Livestock & Natural Resources Information Center - Plumas, Sierra & Butte Counties

Ranching with Wolves

Ranching with Predators Fact Sheet

This document created by Tracy Schohr with UC Cooperative Extension provides an overview of the legal status of predators in the region. It also includes guidance on how to preserve evidence of a depredation event for investigation, along with local contact information to assist in completing a depredation report. To be eligible for compensation funds that may be available through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, a formal investigation must be conducted by either USDA Wildlife Services or the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Predator Deterrence Ranch Plans 

This form was developed in the summer of 2025 to assist producers in identifying strategies to reduce predation risk. With a growing wolf population in the region, risks remain. These individualized plans are tailored to each operation and are intended to be maintained on-site and adapted over time as conditions change.

If you are interested in working with UC Cooperative Extension to develop a plan for your ranch, please contact Tracy Schohr at tkschohr@ucanr.edu or 916-716-2643.

 

Beyem Seyo Wolf Pack 

Early in 2025, the Beyem Seyo wolf pack began routinely preying upon domestic livestock in Sierra Valley (Plumas and Sierra County). In response to significant impacts on livestock operations and emerging threats to rural health and safety, local leaders mobilized a coordinated and targeted community-based response. By mid-summer, the Beyem Seyo pack had become habituated to livestock as its primary food source and was frequently observed during daylight hours in proximity to residences.

Despite heroic efforts by ranchers to protect their livestock and assistance by state and federal agency to deter wolf depredation, livestock predation continued escalating. Ultimately, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), made an unpreceded decision to euthanizing the pack (3 adults) and relocate pups (4 pups, one was shot during operations).

Map with pins indicating 92 death of livestock by wolves in Sierra Valley during 2025.