Dept. Forestry and Natural Resources
715 W. State Street
W. Lafayette, IN 47907
(765) 494-3590
FAX: (765) 494-9461

Project Partners

What do Indiana farmers think about wildlife crop damage?

Understanding producers’ attitudes and perceptions regarding wildlife and crop damage caused by wildlife is a critical element in the quest for a solution to this complex issue. Farmers are a key stakeholder group in this process and what they think is important. One thousand five-hundred producers within portions of the Upper Wabash River Basin were mailed a survey with questions regarding the severity of crop depredation on their property, the wildlife species perceived to be responsible, their estimated annual economic losses from wildlife crop depredation, and their general attitudes towards wildlife.

Seventy-eight percent of producers who responded reported having =1 crop type damaged by wildlife within the previous 12 months. Eleven percent and 9% reported deer and groundhog damage, respectively, to soybeans within the previous 12 months, and less than 2% of producers reported damage to soybeans by raccoons, squirrels, or Canada geese. Twenty three percent of producers reported deer damage to corn, and 12% reported raccoon damage to corn. Less than 3% of producers reported damage to corn by groundhogs, squirrels, or Canada Geese.

Average reported monetary losses due to various species of wildlife ranged from $105-$585 for corn and $39-$479 for soybeans. Farmers indicated losses of 2% of total crop value for deer and raccoon. In soybeans, crop value losses to deer and groundhogs were 2.8% and 1.7%, respectively. Total reported losses by respondents were highest for deer and raccoon in corn, and deer and groundhog in soybeans. The extent of monetary losses reported by individual farmers appeared to be related to a farmer’s tolerance for wildlife damage; however, such reported losses and tolerance levels varied greatly. For some, relatively little perceived damage ($50-$100) exceeded their tolerance, but for others, relatively substantial perceived damage (>$500) did not.

Regarding farmers’ general attitudes towards wildlife, groundhog was most disliked and considered a nuisance by 85% of those surveyed. Raccoon had the second highest nuisance rating at 54%, and deer was considered a nuisance species by 21% of producers surveyed. Wild turkey was considered a nuisance by only 2% of the respondents, although a relatively large percentage (16%) were unsure about their feelings towards wild turkey. Less than 2% of respondents indicated unsure feelings for deer, raccoon, or groundhog.