completely
removed

Decreased
greatly

Decreased
somewhat

Remain
the
same

Increased
somewhat

Increased
greatly

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

Wolves

1

2

3

4

5

6

N/A

Black
bears

1

2

3

4

5

6

N/A

Grizzly
bears

1

2

3

4

5

6

N/A

Mountain
lions

1

2

3

4

5

6

N/A

5) Which of the following large predators represent the greatest threat to your livestock?
Please check one.

□ Wolves

□ Black bears

□ Grizzly bears

2

□ Mountain lions

6) Please rate your agreement with the following statements concerning the large predator you believe is the
greatest threat (as selected in the previous question).
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = “Strongly disagree” and 5 = “Strongly agree”), please circle the number in the box
that corresponds to your answer.
Neither
Strongly Somewhat
Somewhat Strongly
agree nor
disagree disagree
agree
agree
disagree
They are an important part of the environment.
1
2
3
4
5
I can reduce risks associated with them by
making changes around the areas where I keep
livestock.

1

2

3

4

5

The way they kill livestock is brutal and cruel.

1

2

3

4

5

They seriously threaten the livelihoods of
livestock producers in my state.

1

2

3

4

5

Too much government funding gets spent
trying to manage them.

1

2

3

4

5

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

1

2

3

4

5

They are a safety risk to people.

1

2

3

4

5

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

1

2

3

4

5

7) When thinking about the large predator that you believe is the greatest threat, which of the following have
you experienced in the last 12 months because of their presence? Please check all that apply.










An increase in monetary costs associated with protecting my livestock.
An increase in overgrazing in 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.
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):

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3

SECTION 2 – Predator Damage Management Methods Used on Your Operation
The next set of questions relates to various predator damage management methods or tools that you or
Wildlife Services may have used on your livestock operation in the last 12 months to manage wolves,
black bears, grizzly bears, or mountain lions (not coyotes).
1) Did you use fladry (flags strung along a line of wire that may be electrified) in the last 12 months?
Please check one.

□ Yes

□ No

→ If you checked “No” please continue to Question #4 (skipping Questions #2-3).
2) Did Wildlife Services provide supplies, funding, or physical support toward implementing fladry on your
livestock operation in the last 12 months? Please check one.

□ Yes

□ No

□ Unsure

3) The following table asks how effective and feasible you believe fladry was in the last 12 months.
Effectiveness refers to how well fladry helped protect your livestock from large predators. 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, please rate the effectiveness (1 = “Not at all effective” and 5 = “Extremely effective”)
and feasibility (1 = “Not at all feasible” and 5 = “Extremely feasible”) by circling the number in each box that
corresponds to your answer.
How effective do you believe fladry was at protecting your livestock in the last 12 months?
Not at all effective

Slightly effective

Moderately effective

Very effective

Extremely effective

1
2
3
4
5
How feasible do you believe fladry was to use and maintain on your livestock operation in the
last 12 months?
Not at all feasible

Slightly feasible

Moderately feasible

Very feasible

Extremely feasible

1

2

3

4

5

4) 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 circle the number in
the box that corresponds to your answer.
Not at all
Moderately
Extremely
Slightly interested
Very interested
interested
interested
interested
1

2

3

4

5

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

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
4

6) Did you use predator exclusion fencing (tall, firmly fixed fencing with ground skirting or aprons) in the
last 12 months? Please check one.

□ Yes

□ No

→ If you checked “No” please continue to Question #9 (skipping Questions #7-8).
7) Did Wildlife Services provide supplies, funding, or physical support toward implementing predator
exclusion fencing on your livestock operation in the last 12 months? Please check one.

□ Yes

□ No

□ Unsure

8) The following table asks how effective and feasible you believe predator exclusion fencing was in the
last 12 months. Effectiveness refers to how well predator exclusion fencing helped protect your
livestock from large predators. 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, please rate the effectiveness (1 = “Not at all effective” and 5 = “Extremely effective”)
and feasibility (1 = “Not at all feasible” and 5 = “Extremely feasible”) by circling the number in each box that
corresponds to your answer.
How effective do you believe predator exclusion fencing was at protecting your livestock in the
last 12 months?
Not at all effective

Slightly effective

Moderately effective

Very effective

Extremely effective

1
2
3
4
5
How feasible do you believe predator exclusion fencing was to use and maintain on your
livestock operation in the last 12 months?
Not at all feasible

Slightly feasible

Moderately feasible

Very feasible

Extremely feasible

1

2

3

4

5

9) 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 circle the number in
the box that corresponds to your answer.
Not at all
Moderately
Extremely
Slightly interested
Very interested
interested
interested
interested
1

2

3

4

5

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

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5

11) Did you use electric fencing (portable, high voltage fencing that may be set up for semi-permanent
use) in the last 12 months? Please check one.

□ Yes

□ No

→ If you checked “No” please continue to Question #14 (skipping Questions #12-13).
12) Did Wildlife Services provide supplies, funding, or physical support toward implementing electric
fencing on your livestock operation in the last 12 months? Please check one.

□ Yes

□ No

□ Unsure

13) The following table asks how effective and feasible you believe electric fencing was in the last 12
months. Effectiveness refers to how well electric fencing helped protect your livestock from large
predators. 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, please rate the effectiveness (1 = “Not at all effective” and 5 = “Extremely effective”)
and feasibility (1 = “Not at all feasible” and 5 = “Extremely feasible”) by circling the number in each box that
corresponds to your answer.
How effective do you believe electric fencing was at protecting your livestock in the last 12
months?
Not at all effective

Slightly effective

Moderately effective

Very effective

Extremely effective

1
2
3
4
5
How feasible do you believe electric fencing was to use and maintain on your livestock
operation in the last 12 months?
Not at all feasible

Slightly feasible

Moderately feasible

Very feasible

Extremely feasible

1

2

3

4

5

14) 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 circle the number in
the box that corresponds to your answer.
Not at all
Moderately
Extremely
Slightly interested
Very interested
interested
interested
interested
1

2

3

4

5

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

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
6

16) Did you 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) in the last 12 months?
Please check one.

□ Yes

□ No

→ If you checked “No” please continue to Question #19 (skipping Questions #17-18).
17) 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 check one.

□ Yes

□ No

□ Unsure

18) The following table asks how effective and feasible you believe range riders were in the last 12
months. Effectiveness refers to how well range riders helped protect your livestock from large
predators. Feasibility refers to how practical it was for you and your staff to use range riders on your
livestock operation.
On a scale of 1 to 5, please rate the effectiveness (1 = “Not at all effective” and 5 = “Extremely effective”)
and feasibility (1 = “Not at all feasible” and 5 = “Extremely feasible”) by circling the number in each box that
corresponds to your answer.
How effective do you believe range riders were at protecting your livestock in the last 12
months?
Not at all effective

Slightly effective

Moderately effective

Very effective

Extremely effective

1
2
3
4
5
How feasible do you believe it was to use range riders on your livestock operation in the last
12 months?
Not at all feasible

Slightly feasible

Moderately feasible

Very feasible

Extremely feasible

1

2

3

4

5

19) 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 circle the number in
the box that corresponds to your answer.
Not at all
Moderately
Extremely
Slightly interested
Very interested
interested
interested
interested
1

2

3

4

5

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

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
7

21) Did you use livestock guardian dogs in the last 12 months? Please check one.

□ Yes

□ No

→ If you checked “No” please continue to Question #24 (skipping Questions #22-23).
22) Was the livestock guardian dog(s) used on your operation in the last 12 months provided by Wildlife
Services? Please check one.

□ Yes

□ No

□ Unsure

23) The following table asks how effective and feasible you believe livestock guardian dogs were in the
last 12 months. Effectiveness refers to how well livestock guardian dogs helped protect your livestock
from predators. 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, please rate the effectiveness (1 = “Not at all effective” and 5 = “Extremely effective”)
and feasibility (1 = “Not at all feasible” and 5 = “Extremely feasible”) by circling the number in each box that
corresponds to your answer.
How effective do you believe livestock guardian dogs were at protecting your livestock in the
last 12 months?
Not at all effective

Slightly effective

Moderately effective

Very effective

Extremely effective

1
2
3
4
5
How feasible do you believe it was to use livestock guardian dogs on your livestock operation
in the last 12 months?
Not at all feasible

Slightly feasible

Moderately feasible

Very feasible

Extremely feasible

1

2

3

4

5

24) 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 circle the number in
the box that corresponds to your answer.
Not at all
Moderately
Extremely
Slightly interested
Very interested
interested
interested
interested
1

2

3

4

5

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

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
8

26) For which of the following large predators did you use lethal removal (for example, ground shooting or
trapping/killing) in the last 12 months? Please check all that apply.

□ Wolves
□ Black bears
□ Grizzly bears
□ I did not use lethal removal for any large predator listed above

□ Mountain lions

→ If you checked “I did not use lethal removal for any large predator listed,” please continue to Question
#29 (skipping Questions #27-28).
27) 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.

□ Yes

□ No

□ Unsure

28) The following table asks how effective and feasible you believe lethal removal was in the last 12
months. Effectiveness refers to how well lethal removal helped protect your livestock from large
predators. Feasibility refers to how practical it was for you and your staff to lethally remove large
predators from your livestock operation.
On a scale of 1 to 5, please rate the effectiveness (1 = “Not at all effective” and 5 = “Extremely effective”)
and feasibility (1 = “Not at all feasible” and 5 = “Extremely feasible”) by circling the number in each box that
corresponds to your answer.
How effective do you believe lethal removal was at protecting your livestock in the last 12
months?
Not at all effective

Slightly effective

Moderately effective

Very effective

Extremely effective

1
2
3
4
5
How feasible do you believe it was to use lethal removal on your livestock operation in the last
12 months?
Not at all feasible

Slightly feasible

Moderately feasible

Very feasible

Extremely feasible

1

2

3

4

5

29) 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 circle the number in
the box that corresponds to your answer.
Not at all
Moderately
Extremely
Slightly interested
Very interested
interested
interested
interested
1

2

3

4

5

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

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
9

SECTION 3 – Your Opinions about Nonlethal Predator Damage Management
1) 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 circle
the number that corresponds to your answer.
Not at all
Moderately
Extremely
Slightly interested
Very interested
interested
interested
interested
before
before
before
before
before
1

2

3

4

5

2) After receiving nonlethal predator damage management assistance from Wildlife Services, 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 after” and 5 = “Extremely interested after”), please circle the
number that corresponds to your answer.
Extremely
Not at all
Slightly interested
Moderately
Very interested
interested
interested after
after
interested after
after
after
1

2

3

4

5

3) 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 check one.



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.



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



I would pay up to $__________________ more per year for the nonlethal predator damage
management method (please enter the amount above).

PLEASE CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE…

10

4) 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?
For each method, please place a check in the box that corresponds to your answer.
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 (Please specify
below):

_______________________
_______________________
_______________________

5) Please rate your agreement with the following statements concerning your perceptions of Wildlife
Services.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = “Strongly disagree” to 5 = “Strongly agree”), please circle the number in the box
that corresponds to your answer.
Neither
Strongly Somewhat
Somewhat Strongly
agree nor
disagree disagree
agree
agree
disagree
Wildlife Services staff treat me fairly.
1
2
3
4
5
Wildlife Services staff are honest with me about
predator damage management.

1

2

3

4

5

Wildlife Services staff listen to me when
discussing predator damage management.

1

2

3

4

5

Wildlife Services staff are easily accessible
during times when I am experiencing predatorrelated issues.

1

2

3

4

5

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

1

2

3

4

5

11

Neither
Strongly Somewhat
Somewhat Strongly
agree nor
disagree disagree
agree
agree
disagree
I expect that Wildlife Services will make the right
decisions regarding predator damage
management.

1

2

3

4

5

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

1

2

3

4

5

Wildlife Services is operated by employees who
possess the technical expertise necessary to
manage predator damage.

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

Wildlife Services staff are more experienced at
managing predator damage than other natural
resources professionals.

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

□ Yes

□ No

If you checked “Yes,” please specify the method(s) below and explain why you think they should be used:

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
SECTION 4 - Demographic Information
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 will remain strictly confidential.
1) What is the ZIP code of your primary residence?
Please write your 5-digit ZIP code below, such as “85763”
____________________________
2) Approximately what percent of the land where you keep livestock is owned by you or your family?
Please write a number below.
____________________________%

12

3) In what year were you born?
Please enter your 4-digit birth year below, such as “1991”
____________________________
4) What is your race and/or ethnicity?
Please check 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

5) What is the highest level of education you have obtained?
Please check one.









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

6) If you have any comments you would like to leave about this survey, please write them below:

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!

13