Renew Black Vulture Permits Soon
Mar 09, 2020
Livestock producers who are dealing with black vulture attacks on livestock are reminded that all current Black Vulture 2019 Sub-permits will expire on March 31, 2020. To renew your permit, visit www.tnfarmbureau.org/blackvultures for guidelines and a 2020 sub-permit application.
The predatory birds continue to pose serious problems for Tennessee livestock producers. In the past three years, Tennessee Farm Bureau members have reported 700 losses of livestock to black vultures.
Unfortunately, producers are limited in legal methods of removing problem black vultures since they are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Previously, the only legal option to protect livestock from depredation was to apply annually for an individual black vulture depredation permit at the cost of $100.
Tennessee Farm Bureau has worked with both state and federal elected and agency personnel to seek an alternative to legally protect livestock from black vultures. The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation (TFBF) Board of Directors has obtained a statewide depredation permit for black vultures from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This service continues to be a benefit for Farm Bureau members.
The TFBF statewide depredation permit provides Farm Bureau members who are livestock producers an opportunity to apply for a livestock protection depredation sub-permit allowing legal “takes” of black vultures that are attacking livestock. The statewide permit will be administered by TFBF. There is no cost to members who apply for a livestock protection depredation sub-permit.
Applicants must agree to follow all rules and regulations required by USFWS in the TFBF statewide permit including:
1. Adoption of non-lethal measures to deter black vulture depredation.
2. Use of shotguns and “non-toxic” shot in the lethal “taking” of depredating black vultures.
3. Report “takes” to TFBF quarterly.
4. Use of black vulture carcasses as effigies in areas where depredation is occurring.
Sub-permits will be issued to livestock operations only. Applications will be scored based on the information provided regarding past depredation history, proximity of black vulture roosts, number of livestock on the farm, and the general livestock density of the area based on the most recent Tennessee Agricultural Statistic Service.
Producers approved for sub-permits will receive:
1. A signed approval and sub-permit.
2. An allotted number of black vulture “takes.”
3. A copy of the TFBF statewide depredation permit.
4. Guidelines for removal methods.
5. A black vulture dispatch log.
Producers experiencing extreme depredation and large black vulture roosts are encouraged to apply for an individual black vulture depredation permit with USFWS. Individual permits allow producers to be approved for a larger number of “takes” by USFWS. The cost of an individual depredation permit is $100.
Producers may apply for the TFBF livestock protection depredation sub-permit by completing the application and returning a signed copy to Tennessee Farm Bureau, Attn: Debbie Briggs, P.O. Box 313, Columbia TN., 38402
· Black Vulture Sub-permit 2019 – ALL 2019 sub-permits WILL expire March 31, 2020
· Black Vulture Guidelines 2020
· Black Vulture Sub-permit 2020
The predatory birds continue to pose serious problems for Tennessee livestock producers. In the past three years, Tennessee Farm Bureau members have reported 700 losses of livestock to black vultures.
Unfortunately, producers are limited in legal methods of removing problem black vultures since they are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Previously, the only legal option to protect livestock from depredation was to apply annually for an individual black vulture depredation permit at the cost of $100.
Tennessee Farm Bureau has worked with both state and federal elected and agency personnel to seek an alternative to legally protect livestock from black vultures. The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation (TFBF) Board of Directors has obtained a statewide depredation permit for black vultures from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This service continues to be a benefit for Farm Bureau members.
The TFBF statewide depredation permit provides Farm Bureau members who are livestock producers an opportunity to apply for a livestock protection depredation sub-permit allowing legal “takes” of black vultures that are attacking livestock. The statewide permit will be administered by TFBF. There is no cost to members who apply for a livestock protection depredation sub-permit.
Applicants must agree to follow all rules and regulations required by USFWS in the TFBF statewide permit including:
1. Adoption of non-lethal measures to deter black vulture depredation.
2. Use of shotguns and “non-toxic” shot in the lethal “taking” of depredating black vultures.
3. Report “takes” to TFBF quarterly.
4. Use of black vulture carcasses as effigies in areas where depredation is occurring.
Sub-permits will be issued to livestock operations only. Applications will be scored based on the information provided regarding past depredation history, proximity of black vulture roosts, number of livestock on the farm, and the general livestock density of the area based on the most recent Tennessee Agricultural Statistic Service.
Producers approved for sub-permits will receive:
1. A signed approval and sub-permit.
2. An allotted number of black vulture “takes.”
3. A copy of the TFBF statewide depredation permit.
4. Guidelines for removal methods.
5. A black vulture dispatch log.
Producers experiencing extreme depredation and large black vulture roosts are encouraged to apply for an individual black vulture depredation permit with USFWS. Individual permits allow producers to be approved for a larger number of “takes” by USFWS. The cost of an individual depredation permit is $100.
Producers may apply for the TFBF livestock protection depredation sub-permit by completing the application and returning a signed copy to Tennessee Farm Bureau, Attn: Debbie Briggs, P.O. Box 313, Columbia TN., 38402
· Black Vulture Sub-permit 2019 – ALL 2019 sub-permits WILL expire March 31, 2020
· Black Vulture Guidelines 2020
· Black Vulture Sub-permit 2020