Wolf Management Update
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
July - September 2022
Field Work
Lassen pack
There were a minimum of two adults (LAS09F and LAS16M) and five yearlings and five pups. LAS09F’s collar
ceased functioning on August 19, and there are no other functioning collars in the pack.
The pack continued utilizing summer range differently this year, perhaps due to local deer distribution changes
resulting from the Dixie Fire.
Collaring operations were conducted for a 60-day period ranging from June 24 to August 23, and over a 70 mi2area. A pup (LAS35M) was captured but too small to collar. Otherwise, efforts were unsuccessful, due to wolves
demonstrating trap savviness and pups being moved 15 times over a large area (e.g., 15 linear miles between
the furthest sites). Local pack movement changed each time the pups were moved.
There were no confirmed depredations during the quarter.
Whaleback pack
There were a minimum of two adults (breeding wolves OR85 and WHA01F), five yearlings, and eight pups, withone functioning VHF collar (OR85). The satellite/GPS component of OR85’s collar was no longer functioning asof June 14. The pack is utilizing its home range similar to last year.
Collaring operations were conducted over two periods for 10 days in September but were unsuccessful.
There were four confirmed depredations during the quarter.
Beckwourth pack
Surveys so far have yielded a detection of a minimum of two to three wolves, with some smaller tracks indicating
possible pup. The new area of detection is far from where the Beckwourth pack was detected last year, andtherefore it is not yet known if the wolves are from the Beckwourth pack or a new pack. DNA from a scat identified
one wolf as LAS19M (from the Lassen 2020 litter) in the new area of detection. Last year, LAS12F (Lassen 2019litter) was detected in the original area of detection.
Dispersing wolves
There have been no new dispersing wolves detected during this period.
Because we have regularly detected dispersing wolves in California since December 2011, it is likely that a small
number of uncollared dispersers exist in the state at any moment in time.
More information about these and other wolves can be found on CDFW’s gray wolf web page in a document
called “California’s Known Wolves – Past and Present”.
CDFW continues to receive and investigate reports of wolf presence from many parts of California. Public reports
are an important tool for the Department. Please report wolves or wolf sign on the CDFW Gray Wolf webpage:www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Gray-Wolf/Sighting-Report.
SURVEY FOR PRESENCE
There are no other suspected wolf pair or packs.

Wolf Management Update
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
July - September 2022
Livestock Interactions
Depredation investigations
DateDetermination

Type

Wolf/Pack Area

CountyInvestigators

7/1/22
7/17/22
7/31/22
8/3/22
8/11/22
8/24/22
9/3/22
9/5/22

1 calf
1 cow
1 calf
1 cow
1 cow
1 calf
1 yearling
1 cow

LassenLassenLassenLassenLassenBeckwourth
Whaleback
WhalebackPlumasPlumasPlumas
LassenLassenPlumasSiskiyou
Siskiyou

CDFW
CDFW
CDFW
CDFW
CDFW
WS and CDFW
CDFW
CDFW

Non-Depredation
Non-Depredation
Unknown
Non-Depredation
Non-Depredation
Non-Depredation
Confirmed
Non-Depredation

Individual determination reports are available at www.wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/mammals/gray-wolf

Communication
CDFW biologists have been in regular communication and coordination with livestock producers, USDA Wildlife
Services, county agriculture departments, private timberland managers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, CDFW wardens,
U.S. Forest Service, and conservation organizations,
Extensive communication also occurs in counties with new dispersing wolves. This includes the county Boardsof Supervisors, agricultural commissioners, farm services advisors, local Cattlemen’s, and Farm Bureau boards.
Stakeholder Engagement events:• July 7 – update with Working Circle – Conference• September 15 – Lassen County Fish and Game Commission wolf update – Westwood, CA• September 20 – Siskiyou County Fish and Game Commission wolf update – Mount Shasta, CA