WA State ‘Considering’ Wolf Kills After Multiple Livestock Attacks

To be blunt, based on previous rulings, policies and actions over the years, many ranchers and those in the ag industry are not holding their breath on this announcement from WDFW.

  WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife is considering killing off some wolves

The controversy over wolf populations has grown noticeably over the last few years.Following a sharply divided and sometimes contentious debate earlier this year, WDFW and State officials decided to leave the wolves on the endangered list--despite noted growth in their numbers.

WA DFW policies have leaned towards the wolf population, but more and more ranchers are pointing out increased attacks on their livestock.

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Now, DFW says they are considering killing some of them off, after multiple attacks in Stevens County. According to the Spokesman-Review: 

"In the Dominion pack’s territory, near Colville, three calves were killed and four more were injured between July 19 and July 28.

In the Leadpoint pack’s territory, near the Canadian border and between the Columbia and Pend Oreille rivers, wolves killed two calves and injured another between June 28 and July 29. During that span, a wolf in the area was killed after reportedly chasing livestock."

There are an estimated 260 wolves in WA, divided up into 42 packs. WDFW rules require ranchers to utilize at least two non-lethal methods of repelling to deterring the wolves before lethal methods can be utilized.