COEXISTENCE RESOURCE HUB

Practical Tools for Ranchers, Land Stewards & Rural Communities

Studies show properly trained Livestock Guardian Dogs reduce livestock losses by 70–100% when combined with basic husbandry practices, fencing, and conflict monitoring. Across the West, ranchers using tools like guardian dogs, fladry, range riders, and night-penning consistently experience fewer conflicts, healthier herds, and stronger long-term stability — without killing wolves.

This hub is designed to give California ranchers and landowners the tools, training, and support they need.

SCIENCE & RESEARCH BEHIND COEXISTENCE

Top Findings

  • Guardian dogs reduce carnivore predation 70–100%

  • Fladry reduces wolf approach rates by up to 97% (short-term)

  • Range riders lower depredation by 54–85%

  • Wolves prefer to avoid guarded livestock even when hungry

  • Non-lethal programs cost less long term than repeated livestock losses

Key Sources:

  • Journal of Wildlife Management

  • USDA Sheep Experiment Station

  • Gehring et al. (2010), van Bommel (2010), Stone et al. (2017)

  • Washington Wolf-Livestock Collaborative Studies

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Practical Tools for Ranchers, Land Stewards & Rural Communities

HOW TO SAFEGUARD YOUR FARM OR RANCH

Practical steps used by successful ranchers across the West.

Step 1: Use Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) preferably in packs.

LGDs are the most effective long-term non-lethal tool for deterring wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions. When it comes to wolves - multiple LGDS are effective, as wolves are pack animals and will perceive higher numbers as greater threats.

BEST BREEDS

  • Great Pyrenees

  • Anatolian Shepherd

  • Maremma

  • Karakachan

  • Akbash

WHY THEY WORK

  • Wolves avoid unfamiliar, confident canine defenders

  • LGDs stay with stock 24/7

  • They alert early, reducing surprise encounters

  • They create a “territory boundary” wolves prefer not to cross

RESOURCES

  • Partner Expert: Mollie Engelhart — Sovereignty Ranch
    Specializes in sustainable ranching + LGD implementation
    Guide Coming Soon: “How to Start With Guardian Dogs (5–10 Steps)”

  • Training Video:
    YouTube: “Intro to LGDs for Wolf Country Ranches” (insert link)

  • Research:
    U.S. Sheep Experiment Station; Gehring et al. 2010; van Bommel 2010

Step 2: Install Proper Fencing & Physical Barriers

Recommended Setups

  • Electric fencing (5–7 wire, 6,000–7,000 volts)

  • Turbo-fladry (short-term protection during high-risk periods)

  • High-tensile fencing

  • Portable electric netting for night corrals

  • Human scent stations near calving/kidding sites

Research

  • Electric fencing reduces wolf depredation by over 90% in controlled trials.

  • Fladry protects ranches for 60–90 days during calving or carcass-removal periods.

Step 3: Use Range Riders & Human Presence

Why It Works

  • Wolves adjust their movement to avoid people

  • Riders detect signs early — tracks, stress behavior, injured stock

  • Riders haze wolves nonviolently to maintain distance

Partner Highlight:

Daniel the Range Rider (Northern California)

  • Works with wolves, cattle, and multi-use public land

  • Specializes in tracking, low-stress livestock handling, and non-lethal wolf deterrence

  • Has prevented depredations across multiple grazing seasons.

Step 4: Remove Attractants Immediately

Key Practices

  • Bury or compost carcasses

  • Remove afterbirth during calving season

  • Avoid dumping feed or minerals that attract deer/elk (prey)

  • Keep guardian dogs and herding dogs fed & hydrated so they stay on their job

  • Secure chicken coops, lambing sheds, and grain storage

Research

  • 50%+ of wolf depredations occur when attractants are available.

Step 5: Change Grazing Patterns During High-Risk Times

  • Calving/kidding away from forest edges and closer to human residences

  • Temporary night penning

  • Moving herds to lower-risk pastures during pup-rearing season

  • Rotating grazing more frequently

  • Using guardian dogs + fencing + riders simultaneously during these windows

Wolves are highly predictable. Adjusting small operations can drastically reduce encounters.

REAL-LIFE SUCCESS STORIES

Mollie Engelhart – Sovereignty Ranch (California/Texas)

  • Runs cattle + LGDs

  • Uses rotational grazing & regenerative techniques

  • Has had zero wolf-related losses using guardian dogs + fencing

  • WFW partner providing a 5–10 step LGD guide for California ranchers

Daniel – California Range Rider Program

  • Works across National Forest and BLM grazing allotments

  • Identifies wolf activity early, reducing conflict proactively

  • Has prevented multiple depredation events through night penning, hazing, and rider presence

  • Collaboration launching with WFW in 2026 for statewide rancher support

Oregon Ranch Example (Peer-Reviewed Case Study)

  • Ranch using 3 Maremmas + turbo-fladry

  • 0 wolf losses in 3 years

  • Wolves maintained distance >1 mile from herds

Montana Sheep Ranch Case Study

  • 900-head sheep operation

  • 7 Anatolians + electric fencing

  • 90% reduction in predator conflict

  • Zero kills from wolves

Black Alder Ranch

Another Idaho operation that breeds and raises dogs of the Maremma Sheepdog breed, a classical livestock guardian dog breed long used to guard flocks against wolves.

COEXISTENCE RESOURCE LIBRARY

Guides & Toolkits

  • WFW Guardian Dog Starter Guide (2026)

  • Mollie Engelhart’s LGD 5–10 Step Method

  • Range Rider Introduction PDF

  • Fencing & Fladry Setup Sheet

Videos

  • “How Guardian Dogs Deter Wolves” – YouTube (link)

  • “Installing Turbo Fladry” – YouTube (link)

  • “Meet a California Range Rider” – YouTube (link)

  • “Non-Lethal Tools Explained” – YouTube (link)

External Partners

  • Tribal Nations

  • California Wolf Foundation

  • Sovereignty Ranch

  • Destiny Coyote Ranch