California Farm Bureau is committed to protecting your herd.
Helping secure $5.3 million since 2021 has provided ranchers direct relief from livestock loss.
Make sure you’re prepared as predators expand throughout California.
Wolves are protected under both federal and California law. Mountain lions are specially protected under California law. Other predator species are regulated differently. Consult specific guidelines to know what options are available to protect your property.
• Develop a relationship with Sheriff’s Department and County Supervisors.
• Regularly communicate with neighbors about your activities and sightings.
• Remove attractants.
• Move lambing or calving to safer locations.
• Night pen where and when possible.
• Numerous bites inflicted after long chases.
• Livestock attacked from behind.
• Larger livestock attacked at hindquarters and limbs. Smaller prey attacked on back, throat and neck.
• Attack hindquarters and throat areas.
• Multiple smaller punctures and bite scrapes.
• Prey ambushed rather than pursued over long distances.
• Prey attacked from the top.
• Large punctures may be present from biting and shaking.
• Wide long claw marks may be present from holding prey.
• Prey typically stalked and ambushed.
• Kills occur by biting the head and spine, or biting the throat.
• Minimal bite readjustment. Claws leave narrow cuts with clean edges.
• Request an Investigation – Call your local Sheriff’s Department, local trapper or Wildlife Services.
• Photograph the scene including bite marks next to a ruler for scale.
• Protect and cover tracks.
• Cover the carcass to avoid scavenging.
Documenting the location helps Farm Bureau push for better solutions to predator conflicts. Connecting with your local Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor is a good way to make sure your property is prepared.
Fact Sheet on Ranching with Predators
LOCAL CONTACTS
- George Alfonso, Wildlife Services (USDA-WS) – predation investigations – (530) 249-1083
- Libby Ehlers, PhD, CDFW Biologist & Wolf Coordinator for Plumas-Sierra – (916) 336-2107
- Bill Watkins, Wildlife Services (USDA-WS) non-lethal specialist – (530) 616-5593
- Matt Albertsen, USDA-WS Butte County – (530) 538-7381
CDFW GAME WARDENS
- Kyle Kroll, Lieutenant (Sierra, Plumas, and Lassen) – (530) 575-5736
- Sean Ihle (Plumas) – (530) 967-8946
- Barry Ceccon, Lieutenant (Butte) – (530) 513-4011
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS US Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services (USDA-WS) State Office – (916) 979-2675
- Derek Milsap, North District Supervisor – (530) 336-5623
CDFW
- CA Statewide Wolf Coordinator, Axel Hunnicutt – (916) 628-3543
- Wolf Specialist, Nate Libal – (530) 260-3118
- Game Warden Dispatch – (916) 358-1312
- Central Regional Office – (916) 358-2900
- Central Regional Wildlife Conflict Hotline – (916) 358-2917
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