Oklahoma Farm Bureau welcomes the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry master black vulture depredation permit through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
Black vultures have continually caused problems for agriculture producers as the birds prey on newborn and adult livestock. These vultures are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibits the take – including killing, capturing, selling, trading and transport – of migratory birds without permission from the USFWS.
Oklahoma farmers and ranchers can now obtain a sub-permit through ODAFF, which will provide producers with 5 legal takes of black vultures at no cost to the producer, upon completion of the sub-permit application.
Applicants must agree to follow all rules and regulations required by USFWS in the ODAFF statewide permit including:
- Adoption of non-lethal measures to deter black vulture depredation
- Producers must actively aim to disperse vultures through hazing with light, sound and/or devices.
- Reduce attractants, such as open garbage, dead livestock, and outdoor feeding of domestic or wild animals.
- Use of shotguns and “nontoxic” shot in the lethal “taking” of depredating black vultures
- Must adhere to all state and local firearm laws and restrictions.
- Any other methods (poison, trapping, etc.) will not be authorized by the permit.
- Anyone who takes birds under this authority must follow the American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines on Euthanasia – found on their website.
- Report “takes” to ODAFF.
- Quarterly Reports for new sub-permittees are due by April 30, July 31, and October 31, and a summary Annual Report is due by January 31.
Black vulture take may not occur under any other depredation permit for a producer acting under a sub-permit. Producers wishing to implement other methods of take or take more than 5 black vultures must obtain their own individual depredation permit.
The application for the permit can be found at ag.ok.gov/black-vulture-sub-permittee-application.
Please direct questions to ODAFF at blackvultures@ag.ok.gov.
