The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) visited Sierra Brooks on May 12th to address rising community concerns about gray wolves. Speaking to a crowd of residents and ranchers at the Sierra Brooks Lodge, Ryan Lahey of CDFW’s Wolf Program offered a detailed overview of the state’s current approach to wolf monitoring and management.
Lahey stated wolves were not reintroduced to California, but migrated naturally from Oregon, drawn by suitable habitat. As of 2024, the state is home to approximately 50 wolves across seven confirmed packs, including the Beyem Seyo pack, which is most familiar to local residents.
Wolves are monitored using a range of tools including camera traps, GPS collars, genetic sampling, and public reports. A new tracking website, Earth Ranger, is expected to launch soon, offering residents more frequent location updates.
There are three phases of wolf recovery:
Phase 1 – 4 Breeding Pairs for 2 consecutive years with monitoring, no delisting, no injurious hazing, and no take.
Phase 2 - 8 Breeding Pairs for 2 consecutive years – status review, injurious hazing and take allowed by CDFW if legal in state and federally.
Phase 3 - ? Breeding Pairs for 2 consecutive years – same as above, potential to petition delisting, no longer an endangered species.
California is currently in Phase 2 of its wolf recovery plan. This phase allows for injurious hazing and potential lethal action under strict legal conditions — but only with proper authorization. Lethal action without it remains illegal, though self-defense is permitted in cases of imminent and direct threat. Still, any such action is subject to legal investigation and must meet a high threshold of justification.
Ranchers expressed frustration that little has changed between Phases 1 and 2, particularly in their ability to protect livestock. It was asked if rubber bullets could be used in Phase 2. Regional Manager Morgan Kilgour stated you can’t use rubber bullets without authorization, adding you can kill wolves with them.
It was asked, how many times and at what point does CDFW say we have a problem wolf. Kilgour stated in every depredation policy, they ask what did you do to prevent that? She added we haven’t given you tools and now are giving non-deterrent options, like fladry, lights, scare boxes and when they become unsuccessful then you reach another level of habituation.
Rancher Rick Roberti stated if the main wolf killing cattle had been gone a couple weeks ago, it would have saved a lot of heartache in Sierra Valley. Kilgour stated until wolves are not on the endangered species list they can’t do that. Questions arose on how many wolves were needed in California to remove from the endangered species list. A number was not known.
DS Cattle Ranch in Vinton, have reported repeat attacks despite the use of non-lethal deterrents. CDFW Law Enforcement posted two officers on 24-hour shifts for five days at this location using noise deterrents and non-lethal rounds but were unable to prevent losses entirely. Roberti stated ranchers are staying out all night long and the wolves just move to another ranch, adding they aren’t going anywhere because they are eating cattle. Ranchers cite not only cattle loss, but also loss of conception. Kilgore said bone piles will anchor wolves to the area, adding it has been documented in other states. There is legislation AB 411 for rendering of animal carcasses.
Residents and ranchers voiced concerns that wolves are becoming habituated to human presence, acting boldly around homes and ranches. Many fear that escalating wolf activity which was already witnessed late last month with a deer attacked inside a fenced Sierra Brooks yard, will soon threaten pets and 4-H animals within subdivisions.
Several attendees questioned whether the local deer population is sufficient to support expanding wolf packs with deer numbers declining. CDFW acknowledged these concerns, noting that droughts, wildfires, and other factors have also contributed to the declining numbers. A new deer management plan is in development.
As the wolf population expands, CDFW acknowledged the growing challenges and emphasized the need for continued public input, better communication tools, and ongoing collaboration to navigate this evolving dynamic between predators and rural communities.
The only point the audience was pleased to hear at this meeting was CDFW does not support grizzly bear reintroduction.
