Consequently, when local ranchers and farmers experience depredation problems from local wildlife, GFP is responsible for reducing the conflicts. Turkeys often concentrate in large numbers in feed lots and are trapped and relocated by GFP personnel. During extreme winters, such as 1996-97, deer often concentrate at hay stacks when other food sources become unavailable. GFP does not have funds to reimburse landowners or purchase supplies for exclusion fencing, but will assist individuals in trying to reduce or alleviate the problem. Other common wildlife damage occurences come primarily from the result of beaver and coyote activities.
Most beaver complaints involve tree damage or flooding.
GFP assists in controlling local populations when problems arise, but realizes that beaver play an important role in the prairie ecosystem. A handout for landowners regarding beaver biology and control measures can be obtained at the Eagle Butte GFP office. Coyote depredation on livestock is addressed by ntensive, short term, site specific predator control.