Gray wolf depredation

Described the New Year's Day wolf attack that killed a horse and calf yards from his family's home, criticized slow state reimbursements, and asked for the board's support, including lethal control tools.

Argued non-lethal deterrents are counterproductive, urged the board to reject endless state meetings, and said coexistence with wolves has failed in every western state.

A local cattle rancher who blamed a decade of state wildlife mismanagement — collapsing deer and elk herds — for leaving wolves no natural prey and driving them onto ranches and toward town.

Noted a local producer shutting down the ranch and lamented the loss of support for the logging and ranching backbone of the community.

Described wolf declines in antelope and deer herds around Spaulding and Smoke Creek, urged more letters to state and federal officials, and reported mountain lions moving into residential areas.