The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is once again accepting applications for direct compensation to ranchers who have lost livestock to gray wolf attacks, reopening the first “Prong” of its Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program. This program, established to address the impacts of the state’s growing gray wolf population, has offered support to ranchers in various ways over the years, including non-lethal deterrents and incentives to offset wolf presence. However, CDFW’s limited funds mean it’s currently focusing exclusively on direct compensation for verified losses.
To apply, eligible producers must complete a Livestock Loss Application form, accessible on CDFW’s Wolf Livestock Compensation Grant webpage. Compensation is available only for confirmed or probable wolf depredations occurring after July 1, 2024, and each claim must be documented through a CDFW-issued Livestock Loss Determination Form.
Despite the continuation of compensation payments, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has paused funding for other program elements, including non-lethal deterrent support (Prong 2) and “pay-for-presence” incentives (Prong 3), to prioritize funds for direct loss payments.
CDFW announced the funding pause earlier this year after the program exhausted its full $3 million budget since its start in 2017.
