Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for
Date of this Version
February 1997
Abstract
Cost-effectiveness of ADC’s predator damage management efforts was identified as an issue of concern during preparation of an environmental assessment (EA) on predator damage management in southern Idaho. A specific benefit-cost analysis of ADC’s efforts to protect sheep in southern Idaho was prepared to address this issue. This analysis involved a comparison of the difference between 1) the value of livestock losses sustained with a control program in place, plus the costs of implementing the program, and 2) the value of losses that could reasonably be expected without the program in place. This difference, divided by the cost to implement the program, provided the benefit-cost ratio. Additional data on the cost-effectiveness of increased helicopter aerial hunting of coyotes was reviewed from a study conducted during the early 1970s in Idaho, and from 3 years of helicopter aerial hunting in southeastern Idaho between 1994-1996. All of these comparisons suggested a positive benefit-cost ratio, ranging from about 3:1 to about 7:1. Factors influencing cost-effectiveness are discussed.