Sen. Stephens holds interim study on black vultures and harm to livestock

I attend church in a rural community, where many of the members have a hand in ranching. I've heard most of them discuss this problem over the past several years, particularly during calving. Sen. Stephens holds interim study on predatory birds and harm to livestock, property  OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens held an interim study Monday to look into the significant harm done to livestock and property by predatory birds. Stephens, R-Tahlequah, said the most destructive is the black vulture. “Most people have no idea how deadly and vicious black vultures can be for livestock.  They will attack baby calves as they are being born and literally eat them alive, and they’ll attack the mother as she’s giving birth,” Stephens said.  “It is a gruesome situation that can cost a family thousands of dollars in lost livestock, but their hands are literally tied by federal law.” Stephens said black vultures are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Oklahomans can get a permit to take up to five birds per permit, per year, but Stephens said that’s woefully inadequate to address the exploding population of vultures. Read more » by Jamison Faught - October 12, 2022 at 08:24AM

Sen. Stephens holds interim study on black vultures and harm to livestock Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico