Understanding Predator Impacts Through Hands-On Wildlife Management Training

For ranchers across Kinney County and much of Southwest Texas, predator management is not an abstract wildlife issue—it is a daily economic reality. Coyotes and other predators continue to impact livestock operations, wildlife populations, and land management decisions throughout the region, making informed and responsible management tools essential.

Recently, Harvey Dickens, a professional trapper, certified instructor, and director of the Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters Association, provided hands-on instruction to students in the Southwest Texas Wildlife Management Program, demonstrating modern trapping techniques both in the classroom and on working ranchland. His training emphasizes real-world conditions commonly faced by ranchers throughout Southwest Texas.

Statewide data indicates predator management programs have saved an estimated $52.2 million in livestock and wildlife losses in recent years. Coyotes alone are responsible for 40 to 47 percent of predator-related calf and sheep losses, and predation remains the leading cause of death for sheep and goats in the Edwards Plateau. For many producers, these losses extend beyond the animals themselves, increasing costs for fencing, deterrents, guard animals, and labor, or forcing reductions in herd size. Wildlife impacts are also significant. Research shows coyotes account for more than half of white-tailed deer fawn mortality, with most losses occurring within the first 30 days after birth. Wildlife managers note that managing predator populations prior to fawning season, typically between January and March, can improve fawn survival and support both conservation and hunting objectives.

During a recent afternoon on a Kinney County ranch, Dickens demonstrated firsthand the level of planning involved in modern predator management. Before placing any traps, he had spent the previous day driving the property, identifying tracks and signs of animal behavior to evaluate where and how each set should be made. Each trap placement was deliberate. Dickens spent approximately 45 minutes setting a single foothold trap, switching gloves and using animal-specific tools while explaining the expected behaviors and outcomes associated with each set. The focus remained on targeting specific predators while avoiding the capture of unintended animals, with safety, regulations, and purpose guiding each step. “Animal trapping in Texas is strictly regulated,” Dickens said. “Any traps used must be checked at least once every 36 hours, but I typically check at least every morning and every evening.”

During that particular visit, Dickens had set approximately 13 foothold traps. By that point, two raccoons had already been captured. The following day, Dickens reported the capture of two coyotes and one bobcat. At the landowner’s request, the bobcat was released, as bobcats are not typically associated with fawn predation on that property. Seasonal timing also plays a key role in management decisions. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, coyote mating season begins in mid-January and runs through early March. In the weeks following the birth of pups, male coyotes bring food back to the den while females remain with the young and do not allow males inside. During this period, coyotes can become more aggressive, increasing the risk to livestock and wildlife.

While coyotes play a role in controlling rodent populations, their adaptability has allowed them to expand into rural and urban environments alike, intensifying conflicts with ranching operations. Organizations such as Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Texas Wildlife Services work with landowners across millions of acres to mitigate losses while maintaining ecological balance, and the Southwest Texas Wildlife Management Program is teaching students how to think about the issue and apply skills to address it directly. 

Through the Southwest Texas Wildlife Management Program, Dickens emphasizes that modern trapping is regulated, selective, and rooted in stewardship. Students preparing for careers in ranch and wildlife management gain exposure to the practical realities of predator control—knowledge that directly applies to communities like Kinney County, where livestock production, wildlife conservation, and land stewardship are closely connected. In the Kinney County rancher’s view, predator management is not about elimination, but balance—using knowledge of animal behavior and timing to protect livestock while sustaining healthy wildlife populations.

 As predator pressures continue across the region, educators, ranchers, and wildlife professionals agree that informed, hands-on management remains essential to protecting both rural livelihoods and healthy ecosystems.