WDFW seeks comment on wolf-livestock rules

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking the public to submit written comments through April 11 regarding a new rule that will address wolf-livestock conflict deterrence measures, according to a WDFW press release.

The proposed rule change, if adopted, will amend the language of the Washington Administrative Code to require the WDFW director or a designee to confirm that the owner of domestic animals has been proactive in using appropriate non-lethal measures to keep wolves away from livestock prior to allowing lethal methods to be utilized. It would also create a rule requiring WDFW staff, in cooperation with livestock producers, federal, state and tribal agencies, to author conflict mitigation plans to establish area-specific criteria for the use of non-lethal and lethal wolf-livestock conflict countermeasures.

“If adopted, the proposed change to (the rule) would align the code with the agency’s long-standing commitment to non-lethal conflict mitigation strategies,” said WDFW Wolf Policy Lead Julia Smith via the press release.