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Resources

Find compensation program details, where to get help, and recommended reading – with links and contacts.

Compensation Programs

There are two primary options for wolf depredation compensation: the federal Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and state compensation programs. To increase the likelihood of reimbursement, producers are encouraged to apply to both programs, though they cannot receive payment from both.

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If you suspect a wolf depredation and would like to apply for compensation:

  1. Immediately call your local state wildlife agency office to report the suspected depredation and request an investigation.

  2. Document potential evidence by photographing things like tracks or bite marks (be sure to include an item for scale in pictures for easier identification).

  3. Preserve potential evidence by protecting the carcass from scavenging with fladry or electric wire.

  4. Protect livestock by moving other animals to a safe location, like a different pasture.

  5. After a depredation investigation, the Wildlife Services or state wildlife agency agent will typically complete a Depredation Report Form.

  6. If the agent determines the injury or death was a probable or confirmed wolf depredation, submit a claim with all relevant paperwork to your state’s compensation program or local Farm Service Agency office.

  7. If you have any questions, contact your state compensation program or Farm Service Agency. Below are details of your state’s compensation program and their contact information.

Federal Compensation

USDA Farm Service Agency’s Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)

The LIP offers compensation to ranchers for livestock losses beyond average mortality, including losses caused by animals reintroduced or protected by the Federal Government. It covers:

  • Livestock Death Losses: Pays 75% of the average fair market value.

  • Injured Livestock: For animals sold at reduced prices due to injury from depredation, LIP pays the difference between the sale price and 75% of the average fair market value of the livestock.

 
Application requirements:

  • You must submit a Notice of Loss and an Application for Payment to the Farm Service Agency office in the county where the loss occurred.

 
Deadlines:

  • Notice of Loss: Within 30 calendar days of when the loss is first apparent.

  • Application for Payment: Within 60 days of the calendar year in which the loss occurred.

 
More information:


Farm Service Agency State Office Contacts​

  • Arizona: (602) 285-6300

  • California: (530) 792-5520

  • Colorado: (720) 544-2876

  • Idaho: (208) 378-5650

  • Michigan: (517) 324-5110

  • Minnesota: (651) 602-7700

  • Montana: (406) 587-6872

  • New Mexico: (505) 761-4900

  • Oregon: (503) 692-3688

  • Washington: (509) 323-3000

  • Wisconsin: (888) 361-2000

  • Wyoming: (307) 261-5231

State Compensation

While state compensation programs vary, most offer compensation for depredations, and many offer compensation for conflict prevention. Conflict prevention measures such as range riding, fencing, physical deterrents, carcass removal, or livestock guardian animals may be eligible for compensation. The table below provides an overview of the programs offered by each state:

State
Depredation
Conflict Prevention
Additional Programs
Arizona
Yes
Yes
Carcass Removal, Pay for Presence (pending funding)
California
Yes
Yes
Pay for Presence (pending funding)
Colorado
Yes
Yes
No
Idaho
Yes
Yes
No
Michigan
Yes
Yes
No
Minnesota
Yes
Yes
No
Montana
Yes
Yes
No
New Mexico
Yes
Yes
Pay for Presence
Oregon
Yes
Yes
Missing Livestock
Washington
Yes
Yes
Community-based Conflict Prevention
Wisconsin
Yes
No
No
Wyoming
Yes
No
No

  • Programs

    • Depredation: Covers the fair market value of confirmed and probable depredations.

    • Depredation Prevention: Covers the cost of nonlethal conflict prevention measures.

    • Carcass Removal: Covers the removal cost to prevent conflict.

    • Pay for Presence (pending eligible funding): Covers additional costs of wolf presence on ranches like decreases in conception rates, weight loss, or extra costs of preventative measures.
       

    Application Forms

    For More Information

    • See the Arizona Livestock Loss Board

    • Contact the Arizona Livestock Loss Board at (623) 236-7279

    • If you suspect a depredation, contact the Interagency Field Team at (928) 339-4329 (after-hours and weekends (623) 236-7201)

  • Programs

    • Depredation: Covers the fair market value of confirmed and probable depredations.

    • Non-lethal Deterrents: Covers the cost of nonlethal conflict prevention measures.

    • Pay for Presence (pending funding): Covers additional costs of wolf presence on ranches like decreases in conception rates, weight loss, or extra costs of preventative measures. Producers who reside in established wolf pack territory can apply.
       

    Application Forms

    For More Information

  • Programs

    • Depredation: Covers 100% fair market value for confirmed death or injury, up to $15,000 per animal. Conflict prevention measures are not required for reimbursement.

    • Conflict Prevention: Provides nonlethal deterrents and offers reimbursement funding for nonlethal methods deployed by ranchers.
       

    For More Information

  • Programs

    • Depredation: Covers the fair market value of confirmed depredations.

    • Conflict Prevention: Covers the cost of nonlethal conflict prevention measures.

     

    For More Information

  • Programs

    • Depredation: Reimburses livestock producers for 100% of the fair market value of livestock lost.
       

    For More Information

    • See the Wildlife Depredations Indemnification Act

    • If you suspect a depredation, contact the USFWS Michigan Department of Natural Resources at (800) 292-7800

    • Contact the MI DNR Wolf Coordinator at (906) 228-6561

  • Programs

    • Depredation: Covers the fair market value of confirmed depredations.

    • Conflict Prevention: Provides funding for conflict prevention measures, including but not limited to livestock guardian animals, veterinary costs for guard animals, fencing, fladry, and calving or lambing shelters.
       

    Application Forms

    For More Information

  • Programs

    • Livestock Loss: Covers confirmed and probable depredations.

    • Conflict Prevention: Matches funds for nonlethal conflict prevention projects.
       

    For More Information

  • Programs

    • Livestock Loss: Covers losses from wolf conflicts.

    • Conflict Prevention: Provides funding for proactive, non-lethal methods

    • Pay for Presence: Covers additional costs of wolf presence on ranches like decreases in conception rates, weight loss, extra costs of preventative measures, or missing livestock.
       

    Application Forms

    For More Information

    • See the County Livestock Loss Authority

    • Contact the County Livestock Loss Authority at (575) 894-6215

    • If you suspect a depredation, contact the Interagency Field Team at (928) 339-4329 (after-hours and weekends (623) 236-7201)

  • Programs

    • Depredation: Provides compensation for confirmed wolf depredations.

    • Conflict Prevention: Offers compensation for implementing conflict prevention measures.

    • Missing Livestock: Offers compensation for missing livestock.
       

    For More Information

  • Programs

    • Livestock Loss Compensation: Reimburses for wolf depredations on a sliding scale based on acreage. Confirmed wolf depredations are reimbursed for 100% of losses on less than 100 acres and 200% on more than 100 acres. Probable depredations are reimbursed for 100% of losses for any acreage.

    • Conflict Prevention: Landowners and WDFW can enter damage prevention cooperative agreements to prevent wolf-livestock conflict. This agreement offers funding for conflict prevention methods, information about wolf locations, and payment for unconfirmed livestock losses.
       

    For More Information

    Contacts

  • Programs

    • Livestock Loss Compensation: Covers probable and confirmed depredations above the normal loss rate for ranching operations. Veterinary costs resulting from injury are eligible for reimbursement. Wildlife Services specialists will conduct an investigation, and if confirmed, the specialist will provide an application for compensation.
       

    For More Information

  • Regulation Governing Big or Trophy Game Animal or Game Bird or Gray Wolf Damage Claims

    Programs

    • Livestock Loss Compensation: Provides compensation for confirmed wolf depredations. Confirmed sheep and calf depredations are reimbursed using a 7:1 multiplier.
       

    For More Information

Support Directory

This directory points to agencies and organizations offering conflict prevention support and on-ranch guidance.

USDA APHIS | Wildlife Services – Nonlethal Initiative

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USDA WS State Office Contacts

  • Arizona: (602) 870-2081

  • California: (916) 979-2675

  • Colorado: (303) 328-9041

  • Idaho: (208) 373-1630

  • Michigan: (517) 336-1928

  • Minnesota: (651) 224-6027

  • Montana: (406) 657-6464

  • New Mexico: (505) 346-2640

  • Oregon: (503) 326-2346

  • Washington: (360) 753-9884

  • Wisconsin: (608) 837-2727

  • Wyoming: (307) 261-5336

Organizations

Independent organizations that offer resources and assistance to ranchers in wolf country.

    • What they offer: Community-led conflict mitigation programs in Montana’s Blackfoot watershed, including electric/turbo fladry loans, carcass removal, and range riders.

    • Where they work: Montana – Blackfoot Valley.

    • Website: https://blackfootchallenge.org/

    • Contact: info@blackfootchallenge.org / (406) 793‑3900

    • What they offer: Training materials and instruction in low‑stress livestock handling (aka “Effective Stockmanship”). Courses are available in person and online through the family and approved instructors.

    • Website: https://stockmanship.com/

    • Contact: eunice@stockmanship.com / (417) 719‑4910

    • What they offer: On‑the‑ground support to producers (turbo fladry, lights, radios/foxlights, trail cameras, range‑rider support, vulnerability reduction, and husbandry practices), workshops, and policy support. Active field assistance for producers in wolf country.

    • Where they work: Across the West; actively assisting producers in Colorado and other wolf states.

    • Website: https://defenders.org/coexisting-gray-wolves

    • Contact: (800) 385-9712 

    • What they offer: On‑the‑ground conflict mitigation projects with ranchers (adaptive grazing, carcass management, fladry/electric fencing, community collaboration).

    • Where they work: Northern Rockies (MT/WY and nearby landscapes).

    • Website: https://peopleandcarnivores.org/

    • Contact: info@peopleandcarnivores.org 

    • What they offer: Working Wild Challenge and other programs providing tools, funding opportunities, and policy guidance for landowners on predators and rangeland stewardship.

    • Where they work: Western U.S. (AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY).

    • Website: https://westernlandowners.org/

    • Contact: info@westernlandowners.org / (505) 466‑1495

    • What they offer: Ranch conflict risk assessments. Hands‑on, ranch‑based support to proactively prevent wolf‑livestock conflict: strategic stockmanship, range riding, herd health & grazing plans. Free workshops for conflict mitigation.

    • Where they work: Western states, including CA/CO/WA/OR.

    • Website: https://www.workingcircle.org/

    • Contact: (949) 429‑9950 / 24/7 Producer Emergency Support Line: (530) 488‑8438

University Cooperative Extension Services

Extension brings research to the ranch: grazing plans, herd health/nutrition, or nonlethal deterrents. Your local university extension office may be able to help create a tailored wolf-livestock conflict mitigation plan. Services vary by county and program.

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Learn More

Looking to dig deeper on a specific technique? Start here. This is a curated, non-exhaustive list.

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Recommended Reads

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