On March 20th, Lassen County Sheriff John McGarva attended a meeting at the Dixie Valley Ranch which included local area ranchers, District Four Supervisor Aaron Albaugh, representatives from California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Senator Megan Dahle’s Office and Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick’s office.
The discussion surrounded the increasing threat of the gray wolf to Lassen County ranchers as cattle losses were being felt across the county. The focus of this meeting was on the Harvey Pack.
According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Fish and Wildlife discussed the use of hazing and mitigation measures, saying that there “is a growing concern about their limited effectiveness in the community. The wolves are displaying behavior that is atypical. They are coming around residences, not fazed by the deterrent measures taken and are overall unconcerned or threatened by human presence.”
The concern had become a threat to the safety of those that live in the area due to the impact of the wolves living in the area.
On March 22nd, McGarva, Modoc County Sheriff Tex Dowdy and Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher attended the Cattlemen’s Dinner and Business Meeting in McArthur.
Congressman Doug LaMalfa and Assemblywoman Hadwick were present as well. Those in attendance were able to provide concerns and encounters they experienced.
Congressman LaMalfa and Assemblywoman Hadwick spoke about actions being taken at the Federal and State levels while each Sheriff spoke about what they were doing in their counties.
All are committed to finding a solution to the growing public safety threat caused by the wolf population.
On March 24th, McGarva sent a letter to Director Bonham at the Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding the public safety threat the wolves are demonstrating in Lassen County asking for his assistance in coming to a solution that will benefit all parties involved.
Here is the letter written by Sheriff McGarva and sent to Director Bonham.
“I am writing to bring a situation to your attention that is causing a public safety threat in Lassen County. Gray wolves have been a concern for the agricultural community in Lassen County since the first one was identified in California.
“Since 2016, their presence has become even more invasive and the threats to the ranching community are known and well documented. However, with the Harvey Pack, there is a greater concern for the safety and impact to the residents.
“In the month of March, there have been six calves reported to have been killed by this pack in the Big Valley area. The Dixie Valley Ranch has experienced close encounters with wolves in their area. They have come within fifteen yards of one residence, attempted to gain access to food containers and other activity described as atypical for wolf behavior.
“The areas included a sandbox used by young children as a play area and the area of a fort the children had built. They have begun eating items that would be considered outside of normal behavior including human trash and waste. This shows these wolves are becoming conditioned to a human scent being a reward. Residents of nearby ranches are seeing
wolves becoming more aggressive. Residents have videos showing wolves attempting to charge them in an aggressive manner.
“While I understand this may be a protective action by the wolf, this behavior is causing a growing concern that the wolves will escalate their behavior and possibly start attacking the residents of the local ranches.
“The residents have used the suggested mitigation or hazing techniques to try and get the wolves. The residents have used fladry, electrified their fences and the use of noise making devices designed to deter or scare the wolves away from the area. While they work for a short period of time (approximately one week), the wolves become desensitized to the devices and they no longer work. The wolves continue to return to the area causing the death of livestock and the threat to those who live in the area. The wolves are no longer concerned about the presence of humans in the area.
“The residents have informed you and your department of the problems caused by the wolves at community meetings and through County, State and Federal Representatives on numerous occasions since 2016. The community at large feels that the Department of Fish and Wildlife is more concerned about the continued population of wolves and other apex predators than the safety of the residents in these areas.
“Based on the activities of the Harvey Pack, it has clearly become a threat to the safety of the general public and their livestock. California Fish and Game Code Section 4801 allows for local agencies responsible for public safety to remove or take any mountain lion perceived to be an imminent threat to public health or safety. While I am aware there is not a similar provision in the Fish and Game Code for the gray wolf, I believe it is time to explore the options provided by the Federal Government for the depredation of the wolf in the case it become a public safety threat.
“This was done in Southern Oregon recently with OR-1581. In that situation all other traditional means for hazing or deterring the animal were undertaken and were unsuccessful. Based on the reports of those who work and reside in the area, I believe the
same situation exists in Lassen County.
“I already reached out to those in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in an attempt to get this process started under Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations 17.21(c)(3)(iv) which states: “Remove specimens that constitute a demonstrable but nonimmediate threat to human safety, provided that the taking is done in a humane manner; the taking may involve killing or injuring only if it has not been reasonably possible to eliminate such threat by live-capturing and releasing the specimen unharmed in an appropriate area.
“Based on the factors I have described in this letter; I believe we have reached the threshold to meet this section. The members of the public have been advised that if they feel they are in imminent danger from a gray wolf to themselves or to other people, there is legal recourse to defend themselves under the law.
“Under Untied States v. Wallen2, while discussing the defense against a Grizzly Bear, the courts have upheld that defense of others is a justifiable reason for the killing of an endangered species.
“The situation in Lassen County has reached a boiling point, I am asking for your assistance in helping the citizens of Lassen County. I want to thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
“I look forward to additional opportunities to discuss this with your office and other stakeholders in the hopes that a solution can be achieved that is beneficial to all concerned.”
John McGarva, Sheriff Coroner
For those who are interested, letters can be sent to the following address:
Charlton “Chuck” Bonham, Director
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
715 P Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
