WOLVES ON THE RANCH

In 2006, about 12 percent of the Northern Rocky Mountain wolf population was removed because of conflicts with livestock, but it still increased over 20 percent. Human-caused mortality would have to remove 34 percent or more of the wolf population annually before population growth would cease. Preliminary wolf survival data from radio-telemetry studies suggests that adult wolf mortality resulting from conflict could be doubled to an average of 14–20 percent annually and still not significantly impact wolf population recovery.

General wolf depredation guide

Warning signs:
Be wary – look for warning that wolves are in your area:
• Animals tightly bunched together instead of being spread across the pasture; • the entire herd or flock is disturbed;
• Sheep become panicked in the presence of herding dogs;
• Wolf signs such as tracks or scat is present;
• Animals refuse to enter certain areas;
• Cattle breaking through otherwise sound pasture fences;
• Drastic changes in herd temperament.

If you’ve got a carcass:
• Carefully examine the kill site and dead livestock. Don’t trample the tracks or disturb the site.
• Protect your remaining animals by temporarily moving them to a more secure site or guard them.
• Preserve the kill site. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture recommends:
- Secure the area from the entry of livestock since curious animals or upset mothers can destroy evidence quickly.
- - Look for tracks or scat (droppings) that will show a wolf's presence. Cover with plywood or weighted cans.
- Cover livestock carcass or remains with a tarp and weight securely to keep other predators from destroying teeth marks or other evidence.
- Photograph or video tape the evidence. It is helpful to put some common object next to the evidence to document size.
- Do not disturb evidence until the federal control officer can investigate the site.
• Call in authorities.

For more information on what to do if you have a wolf depredation problem, read the depredation guides published by the Wyoming Department of Agriculture and Montana State University.

Who do I call if I’ve got a problem with wolves?

USDA Wildlife Services has a memorandum of understanding with USDI Fish and Wildlife Service to handle on-the-ground wolf problems. While FWS is the agency charged with protecting wolves and is the decision-maker on when to take problem wolves out of the population, it’s Wildlife Services that gets called to control the animals. With decades upon decades of experience in animal damage control, these guys are pros at taking out problem wolves.

If you’re a livestock producer who is seeing wolves or sign of wolves and haven't worked with Wildlife Services before, get in touch with your local specialists and get an agreement in place in advance. Wildlife Services must have a written agreement with the landowner, authorizing them to conduct control activities on private land. It’s a short, simple form that can be completed in a couple of minutes. There is no charge to the producer for their services.

As Wyoming Wildlife Services State Director Rod Krischke noted, “That way when and if livestock losses occur we will be able to respond without delay.” To contact Wildlife Services, try these numbers:

In the counties of Teton, Sublette, Fremont, Sweetwater, Lincoln, Uinta, Hot Springs and Carbon contact the Rock Springs Office at 307-362-7238. This is a field office and personnel here are often in the field. If you can’t reach anyone here, call the state office (below).

In all other counties in Wyoming contact the State Office in Casper at 307-261-5336.

• It’s a good idea to let Jimenez know when you’ve got wolves in your area, so that he becomes familiar with the situation and can react promptly when there is a problem. It is Jimenez who can authorize USDA Wildlife Services personnel to control problem wolves in your area.
• If you need a law enforcement officer on the scene immediately, dial 911 or your local sheriff’’s office.
• A word of caution: Do not call the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for a wolf problem. That state agency has no authority or responsibility for wolves at this time. Wolves are a federally protected and managed species in Wyoming.

Mike Jimenez
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
307-330-5620
307-330-5631

Wolf numbers up, as are livestock losses

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that preliminary data suggests that the wolf population, livestock loss, and lethal wolf control statistics were higher in 2006 than in 2005 for wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains.

FWS estimates the tri-state population is about 1,264 wolves, which includes at least 163 packs of two or more animals, and at least 86 breeding pairs. FWS defines a pack as two or more wolves with an established territory, while a breeding pair is a pack of wolves that has at least one adult male and one adult female and two pups that survive until December 31.

Confirmed livestock losses so far in 2006 (through late November) included 170 cattle, 344 sheep, eight dogs, one horse, one mule, and two llamas. In response to chronic livestock depredations, 152 wolves were killed by federal wildlife officials.

Wyoming’s minimum wolf population estimate rang in at 314 wolves in 34 packs and 25 breeding pairs. This number includes 140 wolves based in Yellowstone National Park. Wildlife officials confirmed that 111 cattle, 38 sheep, one horse, and one mule, were all wolf kills. In response to the chronic depredations, 44 wolves were killed by federal wildlife officials.

Montana’s wolf population estimate was for at least 300 wolves in 59 packs and 25 breeding pairs. There were 35 cattle, 133 sheep, four dogs and two llamas confirmed as wolf kills. In response, 47 wolves were removed.

Idaho had at least 650 wolves in 70 packs and 36 breeding pairs. For confirmed kills, the state had 24 head of cattle, 173 sheep and four dogs. In response, 61 wolves were killed.

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Using dogs to help protect livestock from predators NEW!
2010 Article in Sheep & Goat Research Journal - by Cat & Jim Urbigkit
Expanding large carnivore populations pose new challenges for livestock owners to protect their herds from predators while abiding to the laws that protect some of these predator species which are under federal protection. Some sheep ranchers have used specially-bred livestock protection dogs as a non-lethal tool to help protect their herds from wolf predation. Cat and Jim Urbigkit, ranchers in Big Piney, have co-authored a paper on the use of livestock protection dogs (LPDs), which was recently published in Sheep & Goat Research Journal. “The number of LPDs killed by large predators is increasing,” they wrote. “We conducted a literature review to identify LPD breeds that may be more suited for use around large carnivores, such as gray wolves.” Click on this link for the PDF of this article (8 pages, 1590K)

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Get to know Wildlife Services (6/28/07):In the counties of Teton, Sublette, Fremont, Sweetwater, Lincoln, Uinta, Hot Springs and Carbon contact the Rock Springs Office at 307 362-7238. This is a field office and personnel here are often in the field. In all other counties in Wyoming contact the State Office in Casper at 307-261-5336.

Wyoming Wolves on the Ranch (12/18/06): Rancher's Guide to dealing with wolf predation on the ranch. By the Wyoming Department of Agriculture (68K, 4-page PDF)

Comparing Control

Wolf Control Costs Calculated (3/9/07, By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online): In the last fiscal year, Wildlife Services verified that wolves were responsible for 16 calves killed, 3 injured; 13 adult cows or yearlings killed, 1 injured; 8 ewes and 11 lambs killed; and one mule injured. In response to these problems, 23 wolves were killed in Sublette County last year.

Montana Depredation Guide (12/18/06): Rancher's Guide to Wolf Depredation. By Dr. Jim Knight, Montana State University Extension Service. (248K, 2-page PDF)