In the spirit of seeking a cooperative solution to a growing public lands conflict, Idaho sheep ranchers and recreation advocates met Saturday to discuss what they can do to alleviate encounters between outdoor visitors and sheep herd guard dogs.
The exchange was part of the Idaho Wool Growers Association's 112th annual convention, held at the Sun Valley resort.
"To say the least, a lot of people are very threatened by guard dogs," said Chris Leman, a member of Big Wood Backcountry Trails and a panelist for the Saturday discussion.
Leman, who surveyed a number of local residents who frequent the backcountry, also pointed out that some people have been bitten, chased or simply had their courage severely tested.
But efforts are ongoing to try alleviating conflicts between typically aggressive Great Pyrenees guard dogs and hikers, bikers and equestrians. The Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission is working in cooperation with public land managers on a "Care and Share" campaign that focuses on public education and sheep herder sensitivity to multiple use on public lands.
John May, a South Hills sheep rancher, pointed out that dogs are a very effective method of predator control, and he said they can be aggressive.
"But a Great Pyrenees guard dog is not much different from the pet you have at home," he said. "It's just not trained to come and go and do other things. They are aggressive. They are scary when they run up to you."
He said, however, that the dogs usually stop short of actually attacking a person. If a hiker or biker stops and stands his or her ground, the dogs usually return to the sheep.
That was a sentiment widely echoed among sheep ranchers during the hour-long discussion on Saturday.
"Just stop," said one conference participant. "It might take a few guts, but that's the best way to head them off."
May added that removing guard dogs from tending sheep bands is not a viable option.
"But I'd rather lose a few sheep than see one person maimed," he said.
Great Pyrenees are one of the oldest of the natural dog breeds, dating to about 3000 B.C. They were developed in the Pyrenees in France for rugged mountain work, guarding flocks against wolves and bears and for pulling sleds. They can stand three feet tall and weigh up to 125 pounds.
Locally, sheep bands are usually tended by herders, several border collies and a pair of Great Pyrenees guard dogs. Particularly since gray wolf reintroduction to Idaho in the mid-1990s guard dogs are an important part of a rancher's security net when bands are grazing on open range on public land.
The dialogue between ranchers, public land managers and recreationists ranged widely, and numerous concepts were discussed.
Kurt Nelson, the Sawtooth National Forest's Ketchum District ranger, said his agency posted laminated pink signs at trailheads this year to alert people when sheep bands were in those areas.
"As a test, it worked pretty well," he said, adding that to leave the signs there all season is "like crying wolf."
Active management is necessary, he said, and an attempt to communicate will go a long way. He suggested that herders might consider posting signs along trails as they move sheep through popular recreation corridors to further alert people about the specific locations of sheep bands and guard dogs.
Local sheep rancher John Faulkner said some of the stories about people being attacked are exaggerated, but added that he is "willing to do whatever it takes" to alleviate conflicts.
Mike Stevens, who manages Lava Lake Land and Livestock, suggested that instructing herders to stay near sheep bands seemed to help alleviate dog behavior. He also said identifying more aggressive dogs and putting them with more remote sheep bands seems to have helped with his bands.
Carey sheep rancher John Peavey said ranchers should think twice about using more aggressive cross-bred guard dogs in popular recreation areas.
"When you've got a lot of tourists and recreationists to deal with, you really ought to think about what breed you choose," he said.
