Black vulture attacks on livestock are a severe problem for Tennessee producers. Unfortunately, producers are limited in legal methods of removing problem black vultures since the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects the birds.
Tennessee Farm Bureau’s work with state and federal elected and agency personnel provides an alternative to protect livestock from black vultures legally. The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation (TFBF) Board of Directors annually obtains a statewide depredation permit for black vultures from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This service has provided an added benefit for members since 2016 and allows livestock owners to address issues as needed and timely. Educational background and alternative deterrents are also provided.
The TFBF statewide depredation permit allows Farm Bureau members who are livestock producers to apply for a livestock protection depredation sub-permit, allowing legal “takes” of black vultures attacking livestock. TFBF administers the statewide permit at no cost to TFBF 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:
- Adoption of non-lethal measures to deter black vulture depredation.
- Use of shotguns and “non-toxic” shot in the lethal “taking” of depreciating occurring.
Sub-permits are issued to livestock producers only. Applications are 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 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
Producers experiencing extreme depredation and large black vulture roosts are encouraged to apply for an individual black vulture depredation permit directly through USFWS. An individual permit may allow a producer more “takes.” A USFWS individual 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