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Sierra County officials, schools and sheriff warn of rising wolf depredations in Sierra Valley
Summary
County officials, the sheriff and the local school superintendent described repeated wolf depredations on livestock in Sierra Valley, reported 76 confirmed kills so far, and said schools and public safety agencies are coordinating responses and public-safety messaging.
Sierra County supervisors, the sheriff and the superintendent of Sierra‑Plumas Joint Unified School District described escalating wolf depredations in Sierra Valley during the board's meeting on Tuesday, saying the strikes have affected livestock and raised concerns about student and public safety.
Sheriff Fisher told the board that “as of today's date, we are at 76 confirmed, kills or probable kills on cattle in the Sierra Valley.” The sheriff said California Department of Fish and Wildlife field teams and county partners have been operating hazing and deterrent efforts in the valley and that an enhanced state presence has been working night and day to push wolves back onto public lands.
The school district, which runs student agricultural programs at the high school, raised safety worries. Sean Snyder, superintendent of Sierra‑Plumas Joint Unified School District, said the district has “a pretty robust FFA program with student projects about to come in, cattle, sheep, pig, chicken,” and noted the timing of student pickups. “If there's wolves out in Sierra Brooks at 07:10 in the morning, that's right about the time when our buses pick students up,” Snyder said, explaining why the district drafted and approved a resolution urging state attention to public‑safety risks.
Supervisor Adams described encountering the consequences firsthand after receiving a report of wolves near a residential area. “I went down there and I looked and I saw a 6‑day‑old calf laying in the back of a truck, and it was horrifying to me,” Adams said, recounting a producer'reported carcass that a trapper later identified as a wolf kill. Adams and other supervisors said they had been communicating with state and federal officials, and that Supervisor Rowan and local ranchers were meeting with federal wildlife officials in Washington, D.C., this week.
State and federal agencies were referenced repeatedly: board members said California Department of Fish and Wildlife strike teams had been present and that county representatives had contacted the director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Snyder said he had emailed CDFW Director Bonham and received a prompt, positive response. He also said he had heard from Department of Natural Resources Secretary Crowfoot.
The board did not adopt new county policy during the meeting on the wolves item. Speakers said the matter will remain on future agendas, and the school district and sheriff''s office plan to continue coordination with state agencies. Supervisors said they expected further updates from Supervisor Rowan and ranchers meeting in Washington.
Public‑safety and livestock producers remained the focal points: county staff and law enforcement emphasized ongoing hazing and deterrent measures and urged continued communication with state wildlife officials.
Looking ahead, Snyder and the sheriff said the district and law enforcement will stay engaged with the state and with local producers as winter approaches and cattle move out of the valley.
