Updates
WLCP Focused Stakeholder Group
On February 23, 2026, CDFW started a process to begin evaluating California's Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program (WLCP). A workshop was held to begin conversations with a focused group of stakeholder representatives to identify a process for evaluating the existing WLCP to better inform, and potentially adjust, future program implementation. The individuals invited include representatives from: The California Farm Bureau, California Cattlemen's Association, Western Landowners Alliance, California Wool Growers Association, Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), University of California Berkeley (UCB), Defenders of Wildlife, California Wolf Foundation, California Center for Biological Diversity, Working Circle, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Proposed Timelines for Evaluating the WLCP
- Through March, 2026, CDFW will work with UCCE and UCB to evaluate the use of a questionnaire to solicit input regarding the existing WLCP.
- This team will determine the purpose of the questionnaire, what it will seek input on, who the recipients should be, and what the timeline is for use in this process.
- Beginning in March, 2026, CDFW will continue to meet with the identified stakeholder interest group representatives to have focuses discussions on Prongs 1, 2, and 3 of the existing WLCP to identify potential modifications.
- Concurrently, the stakeholder interest groups will conduct outreach with their members to solicit input and suggestions for discussion at each of the Prong 1, 2, and 3 focused workshops.
- CDFW encourages the public to reach out to their respective interest groups to engage in these processes to help inform our efforts; however, suggestions and comments can also be submitted directly to wolfcompensation@wildlife.ca.gov at any time.
- Beginning in May 2026, CDFW will hold four public meetings in counties with wolf presence.
- CDFW will work with stakeholder interest group representatives and counties to best identify where these meetings will be held and when. CDFW will share information once the details are finalized.
- At these meetings, CDFW will present potential revisions to the WLCP, as identified through the stakeholder interest group workshops, receive feedback, and solicit additional input on any potential gaps.
CDFW remains committed to supporting communities impacted by gray wolves and the successful management of the species statewide.
Relevant Documents
Current Program
CDFW continues accepting Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program applications for Direct Loss (Prong 1). CDFW is currently prioritizing direct loss compensation and is not seeking applications for non-lethal deterrents (Prong 2) or pay for presence (Prong 3).
Livestock producers who have had a “confirmed” or “probable” wolf depredation on or after July 1, 2024, may submit a completed Livestock Loss Application (PDF) form to wolfcompensation@wildlife.ca.gov. Suspected wolf depredations are investigated in the field and final determinations are made by CDFW. The determination for each investigation is published in a Wolf-Livestock Depredation Report on CDFW’s gray wolf webpage.
Beginning in August 2026, through a partnership with CDFW, the California Bountiful Foundation (under the auspices of the California Farm Bureau) will issue payments of state funds for eligible losses. All eligible applicants will need to have a federal W-9 form (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf) on file with the Foundation. Additional guidance will be provided to each applicant after their application is approved.
Pilot Program
In 2021, the California State Legislature appropriated $3 million to CDFW to develop a Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program to help minimize the impact of wolves on livestock producers based on the following areas of need (prongs): Direct livestock loss (prong 1); Nonlethal deterrents (prong 2); Pay for presence (prong 3). An interim program was launched to receive applications for Prong 1 in February 2022 and Prong 2 in May 2022. The pilot program for compensation of all three prongs launched in June 2023 and ran until funds were exhausted in March 2024.
Eligible livestock producers received 100% of the $3 million allocated by the Legislature. A total of 109 grants were awarded to producers with livestock in the following areas of known wolf activity: Siskiyou, Lassen, Plumas, Tulare Counties.
Participation in the pilot program was voluntary and open to all eligible producers. Applications were processed on a first-come basis through a multi-step, tiered internal review process to confirm eligibility.