This update provides an overview of gray wolf conservation and management activities in Washington during June 2023.
Program updates and coordination
- WDFW staff briefed the Fish and Wildlife Commission on the DRAFT Periodic Status Review for the Gray Wolf on June 22. The recording is available here.
The public is invited to comment on the draft by submitting written comments at publicinput.com/psr-gray-wolf, emailing comments to psr-gray-wolf@PublicInput.com or by leaving a comment via voicemail message by calling 855-925-2801 and entering project code 2573. WDFW will accept comments until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 16, 2023. See the news release for additional information.
- The Wolf Advisory Group (WAG) held a meeting on June 27-28. Meeting notes and associated materials are available on the Wolf Advisory group page under the Meetings tab. During this meeting, the WAG and WDFW staff had the opportunity to visit a livestock operation and public forest grazing allotment in Asotin County. The WAG also discussed range riding and wolf-ungulate interactions.
- WDFW is currently accepting limited applications for contracted range riders for the 2023 season. Applications and contract updates can be found here: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/updates/contracted-range-rider-rfq-2023-now-available
Questions about applying or need assistance with the application? Reach out to WildlifeConflict@dfw.wa.gov.
- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police continue to investigate six wolf mortalities within the Wedge pack territory in Stevens County. WDFW Police began the investigation in February 2022, and it is ongoing. Toxicology results revealed all six wolves died from ingesting poison. The investigation remains active, and the Department encourages anyone who might have relevant information to report it confidentially by calling WDFW's poaching hotline, 877-933-9847, or by texting a tip to 847411. Rewards totaling $53,900 are available for information that leads to a conviction in the case of the poisoning of Stevens County wolves.
Outreach and education
Current population status and proactive conflict mitigation
The year-end minimum population count for 2022 was at least 216 known wolves in 37 known packs including at least 26 breeding pairs. Annual wolf population surveys are conducted in the winter because wolf populations experience the least amount of natural fluctuation during this time. Counting the population at the end of each year allows for comparable year-to-year trends at a time of year when the wolf population is most stable. The year-end minimum population count for 2023 will be released in April 2024.
Reports of remote camera images or videos, wolf tracks, or sightings from the public are extremely helpful in locating previously undocumented wolf activity and potential new packs on the landscape. Please take photos of wolves or wolf sign (learn how to differentiate between wolves and coyotes; use some way to measure the size of a track) and upload them to the wolf reporting page here: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/observations
Definitions: A “pack” is defined as two or more wolves traveling together in winter, and a “breeding pair” is defined as at least one adult male and one adult female wolf that raised at least two pups that survived until December 31. In any given year, the number of packs will always be greater than or equal to the number of breeding pairs. The known territories and more information for each pack can be viewed by clicking the pack name.
Beaver Creek territory
No activity to report.
Big Muddy pack
No activity to report.
Butte Creek pack
No activity to report.
Carpenter Ridge pack
No activity to report.
Chewuch pack
WDFW staff followed up on sighting reports and scouted for wolf activity to inform potential future trapping efforts.
Chopaka pack
WDFW staff scouted for wolf activity to inform potential future trapping efforts.
Columbia pack
No activity to report.
Diobsud Creek territory
No activity to report.
Dirty Shirt pack
No activity to report.
Dominion pack
WDFW staff scouted for wolf activity to inform potential future trapping efforts.
Five Sisters pack
No activity to report.
Goodman Meadows pack
No activity to report.
Grouse Flats pack
WDFW staff checked trail cameras and monitored wolf activity.
Huckleberry pack
No activity to report.
Leadpoint pack
No activity to report.
Lookout pack
Wolf biologists set traps in this pack territory in June but did not catch any wolves.
Loup Loup pack
A collared female from the Loup Loup pack dispersed south and was killed by a vehicle while crossing I-90 west of Cle Elum.
Maverick pack
A wolf biologist spent several days searching for tracks and sign of this pack in June.
Mt. Spokane pack
WDFW staff scouted for wolf activity to inform potential future trapping efforts.
Napeequa pack
No activity to report.
Navarre pack
A wolf from the Navarre pack was found dead in June. The cause of death is under investigation.
Onion Creek pack
No activity to report.
Salmo pack
WDFW staff followed up on public sighting reports and attempted to collar a wolf in the Salmo pack territory. No wolves were captured.
Scatter pack – new documented area of wolf activity
On June 1, WDFW staff investigated an injured colt on a private ranch in Ferry County and classified the incident as a probable wolf depredation. WDFW estimated that the injuries were sustained one to two weeks before they were investigated.
WDFW staff discussed nonlethal deterrents with the livestock producer, and the producer allowed staff to deploy Fox lights. The livestock producer and ranch staff are providing daily human presence on the ranch. The livestock producer is working with the Northeast Washington Wolf Cattle Collaborative (NEWWCC) to maintain range riding on the ranch. The producer signed a cost-share contract with WDFW to help fund other non-lethal deterrents.
WDFW has documented four depredation events resulting in three dead and one injured livestock since April 8, 2023 attributed to the Scatter pack. No depredation incidents have been reported or investigated since June 1. WDFW is working with the livestock producer to help protect their livestock and staff are monitoring wolf activity in the area to understand the movements and composition of this new pack.
Shady Pass pack
No activity to report.
Sherman pack
WDFW staff scouted for wolf activity to inform potential future trapping efforts.
Smackout pack
No activity to report.
Sprague Lake territory
No activity to report.
Stranger pack
WDFW staff followed up on public sighting reports and monitored wolf activity within the Stranger pack territory.
Sullivan Creek pack
On June 26, WDFW conducted a depredation investigation within the Sullivan Creek pack territory. The injured calf was discovered while moving livestock to the next pasture. The locations of the calf’s injuries are consistent with where canids bite. The livestock producer moved the injured calf to an area outside the pack territory. The calf was mobile and could not be closely examined where additional data may have been collected. Injuries could have been caused by either wolves or coyotes. Radio collar locations show the wolves using the area. The event was classified as a probable wolf-caused injury.
Daily range riding had been occurring since livestock were moving to a different pasture. Previously in May, the producer had also held back from putting livestock into a public land pasture until July due to a rendezvous site in that pasture.
Teanaway territory
A wolf biologist spent time searching for tracks and sign in this pack territory and checking cameras.
Togo pack
On June 1, WDFW staff investigated a dead calf. WDFW staff determined that the calf died from a non-depredation related mortality. Prior to the incident, four Fox lights were deployed in the pasture where the dead calf was found. WDFW staff provided range riders with updates on wolf activity and collar data.
On June 27, WDFW staff investigated a dead calf. Due to the severity of the injuries sustained, the producer euthanized the calf when WDFW staff arrived. Following a thorough investigation, WDFW staff concluded that the calf sustained injuries from a confirmed wolf depredation. WDFW staff provided the range riders and producer with updates on wolf activity and collar data.
Touchet pack
WDFW staff conducted a trapping effort in this pack territory. No wolves were captured.
Tucannon pack
WDFW staff scouted for wolf activity to inform potential future trapping efforts.
Vulcan pack
No activity to report.
Wedge pack
WDFW staff followed up on sighting reports and scouted for wolf activity to inform potential future trapping efforts.
Miscellaneous/lone wolves
- WA139 group/Asotin County wolf activity: On June 20, WDFW staff investigated a dead heifer. The investigation revealed evidence on the carcass consistent with a confirmed wolf depredation. Wolf tracks and scat were found at the scene, and the collared wolf in this group was at the depredation location consistent with the time of the incident. WDFW wildlife conflict specialists continued to have check-ins with the Asotin County Cattleman’s Association President and multiple livestock producers in this area of wolf activity. WDFW staff will continue to work with livestock producers in this area and monitor the WA139 group.
- Note: The Frosty, Nason, Nc’icn, Keller Ridge, Strawberry, Whitestone, and Wilmont pack territories are within Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (CTCR) lands and are managed under tribal authority. Information regarding these packs is proprietary and reported at the discretion of the CTCR.
Mortalities
- WDFW staff found a dead canine in May and submitted a sample to determine whether the unknown canine was a domestic dog or a wolf. DNA analysis showed the animal was a wolf.
- As reported above, a collared female from the Loup Loup pack dispersed south and was killed by a vehicle while crossing I-90 west of Cle Elum.
- As reported above, a wolf from the Navarre pack was found dead in June. The cause of death is under investigation.
- As of June, WDFW has documented five wolf mortalities in 2023.
Depredation activity
In 2022, 81% of known wolf packs were not involved in any documented livestock depredation.
WDFW documented four wolf depredation events in June, higher than the average (2) from 2018-2022.
Please report any suspected livestock depredations or the death or harassment of wolves to the WDFW Enforcement Hotline at 1-877-933-9847.
Below is a summary of packs with documented depredation activity within the past ten months (some packs have depredation history prior to the current ten-month window; this timeframe is considered based on guidance from the wolf-livestock interaction protocol (PDF)).
|
Pack |
Depredation date |
Depredation type |
Proactive non-lethals |
Ten-month window |
Agency lethal removal actions |
|
Grouse Flats |
8/12/22 |
Confirmed mortality of steer |
Yes |
6/12/23 |
|
|
|
8/30/22 |
Confirmed mortality of steer |
Yes |
6/30/23 |
|
|
Leadpoint |
8/22/22 |
Confirmed mortality of calf |
Yes |
6/22/23 |
|
|
|
9/1/22 |
Confirmed mortality of calf |
Yes |
7/1/23 |
|
|
|
9/16/22 |
Confirmed mortality of cow |
Yes |
7/16/23 |
|
|
|
9/19/22 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
7/19/23 |
|
|
|
9/19/22 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
7/19/23 |
Adult male removed 9/27/22; adult female removed 9/28/22 |
|
|
9/30/22 |
Confirmed injury of cow and calf (calf died from injuries) |
Yes |
7/30/23 |
|
|
|
10/7/22 |
Confirmed mortality of cow |
No |
8/7/23 |
|
|
Onion Creek |
2/1/23 |
Confirmed mortality of calf |
Yes |
12/1/23 |
|
|
|
4/17/23 |
Confirmed mortality of calf |
Yes |
2/17/24 |
|
|
|
5/12/23 |
Probable injury of dog |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
Smackout |
8/17/22 |
Confirmed mortality of calf |
Yes |
6/17/23 |
|
|
|
8/20/22 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
6/20/23 |
|
|
|
8/27/22 |
Probable injury of calf |
Yes |
6/27/23 |
|
|
|
8/28/22 |
Confirmed mortality of calf |
Yes |
6/28/23 |
|
|
|
8/31/22 |
Confirmed mortality of two calves |
Yes |
6/30/23 |
Juvenile male lethally removed 9/8/22 |
|
|
9/26/22 |
Probable mortality of calf |
Yes |
7/26/23 |
|
|
|
10/3/22 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
8/3/23 |
|
|
|
10/6/22 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
8/6/23 |
|
|
|
10/8/22 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
8/8/23 |
Yearling female removed 10/10/22 |
|
|
10/12/22 |
Confirmed mortality of calf |
Yes |
8/12/23 |
|
|
Scatter |
4/8/23 |
Probable injury of alpaca (later died from injuries) |
No |
2/8/24 |
|
|
|
4/8/23 |
Confirmed mortality of one miniature donkey and confirmed injury of second miniature donkey (later killed in event on 5/17) |
No |
2/8/24 |
|
|
|
5/17/23 |
Confirmed mortality of miniature donkey |
Yes |
3/17/24 |
|
|
|
6/1/23 |
Probable injury of colt |
Yes |
4/1/24 |
|
|
Sullivan Creek |
6/26/23 |
Probable injury of calf |
Yes |
4/26/24 |
|
|
Togo |
6/27/23 |
Confirmed mortality of calf (euthanized due to injuries) |
Yes |
4/27/24 |
|
|
WA139 group |
5/21/23 |
Confirmed mortality of two calves and probable mortality of one calf |
Yes |
3/21/24 |
|
|
|
6/20/23 |
Confirmed mortality of heifer |
Yes |
4/20/24 |
|
|
Unknown wolf/wolves (south Cheney area, Spokane County) |
5/26/23 |
Confirmed mortality of calf |
Yes |
3/26/24 |
|