Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind today, May 22, agreed with a district and regional staff recommendation to move into an evaluation period rather than pursue lethal removal of a wolf or wolves from the Sherman wolf pack in Ferry County. This decision stemmed from a series of depredations that left one calf dead, three calves injured, and one wolf dead.
On May 15, 2025, WDFW staff and the Stevens and Ferry County wildlife specialist responded to a report of multiple depredations on calves from a single livestock producer. While waiting for a team to arrive to investigate the depredations, the producer shot and killed an adult male wolf that was reportedly chasing additional cows, along with another wolf. WDFW Enforcement officers are investigating the wolf mortality incident, per WDFW protocol. In areas of Washington where wolves are not listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, WAC 220-440-080 states the owner of domestic animals (or an immediate family member, agent, or employee) may kill one gray wolf without a permit if the wolf is attacking domestic animals.
Initially staff believed the wolves involved in the depredations may have been dispersing from the Sherman pack and were unsure if these depredations were necessarily associated with that pack. Subsequent data and monitoring revealed that these wolves were not dispersing and were members of the Sherman Pack.
WDFW staff discussed the likelihood of continuing depredations, how to most effectively address the situation, and the use of non-lethal measures by the producer in this incident, which include:
- Human presence by the producer, family members, and ranch hands
- Calving away from wolf high-use areas
- Removing sick and injured livestock from the range
- Livestock carcass sanitation
Efforts are currently underway to deploy range riders to assist in monitoring livestock on this pasture. In the meantime, per WDFW staff recommendation and with support from WDFW’s Director, an evaluation period is underway to monitor the pack’s behavior after the wolf mortality.
Previous Sherman pack updates: