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PostTue Sep 25, 2018 8:15 pm 
Tuesday September 25, 2018 15:04 PDT WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM Gray Wolf Update Two new updates on wolf activities are available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website HERE
WDFW, in its Wolf Update of 09/25/18 wrote:
As previously reported, WDFW has documented seven wolf depredations on livestock by the Togo pack since November 2017. The latest depredation was 18 days ago on Sept. 7, 2018. When the WDFW field staff confirmed the latest depredation, the department was monitoring the pack’s behavior after lethally removing one adult male wolf on Sept. 2, 2018. In the current situation, there is no clear path for removing the remaining adult female in the pack to address the repeated depredations without the risk of orphaning the pups. The Wolf Plan and 2017 Protocol describe an incremental approach with periods of removal followed by periods of evaluation to determine if the action changed the pack behavior to reduce the chances of recurrent depredations. The department is in the evaluation period, and will continue to work with the producer to implement non-lethal deterrents. The department also has initiated a trapping effort in the area to attempt to capture, radio-collar, and release a pup. The livestock producer involved has continued to employ non-lethal deterrence measures described in the Sept. 13 and Aug. 20 updates. WDFW previously provided updates on the Togo pack on the following dates: 2018 Updates •May 24 •Aug. 2, 11, 13, 20, 22, 24, 28, 31 •Sept. 13 2017 Updates •Nov. 9, 15 Packs Referenced: Togo Last Updated: Sep. 25, 2018 3:00 PM
-WDFW-

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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PostSun Sep 30, 2018 12:32 am 
Friday September 28, 2018 16:35 PDT WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM Gray Wolf Update A new update on wolf activities is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website HERE
WDFW, in its Wolf Update of 09/28/18 wrote:
On Sept. 28, a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) marksman shot and killed an adult female member of a wolf pack that has repeatedly preyed on cattle while occupying the Old Profanity Territory (OPT) in the Kettle River Range of Ferry County. The wolf was one of two pack members spotted that day by a WDFW helicopter crew. The adult wolf is believed to be the breeding female. WDFW previously removed a juvenile wolf from the OPT pack on Sept. 16. WDFW Director Kelly Susewind authorized “incremental” removal of wolves from the OPT pack Sept. 12 after confirming that one or more pack members killed one calf and injured five others from Sept. 4-7 on a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) grazing allotment. One day after the first wolf was removed, WDFW confirmed that an adult cow had been killed a few days earlier by wolves in the same general area. Then, on Sept. 21, WDFW confirmed five additional livestock depredations (that likely occurred 5-7 days earlier) by the OPT pack, bringing the total to 12 wolf depredations. The five most recent depredations were confirmed injuries to calves. The remaining wolves in the OPT pack appear to be an adult male and one juvenile, although the juvenile was not seen during the removal operation this week. The livestock producer who owns the affected livestock continues to use contracted range riders to monitor his herd, is removing or securing livestock carcasses to avoid attracting wolves to the rest of the herd, is using foxlights at salting locations in high wolf use areas, and is removing sick and injured livestock from the grazing area until they are healed. The majority of the producer’s livestock will be moved off federal grazing allotments to adjacent private grazing lands by mid-October. Evaluation period WDFW’s approach to incremental removal consists of a period of active operations followed by an evaluation period to determine if those actions changed the pack’s behavior. The department has now entered an evaluation period. If WDFW documents another livestock depredation and confirms that it likely occurred after today’s action, the department may initiate another lethal removal action following the guidelines of the Wolf Plan and 2017 Protocol. Previous updates WDFW previously provided information on the wolves from the OPT on the following dates: 2018 Updates Sept 7, 11, 12, 14, 18, 25. Last Updated: Sep. 28, 2018 4:29 PM
-WDFW-

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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PostMon Oct 01, 2018 6:45 pm 
Monday October 1, 2018 14:40 PDT WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM Gray Wolf Update A new update on wolf activities is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website HERE
WDFW, in its Wolf Update of 10/01/18 wrote:
This report provides information about wolf conservation and management activities undertaken by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) from Sept. 1-30, 2018. Statewide Wolf Capture, Survey, and Management Surveys Wolf biologists spent time trapping in the Togo pack territory and scouting in the Wedge and Old Profanity Peak territories. They also scouted areas in the North Central part of the state, searching for wolf sign in areas where no wolf packs have yet been confirmed. Wolf biologists also followed up on some reports in the central portion of the state, where they located some potential wolf sign in the Nanuem area north of Ellensburg. They will continue scouting in this area. Proactive Deterrence Measures Contracted range riders coordinated with additional livestock producers as the packs became more mobile this month. Range riders monitored livestock within the Loup Loup and Beaver Creek pack territories based on wolf sightings reports. Sanitation (removal of dead livestock) has been occurring on an as-needed basis. Kittitas County Permit grazing for cattle is active in the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Teanaway Community Forest in the Teanaway pack’s known territory. •Sanitation measures have been undertaken in the pack territory during September. •Range riders, producers, and WDFW are present throughout the pack territory on a daily basis monitoring livestock behavior. No sick, injured, or missing livestock animals were observed or suspected in the pack’s territory. •Wolf movements this month have been recorded by collar data and remote cameras. •Sheep were removed from the Teanaway pack’s known territory in late August. •No wolf/livestock incidents were reported or suspected in September. District 3 (Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, and Walla Walla counties) Following an increase in wolf activity and two confirmed wolf depredations on livestock in the Grouse Flats area in the months of August and September, the producer and cooperators have increased the frequency of deterrence measures (range riders, human presence, and the deployment of fox lights) on the landscape across District 3. Along with the increased effort by the producer and their range riders, two wildlife conflict specialists have been monitoring private pastures and federal allotments. Both wildlife conflict specialists, along with other WDFW personnel, have received multiple reports of wolves, wolf tracks, and scat observed across the district. Wildlife conflict staff members continue to work closely with producers and the United States Forest Service (USFS) range mangers to prevent any further wolf/livestock conflict. No conflicts or depredations have been reported since the confirmed depredation of a 600-pound calf in the Grouse Flats area on Sept. 1. Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties District wildlife conflict staff members continued to meet and coordinate with livestock producers, USFS, and local sheriff office personnel in northeastern Washington. This coordination will continue throughout the grazing season. Information on Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreements for Livestock, WDFW Contracted Range Rider deployment, and wolf high use areas were shared, along with depredation investigations. Range rider efforts on some grazing allotments are ending for the season as cattle are being removed from the landscape. Cattle are removed for a variety of reasons, including wolf activity, decrease in forage, seasonal temperatures, or end of grazing season dates as agreed to by USFS. A variety of nonlethal deterrents continued to be deployed in: •Goodman Meadows (e.g., WDFW presence and human presences). •Huckleberry (e.g., range riding, fox lights). •Leadpoint (e.g., human presence and fox lights). •OPT (e.g., range riding, removal of injured livestock, fladry, fox lights) •Smackout (e.g., fox lights, fladry, air horns, pyrotechnics, range riding, and a RAG box. •Stranger (e.g., range riding, human presence, sanitation, continual improvements on calving locations, and fox lights) •Togo (e.g., range riding and removal/treatment of sick/injured). WDFW has also been spending time on allotments assisting range riders in coverage. Direct hazing of wolves occurred in Togo this month. In addition, WDFW has been coordinating with both Ferry and Stevens counties on responses to depredation investigations by a legislator funded special deputy. Depredation investigations Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties This is a partial list of depredation investigations conducted in District 1. •Aug. 10 – WDFW investigated a report of an injured calf in Ferry County that was determined to be a Confirmed Wolf Depredation. This depredation was associated with the Togo pack. •Aug. 12 – WDFW investigated a report of a dead sheep in Stevens County that was determined to be a Confirmed Non-Wolf Depredation involving coyotes. •Aug. 14 – WDFW investigated a report of a calf carcass in Stevens County that was determined to be a Confirmed Non-Wolf Depredation involving coyotes. •Aug. 14 – WDFW investigated a report of a calf carcass in Stevens County that was determined to be an Unconfirmed Cause of Death due to the age of the carcass (more than 10 days old). •August 15 – WDFW investigated a report of two dead sheep in Stevens County that was determined to be a Confirmed Non-Wolf Depredation involving a cougar. •August 18 – WDFW investigated a report of an injured calf in Ferry County that was determined to be a Confirmed Wolf Depredation. This depredation was associated with the Togo pack. •August 19 – WDFW investigated a report of a calf carcass in Ferry County that was determined to be an Unconfirmed Cause of Death. •August 20 – WDFW investigated a report of an injured calf in Stevens County that was determined to be a Confirmed Wolf Depredation. This depredation was associated with the Smackout pack. •August 21 – WDFW investigated a report of a calf carcass in Ferry County that was determined to be an Unconfirmed Cause of Death. •August 24 – WDFW investigated a report of a cow carcass in Stevens County that was determined to be an Unconfirmed Cause of Death. •August 26 – WDFW investigated a report of a calf carcass in Ferry County that was determined to be an Unconfirmed Cause of Death. •August 26 – WDFW investigated a report of a calf carcass in Ferry County that was determined to be an Unconfirmed Cause of Death. •August 27 – WDFW investigated a report of one dead sheep in Stevens County that was determined to be a Confirmed Non-Wolf Depredation involving a cougar. •August 29 – WDFW investigated a report of one dead sheep in Stevens County that was determined to be a Confirmed Non-Wolf Depredation involving a cougar. •August 29 – WDFW investigated a report of a dead goat in Stevens County that was determined to be a Confirmed Non-Wolf Depredation involving a cougar. •September 5 – WDFW investigated a report of two injured calves and one calf morality in Ferry County. Wolves were involved in all three depredations. These depredations were associated with the OPT pack. •September 7 – WDFW investigated a report of a calf injured in Ferry County that was determined to be a Confirmed Wolf Depredation. This depredation was associated with the OPT pack. •September 7 – WDFW investigated a second report of an injured calf in Ferry County that was determined to be a Confirmed Wolf Depredation. This depredation was associated with the Togo pack. •September 11 – WDFW investigated a report of a calf injured in Ferry County that was determined to be a Confirmed Wolf Depredation. This depredation was associated with the OPT pack. •September 17 – WDFW investigated a report of a cow mortality in Ferry County that was determined to be a Confirmed Wolf Depredation. This depredation was associated with the OPT pack. •September 21 – WDFW investigated a report of five injured calves in Ferry County that was determined to be Confirmed Wolf Depredations. This depredations was associated with the OPT pack. •September 21 – WDFW investigated a report of another injured calf in Ferry County that was determined to be a Non-Depredation. •September 26 – WDFW investigated a report of two sheep mortalities in Stevens County that were determined to be Non-Wolf Depredations involving coyotes. •September 28 – WDFW investigated a report of a possible colt depredation in Stevens County that was determined to be a Non-Depredation. Packs Referenced: Smackout, Togo Last Updated: Oct. 1, 2018 2:36 PM

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PostFri Oct 05, 2018 5:30 pm 
Friday October 5, 2018 15:34 PDT WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM Gray Wolf Update Two new updates on wolf activities are available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website HERE
WDFW, in its Wolf Update of 10/05/18 wrote:
The department is continuing to evaluate whether removing one wolf from the Togo pack Sept. 2 has changed the remaining wolves’ behavior and reduced the potential for recurrent wolf depredations on livestock. The latest depredation was 28 days ago on Sept. 7, 2018. If WDFW documents additional wolf depredations on livestock, the department may initiate another lethal removal action following the guidelines of the Wolf Plan and 2017 Protocol. The livestock producer involved has continued to employ non-lethal deterrence measures described in the Sept. 13 and Aug. 20 updates. For more information, please see updates on the Togo pack on: 2018 updates •May 24 •Aug. 2, 11, 13, 20, 22, 24, 28, 31 •Sept. 13, 25 2017 updates •Nov. 9, 15 Packs Referenced: Togo Last Updated: Oct. 5, 2018 3:30 PM
-WDFW-

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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treeswarper
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PostWed Oct 10, 2018 6:50 pm 
The Chronicle had about a whole page dedicated to a story on the wolves in Ferry County. The sheriff says he spends all of his time dealing with wolf problems. There is a gory picture of a large calf with it's tail gone, and a large chunk out of the upper back leg, and chunks out of it's butt area. The calf was euthanized later. Most of the article was about the troubles that wolves are causing. Apparently some ranchers have given up and no longer have range allotments. The sheriff? suggests shipping the wolves to the Olympic peninsula. Not a bad idea. Maybe they can eat some of the goats.

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PostWed Oct 10, 2018 9:34 pm 
They'd be more likely to target the elk. When they drew up the Washington State Wolf Management Plan they hoped that the wolves coming in would end up both on the Olympic Peninsula and down near St. Helens - both areas with huge populations of elk. Unfortunately they're all still over on the east side raising hell with cows. dizzy.gif It would be interesting to see the numbers crunched on what it's actually costing the County Sheriff's office over there to deal with this fiasco. I'd bet dollars to donuts the dollar estimates from WDFW and USFWS don't include that. Got a link for that article?
treeswarper wrote:
"...some ranchers have given up and no longer have range allotments..."
No doubt Gifford Pinchot and Theodore Roosevelt are rolling over in their graves. May as well have parceled out the real estate under the Homestead Act.

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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PostThu Oct 11, 2018 6:55 am 
No link. Gotta have a subscription. I read it in an old fashioned "paper" that comes in my mailbox. It is a very long article with lots of venting from ranchers and the sheriff and a little bit of input from the wolf people. The WDFW is saying that range riders cost ranchers $20,000 per season, but that is the only cost mentioned. No other costs are mentioned. I was unaware that there were elk in Ferry County, but apparently there were. A major part of the article quotes Joel Kretz who is running for office and is the incumbent in the state legislature. He claims there are no more elk or moose except for those that hang out in town. (There was a moose that wandered through my neighborhood in Omak last week). Somehow, I think he may be exaggerating a bit on that statement. Here is a quote that Puget Sounders should think about. "These wolves are eating up all my spare time. When anything threatens someone's personal livelihood, it's very personal to them."--Sheriff Maycomber. Another: "The wolves will chew the cow down into pieces the size of a 50 cent piece. If you find a cow skeleton and it looks like it was killed by a wolf, but there are cat tracks in the area, it won't be confirmed as a wolf killing."--Sheriff Maycomber.

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PostThu Oct 11, 2018 8:23 am 
Would be interesting to see if HR 6784 bill makes it all the way thru

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PostThu Oct 18, 2018 6:25 pm 
Thursday October 18, 2018 17:29 PDT WDFW NEWS RELEASE WDFW seeks candidates for Wolf Advisory Group OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking candidates to serve for the next three years (2019-2021) on the citizen committee that advises the department on wolf recovery and management. The department formed the Wolf Advisory Group (WAG) in 2013 with nine members, representing the interests of environmentalists, hunters, and livestock ranchers. In 2015, WDFW increased the group's size to 18 members to better reflect the diversity of perspectives on wolf conservation and management. There is currently one vacancy on WAG and the other 17 members serve staggered terms, some of which will expire at the end of the year. Those members can reapply if they wish to be considered for an additional term. WDFW Director Kelly Susewind will appoint members to the group from the applications and nominations the department receives to fill positions that become vacant within the next year. "This advisory group has been extremely helpful in advising the department on the challenging issue of recovering and managing gray wolves in our state," Susewind said. "We are looking for candidates who can work cooperatively with others to develop management recommendations that reflect a diversity of perspectives." Donny Martorello, WDFW wolf policy lead, said the department will accept applications and nominations from environmentalists, ranchers, hunters, and other interested individuals and organizations. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Nov 30, 2018. Applications and nominations may be emailed to Donny.martorello@dfw.wa.gov or sent to Martorello at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, P. O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504-3200 "The Wolf Advisory Group's members have a wide range of perspectives and opinions on wolf recovery and management, and we are committed to continuing this collaboration," Martorello said. New members should be available for meetings beginning as early as February 2019. The group holds at least four two-day meetings per year. Most meetings take place in Spokane, Ellensburg, Issaquah, and Olympia. Advisory group members may be reimbursed by WDFW for travel expenses to attend meetings. Applications and nominations must be submitted in writing and address the following items: - The applicant or nominee's name, address, telephone number, and email address; - People or groups making nominations must also submit their own names and contact information; - The candidate's relevant experience, organizational affiliations, and reasons why they would be an effective advisory group member; - Familiarity with Washington's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and current wolf recovery status and management issues; and - Experience in collaborating with people who have different values. More information about the Wolf Advisory Group is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/wag/. The department's wolf conservation and management website is located at http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/. Contact: Donny Martorello, 360-902-2521 -WDFW-

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PostFri Oct 19, 2018 3:23 pm 
Friday October 19, 2018 14:05 PDT WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM Gray Wolf Update A new update on wolf activities is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website HERE
WDFW, in its Wolf Update of 10/19/18 wrote:
On Sept 28 the department initiated an evaluation period to determine whether removing two wolves from the OPT pack last month has changed the pack’s behavior and reduced the potential for recurrent wolf depredations on livestock. The department documented 3 additional depredations on livestock between Oct 5-11, bringing the total to 15 wolf depredations by the OPT pack. On Oct. 5, department staff confirmed that a calf was injured by wolves in the OPT pack. The calf appeared to have been attacked on two separate occasions by wolves as some of the injures appeared to be approximately four days to one week old and other injuries appeared to be within 24 hours of the investigation. The injuries to the calf were multiple bite lacerations, bite puncture wounds and tissue damage to the underlying tissue adjacent to the injuries. The locations on the calf and the types of injuries inflicted were consistent with signs of a wolf attack. On Oct. 7, department staff confirmed another calf as a probable wolf depredation. The calf had older and healed bite lacerations to the outer right hindquarter and right flank. There were older and healing bite puncture wounds to the outer left hindquarter. The bite laceration and bite puncture wounds are consistent with a wolf attack. Then on Oct. 11, department staff confirmed an additional injured calf pulled from the same drainage as previous OPT depredations. The calf had injuries consistent with wolf depredations in the area. Tissue damage was associated with bite lacerations. Due to healing, the depredation occurred more than two weeks previous. The Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and the department’s protocol indicate that post-removal evaluation period should consider any depredations that take place after one or more wolves are removed from a pack. WDFW determined that the Oct. 5 depredation by the OPT pack is new – not one that likely occurred during or before the removal period – allowing for the removal of additional wolves from the pack. The Director has not made a decision regarding any new action since the depredations between Oct. 5-11, and is considering the details and complexities of the situation. The department remains in the evaluation period since the last wolf was removed Sept. 28. The U.S. Forest Service allotment where the affected producer grazes his livestock is large and lies entirely within the territory of the OPT pack. The department is documenting the range-riding operation on the allotment to make sure it is as effective as it can be. The department will continue to work with the affected producer to implement any additional non-lethal deterrence measures. If WDFW documents additional wolf depredations on livestock, the Director will consider that information in determining whether to initiate another lethal removal action. The livestock producer involved has continued to employ non-lethal deterrence measures described in the Sept. 28 update. The Foxlights described in the Sept 28, 2018 update have been removed from a salting site because cattle are no longer in the immediate area. The producer continues to remove livestock from federal grazing allotment. For more information, please see updates on the OPT pack on: 2018 updates •Sept 7, 11, 12, 14, 18, 25, 28 •Oct 5 Last Updated: Oct. 19, 2018 2:01 PM
-WDFW-

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PostThu Oct 25, 2018 5:56 pm 
Thursday October 25, 2018 16:53 PDT WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM Gray Wolf Update Two new updates on wolf activities are available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website HERE
WDFW, in its OPT Wolf Update of 10/25/18 wrote:
On Oct. 23, the department documented a confirmed depredation on livestock by the OPT pack, which resulted in the death of a calf. This latest depredation brings the total to 16 depredations by the pack since Sept. 4. During the examination of the dead calf, department staff documented bite lacerations and associated hemorrhaging along the tail and on both rear legs. The bite lacerations and locations were consistent with a wolf attack. Staff estimated the incident occurred 2-4 days before the carcass was located. The location data from the collared male wolf indicate that it was in the area of the depredation at the estimated time of the attack. Staff also found wolf tracks and scat in the area. This event marks the second time the department has documented depredations on livestock by the OPT pack that have occurred after the department removed two wolves in September. Director Susewind is reviewing this latest event before considering any action. For more information, please see updates on the OPT pack on: 2018 updates •Sept 7, 11, 12, 14, 18, 25, 28 •Oct 5, 19 Last Updated: Oct. 25, 2018 4:44 PM
WDFW, in its Smackout Wolf Update of 10/25,18 wrote:
The department has recently documented two additional wolf depredations on livestock by the Smackout pack – on Oct. 14 and Oct. 21. Both depredations resulted in the death of a cow. The latest depredations bring the total to 3 by the pack since Aug. 20, 2018. The department will provide more details on the depredations in a later update. •See monthly wolf update published on Oct. 1 for information about the earlier depredation on Aug. 20. Last Updated: Oct. 25, 2018 4:44 PM
-WDFW-

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PostFri Oct 26, 2018 10:06 am 
Friday October 26, 2018 07:44 PDT WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM Gray Wolf Update A new update on wolf activities is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website HERE
WDFW, in its Wolf Update of 10/26/18 wrote:
WDFW Director Kelly Susewind today reauthorized department staff to lethally remove the remaining two wolves from a pack that has repeatedly preyed on cattle while occupying the Old Profanity Territory (OPT) in the Kettle River Range of Ferry County. On Sept. 28 the department initiated an evaluation period to determine whether removing two wolves from the OPT pack last month has changed the pack’s behavior and reduced the potential for recurrent wolf depredations on livestock. The Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and the department’s protocol indicate that a post-removal evaluation period should consider any depredations that take place after one or more wolves are removed from a pack. The department documented two wolf depredations to calves found in the allotment between Oct. 5-7, and determined that the depredation by the OPT on Oct. 5 likely occurred after the removal period. That incident would have supported a decision to remove more wolves at that time, but the Director sustained the evaluation period to consider the details and complexities of the situation in the field. The U.S. Forest Service allotment where the affected producer grazes his livestock is large and lies entirely within the territory of the OPT pack. After the Oct. 5 depredation, the department took additional steps to document the range-riding operation on the allotment to make sure it is as effective as it can be. However, the department documented another wolf depredation to livestock on Oct. 23, bringing the total to 16 wolf depredations by the OPT pack. The affected producer was scheduled to remove his livestock from the U.S. Forest Service allotment by Oct.15. In practice, about 90 percent of the livestock are usually removed by that date. Due to the dense timber and rugged terrain, it may take several weeks longer to round up all the cattle on the allotment. The producer is transporting a portion of his cattle to private grazing lands west of the Kettle Crest and another portion out of state. The private grazing lands west of the Kettle Crest are within the OPT pack territory, although they are at a lower elevations and on the periphery of the pack territory, which may reduce the likelihood of wolf depredations in these areas this winter. There are also several other allotments with cattle within the OPT that are in a similar situation in terms of removing them from Forest Service grazing allotments. The livestock producer who owns the affected livestock has continued to employ non-lethal methods to deter wolves from preying on his herd. Strategies used include contracting range riders to monitor his herd, removing or securing livestock carcasses to avoid attracting wolves to the rest of the herd, and removing known sick and injured livestock from the grazing area until they are healed. For more information, please see updates on the OPT pack on: 2018 updates •Sept 7, 11, 12, 14, 18, 25, 28 •Oct 5, 19, 25 Last Updated: Oct. 26, 2018 7:42 AM
-WDFW-

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PostThu Nov 01, 2018 6:23 pm 
Thursday November 01, 2018 14:20 PDT WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM Gray Wolf Update A new update on wolf activities is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website HERE
WDFW, in its Wolf Update of 11/01/18 wrote:
This report provides information about wolf conservation and management activities undertaken by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) from October 1-31, 2018. Statewide Wolf Capture, Survey, and Management WDFW wolf biologists followed up on wolf sighting reports in the Nile Creek area, west of Yakima. No evidence was located on a field check, but remote cameras were placed to continue monitoring the area. Biologists will continue to scout in this area later this fall and winter as snow allows for good tracking conditions. Assistance Requested Public reports of remote camera images, videos, wolf tracks, or sightings are helpful to assist in locating new wolf activity and potential new packs on the landscape. Please take photos of wolves or wolf sign with some way to measure the size of the track (an object for scale) and upload them to the department’s wolf reporting page. Proactive Deterrence Measures Kittitas County Permit grazing for cattle is active in the Department of Natural Resources Teanaway Community Forest in the Teanaway Pack’s known territory. • Sanitation measures have been undertaken in the Teanaway pack territory during October. • Range riders, producers, and WDFW personnel monitored livestock throughout the pack territory during early October. • Cattle were removed from the range throughout October, and all cattle were removed by the end of the month. • No wolf/livestock incidents were reported or suspected during October. Wolf biologists presented a wolf status update and techniques on capture to the participants of an immobilization course offered by Wolf Haven International. Depredation investigations WDFW personnel responded to wolf activity and depredations in the Togo and Old Profanity Territory (OPT) areas this past month. They worked with local WDFW personnel and livestock producers to help prevent wolf-livestock conflict in these areas. Further updates can be found at the following links: Togo: https://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/packs/27/ Old Profanity Peak: https://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/packs/7/ Packs Referenced: Profanity Peak, Teanaway, Togo Last Updated: Nov. 1, 2018 3:24 PM
-WDFW- (* emphasis added *)

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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PostTue Nov 06, 2018 11:11 pm 
Tuesday November 06, 2018 20:46 PST WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM Gray Wolf Updates Two new updates on wolf activities are available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website HERE
WDFW, in its Wolf Update of 11/06/18 wrote:
On Nov. 1, the department notified the public about a confirmed wolf depredation on a heifer by the Smackout pack on Oct. 31. The depredation resulted in a mortality of the heifer. Later that day, the department confirmed the fifth depredation by the pack, also resulting in the death of a heifer. The latest depredation brings the total to five by the pack since Aug. 20, 2018. In the five incidents, two producers have experienced depredations to their livestock in 2018 by the Smackout pack, including: Date / Producer / Livestock age / WDFW Classification / Livestock deposition Aug 20 / Producer 1 / Calf / Confirmed / Injury Oct 14 / Producer 2 / Heifer / Confirmed / Kill Oct 21 / Producer 2 / Heifer / Confirmed / Kill Oct 31 / Producer 2 / Heifer / Confirmed / Kill Nov 1 / Producer 2 / Heifer / Confirmed / Kill The Department will provide more information about the findings from the latest depredation investigations in a later update. Producer 1 experienced the Aug. 20 depredation that resulted in an injured calf on a private pasture. In this area, the livestock graze on a combination of private fenced lands and federal grazing allotments. In terms of proactive non-lethal deterrents, Producer 1 undertook the following non-lethal deterrent measures during some part the grazing season: 1.Deployed range riders on a daily or near daily basis to monitor livestock on fenced and unfenced allotments, 2.Deployed additional periodic human presence by the producer and his family, 3.Confined livestock to more defensible fenced pastures in spring and fall, 4.Used Foxlights when cattle were in specific pastures, 5.Used a Radio Activated Guard boxes when cattle were in specific pastures, 6.Hazed wolves with nonlethal-munitions or pyrotechnics when wolves were encountered, 7.Removed, treated, and/or confined sick and injured livestock, and 8.Maintained sanitation by removing or securing livestock carcasses. Producer 2 owned the four livestock depredated on Oct. 14, 21, 31, and Nov. 1. In this area, the livestock graze on private pastures in the valley bottom. The producer maintains livestock on relatively smaller pastures that are more open and defensible, are fenced, and have homes and larger paved roads nearby. In terms of proactive non-lethal deterrents, Producer 2 undertook the following non-lethal deterrent measures: 1.Calved outside of the known wolf pack territory, 2.Contained livestock on fenced pastures, with homes and higher use roads nearby that enhance defensibility, 3.The producer, family, employees, Stevens County Wildlife Specialist, and WDFW staff checked on the livestock about once every week, 4.Used Foxlights when cattle were in specific pastures where wolf sightings had been reported in previous years and this year, and 5.Maintained sanitation by WDFW, County Wildlife Specialist or an NGO removing or securing livestock carcasses. The area where the most recent depredations occurred is comprised of a series of private fenced pastures along a valley bottom, which together are a relatively large area. WDFW is working with producers and a local collaborative group to help pool resources to provide the most livestock protection and wolf deterrence possible in this situation. Responsive deterrent measures have been deployed, and include the initiation of range rider efforts around the affected and neighboring pastures, and placing fladry in strategic areas (began Nov. 2). WDFW and the producers will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of these measures, and will use additional deterrence measures or change measures as the situation dictates. Director Susewind is reviewing the details of the depredations by the pack and is considering next steps. Packs Referenced: Smackout Last Updated: Nov. 6, 2018 8:42 PM
-WDFW- ========================================================== Tuesday November 06, 2018 20:51 PST WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM Upcoming conference call Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has a conference call scheduled for November 8, 2018 to discuss future Wolf Advisory Group (WAG) facilitation. The conference call is open to the public to listen from a second muted line. Please see below for details: Conference call-in number: 360-407-3780 Public PIN: 587832# To view the agenda for this meeting please visit: https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/wag/. -WDFW

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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Bedivere
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PostWed Nov 14, 2018 2:17 pm 
I've been wondering for awhile now how the Jolly Mountain fire affected the Teanaway pack. I know it covered a large portion of their range. Does the Teanaway pack still exist? If so, how did the fire affect them? Have they shifted their range or changed behavior in other ways? I know the WDFW is reluctant to release any specifics on pack ranges/locations so is there any way to find out this kind of information?

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