17-05-2025
In rural California, gray wolves are a growing threat demanding attention
The return of gray wolves to rural California may be viewed by some as an ecological milestone, but for families in these regions, it has ushered in a troubling new reality: the erosion of a basic sense of safety.
Parents who once let their children roam freely on family ranches are now keeping them close, concerned about the growing presence of wolves. Everyday routines, like walking to the school bus stop or playing outside, are being reevaluated as safety concerns take priority.
Opinion
These concerns are grounded in fact: California is now home to seven confirmed gray wolf packs spread across Plumas, Lassen, Shasta, Tehama, Siskiyou and Tulare counties, with additional groups in Modoc and Sierra counties and individual wolves dispersing from these packs or nearby states. As the population grows, reports of livestock attacks have increased, with some wolves killing cattle without consuming them — signs of territorial behavior rather than hunger.
According to the most recent data available, in less than six months — from last October to March 16 — 32 confirmed livestock kills have been reported. While the economic toll is significant, the emotional strain on ranching families is deeper, driven by a growing sense of helplessness as wolves have been recorded approaching homes and attacking livestock in daylight. Though no human attacks have occurred, residents worry it's only a matter of time.
California law offers little protection to our communities. Under the California Endangered Species Act, wolves cannot be lethally removed unless there is an immediate threat to human life, leaving local officials unable to respond to escalating risk.
'We can't protect our community or their livestock,' said Modoc County Sheriff Tex Dowdy. 'Our hands are tied by state law.'
Rural sheriffs currently lack the authority to act, even when wolves exhibit bold or habituated behavior. Unlike mountain lions, which may be removed if deemed an imminent threat, no such authority exists for managing wolves in California, despite their growing impact on rural life.
With Modoc, Plumas and Sierra counties declaring local emergencies due to gray wolves, the need for a responsive framework is urgent. Local authorities must be empowered to act with clear legal tools to address dangerous or habituated behavior before a preventable tragedy occurs.
Simultaneously, the state should fund non-lethal mitigation strategies like specialized fencing, range riders and advanced livestock protection systems to ease the financial burden on ranchers while reducing conflict. Education and training programs will help communities co-habitate with wolves, protecting families and property without resorting to lethal force.
Other Western states have taken more pragmatic paths. In Idaho and Montana, gray wolf populations have continued to grow alongside comprehensive strategies that blend conservation and community protection. These states have embraced tools that help ranchers prevent conflict without defaulting to lethal force, while also allowing local authorities to act swiftly when wolves display aggressive or habituated behavior. California must follow suit, adopting a more grounded, responsive approach that reflects the lived realities of rural residents who are being asked to coexist without adequate support or protection.
The return of the gray wolf should not redefine rural life through fear or loss. California must adopt a balanced, practical approach to wolf management that protects ecosystems and rural communities. This includes empowering local authorities to address dangerous behavior, investing in non-lethal deterrents like fencing and range riders, supporting education and training for safe coexistence, and implementing a statewide conflict mitigation plan for consistent, science-based responses.
With these tools, California can restore the gray wolf while safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of those who call rural California home.
Modoc County Supervisor Geri Byrne represents District 5 and chairs the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC). Sierra County Supervisor Lee Adams represents District 1 and is an RCRC delegate.
