CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY

April 7, 2025

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CDFW Announces Transition to Phase 2 of Wolf Management Plan
On Wednesday the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that “California is now in ‘Phase 2’ of wolf management.” According to the 2016 Conservation Plan for Gray Wolves in California, Phase 2 of wolf management is to begin once CDFW confirms four breeding pairs in the state for two successive years. CDFW has reported that there was a minimum of four breeding pairs in the state at the end of 2023 and a minimum of five breeding pairs at the end of last year, triggering the transition into the new management phase.

According to CDFW, the agency intends to take several management actions during Phase 2, including:

• Initiating a status review of gray wolves, which will include opportunity for public input;
• Evaluating legal pathways under the California Endangered Species Act and the federal ESA to potentially issue permits for more aggressive ‘less-than-lethal’ hazing of wolves, such as “firearms discharging nonlethal ammunitions or the use of motorized equipment to follow or pursue a wolf to modify wolf activity or presence near livestock”; and
• Releasing an online tool to provide location information for GPS-collared wolves.

Under the Department’s Conservation Plan for Gray Wolves, Phase 3 management will begin once the state confirms a minimum of eight breeding pairs for two successive years. The earliest Phase 3 could be triggered would be January 1, 2027, if at least three successful breeding pairs are confirmed by December 31 of this year and sustained throughout 2026. During Phase 3, CDFW anticipates conducting “a status review of the species to evaluate whether state listing as endangered remains warranted” or whether wolf populations are so abundance that “they may be delisted.”

CCA will continue actively lobbying CDFW to effectively manage California’s growing gray wolf population. For more information regarding the various phases of gray wolf management in California, see Appendix G of Part II of the 2016 Conservation Plan for Gray Wolves in California.

CDFW Releases Wolf Depredation Investigation Reports for Early March
On Tuesday, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that it has released seven new wolf depredation investigation reports covering the period between March 7 and March 16 (the agency released depredation reports from earlier in the year less than two weeks prior).

The reports confirm three depredations by the Diamond Pack in southern Plumas County in a little more than a week, a confirmed kill and a probable depredation by the Harvey Pack in western Lassen County over a two-day period and a probable depredation by Siskiyou County’s Whaleback Pack.

Through just March 16, fifteen livestock animals have been confirmed as killed or injured by wolves in 2025, with another four instances deemed probable wolf attacks.

CCA will continue to keep members apprised of developments regarding gray wolves.

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CCA in the News

California announces plans to relax protections for wolves as population grows East Bay Times “‘I know a rancher in Siskiyou County who has lost 12 livestock to one pack,’ said Kirk Wilbur, vice president of the California Cattlemen’s Association. ‘We’re not anti-wolf. We are pro-livestock and want to be able to protect them. If wolves are not chronically killing livestock, leave them alone. But where they are devastating herds, we would like some management discretion.’” To continue reading, click here.

Industry News

NCBA Statement on White House Reciprocal Tariff Announcement National Cattlemen’s Beef Association “Today, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued a statement after attending President Donald J. Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement at the White House: ‘For too long, America’s family farmers and ranchers have been mistreated by certain trading partners around the world. President Trump is taking action to address numerous trade barriers that prevent consumers overseas from enjoying high-quality, wholesome American beef. NCBA will continue engaging with the White House to ensure fair treatment for America’s cattle producers around the world and optimize opportunities for exports abroad.’” To continue reading, click here.

Producers Urge Congress for Grazing Policy to Help Prevent Wildfires Drovers “‘I feel like no matter any time in the year, no matter which year we’re talking about, there’s always going to be an anniversary of a big fire in the West,’ Glover says. ‘The fire in Texas was absolutely devastating, and we’ve seen fires since then in California and Idaho and Washington and in these western states, and even in these Midwestern states, where you have a lot of grazing, you have a lot of forage build up, these grasses that dry out, especially if it’s dry later in the year. Grazing really is the best tool to be able to remove that risk from the landscape.’” To continue reading, click here.

California gray wolves cause declaration of state of emergency for Sierra County Fox 40 “A state of emergency was declared for Sierra County Tuesday after officials confirmed the presence of California gray wolves within county boundaries, according to the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office.” To continue reading, click here.

 Beef industry applauds Trump admin’s reciprocal tariffs Fox and Friends “National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane joins ‘Fox & Friends’ to discuss how the latest round of reciprocal tariffs may impact the U.S. beef industry.” To view the clip, click here.