A study led by Colorado State University praises two range-rider programs in northeast Washington, finding the programs are likely helping to reduce the number of conflicts between wolves and livestock.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife has withdrawn range riders from the wolf-saturated region, leaving range riding largely up to the Cattle Producers of Washington and the Northeast Washington Wolf-Cattle Collaborative.

Lawmakers asked for a review of the state-funded but privately run programs. According to CSU’s Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence, the two groups have won support from ranchers because of their independence.

“The grassroots structure of the program enhanced participation by and trust among local livestock producers,” the college’s assessment reads.

Scott Nielsen, who organizes the Cattle Producer’s range-riding program, said he was pleased with the assessment. “I think they were impressed with what they saw,” he said.

Fish and Wildlife requires ranchers to try to prevent wolf attacks before it will consider lethal control. The department stresses daily or “near daily” range riding as a primary tactic.

The Cattle Producers and Wolf-Cattle Collaborative patrol Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties and combined make up the largest range-riding program in the West, according to the CSU assessment.

The CSU research team, which included Utah State University and USDA Wildlife Services scientists, interviewed ranchers, range riders and officials, and reviewed records from the 2021, 2022 and 2023 grazing seasons.

Range riders in 2023 covered 16,504 square miles, an area equal to the size of Maryland and Delaware combined, and went where the wolves moved, researchers found.

Range riders exceeded expectations to cover an area at least four times a week, according to the assessment.

“Range riders engaged in a suite of actions that likely helped reduce the risk of livestock losses to wolves,” the assessment states.

Researchers recommended lawmakers continue funding the range-riding programs and increase funding if the wolf population continues to grow.

The report also recommended the state continue to fund a wildlife sheriff’s deputy shared by Ferry and Stevens counties. The deputy, Jeff Flood, is a trusted liaison between ranchers and Fish and Wildlife, researchers said.

Ranchers told researchers meeting Fish and Wildlife’s expectations for near-daily range riding is hard work and that the department should be more consistent in using lethal control.

“It’s hard to get ahold of them, and they don’t respond well,” the report quotes a rancher anonymously.

Researchers interviewed three Fish and Wildlife employees, but did not get their perspective on the coordination and communication with the range-rider programs. A Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman said Dec. 13 the department was reviewing the report.