Since the beginning of April, six wolf depredations of cattle have been confirmed in north central Colorado, five in Grand County and one in Jackson County.
Letters were sent from the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association, North Park Stockgrowers Association, and the Larimer County Stock Growers to the office of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and to Gov. Jared Polis showing support for affected ranchers and urging the state to provide lethal removal of depredating wolves.
The letters stated ranchers have been using non-lethal methods to deter the wolf depredation including fox lights, maintaining a presence throughout the night, implementing carcass management strategies, hazing, guardian animals and utilizing cracker shells.
The Middlepark Stockgrowers’ letter stated, “We urge CPW and USFWS to collaborate on a plan for the responsible removal of these specific wolves, adhering to Colorado’s wolf management plan and federal guidelines.”
That request was not approved by CPW Director Jeff Davis who denied removing any wolves at this time citing that the likely wolf in the incidents is part of a pair currently thought to be in breeding season.
Within the letters and the response, all parties share they want to work together to make sure wolves are properly managed.
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will be considering whether it is advisable to modify the plan to quantitatively define chronic depredation, and if so what that definition should be, at the Commission meetings this summer, added Davis.
Read more:
First Calf Killed By Wolves Since Colorado Reintroduction
