Wildlife and Cattle on Shared Rangeland

Most western and southern ranches share their grass with deer, elk, antelope, birds and a long list of smaller animals. Managed well, the overlap is workable and often beneficial.

Key points

Learn which wild animals use your ranch and when
Include wildlife forage use when setting stocking rates
Wildlife-friendly fence and water details prevent injuries
Report unusual illness or carcasses to your vet or state veterinarian
Check with your wildlife agency before acting on predators

Know who shares your pasture

Start by learning which wild animals use your ranch and when. Deer, elk, pronghorn, feral hogs, turkeys and grassland birds each use the land differently. Some eat grass, others browse shrubs, and some mostly want cover or water.

Walk the pastures in different seasons and note what you see. A simple notebook or a trail camera can show patterns. Your state wildlife agency, NRCS office or extension specialist can help you identify species and understand their needs.

Forage use and grazing plans

Cattle and wildlife can compete for forage, especially in dry years or on winter range. Your stocking rate should account for what the wildlife is eating, not just cattle. Ignoring that use is a common reason pastures run short earlier than expected.

Rotational grazing, rest periods and leaving enough residual cover help grass and wildlife alike. Ground-nesting birds and fawns need cover in spring, so timing grazing around nesting and fawning can help. A range specialist can suggest options for your region.

Count wildlife use when setting carrying ability
Leave residual grass for nesting and soil protection
Avoid heavy use of the same pasture every year at the same time
Keep a written record of what you change and how the grass responds

Fences, water and movement

Fences built for cattle can injure or trap wildlife. Smooth bottom wires, reasonable heights and marked sections in high-crossing areas reduce harm. Ask your wildlife agency about designs that work where you live and about any rules on fence changes.

Water matters too. Escape ramps in tanks keep birds and small animals from drowning, and well-placed water can pull both cattle and wildlife away from sensitive areas such as streams. Check your plans with NRCS staff first.

Disease awareness and cattle health

Wild animals can sometimes carry or spread diseases that matter to cattle, and cattle can pass some to wildlife. Reportable diseases, including brucellosis and tuberculosis, are a matter for the state veterinarian and USDA APHIS. If you see a sick or dead wild animal, or cattle with unexplained illness, do not handle suspect carcasses yourself. Call your vet or the state veterinarian right away.

Keep feed and mineral covered where practical so wildlife does not contaminate it, and keep records of cattle health and movements. Your vet can explain what to watch in your area.

Predators, hunting and neighbors

Predators sometimes kill calves, and the right response depends on the animal, the law and your area. Protected species have legal rules, so contact your state wildlife agency before taking any action. Calving in a pasture you can watch, removing carcasses promptly and using good husbandry help reduce losses.

Some ranches earn income from hunting leases. If you do, put the agreement in writing, address gates, fences, safety and liability, and talk with an attorney and your insurance agent. Hunters near cattle need clear rules.

Monitor and adjust over time

Rangeland changes year to year with moisture, fire, grazing and wildlife use. Choose a few permanent photo points and a few simple measures, such as how much grass is left at the end of the grazing season and how much bare ground you see.

Review those notes each fall with your family or manager and adjust. If cattle numbers, wildlife numbers or weather change, your plan should change too. Extension and NRCS staff can help you set up simple monitoring that does not take much time.

Share what you learn with neighbors and with the wildlife agency. Rangeland does not follow property lines, and a neighborhood that watches the same trends can make better decisions about grazing, fences and water together.

Common mistakes and good habits

Mistakes include treating wildlife as only a problem, ignoring their forage use when setting stocking, and building fence without thinking about crossing. Another is failing to report suspicious illness quickly.

Good habits are simple. Observe, write things down, talk to your wildlife biologist and neighbors, and adjust. Many ranchers find that healthy rangeland for cattle is also healthy for wildlife.

When to get help: Contact your state wildlife agency about species and predator rules, your vet or the state veterinarian about any suspicious illness in cattle or wildlife, and your extension or NRCS office for grazing and habitat planning.

Sources and further reading

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

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