The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has received an increasing number of reports of Gray Wolf presence near residences. Yesterday, a Butte Valley resident notified the Sheriff’s Office of two adult Gray Wolves approximately 80 ft from a home in broad daylight that did not immediately flee human presence. At the time of the sighting, the wolves were actively stalking the homeowner’s dogs. This report is one of many regarding the growing habituation of Gray Wolves in Siskiyou County,
Another issue of concern for the Sheriff’s Office is the increase in depredations this spring. Since February 2nd, 2026 there have been 16 confirmed depredations caused by wolves, and while ranchers have adopted numerous recommended deterrence strategies to prevent these killings, additional wolf management tools are required.
In light if these concerning trends, Sheriff LaRue has been meeting regularly with Sacramento legislators as well as representatives from federal and state wildlife management agencies to demand changes to the current Gray Wolf management plan. Now more than ever, California needs new legislation to end the cycle of ever-increasing wolf and livestock conflict, as it is truly unsustainable for our community.
