Northern Rockies Wolf Collaborative
Montana Wolves

Wolf Laying Down in Snow © Corel Corp.

Montana's Wolves Are Back

Restoring the Predator Guild of the Northern Rockies

Wolves, Livestock, and Ranching

Wolves are responsible for less than 0.1% of all sheep losses in Montana.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, wolves killed 4 sheep in the state of Montana in 2006, and 27 in 2007. [Sources 1, 2, 3] 

How does that compare with other causes of losses?  In 2004 (the most recent year in which NASS has data), not including sheep that were slaughtered at market, 27,000 sheep died from all causes in Montana, but only 33 sheep (less than 0.01%) were confirmed killed by wolves. [Sources 4, 5] 

Overall sheep deaths were reportedly due to:

* Sheep deaths due to predators represented 40% of overall losses. 

These depredation deaths included:

Wolves are responsible for less than 0.1% of all cattle losses in Montana.

According to the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, in 2007 wolves killed 75 cattle in the state of Montana, while in 2006, wolves killed 32 cattle state-wide. [Sources 6, 7, 8]

How does that compare with other losses?  In 2005 (the year for which we have the most recent detailed data), not including cattle that were slaughtered at market, 42,000 cows and calves died from all causes in Wyoming. [Source 9] 

These deaths were reportedly due to:

* Cattle deaths due to predators represented less than 10% of overall estimated losses. 

These depredation deaths included:

Almost all livestock owners who experience verified depredation losses to wolves both seek and receive compensation for their losses.

In 1987, Defenders of Wildlife (Defenders) initiated the first privately funded, livestock compensation program of its kind to reimburse livestock owners for wolf caused losses while wolves are under federal protection. To date, the Bailey Wildlife Foundation Wolf Compensation Fund, named in honor of its largest contributor, has reimbursed ranchers with more than $1 million in the Northern Rockies for their livestock losses to wolves; the Bailey Fund celebrated its 20 year anniversary in 2007. Since the program's inception in 1987 (shortly after the first pack was established in Montana) through 2007, Defenders has paid for more than 90% of all verified livestock losses. [Source 10]

Sources
(1) National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sheep and Goats Death Loss from May 6, 2005: Sime, Carolyn A., V. Asher, L. Bradley, K. Laudon, M. Ross, J. Trapp, M. Atkinson, and J. Steuber. 2008.
(2) Montana gray wolf conservation and management 2007 annual report.  Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Helena, Montana. 137 pp.; Sime, Carolyn A., V. Asher, L. Bradley, K. Laudon, M. Ross, J. Trapp, M. Atkinson, L. Handegard, and J. Steuber. 2007.
(3) Montana gray wolf conservation and management 2006 annual report. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Helena, Montana. 119 pp.
(4) National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Sheep and Goats Death Loss from May 6, 2005: Sime, Carolyn A., V. Asher, L. Bradley, K. Laudon, M. Ross, J. Trapp, and L. Handegard. 2006.
(5) Montana gray wolf conservation and management 2005 annual report. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Helena, Montana. 95pp.
(6) National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Sheep and Goats Death Loss from May 6, 2005: Sime, Carolyn A., V. Asher, L. Bradley, K. Laudon, M. Ross, J. Trapp, M. Atkinson, and J. Steuber. 2008. (7)Montana gray wolf conservation and management 2007 annual report.  Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Helena, Montana. 137 pp.; ;  Sime, Carolyn A., V. Asher, L. Bradley, K. Laudon, M. Ross, J. Trapp, M. Atkinson, L. Handegard, and J. Steuber. 2007.
(8) Montana gray wolf conservation and management 2006 annual report. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Helena, Montana. 119 pp.
(9)  National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Sheep and Goats Death Loss from May 6, 2005: Sime, Carolyn A., V. Asher, L. Bradley, K. Laudon, M. Ross, J. Trapp, and L. Handegard. 2006. Montana gray wolf conservation and management 2005 annual report. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Helena, Montana. 95pp.
(10) US Fish and Wildlife Service table – Confirmed Wildlife Depredation and Management by State 1987-2006;  Defenders of Wildlife: Wolf Compensation Maps and Records