Originally Posted By – Jess Harris Siskiyou County Supervisor District 1’s
The Whaleback Pack in Siskiyou County is not some abstract wildlife issue—it is an ongoing, escalating problem that is costing ranchers real money, real animals, and real peace of mind.
2026 So Far:
- 21 confirmed depredations
- 6+ livestock injured or attacked
- A horse run through a Powder River gate
Read that again.
And what you don’t see in those numbers is the full toll it’s taking on the people and the animals behind them.
The Human Cost
Ranchers are:
- Running on little to no sleep, checking stock through the night
- Living with constant stress and anxiety, never knowing what they’ll find in the morning
- Physically exhausted from nonstop monitoring, repairs, and pressure on already stretched operations
The Impact on Animal Husbandry
But beyond that, this is breaking down the fundamentals of good animal husbandry:
- Cattle are being pushed, scattered, and stressed, making it nearly impossible to manage herds properly
- Calving seasons are disrupted, with cows abandoning calves or failing to mother correctly under pressure
- Weight gain and overall health decline due to constant stress and movement
- Breeding programs are set back years, as losses and stress reduce conception rates
- Ranchers are forced to make decisions that go against best management practices just to try to keep animals alive
This isn’t how responsible ranching is supposed to work.
This is what happens when management fails and pressure is allowed to continue unchecked.
State Response Under Scrutiny
Meanwhile, the response from CDFW continues to fall short.
Ranchers are doing everything they’ve been told to do:
- ✔ Non-lethal deterrents
- ✔ Increased monitoring
- ✔ Changed grazing practices
And it’s still not stopping.
At what point does the state admit the current approach isn’t working?
At what point do the lives, livelihoods, and stewardship practices of rural families actually matter?
The Reality on the Ground
Every single one of these incidents represents:
- Animals chased to exhaustion
- Livestock injured and suffering
- Generational operations taking hit after hit
This is not “coexistence.”
This is one side carrying all the burden.
A Call for Action
Lethal removal is not extreme—it’s necessary management.
If the state refuses to act, they are making a conscious decision about who bears the cost.
Stand with Siskiyou County ranchers. Demand real management. Demand accountability.
