It was bright, early, called by Axel Hunnicutt.
He is looking for a wolf. Sometimes, they whizz by, providing a sense of their place.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported this week that there are three new wolves far north of the state. Hunnicutt, the agency's Gray Wolf coordinator, tried to track down one of the freshly cast Ashpan Pack, composed of at least two wolves roaming East Shasta County.
There are also Ishibaughs in eastern Tehama County and Tunnison Pack in central Larsen County. Some experts say there may be more than 70 wolves in California now.
“I don't want to brag, but I think my ling is pretty good,” Hunnicutt said by phone as he headed to Burney, north of Larsen Volcano National Park. From the day of search, he took a break from 5 a.m. to increase the limited information about packaging by wildlife officials.
The purpose is to capture and garment one of the wolf with a GPS collar. This way they can share information about the whereabouts of the animals with the owner of the livestock, which could become a meal for the apex predator. And, it will track them more easily if needed and collect more wolves if necessary.
The newly packaged trio brings the state's total to 10, marking a continued revival of canines protected under state and federal endangered species laws. By the end of last year, there were seven packs, and only one five years ago.
The “persistence” described by Hunnicutt confirms all the latest packaging – at least four times in six months, wolves have recorded at least two wolves together. At least three wolfs included Ishi bags; it is not clear whether they are descendants of the other two.
It’s welcome news for conservationists who want to see the state’s native animals flourish. However, many ranchers see the rise of wolves as a threat to their livelihoods.
California wolves were killed by humans about a century ago and began recolonizing the state about 14 years ago. In recent years, the population has begun to take off. Wildlife officials said that by the end of last year, there were about 50. With the birth and death of the cubs, the population fluctuates throughout the year and is likely to be higher at present.
As the number of wolves increases, so does the number of cattle they attack. Between January and March this year, 26 livestock surrender incidents were being investigated, and wolves were identified as the culprit for 16 of them, according to state data.
Kirk Wilbur, vice president of government affairs for the California Lads Association, which represents ranchers and beef producers, said at least two new packaging wolves prey on livestock.
“In the north, there is real emotional impact, real fear impact,” Wilbur said. “Nevertheless, perhaps people who have never succumbed to the werewolf of the cattle herd are still worried about this possibility, and those who have suffered from the wolf repeatedly, which is stressful, taxed and frustrated for these producers.”
This month, Shasta County joined four other Northern California counties amid Wolves’ declaration of a state of emergency. The county supervisory board also wrote to the state wildlife department calling for “immediate assistance and regulatory changes to address better equipment counties to address this growing concern,” the release said.
The state has taken steps to address ranchers’ concerns. About two weeks ago, the state Department of Wildlife announced the release of an online map showing the approximate location of the GPS crime wolf. Anyone can check it out, but it is designed to be extracted in ranchers to prevent wolves from clashing.
California wildlife officials plan to complete status reviews of wolf populations and are exploring the possibility of allowing tougher ways to lure animals, including firing non-lethal ammunition at them.
The state agency also reimbursed the rancher the livestock killed by the wolf. At one point, the state also provided funds covering non-lethal tools and indirect losses, but Hunnicutt said the program no longer had enough funds to achieve.
Wilbur said the new packaging highlighted his group's long-standing belief that gray wolves don't need to be added in 2014 on California's list of endangered species. Some ranchers want to be able to photograph broad canines, something that their protected status cannot.
It's not that cut and dry, Hunnicutt said.
“With the wolves, they do do well if they are allowed to have protection and they will recover soon,” he said. “On the other hand, completely overturning these 10 packages, it doesn't take much.”
He noted that within decades, hundreds of thousands (possibly millions) of wolves were eliminated from the western United States.
According to Hunnicutt, about 50 animals are not considered “viable populations.” He said that if the population reaches 150, protection may be relaxed.
Amaroq Weiss, a senior wolf advocate at the Center for Biodiversity for Conservation Group, believes that wolf growth rates are typical. She said the state's 2016 Wolf Conservation Program has identified about 23,000 square miles of suitable wolf habitat in the area north of Interstate 80. The same plan estimates that the region can support about 370 to 500 wolves.
Misunderstandings and misinformation are sparking strong opposition to animals, Weiss said.
“Decades of research have shown that conflicts between livestock, wolf and humans are rare and preventable,” she said in a statement. “These magnificent animals have great value because they help keep nature wild and healthy and ultimately benefit humans.”
Back in Shasta County, Hunnicutt was hot on the tracks of the Ashpan Pack. He picked up the track and made him walk away a new poop. He shoveled it up. He said, “Like, ah! I'm going to figure out who that is.”
He thought the two wolves in the backpack might refuse. It's the season now. This means they breed, and women were born in a study, which could be a hollowed-out log or other haven.
When the wolf is in Daniel (Wolves), they fix them in one position – Den – improve the chances of finding them. It essentially requires trying to find a square mile of activity in the 1,000 square mile search area, Hunnicutt said.
“It's hard, but I love it,” he said.
After Burney's lunch, he would go back to scout.
