As California’s gray wolf population expands, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is moving forward with updated management strategies and providing increased support to communities where wolves are known to roam.
By the end of 2024, CDFW had identified seven established wolf packs across the state, along with four additional areas of known wolf activity. Most of these packs are located in northeastern California, although one has been confirmed in the southern Sierra Nevada.
Five of the seven packs met the state’s definition of a “breeding pair” in 2024—which the agency defines as two adults with at least two pups surviving through the end of the year. With at least four breeding pairs documented for two consecutive years, California has officially entered Phase 2 of its wolf management strategy, as outlined in the 2016 Conservation Plan for Gray Wolves in California.
Phase 2 allows more flexibility
According to the conservation plan, Phase 2 marks a key transition in wolf recovery, shifting from population growth driven by migration—primarily from Oregon—to growth sustained by in-state reproduction. During this phase, wolves are expected to expand their range into suitable habitats across northern California and possibly into parts of the central Sierra Nevada.
This phase also reflects a more adaptive approach to wolf management. As CDFW gains experience, and ecological, legal and social conditions evolve, the plan allows for more flexibility. This may include new strategies to address wolf-livestock conflicts and impacts on wild ungulate populations, such as deer and elk.
Planned actions in Phase 2 include:
• Conducting a status review of gray wolves in California. CDFW will initiate a formal review of the species’ status, incorporating public and Tribal input and independent scientific peer review.
• Evaluating legal tools for conflict management. The agency will explore legal options under both the California and federal Endangered Species Act to potentially allow more assertive, non-lethal deterrents—such as noise-making devices, vehicles or nonlethal ammunition—to haze wolves away from livestock.
• Launching a GPS tracking tool. An online platform will soon be released to share GPS data on collared wolves. This tool is designed to help producers and the public stay informed about wolf activity near livestock operations.
• Releasing the first annual wolf report. CDFW will publish its inaugural annual report summarizing a decade of wolf activity and management in the state, covering data from 2015 to 2024.
Kirk Wilbur, vice president of government affairs for California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), told WLJ they are pleased the agency is honoring the blueprint in the 2016 conservation plan and transitioning into Phase 2.
“Given wolves’ chronic depredations of livestock, it is clear that both ranchers and the department itself need additional tools to reduce wolf-livestock conflicts, so we’re optimistic about CDFW’s commitment to consider permitting more aggressive hazing measures for wolves during Phase 2,” Wilbur said. “We’re also eager to participate in the department’s status evaluation of gray wolves, as we know gray wolf populations have rapidly recovered since their emergence in the state.”
Wilbur continued that CCA is encouraged by CDFW’s plan to develop an online tool that will share location data for GPS-collared wolves.
“For the past decade, ranchers have been clamoring for increased transparency and communication about the location of wolves so that they can better protect their herds,” he said. “While focused disclosure has benefitted some producers in recent years, an online tool will better serve the broad ranching community operating in California’s vast wolf country.”
Depredation reports
As CDFW moves into Phase 2 of its gray wolf conservation plan, the agency has also released a series of new wolf depredation reports.
On March 20, CDFW published 19 depredation investigation reports covering incidents between Oct. 18, 2024, and March 5. Of those, 14 were confirmed wolf depredations, along with one “probable” wolf attack on a sheep in Modoc County and one “possible” depredation by the Yowlumni Pack in Tulare County. According to CCA, the agency confirmed 60 livestock depredations by wolves in 2024—though CCA notes that number likely underrepresents the true extent of wolf-related losses throughout the year.
On April 1, CDFW added seven new depredation determination forms for March to its Gray Wolf webpage. Three new confirmed depredations were attributed to the Diamond Pack in Plumas County.
As of March 16, at least 15 livestock animals have already been confirmed as killed or injured by wolves in 2025, with an additional four incidents deemed probable wolf attacks. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
