County Discusses Predator Control
Commissioner Marck Schafer questioned the effectiveness of local predator control at the county commissioners’ court meeting Sept. 12. At the court’s request, John Dorsett of the Texas Cooperative Extension Wildlife Services met with them to discuss trapping results In the county after the state increased its assessment charged the county to $2,200 per month per trapper for a total cost of $9,600. The local livestock protection association contributes $4,750 toward the county’s share of the salaries, the bulk of which are paid by the state.
Schafer touched on dissatisfaction voiced by ranchers who feel underserved by the trappers. Schafer said participation in the county animal protection group has declined because some feel the money for trappers is wasted.
Dorsett defended the trappers’ records in the county. Dorsett said trappers tend to concentrate their time in places where they can get sure results, and agreed that they might need to spread their activities more. He said using snares is sometimes a problem because fences are either weak or brushy and hard to access; M-44’s have to be checked frequently and at least one ranch has gone to commercial predator hunting. He also said trappers are not welcome on some ranches during bird and deer hunting. He said the two trappers are putting in the time they’re supposed to.
Dorsett said the numbers of predators taken vary from year to year. His figures for Glasscock County from Oct. 1, 2004 thru July 31, 2005 show a total of 87 ranches worked, with 289 predators taken. Of those, Richard Bata (south of Hwy. 158) took 90 coyotes, 56 Red Fox and 21 Gray Fox. Jody Griffin (north of Hwy. 158) took 75 Coyotes, 9 Bobcats, 1 Red Fox, 5 Gray fox and 3 Feral Dogs. Aerial hunting: 4 hours by helicopter and 74 hours by fixed winged aircraft,
Dorsett’s figures for Oct. 1, 2003 thru Sept. 30, 2004 were 88 ranches worked, coyotes taken 292, bobcats 27, red fox 25, gray fox 9, feral dog 5. Aerial hunting 6 hours by helicopter, 88 hours by fixed winged aircraft. (Individual results for the trappers were not given for this period.)
Dorsett oversees 12 counties and offices in San Angelo. He said anyone who is unhappy with trapper activity on his or her land should call him at 325/655-6101. He said landowner input is the only way he can gauge the program's effectiveness.
In spite of apparent reservations, the commissioners budgeted the increased assessment.