California Wolves Are Eating Beef, Not Deer. Ranchers Want Action

A new study confirms what many Iowa cattle farmers already suspect: wolves in California are feasting on beef cattle far more than their natural prey. Researchers from the University of California collected wolf scat from two packs in the northeastern part of the state and found that 72 percent of their diet came from cattle over a two year period. The findings have reignited calls for the gray wolf to be delisted under California's Endangered Species Act, a move that would give ranchers more freedom to protect their herds.

What the Study Found

Scientists analyzed DNA from wolf droppings collected between June and October of 2022 and 2023. They identified 20 wolves from the Lassen and Harvey packs. In 2022, the Lassen pack's diet was 86 percent cattle. In 2023, the combined diet of both packs was 55 percent cattle. The average across both years was 72 percent beef.

That is a sharp contrast to the wolves' traditional prey, which includes elk, deer, and other wild animals. The study did not examine whether the wolves are targeting calves or adult cattle, but ranchers have long reported losses to wolf predation.

Why This Matters for Iowa Farmers

Iowa's cattle industry is a cornerstone of the state's agricultural economy. While wolves are not currently a major threat in the Midwest, the California situation serves as a warning. If wolf populations continue to expand eastward, Iowa ranchers could face similar challenges. The study highlights the difficulty of balancing wildlife conservation with the needs of working farms and ranches.

John Damon, a journalist with Just The News Iowa, noted that his own family raised Black Angus cattle. He wrote that wolves are not stupid and that shooting a few would likely deter others. But California's current conservation plan does not allow hunting or trapping of gray wolves, even when they are caught in the act of attacking livestock.

Conservation vs. Property Rights

Gray wolves are listed as endangered under both the federal Endangered Species Act and California's state equivalent. That means ranchers cannot legally kill a wolf, even to protect their cattle. The only options are nonlethal deterrents, such as fencing, guard dogs, or range riders. Critics say those measures are expensive and not always effective.

The study's authors did not call for policy changes, but the data speaks for itself. When wolves have easy access to cattle, they will take it. Predators naturally seek the easiest prey to conserve energy. Cattle, especially calves and yearlings, are far easier to bring down than elk or bison.

The 'Shoot, Shovel, and Shut Up' Problem

Damon referenced a longstanding practice among some ranchers in predator heavy areas: killing wolves illegally and hiding the evidence. He called it the shoot, shovel, and shut up method. While he did not endorse lawbreaking, he argued that state officials have an opportunity to bring stakeholders together before the situation escalates.

Rather than forcing ranchers to choose between their livelihoods and the law, California could delist the wolf at the state level. That would allow for controlled hunting or lethal removal of problem wolves. Other states, including Idaho and Montana, have already taken steps to manage wolf populations through hunting seasons.

What Could Happen Next

California's Fish and Game Commission has the authority to change the wolf's status under state law. So far, it has resisted pressure from ranchers and agricultural groups. But the new study could shift public opinion. If wolves are seen as a threat to the food supply, not just a wildlife issue, the political calculus may change.

For now, the wolves remain protected. Ranchers are left to absorb the losses. And the scat doesn't lie: the wolves are eating beef.

FAQ: California Wolves and Cattle

Are wolves really eating that much beef?

Yes. The study found that 72 percent of the wolves' diet came from cattle over the two year period. In 2022, it was 86 percent for the Lassen pack.

Can ranchers kill wolves to protect their cattle?

Not in California. Gray wolves are listed as endangered under state and federal law, which prohibits killing them even when they are attacking livestock.

Could this happen in Iowa?

Wolves have not reestablished in Iowa in significant numbers. But if they expand eastward, the same conflicts could arise. Iowa's cattle industry would be vulnerable.

What is the 'shoot, shovel, and shut up' method?

It is a term used to describe ranchers illegally killing wolves and hiding the carcasses. It is a last resort when legal options are unavailable.