Eagle Depredation Data Table

🏔️ Wyoming Eagle Depredation on Livestock (2019-2025)

What this data shows: Wyoming is the only Western state publishing detailed annual eagle depredation statistics through USDA NASS. Eagles consistently account for 15%+ of all predator losses each year — second only to coyotes, but targeting a single species. In 2024, 3,400 sheep were confirmed killed, representing ~$497,000 in losses. The doubling from 2019 to 2020 (1,600 → 3,200 head) coincides with improved reporting, suggesting earlier figures are underestimates.
→ See where Wyoming losses concentrate on the Heat Map

Year	Eagle Losses (Head)	Other Predators (Head)	Total Predator Losses	Eagle % of Total	Estimated Value (Eagles)	Data Source
2025	~3,300	~18,500 (Coyotes, bears, ravens, lions)	~21,800	~15.1%	~$481,700*	USDA NASS 2025 (pub. Feb 2026)
2024	3,400	19,000 (Coyotes, bears, ravens, lions)	22,400	15.2%	$496,800*	USDA NASS 2024
2023	~3,100	13,100+ (Coyotes primary: 65.3%)	20,100+	~15.4%	$451,600*	USDA NASS 2023
2022	~2,900	Data incomplete	~19,000	~15.3%	~$422,700*	USDA NASS 2022
2021	~2,800	Data incomplete	~18,500	~15.1%	~$408,400*	USDA NASS 2021
2020	3,200+	Data incomplete	~21,000+	15.2%	$466,000*	NASS / Wildlife Services
2019	~1,600	Data incomplete	~16,000	~10.0%	~$232,800*	USDA NASS (est.)

📈 Wyoming Trend Analysis:
Eagle depredation DOUBLED from 2019 to 2020 (1,600 → 3,200 head). Remained at elevated levels 2020-2025 (3,000-3,400/year). Eagles are consistently the SECOND leading predator by species (after coyotes). 2025 estimated ~3,300 sheep/lambs lost to eagles = ~15.1% of all predator losses (USDA NASS, pub. Feb 2026).

* Value Calculation: Based on $145 average lamb value and $100 average ewe value. Eagles primarily kill lambs during spring lambing season.

🌵 Utah Eagle Depredation on Livestock (2019-2025)

What this data shows: Unlike Wyoming, Utah does not publish specific annual eagle depredation statistics. USDA Wildlife Services handles incidents on a case-by-case basis with no centralized public record. What is documented: golden eagles are identified as Utah's #1 bird predator of livestock, with overall predator losses running ~10% of the flock annually. The absence of data is itself significant — it means the true scale of eagle depredation in Utah is unknown and almost certainly underreported.
→ Why this data gap matters — see the Policy section in Research Hub

Year	Eagle-Specific Data	General Predation Context	Status	Data Source
2025	Not yet released	Utah DWR tracking ongoing; data expected late 2026	⏳ Pending	Utah DWR
2024	Specific data not publicly available	USDA Wildlife Services handled case-by-case; ~10% annual losses to all predators	⚠️ Limited	Utah DWR / USDA WS
2023	Specific data not publicly available	~10% annual losses to all predators; $3M+ total loss	⚠️ Limited	Utah DWR
2022	Specific data not publicly available	Golden eagles identified as TOP predator species	⚠️ Limited	Utah DWR
2021	Specific data not publicly available	Depredation areas declared in multiple counties	⚠️ Limited	Utah DWR
2020	Part of monitoring effort with IEAA	10+ ranches confirmed with eagle depredation	⚠️ Limited	IEAA/NAFA
2019	IEAA/NAFA monitoring began	Established baseline for eagle depredation documentation	⚠️ Limited	IEAA/NAFA Partnership

⚠️ Data Limitation: Unlike Wyoming (which publishes detailed annual USDA NASS reports), Utah does not publicly release specific annual eagle depredation statistics. Eagle depredation data in Utah is managed through USDA Wildlife Services on a case-by-case basis. For specific incidents, contact Utah Division of Wildlife Resources or USDA Wildlife Services (866-487-3297).

🔍 Utah Context:
Golden eagles are identified as THE primary bird predator in Utah's livestock depredation system. Utah estimates 10% annual livestock losses to all predators (~$3M+ total). Eagles are the only bird species requiring federal depredation permits. Specific annual eagle loss numbers are tracked by USDA WS but not centrally published like Wyoming's.

6-Year Comparative Summary (2020-2025)

Wyoming Total Eagle Losses

20,200

Sheep & lambs killed by eagles
2020-2025

≈ $2.94M value

↑ +6yr cumulative

Wyoming Annual Average

3,367

Head per year
2020-2025

Consistent plague of depredation

↑ +12% vs 5yr avg

Wyoming Eagle Impact

15.2%

of all predator losses
Second only to coyotes

But limited to single species

↑ Trending higher

Utah Status

⚠️ Undocumented

Specific annual data not published
BUT eagles = #1 bird predator

Estimated similar to Wyoming

⚠ Data gap

📊 Key Insight:
Wyoming's detailed USDA NASS reporting shows eagles are a consistent, massive problem. With 3,000-3,400 sheep/lambs killed annually, eagles represent 15%+ of predator losses. If Utah publishes similar data, combined WY+UT eagle losses likely exceed 6,000-7,000 head annually worth $900K-$1M+.

Documented Eagle Depredation Zones (Wyoming & Utah)

Location	State	Status	Ranches Affected	Year Identified	Documentation
Southwestern Wyoming	WY	Active	Multiple	2020+	USDA WS / IEAA Monitoring
Central Wyoming	WY	Active	Multiple	2020+	USDA WS Records
Northern Wyoming	WY	Active	Multiple	2020+	USDA WS Records
Uinta Basin	UT	Active	4+	2019+	IEAA/NAFA Confirmation
Northeastern Utah	UT	Active	6+	2019+	IEAA/NAFA Confirmation

Depredation Area Declaration Process: Boundaries and duration determined by USDA Wildlife Services and USFWS. Livestock operators must contact USDA WS to certify losses, then apply for USFWS Eagle Depredation Permit. Master falconers can obtain "Trap and Take for Falconry" permits (only 6 issued per year nationwide).

📥 Data Export & Sources

To Download This Data:
This table can be exported to Excel by selecting all content and copying into a spreadsheet. Raw data sources are linked in each row above for verification and detailed reports.

Primary Data Sources:
• USDA NASS Wyoming Annual Reports
• Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
• USDA APHIS Wildlife Services
• Wyoming Livestock Roundup
• International Eagle Austringers Association (IEAA)

For Complete Utah Data:
Contact: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Phone: (801) 538-4700
Or: USDA Wildlife Services (866-487-3297)