WHAT TO DO UNTIL THE TRAPPER ARRIVES

Mike Foster
Eastern Montana Supervisor, Wildlife Services
Friday, December 4, 2009

Mike Foster provided a synopsis for ranchers handling supposed wolf kills. Foster explained that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not manage wolves after they have been delisted, so Wildlife Services (WS) is responsible for all wolf work as long as the wolves' status remains as it is currently. For each investigation, WS is required to fill out a WS Form 200 (investigation report), which lists the case as confirmed, probable, possible/unknown, or other. "Other" indicates that the animal was undoubtedly killed by some other predator than a wolf. Confirmed and probable wolf kills reimburse the owner 100% of the animal's current market value. Possible/unknown reports provide no compensation.


Foster provided a list of actions for livestock owners faced with a possible wolf kill:
1. Alert the local trapper or WS personnel as soon as possible.
2. Cover the carcass to preserve it from further destruction.
3. Preserve tracks.
4. Keep livestock out of the area as much as possible.
5. Lock up guard dogs (to prevent them from eating on the carcass, being caught in snares,
or being poisoned).
6. Don't call the media (dealing with the media adds more difficulty to WS's job).
7. Take photographs of the scene, especially if it cannot be preserved.

Foster encouraged the use of preventative predator control work, urging producers to call the trapper before they move livestock into a new pasture, rather than waiting until depredation has occurred.