This report provides information about wolf conservation and management activities undertaken by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) from November 1-30, 2018.
Statewide Wolf Capture, Survey, and Management
Kittitas County
Permit grazing for cattle and sheep has ended for the season in the Teanaway pack’s known territory.
- No wolf/livestock incidents were reported or suspected in November.
- A Radio-Activated-Guard (RAG) box has been placed at a location on the eastern edge of the pack’s territory as a precaution to protect cattle on private land.
Region 2 – Okanogan County only
- Range riders have completed their work for this grazing season.
- No wolf/livestock incidents were reported or suspected during November.
Other areas
WDFW biologists placed remote cameras and surveyed for wolf tracks in the Grouse Flats, Tucannon, and Touchet pack territories to determine the number of individual wolves in each of those packs. They also scouted areas near Stampede Pass following up on reports from the public in that area.
REMINDER: Any reports of remote camera images or videos, wolf tracks, or sightings from the public are extremely helpful to assist in locating new wolf activity and potential new packs on the landscape. Please take photos of wolves or wolf sign (use some way to measure the size of a track) and upload them to the wolf reporting page found at the following link: https://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/reporting/.
Proactive Deterrence Measures
WDFW biologists responded to wolf activity and depredations in the Smackout and Old Profanity Territory (OPT) areas this past month. They worked with other local WDFW staff members and the livestock producers to help protect livestock in these areas. Further updates can be found at the following links:
- Smackout: https://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/packs/9/
- Togo: https://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/packs/27/
- Old Profanity Peak: https://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/packs/7/
Administration
The Carnivore Section hired Wolf Biologist Gabe Spence to assist with field operations, including winter captures, winter track surveys, and spring/summer trapping efforts to capture, collar, and monitor wolves.
WDFW filed a CR101 (WSR 18-20-084) on October 1, 2018 to initiate the process for a periodic status review of gray wolf. The department will review all relevant data pertaining to the population status and factors affecting existence in Washington for gray wolf. Based on the information collected and reviewed, the department will make recommendations to maintain the species current listing status as endangered or reclassify species to sensitive, threatened, or other status. The public comment period will be announced at a later date. WDFW will provide updates here and under the Rules Information Center page of the WFDW website.