That was fast. I just got my permit to kill 5 Black Vultures harassing any of my livestock.

https://texasfarmbureau.org/black-vulture-depredation-permits-available-in-texas/

Black vulture depredation permits available in Texas

More ranchers are finding their livestock, particularly newborn or young animals, falling victim to black vultures. Although the birds are primarily carrion scavengers, they’re also a predatory species that kill kid goats, calves and lambs when the opportunity arises.

“Traditionally, black vultures are only found in South Texas, but in the last decade they’ve expanded, and the population has grown. They’ve always been a problem for ranchers, but with the expansion in range and numbers, it’s become an even bigger problem,” Texas Wildlife Services (TWS) Program State Director Mike Bodenchuk said. “And now we’ve seen changes in Texas livestock production. Where people used to breed wool sheep, they’re raising hair breeds. Hair breeds might be lambing year-round, calves are hitting the ground in unusual seasons or what used to be unusual season, and now we’ve got a bigger problem because there are a lot of vultures in the summer and fall.”

The crafty birds have learned to home in on livestock birthing areas. Although they assist in cleaning up afterbirth and stillborn livestock, they also gather in large numbers to attack females during the birthing process, resulting in lost replacement animals and sometimes lost mothers, as well.

The black vulture is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prevents people from killing vultures or any other migratory bird without a permit.

So, to help Texas ranchers who are losing livestock to black vultures, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) granted a permit to the Texas Wildlife Damage Management Association (TWDMA) for black vulture management. TWDMA is a member of the cooperative TWS.

Previously, those experiencing issues with the birds could obtain a depredation permit from FWS, but it’s a time-consuming and detailed process. Now, a sub-permit can be quickly issued by TWDMA.

“The traditional permitting process through FWS can be long and problematic. You must apply online, pay online and then there can be a 60- to 90-day wait, which for most people, is too long,” Bodenchuk said. “But the blanket permit issued by FWS to TWDMA allows the association to give sub-permit status to livestock producers. They can contact the Wildlife Services district office, speak with a biologist and the association can issue a permit usually within about 48 hours.”

Depredation permits allow for lethal removal of a few vultures to reinforce nonlethal harassment. Under the sub-permit, ranchers can remove up to five black vultures each. The blanket permit issued by FWS to TWDMA allows for the lethal removal of up to 750 vultures in Texas.

Non-lethal control methods include auditory and visual dispersal methods like lasers, propane cannons and “effigies,” decoy birds hung head-down as though they were dead.

Lethal control serves as a deterrent to remaining members of the bird’s flock, Bodenchuk said.

He also noted TWS recommends ranchers hang the dead vultures in a nearby tree because vultures don’t like to come near a dead vulture.

“So, by shooting one and hanging it as an effigy, a rancher can reinforce hazing and chase another 50 of them off,” he said.

The agency recognizes the permit cap of 750 is limited, but there is a possibility it might be extended if there’s enough need.

Bodenchuk said TWS biologists would be “triaging” cases to make sure those who have the most need can get a permit. Ranchers should call their TWS district office to start the sub-permit application process.

TWS district office contact information:
Canyon: 806.651.2880
College Station: 979.599.5070
Corpus Christi: 361.299.1176
Ft. Stockton: 432.360.1122
Ft. Worth: 817.978.3146
Kerrville: 830.896.6535
San Angelo: 325.655.6101
Uvalde: 830.278.4464

Next week outfitters will be selling hunts and ranchers selling their tags for a profit. Taxidermists are gearing up for the large influx of birds.

That is good news but I think they should have issued double the permits. What is worse IMO are Caracaras in that they will kill and eat all types of wildlife. I have seen them kill snakes, lizards, Texas horn lizards, small newborn animals and trying kill a Texas Land Tortoise...I ran them off of the Tortoise when I drove up on two of them pecking away and pulling at the face of a Tortoise. Both those bird numbers have grown tremendously over the last 50 yrs now. They have expanded their home range further and further northwards every year.

We only used to see a few down south. It was a rarity however and almost a novelty. Now they are everywhere in south Texas and I see them in numbers around Fredericksburg and Luckenbach

I've been seeing the caracaras around here too. A few mixed in with the buzzards.

The Black Vulture in my area of Deep East Texas has all but replaced Turkey Vultures and they are a MUCH more aggressive bird.

I didn't realize that you needed a permit to kill vultures...learn something new every day.

5 permits wouldn't do much here. 500 would help, but still just help.

S S S

Same in my area. Apparently they are successful breeders....as they seem to be more common now (here) than Turkey Buzzards/Vultures.

Aerial version of Feral Hogs if you ask me. You would think the numbers of both species would be self limiting....but maybe not.

Had no idea vultures were protected

These birds are bad news. Thell pick the eyes out of a calf that hasent even hit the ground yet.

This!

Yes they will.

Hey 5 is a start to keep the man off of me when I start hanging them in the trees. Then they'll be someone else's problem.

We have a lot of them in NW Hunt county Had 7 aggravating a cow last week that just hit the ground luckily I was watching for them .

It’s my opinion that black vultures kill more calves every year than coyotes or dogs. I know they serve a purpose but killing a punch off wouldn’t hurt my feelings at all.

We have seen several in the last couple years up here in Shackelford County!

been seeing lots of Caracaras north of San Angelo....had no idea they were in that area.

I laugh every time I pass some of the towers along I-20 that are loaded up with the buzzards...some poor soul has to climb those towers every now and again...I bet its a disgusting mess . You'd think they would have permits to keep their towers bird free

"He also noted TWS recommends ranchers hang the dead vultures in a nearby tree because vultures don’t like to come near a dead vulture.
“So, by shooting one and hanging it as an effigy, a rancher can reinforce hazing and chase another 50 of them off,” he said."

I wish we could do this with another species of vermin!

Couple years ago was doing some work between bastrop and Austin on 71. Saw a momma cow had just dropped a calf afterbirth and all still hanging etc. and a flock of them harrasing her. Nothing I did from the road scared the buzzards away.

The black vultures will even fly over the dogs out napping in the yard until they move, sizing them up I guess. I think I could get one right off the front porch with a shotgun. I was watching them yesterday. Now with a permit in hand, not a single turkey vulture in sight. They aren't a problem. The black vultures were numerous with several flying the tree lines and over the cows and calves. Quite different from the turkey vultures that just fly around up in the thermals until something needs cleaning up. These black vultures are beating them to the road kill and carrion, pushing them out of the area. They're smarter too. The black vultures will drag the carrion off the road to a safe place to eat. Seems like the turkey vultures wouldn't do that and would occasionally get hit by a car or fly off at the last moment and break a windshield.

I just turn the dogs loose when the buzzards show up. You ought to see what a great pyrenes does to a buzzard when its messing with a calf. Its not pretty.

Water turkeys are protected too but im not getting a permit to protect my stock ponds......................SSS

From the Agrilife article:

Vultures are migratory birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, State laws, and regulations. They are managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service and by State wildlife agencies. The birds, their nests, and eggs cannot be killed or destroyed without a Migratory Bird Depredation Permit. Individual States and localities may impose further restrictions on vulture management. WS State offices may be consulted for more specific local information

While I may or may not agree, I believe the going rate from the FEDs on a migratory bird such as a vulture is about $10,000 a pop. That third S needs to make sure there aren't any witnesses or leaks.

There’s a tower near Thurber on 20 that sometimes is so full of them that you can’t see the horizontal support beams from any angle.