Wildlife and Cattle Grazing

Most ranches share their grass with deer, birds, pollinators and many other animals. Grazing can help or harm wildlife depending on how it is managed, and planning for both usually pays off.

Key points

Grazing can help or harm wildlife depending on timing and intensity.
Leave variety in plant height and cover.
Design fences and water with wildlife passage in mind.
Check state rules before dealing with wildlife damage.
Report any suspected reportable disease immediately.

Cattle and wildlife share the same ground

Rangeland and pasture provide food and cover for wildlife as well as cattle. How much grass you leave, when you graze and how you spread cattle across the land all shape habitat for birds, small mammals, insects and big game.

Grazing is not automatically good or bad for wildlife. Moderate, well-timed grazing can keep plant communities varied. Heavy, repeated grazing in the same season can thin cover and reduce habitat.

Keep notes on which species you see and when. Bird counts, deer sign and pollinators in bloom tell you what your management is doing, and your state wildlife agency may welcome the observations.

Habitat and grazing management

Different animals need different plant heights and types. Some nest in tall grass, others use short, open ground. Leaving some pastures with more residue, resting areas during nesting seasons and protecting riparian zones all help.

Ask your extension office, NRCS or your state wildlife agency which species matter in your region and what grazing patterns support them. Local advice beats general rules.

Pollinators and ground-nesting birds often benefit from a mix of flowering plants and patchy cover. A ranch with variety in grazing pressure usually supports more kinds of life than one grazed evenly.

Rest pastures at key seasons
Leave residue cover in some areas
Protect streams and wet areas
Control invasive plants that crowd out natives
Provide wildlife-friendly water where practical

Fencing and water

Fences affect wildlife movement. Poorly built fences can injure or trap deer, pronghorn and birds. Your wildlife agency may have recommendations for fence designs that allow safe passage in your area.

Water developments built for cattle can also serve wildlife if designed with escape ramps and safe access. Check designs with your conservation office.

Look at fences each season for sagging wires, loose stays and tight spacing where animals tend to cross. A few small changes can prevent many tangles.

Competition for forage and conflicts

Wildlife can eat forage that cattle also use, and large herds may cause losses on some ranches. Predators can threaten calves. Rules for managing wildlife damage differ by state, and many species are protected by law.

Do not take action against wildlife without checking with your state wildlife agency. They can explain what is allowed and may offer help with damage.

Document losses with photos and dates, and report them as your agency asks. Records help if programs for damage are available in your state.

Disease awareness

Wildlife and cattle can share some diseases. Brucellosis and tuberculosis are examples of reportable diseases, and any suspicion must go to your herd veterinarian, the state veterinarian or USDA APHIS immediately. Do not handle suspect animals or carcasses yourself.

Keep cattle from contact with sick or dead wildlife where possible, keep feed and mineral protected from wildlife access when practical, and ask your vet about herd health plans for your region.

Mineral and feed stations draw wildlife. Ask your veterinarian whether your herd health plan calls for any changes in how they are placed.

Hunting, leases and agreements

Some ranches earn income from hunting or wildlife leases. These agreements carry real risks, so talk to your insurance agent and an attorney. Write down who has access, when, where, what they may do and how gates and cattle will be protected.

Check state rules on licenses, landowner programs and liability. Program details change, so ask your state wildlife agency and extension office.

Make sure every hunter or lessee knows where cattle are, which gates stay closed and who to call in an emergency. Put the rules in writing.

Common mistakes

Assuming wildlife is always a problem, fencing without regard to animal movement, taking action against protected species and signing a lease without legal review are the usual errors. Another is ignoring the effect of grazing timing on nesting season.

Work with your wildlife agency early, not after a conflict starts.

Talk to neighbors and local conservation groups. Many have worked out balances between cattle and wildlife that you can learn from.

When to get help: Contact your state wildlife agency, extension office and NRCS conservationist for habitat and fence advice, an attorney and insurance agent about leases, and your veterinarian or state veterinarian about disease concerns.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

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