Round-the-Clock Wolf Patrols Begin in Northern California Ranching Communities

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has launched a new summer “strike team” to help protect livestock from gray wolf depredations in Siskiyou County and the Sierra Valley, which spans Sierra and Plumas counties.

The program, launched in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies, will provide 24/7 support to ranchers during peak grazing months. CDFW staff will work directly with livestock producers—on the ground, day and night—to track wolves and deter them from livestock areas using telemetry and local intel.

The strike team’s approach is multifaceted:

• On-site support to help push wolves away from cattle.
• Risk management plans tailored to individual ranches.
• Training and outreach in collaboration with the UC Cooperative Extension to share nonlethal deterrent strategies.

In addition, counties will receive assistance for carcass removal programs and investigations into depredation events. The initiative follows a spike in livestock losses tied to the Beyem Seyo and Whaleback wolf packs.

Sierra County Supervisor Paul Roen said, “We are hopeful this added presence will reduce losses and give CDFW a better understanding of what ranchers face daily.”

CDFW’s Director, Charlton Bonham, emphasized the importance of local partnerships: “Together, we’re doing everything we can to protect both livestock and wolves.”

The pilot program is expected to run through the summer of 2025. Ranchers in the region are encouraged to reach out to county supervisors or CDFW for participation details.