Wolf Resurgence Costs Ranchers Up to $162,000 Per Wolf, Study Finds

Welcome to 4th best day of the week besides Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

So, while we continue to slowly inch back towards the weekend, let’s all take a minute to grab a coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get into what this beautiful Tuesday has to offer.

Here's what's worth reading about so far this week:

• Pricing in the downside - Cali study attaches dollar figures to wolf depredations 💰

• We got bucks and CWD - Wisconsin has a mixed bag of a season 🦌

• Mo’ money, (hopefully) no problems -Tennessee is hopeful that price hikes help balance the books ⚖️

• Non-res lottery - Oklahoma moving forward with lottery system for non-res public land hunting 🎟️

• Duck dog for sale - He may or may not hunt, depending on his mood 🦆 

BALANCED ECOSYSTEMS ARE A CHALLENGE
WOLF RESURGENCE COSTS RANCHERS UP TO $162,000 PER WOLF, CALIFORNIA STUDY FINDS

California’s gray wolf population, once thought to be extinct, has staged a remarkable comeback since a lone wolf crossed from Oregon back in 2011. By 2024, seven wolf packs roamed the state, sparking a bit of awe and what’s looking like a whole lot of conflict.

A recent study from UC Davis, went on to quantify the economic toll of this resurgence on cattle ranchers, estimating that a single wolf can cause upwards $69,000 to $162,000 in annual losses due to direct predation and indirect effects like reduced calf weight and pregnancy rates. And while these figures highlight the challenges ranchers are facing, they also underscore the urgent need for proactive, science-based wolf management strategies that foster some sort of coexistence. 

Conducted over three summers (2022–2024) in northeastern California, the UC Davis study focused on three wolf packs—Harvey, Lassen, and Beyem Seyo. Using motion-activated cameras, GPS collars, wolf scat analysis, and cattle hair cortisol tests, researchers documented the scale of wolf-cattle interactions…

🦌 Wisconsin Hunters Score 45-Year High in Buck Kills, but CWD and Regulations Curb Total Deer Harvest. Well, Wisconsin’s 2024 gun deer hunting season was something of a mixed bag. With hunters in 13 counties achieving the highest buck harvests in 45 years, overall deer harvests declined in counties plagued with the prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) and those under buck-only regulations. The nine-day season, which concluded on December 1, 2024, saw a total of 189,622 deer registered, a 5% increase from 2023, comprising of 89,787 bucks, an increase of 4%, and 99,835 antlerless deer, marking a 7% increase. Counties like Waupaca, Shawano, and Marathon led the harvest, with Waupaca registering 5,863 deer. The northern forest region saw a significant 18% increase in kills, driven by abundant deer populations and mild winters, while the central forest region experienced a 6% decline, partly due to CWD prevalence and restrictive regulations.

Despite the record buck kills, challenges persist in managing Wisconsin’s deer population, estimated at nearly 2 million animals. CWD, now present in 63 counties, has led to baiting and feeding bans in 59 of those counties, complicating hunting efforts. Buck-only rules in 12 northern counties, aimed at rebuilding herds and reduced antlerless harvests are contributing to lower overall kills in those areas. Jeff Pritzl, DNR deer program specialist, noted that while farmland regions benefit from robust deer numbers, forest regions face difficulties meeting antlerless harvest goals due to declining hunter numbers and regulatory constraints.

💰 Tennessee Set to Raise Hunting, Fishing, and Boating Fees by 28% Starting July 2025.  Starting July 1, 2025, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) will implement a 28% increase in fees for hunting, fishing, and boating licenses, marking only the second fee adjustment in 25 years. The decision, approved by the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission, aims to address a funding shortfall exacerbated by inflation, with the consumer price index indicating a 31.6% rise in TWRA’s operational costs. Despite requesting $30 million in additional state funding, TWRA received only $5 million, necessitating the fee hike to sustain its wildlife management, fisheries, and education programs. As part of the adjustment, the cost of a basic hunting license will rise from $34 to $43, and an annual fishing license will increase from $34 to $44, with proportional increases for other permits like the Sportsman’s License and lifetime licenses.

The fee increase has sparked mixed reactions, despite TWRA emphasizing that the additional revenue will enhance services, such as improving boating access and supporting conservation efforts like elk population management. Some hunters and anglers worry about the financial burden, particularly for low-income residents, despite Tennessee’s fees remaining competitive compared to neighboring states. TWRA’s efforts to balance fiscal needs with public access to outdoor recreation highlight the challenges of funding wildlife management amid rising costs and static state support. The agency encourages public feedback through upcoming commission meetings to refine future policies.

🎟️ Oklahoma Introduces Lottery Permit System for Nonresident Hunters on Public Lands. Just last week, Oklahoma enacted Senate Bill 448, which was signed by Governor Kevin Stitt, introducing a lottery-style permit system for nonresident hunters seeking access to the state’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and National Wildlife Refuges. The new law requires nonresidents to obtain written authorization from the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and pay a permit fee of up to $100, in addition to regular license costs. If demand exceeds the capacity of these public lands, a lottery will determine access. Supporters, including Senator David Bullard, argue that the measure prioritizes Oklahoma residents’ access to limited public hunting lands, which make up just 4.9% of the state’s 44.77 million acres, while managing hunting pressure to protect wildlife resources.

The legislation reflects broader efforts to regulate Oklahoma’s public lands amid growing nonresident hunting interest. Alongside SB 448, Senate Bill 208, which requires hunting guides to register and obtain a state license, is advancing and could further reshape the state’s hunting landscape by November of this year. Critics, however, warn that these restrictions may deter hunting tourism and burden small-scale guides.

1. There’s nothing appealing to me about being the passenger on the back of a motorcycle. Nothing.

2. A snake only sheds its skin to become a bigger snake.

   • This isn’t about snakes

3. Initium est dimidium facti (translation)

4. A good attitude is not a gift to others. It’s a gift to yourself.

5. All I have seen has taught me to trust God for all I have not seen  🙏 

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🦆 Duck dog for sale, price negotiable. Watch as these ducks casually (and safely) pass by a pair or retrievers doing…well…the opposite of what they ought to be.

In their defense, it is the off season…

Oh, and one more thing…