Assessing the Feasibility of A Wolf Economy for Washington John Marzluff, UW, SEFS Stanley Asah, UW, SEFS Aaron Wirsing, UW, SEFS Brian Kertson, WDFW

Goal and Approach To determine the extent to which investments from urban centers can facilitate stewardship required for coexistence between wolves and those living with wolves By Listening – To ranchers, regulators, policy makers, agency scientists, environmentalists, those processing, selling and buying meat, cowboys, future ranchers, recreation brokers – In depth interviews – Phone / mail surveys

First Steps Graduate and undergraduate students have identified participants, developed interview scripts and listened to 45 ranchers in areas where wolves live Ranchers suggested ways to reduce loss to wolves: – Don’t raise sheep, keep cows close to barn, watch livestock, educate the urban masses, poison, spay/neuter, quit ranching, reduce grazing fees on allotments with wolves, more cow bell

Compensation Annual subsidy? (More No) – That’s bribery; accepting the money would imply that it’s ok, it’s not. Premium price on wolf safe beef? (More No) – Cattlemen sell cattle not beef – If there is market and money, it will work Development of tourism? (More No) – People won’t pay for that Range riders? (More Yes) – It’s not range-riders, that’s a fancy term from environmentalists, its cowboys and ranchers have always had those. Compensation for wolf killed stock? (Equal Yes-No) – Doesn’t solve the problem – Puts you under the thumb of the government

Next? Interview other stakeholders, including you Develop and conduct survey of all ranchers Develop and conduct survey of residents Test the market for wolf-safe beef