Siskiyou County Supervisors to Address Gray Wolf Concerns at April 15 Meeting

YREKA, Calif. — The Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors will consider a letter to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton “Chuck” Bonham as part of the consent agenda during their regular meeting on April 15, 2025. The letter, dated April 3, 2025, outlines growing concerns over the impact of gray wolves on the county’s agricultural community, particularly livestock predation, and calls for urgent action to mitigate conflicts.

The letter highlights the significant toll wolf predation has taken on local ranchers, citing over 78 confirmed and 9 probable livestock kills in Siskiyou County since 2021. It suggests the actual number could be much higher—potentially hundreds—due to challenges in locating carcasses in dense vegetation and the loss of evidence over time. One Shasta Valley ranch alone reported over 40 confirmed depredations. Beyond direct losses, the letter notes that wolf presence causes stress to livestock, reducing pregnancy rates and weight gain, which threatens the economic viability of ranching operations.

“The presence of wolves near or among livestock not only leads to direct kills but also causes significant stress to the animals,” the letter states, emphasizing the broader impact on the agricultural community.

The Board urges CDFW to accelerate its assessment of the wolf population in Siskiyou County, as outlined in the agency’s Conservation Plan for Gray Wolves. The letter requests an annual Wolf Report to address livestock predation, evaluate ungulate populations as a food source for wolves, and assess the effectiveness of current mitigation strategies. It also calls for the inclusion of livestock producers, the county’s wolf liaison, and county trappers in developing these reports.

To reduce conflicts, the Board proposes several measures, including expanded research into conflict mitigation, enhanced support for ranchers, and real-time data on wolf locations to help producers deploy deterrents. The letter also advocates for a robust livestock compensation program, suggesting a minimum annual fund of $10 million to cover both the replacement value of lost animals and potential future earnings from breeding stock.

The letter points out that Siskiyou County’s low ungulate populations—unlike other states with more abundant deer and elk—force wolves to rely heavily on livestock, exacerbating predation issues. It also raises concerns about potential human-wolf conflicts as the wolf population grows, particularly in areas used for recreation and livestock grazing, where wolves may show aggression toward herding or protection dogs.

“We appreciate your attention to this critical matter,” the letter concludes, signed by Board Chair Nancy Ogren. It calls for “swift and decisive action” to protect agricultural livelihoods and has been copied to state and federal officials, including Senator Megan Dahle, Assemblymember Heather Hadwick, Congressman Doug LaMalfa, and Governor Gavin Newsom, as well as local agricultural organizations.

The letter is listed on the consent agenda, meaning it is expected to be approved without discussion unless a Board member, staff, or public commenter requests its removal for further consideration. The meeting will take place at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers at 311 Fourth Street, Yreka, with options for public participation in person or via Microsoft Teams.

For more information, visit the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors’ website at www.co.siskiyou.ca.us
or contact the Clerk of the Board at (530) 842-8084.