Large predator problem in Ozark county

[RJMAcres]

Here's the scoop and problem I'm having.
Some kind of large predator has been hitting our farm.
It's not afraid of our 4 great pyreneese dogs.
It took a baseball sized chunk out of 1 them a couple of weeks ago.

Late last week it got 1 of our larger llamas. Think she was trying to
protect her goats. Her face and top of her head had large claw marks.
And her nose was severely broken. She didn't survive.

We think both attacks were during the day. There were no bite
marks or feeding on the llama, just the head damage.

Not sure what I'm dealing with or how it's getting into the pastures.
Fences are electric and are usually above 6,000 volts.

Talked to the wildlife boys earlier and they don't know what to think.
I was guessing bear or mountain lion. They didn't think it sounded like
either one.

Got to figure this out fast and deal with it as I'm not getting much sleep
worrying about the rest of the animals.

I do know I'm going out to buy a couple game cameras and try and find
a bigger gun. Largest I have is a 30-30 and a 9mm. 30-30 is probably
good for the job but I can't always carry the rifle with me while out
working. I'm thinking a .357 would be nice.

Randy

[jerry]

Chupacabra - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Mooseman684]

The first thing I would do is look for tracks to determine what I am up against...

[RJMAcres]

Originally Posted by Mooseman684

The first thing I would do is look for tracks to determine what I am up against...

Not finding any tracks. Ground is hard, rocky and dry.
I would love to find tracks. I need to get rid of this problem fast.

Randy

[Mooseman684]

Any nearby water holes , ponds etc that may hold a track ?

[RJMAcres]

Originally Posted by Mooseman684

Any nearby water holes , ponds etc that may hold a track ?

Yep, in my pastures. Only tracks I found there were from our dogs.

There is a stream near by but it runs thru solid rock.

I've been warned not to go looking for this critter in the woods as
it's not afraid of me.

Randy

[Mooseman684]

I guess I am Different , because that is exactly what I would do...Go hunting it. I have a Gun , which makes me a little more than equal in the predator world...Other than that , If I had to camp on my roof to get a shot , then thats what I would do...Good Luck !

[ArkansasHunter]

If you go looking for it take a friend or two with you. Sounds like a Bear to me. If you still have the dead Llama use it for bait. I bet you can trap it if you can determin what size trap you'll need.
Do you live in Arkansas ???

[RJMAcres]

Originally Posted by Mooseman684

I guess I am Different , because that is exactly what I would do...Go hunting it. I have a Gun , which makes me a little more than equal in the predator world...Other than that , If I had to camp on my roof to get a shot , then thats what I would do...Good Luck !

I go out every so often and check things over. Sit under the overhang
on 1 of the barns where I have a view of the entire area. Right now you
can't see far into the woods. Been listening to the wild dogs all morning
not far from the pasture. I figure if they are there and barking then what
ever the problem critter is isn't in the area or close by. And our dogs
aren't raising hell. But then again, they the avoid mountain lions but will
go after the bears.

Randy

[CrazyIvan]

You can buy some top soil, sand or dirt and spread it around where you think it might be walking. Moisten it with some water before going in for the night. That will yield you some prints when the time comes.

[RJMAcres]

Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

If you go looking for it take a friend or two with you. Sounds like a Bear to me. If you still have the dead Llama use it for bait. I bet you can trap it if you can determin what size trap you'll need.
Do you live in Arkansas ???

Nope, live in southern Missouri about 15 miles north of Ark.

Buried the llama after a day or so. Don't want to attract any more
predators with the smell.

Randy

[ArkansasHunter]

Randy I use to have a Gaint Brown Lab that love to fight other dogs. His Old Head was stripped from tooth marks that you would of thought were claw marks.

I'm thinking those wild dogs you mentioned could be the animals that killed your Llama and what looks like claw marks are tooth marks. Scrapes.

If it were my problem I would bait the dogs for a few days until they become a little use to going to the bait.
I would seek the help of a few friends to help slaughter the dog, meaning shoot them OR posion them.

[RJMAcres]

Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

Randy I use to have a Gaint Brown Lab that love to fight other dogs. His Old Head was stripped from tooth marks that you would of thought were claw marks.

I'm thinking those wild dogs you mentioned could be the animals that killed your Llama and what looks like claw marks are tooth marks. Scrapes.

If it were my problem I would bait the dogs for a few days until they become a little use to going to the bait.
I would seek the help of a few friends to help slaughter the dog, meaning shoot them OR posion them.

I sure wish that was the case but I would have heard a hell of racket
as our 4 great pyreneese would have joined the fight. I would have
found dead dogs everywhere. The only thing my pyrs won't go after
is mountain lions. They try to avoid those with a passion.

Just came from checking the fence, etc in that pasture again. Nothing.
No tracks, no holes in the fence, nothing. I had 4 pyrs and 6 goats make
the round with me so I'm guessing no bad critters in the area today.

As far as the wild dogs go, they aren't to hard to call in. They seem
to really like the howling coyote call. You just have to make sure you
have enough ammo and shooters to do the job. Last time I tried it I
was alone and only had a 10 rd clip with me. had 3 packs of dogs coming
from 3 different directions. As I was on the ground, I decided to get the
hell out of there.

Right now, I'm kind of using the wild dogs as my early warning system.
I think if they go quiet then I have a problem critter near by.

Randy

[ArkansasHunter]

Randy we have several members that live around you or not to far that probable would lend you a hand if you ever wish to reduce those pac's of dogs...A.H

[Pyro01]

Man, you don't have it easy at all. I can only imagine how much ammo you go through in a month shooting the wild dogs, but ow you have to worry about something that even the wild dogs are afraid of. Wish I still lived in KS, I'd come out for a weekend and help you.

[.22hustler]

As I understand it, wild dogs will kill just for the thrill of killing.I don't think it would be a bear as it would probaly be a black bear, and I don't believe those are akin to attacking grown animals.It just might be a big, cross between a German shepard/ rottweiler, who is definitely the "alpha" dog. The 30-30 will do just fine... Either way, good luck buddy..

[jerry]

Set out a couple of game cameras to try to catch it. They can always be used for normal deer hunting etc.. when the smoke clears. We could have a mass G&G deployment and track down the chupacabra or whatever is out there.

[RJMAcres]

Originally Posted by .22hustler

As I understand it, wild dogs will kill just for the thrill of killing.I don't think it would be a bear as it would probaly be a black bear, and I don't believe those are akin to attacking grown animals.It just might be a big, cross between a German shepard/ rottweiler, who is definitely the "alpha" dog. The 30-30 will do just fine... Either way, good luck buddy..

We're guessing that the llama was trying to protect the goats and
out great pyreneese dogs. Llamas make excellent guards.

Randy

[RJMAcres]

Originally Posted by Pyro01

Man, you don't have it easy at all. I can only imagine how much ammo you go through in a month shooting the wild dogs, but ow you have to worry about something that even the wild dogs are afraid of. Wish I still lived in KS, I'd come out for a weekend and help you.

Really haven't been going thru all that much ammo lately.
Had a period of time where I was going thru quite a bit but most of
that was .22 and .223. Once the dogs figured out the range of the .22
I had to switch to the .223. Neighbors were doing the same thing.
Not sure how many dogs we ended up shooting but my count for that
2 month period was over 30. It really sucked having to do it.

Had them pretty well all cleaned out but there are a few new packs
that showed up a month or so ago. They are a little more shy about
coming out of the woods. At least they haven't tried to eat me while
I've been out working but give them time and they will at least try.

Randy

[lynxpilot]

I'll have my night scope in about 2 weeks. Lemme know if you want a hand.