Jerimiah LaRue wants the state to address what he sees as a growing concern — wolves.
LaRue, the sheriff of Siskiyou County, sent a letter this month to several state agencies warning that the increasing gray wolf population in the region is getting closer to humans.
“People have actually reported seeing wolves pretty close to their house, even from their living room.” LaRue said. “It's really unsettling for people.”
“We need to protect the cattle, but it’s actually becoming, I think, increasingly, a source of food for the wolves, which is perpetuating the population growth.”- Jerimiah LaRue, Siskiyou County Sheriff
While wolves attacking humans is extremely rare, LaRue is concerned an incident could happen.
He’s asking four state departments to work with rural communities to review wildlife policies and find ways to balance California’s efforts to protect gray wolves with public safety.
As wolves rebound, tensions rise for ranchers
Gray wolves were believed to be eradicated out of California in the 1920s. But in recent years, they have returned, and CDFW has been encouraging the growth of the endangered species.
CDFW said there are seven known wolf packs. They’re located in the North State, including in Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama counties.
But the increase in wolves has come with some negative outcomes for ranchers. Last month almost 20 livestock animals were killed or were potentially killed by gray wolves. This has been a stressor on other North State counties. Modoc County issued a state emergency over the wolves in March.
“We need to protect the cattle, but it's actually becoming, I think, increasingly, a source of food for the wolves, which is perpetuating the population growth,” LaRue said.
A recent UC Davis study found that 72% of wolf scat from northeastern California tested between 2022 and 2023 contained cattle DNA. It also estimated that one wolf can cause between $69,000 to $162,000 in direct and indirect losses to livestock producers. Indirect losses include lower pregnancy rates or calves weighing less.
In response to the livestock deaths in 2023, CDFW began issuing payments through a compensation program to livestock owners who were impacted by wolf attacks. Those payments cover direct losses. The budget is limited, with the state appropriating $600,000 last year.
With limited wild prey and livestock, LaRue worries wolf pack behavior might change.
“As those food sources start to diminish in the wild, I think it's just going to draw them closer to populated areas, which we're seeing now,” LaRue said.
In response to the UC Davis study, North State Assemblyman James Gallagher said via social media that gray wolves should no longer be considered endangered species. He said the state should allow ranchers to “shoot some wolves,” an action that’s currently illegal.
As an endangered species, gray wolves are legally protected by both the California Endangered Species Act and the Federal Endangered Species Act. Killing a gray wolf can result in fines up to $50,000 or a year in prison.
Killing an endangered animal in self-defense, is legally protected, if it can be proven. However, LaRue said the process might not be simple and thinks people advocating for wolves might pressure the state into investigating that type of case.
“People should not feel comfortable thinking that they do have the right to defend themselves,” LaRue said. “Even if that's what they should be doing.”
According to a study from the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, there have been 12 reported wolf attacks in North America and Europe combined since 2002. The study said that there are more than 60,000 wolves in North America living near humans, and that “the risks associated with a wolf attack are above zero, but far too low to calculate.”
What’s next for wolf management?
Currently, ranchers have some nonlethal hazing methods they can use to deter wolves. These include using loud noises, bright lights or even approaching wolves on horseback and by vehicle to scare them away.
“The wolves are adapting. They’re not stupid, and so trying to scare them off or use different flagging and those types of things, it just isn’t working.”- Jerimiah LaRue, Siskiyou County Sheriff
LaRue said livestock producers in Siskiyou County are using these procedures, alongside livestock protection dogs, range riders and motorized equipment. But he said he’s heard reports from citizens that these techniques are no longer working.
“The wolves are adapting,” LaRue said. “They're not stupid, and so trying to scare them off or use different flagging and those types of things, it just isn't working.”
LaRue believes there needs to be stronger enforcement.
CDFW said it’s currently in its second phase of its wolf conservation plan. As part of the process, the agency is reviewing the status of wolf packs and evaluating whether more aggressive forms of nonlethal hazing — including using bean bags or paintball guns — should be allowed to scare off wolves from populated areas.
In the coming months, CDFW said it plans to release an online tool to provide location information for GPS-collared wolves. As of now, about 12 wolves are collared. CDFW says that there is “an unknown number of wolves” in the state that have left their packs and regularly posts quarterly wolf updates and known wolf numbers.
Along with more options to discourage wolves, LaRue said there needs to be more tracking — and information about that tracking — available to the public.
“We need some real time data tracking for the wolves. The general public needs to know where these wolves are, especially when it threatens their livelihood or even potentially themselves,” LaRue said.
In 2024, the CDFW said it completed 79 investigations into livestock depredation. The agency says it plans to continue communicating with people who've had livestock impacted, and investigate both the deaths and undesirable behavior of wolves near humans.
As of this story, LaRue said he has not heard any replies to his letter.
