Federal Programs
Administered by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). Available to all eligible producers regardless of state.
Federal — USDA FSA
Livestock Indemnity Program
LIP
Compensates livestock producers for losses due to attacks by federally protected animals — including golden eagles. This is the primary recovery path for eagle depredation losses.
75%
of market value paid
30 days
to file after loss
$160–240
per lamb (2024 rate)
- 1Call USDA Wildlife Services to document the loss on-site (required for verification)
- 2Obtain USDA WS written confirmation of eagle involvement
- 3Visit your local FSA office within 30 days of the loss
- 4Submit Form CCC-848 with supporting documentation
- 5Receive payment within 60–90 days of approved claim
Federal — USDA FSA
Emergency Livestock Assistance Program
ELAP
Covers livestock losses that don't qualify under LIP, including losses from predators on pasture. Often used in tandem with LIP or when weather events compound eagle losses during lambing.
Varies
by loss type
30 days
to file after loss
Free
USDA WS assistance
- 1Document losses with USDA Wildlife Services verification
- 2Contact your local FSA office to determine which program fits your situation
- 3Submit Form CCC-576 (Notice of Loss) within 30 days
- 4File application Form CCC-576A with documentation
State Programs
Many western states have additional compensation programs that stack on top of federal LIP/ELAP payments.
Montana Strong Program
Montana Livestock Loss Board (MLLB)
One of the most developed programs in the West. Compensates up to 100% of market value for confirmed predation losses including golden eagles. Annual claims processed quickly. Stacks with federal LIP.
MLLB: (406) 444-2043
Wyoming Strong Program
Wyoming Wildlife/Livestock Loss Board
Up to $6,000 annually per producer for confirmed wildlife depredation losses. Must file within 15 days of discovery — the shortest deadline of any state. Contact Wyoming Game & Fish to initiate.
WY G&F: (307) 777-4600
Idaho Limited Program
Idaho Wildlife Depredation Committee
Compensation available through county extension offices. Idaho Wool Growers Association can help navigate the process. Federal LIP/ELAP is the primary recovery path in Idaho.
ID Wool Growers: (208) 344-0820
Oregon Limited Program
Oregon Dept of Agriculture
Some compensation available through wildlife agencies for confirmed depredation. File with ODA and request coordination with USDA Wildlife Services for verification.
ODA: (503) 986-4550
Nevada Limited Program
Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners
Compensation available for confirmed depredation by protected species. File through NDOW. Federal programs remain primary source of recovery for Nevada ranchers.
NDOW: (775) 688-1500
Colorado Federal Only
CDA Livestock Brand Commissioner
Limited state compensation available. Colorado ranchers should focus on federal LIP/ELAP claims. Contact CDA to register losses in the state depredation record.
CDA: (303) 869-9160
Utah Federal Only
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
No dedicated eagle depredation compensation program. Federal LIP/ELAP is the primary path. Utah DWR has a cougar compensation program — push for inclusion of eagle losses.
UDWR: (801) 538-6700
Texas Federal Only
USDA FSA — Federal Only
Texas has no state depredation compensation program. All claims go through federal LIP/ELAP at your local FSA office. Texas has the highest ranch count affected — a state program is urgently needed.
TX FSA: (512) 916-6991
Alaska Limited Program
AK Dept of Fish & Game + Federal
ADF&G supports USDA documentation for federal claims. Mat-Su Valley ranchers should work with Palmer USDA WS office. Alaska lacks a dedicated livestock loss board — a major advocacy priority.
ADF&G: (907) 459-3730
📋 Documentation Required for All Claims
USDA Wildlife Services written verification of eagle involvement
Photographs of carcass showing injury pattern
Exact date and location of each loss
Records of flock count before and after the loss event
Proof of ownership (brand registration, purchase records)
Fair market value evidence (recent sale prices, market reports)
Any prior depredation reports for the same operation
State/county livestock loss report (where applicable)
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from ranchers navigating the claims process.
Yes. File the report and request a USDA Wildlife Services visit. Their specialists can often determine the predator from wound patterns, feathers, and behavior evidence even days after the kill. Suspected losses can still qualify for LIP if USDA WS confirms it's "consistent with eagle predation." Don't self-disqualify before an expert looks at it.
Contact your FSA office immediately and explain the situation. FSA has some discretion in late-filing cases, particularly when the producer can demonstrate they were unaware of the program or faced exceptional circumstances. Even if the current losses are not covered, get registered now so future losses are on record and filed on time.
Typically 60–90 days from an approved application. FSA processes claims in order of receipt. Complete documentation upfront reduces back-and-forth and speeds processing. Montana's state MLLB program tends to pay faster than federal programs — often within 30–45 days.
In most states, yes — up to a combined ceiling that typically doesn't exceed the full market value of the animal. Montana's MLLB, for example, is specifically designed to complement federal LIP payments. Wyoming's program also stacks. Always inform both programs that you've applied to the other.
You can aggregate losses into a single claim as long as they fall within the same program year and the 30-day filing deadline applies from the date of the first loss. Keep a running log of each loss event with date, location, and animal description. A detailed log across the season is more credible than a single number reported at the end.
Contact your state wildlife agency, county extension office, and your wool growers association. A licensed falconer or professional predator management specialist can sometimes provide supporting statements. File the claim anyway with the best documentation you have — FSA can make determinations without a USDA WS visit, though it's harder. This situation is also worth documenting and escalating through the Legislative Action Center.