Permit & Compensation Helper — Eagle Exchange Hub

Step 1 of 6

Tell us what happened

Start here as soon as you discover the loss. The faster you begin documentation, the stronger your case. Do not move the carcass.

🛑 STOP — Before doing anything else: Do not move, bury, or dispose of the carcass. Do not let scavengers approach. Cover loosely with a tarp if needed but keep evidence intact for the Wildlife Services investigator.

State

County

Date discovered

Approx. time

Number of animals lost

Species & age

Brief description of scene

How to tell if eagles are responsible: Talon punctures on the back/neck/shoulders (paired ~3 inches apart), feeding starts at hindquarters/abdomen, eyes/tongue often consumed first, surrounding white droppings ("whitewash"), nearby pluckings of wool/hair. Eagles do not eat bones; coyotes do.

Step 2 of 6

Evidence collection checklist

Check each item as you complete it. Anything you can capture before Wildlife Services arrives strengthens your case.

📸 Photograph the carcass from 4 angles

Top-down, both sides, and close-up of wound patterns. Use a ruler or known object (your hand, a pen) for scale in at least one photo.
🔍 Close-ups of puncture wounds and bite/talon marks

Spread wool/hair to expose the skin. Eagles leave paired talon punctures ~3" apart on the back, neck, or shoulders.
📍 GPS coordinates

Use your phone's compass app or Google Maps to record exact lat/long. Or open the Quick Field Report tool which captures GPS automatically.
🪶 Photograph nearby plucked wool, feathers, or whitewash

Eagle droppings are runny, mostly white "whitewash." Look for pluckings on the ground or vegetation within 50–100 ft.
🌄 Wide shot of scene & terrain

One photo showing the carcass in context of the landscape. Investigators look for ambush features: ridges, cliffs, tree perches with line-of-sight.
📓 Written notes of date, time, weather

When you found it, conditions, any eagles seen recently in the area, last time the animal was observed alive.
👥 Witness statements if available

If a herder, family member, or neighbor saw eagles in the area or witnessed the attack, get a brief signed statement with date.
🛡 Protect the carcass from scavengers

Loose tarp or hardware cloth dome until the investigator arrives. Do not bury, move, or wash the carcass.

Step 3 of 6

Call USDA Wildlife Services

Request a field investigation. A WS investigator's confirmed-eagle-predation finding is the strongest evidence for both depredation permits and LIP compensation.

📞 Select your state in Step 1 to see your local USDA Wildlife Services office phone number here.

National 24/7 line: 1-866-4-USDA-WS · They'll route you to the nearest field specialist.

When you call, tell them:

📝 The basics

"I have a confirmed eagle depredation incident at [GPS coordinates]. [N] [species] lost on [date]. The carcass is intact and I have photographs."
⏱ Request an investigation

"I am requesting an in-person investigation before the 72-hour evidence window closes. What is your earliest availability?"
🆔 Get a case number

"Can I get a case or reference number for this incident?" Write it down. You'll need it for the LIP application.
📧 Ask about email follow-up

Ask which email address to send your photos and notes to. Most state WS offices accept digital evidence as part of the investigation file.

Step 4 of 6

Draft your depredation permit request

Below is a pre-drafted Eagle Depredation Permit cover letter populated from your earlier answers. Review, edit, and submit via your state USFWS Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office.

About this permit (50 CFR § 22.21): A Bald & Golden Eagle Depredation Permit allows take of eagles causing documented agricultural damage where non-lethal methods have failed. Rarely issued, and only with USFWS-verified evidence. This draft is a starting point — your application will be reviewed by USFWS on a case-by-case basis.

Where to send the application: Final permit applications go to the USFWS Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office for your region. Find your regional office at fws.gov/program/migratory-bird-permits.

Step 5 of 6

File for LIP compensation

The USDA Farm Service Agency Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) pays 75% of the fair market value of livestock lost to federally protected predators — including eagles.

⏰ 30-DAY DEADLINE: You must report the loss to your local FSA county office within 30 calendar days of discovery. Late notice disqualifies the claim — no exceptions.

📍 Locate your FSA county office

Search at farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator — typically in the same building as your local USDA service center.
📝 File a Notice of Loss within 30 days

Form CCC-852 (Livestock Indemnity Program Notice of Loss). Call ahead to confirm the office accepts walk-ins or requires an appointment.
📎 Bring your evidence packet

All photos, GPS coordinates, the USDA WS investigation report (or case number), and your written notes. The WS confirmation of eagle predation is the most important document.
📊 Document fair market value

Bring recent sales receipts for similar animals, breed registrations if applicable, or use county FSA-published value tables. The 75% payment is calculated against FMV at time of loss.
💰 Submit your Application for Payment

Form CCC-852-1, due by the end of the program year deadline (typically January 30 of the year following the loss). Confirm current-year deadline at fsa.usda.gov.

💡 Tip: If your state offers a separate depredation compensation program (Wyoming, Utah, others), apply to that simultaneously. State and federal programs do not always preclude each other.

Step 6 of 6

Your personalized recovery plan

Here's a summary of your incident and the full action checklist. Print or save this page for your records.

Incident Summary

⏰ Critical deadlines:

72 hours — Capture all evidence and request WS investigation
30 days — File LIP Notice of Loss with FSA county office (Form CCC-852)
End of program year — Submit LIP Application for Payment (Form CCC-852-1)

📞 Phone numbers you'll need:

📱 Use Quick Field Report for next incident 📊 Track in your Dashboard →