Catron County’s Mexican wolves come under fire during meeting

Catron County Commissioners invited U.S. Fish and Wildlife, for a discussion last Wednesday on wolf predidation to clarify when it’s legal to kill Mexican wolves, drawing in over 100 locals to the hours long meeting.

According to New Mexico Game and Fish, Mexican wolves are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act. Killing one is a violation of state and federal law and can result in criminal penalties of up to $50,000, and/or not more than one year in jail, and/or a civil penalty of up to $25,000.

Audrey McQueen, county commissioner, said Catron County is over-saturated with wolves and was in search of clarity because five calves had recently been killed in the town of Reserve, and if a rancher didn’t kill them “right,” they could lose their livelihood.

McQueen is also on the County Livestock Loss Authority and represents Catron County in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife meetings.

“I kept asking them if they were going to remove them or what they were going to do. They told me over and over again that we could just kill them if they were on private property and it dawned on me if that’s what they wanted, why don’t they come down here and have a discussion and explain to the people how they can legally kill a wolf?” McQueen said.

She said that at the meeting, Brady McGee of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mexican wolf recovery coordinator explained that a wolf could be killed on private property only if it was actively attacking livestock, “but it’s a pretty fine line because if they’re harassing them and running them, it doesn’t count.”

On public land, it’s only allowed if the wolf is a direct threat to a human. Black wolves could also be shot because they are not true Mexican wolves.

“Everyone had a lot of valid questions,” McQueen said, “I wanted to ask, ‘When can the ranchers be put on the endangered species list?’ Because we are about to go extinct,” McQueen said.

McQueen said the situation is frustrating because although the wolves have tracking collars, they are turned off at night when most attacks happen. Although they have radios that will beep if one is nearby, ranchers don’t have access to wolf locations so they don’t know where on their ranch they might attack. She is also concerned because many of the wolves don’t have collars.

Aislinn Maestas, U.S. Fish and Wildlife public affairs specialist, said they estimated at the end of 2023 there are about 144 known wolves in New Mexico with 85 to 90% in Catron County, about 125 in the county. Because only about half are collared, they use scat analysis, visual observations from helicopters and trail cameras to make their estimation.

“It’s always good when we can connect with stakeholders in the area and meet face to face and answer questions,” Maestas said.

She said they are always available if anyone has questions or need help harassing wolves.

“If we know that there are known depredations, we obviously want to put a stop to that, that’s one of our top priorities and we will work with the rancher if they contact us and help them to the best of our extent and get them away from their cattle,” Maestas said.

According to Catron County’s wolf investigator, Jess Carey, from 2006 to 2023 there have been 1,354 depredation complaints and investigations and the confirmation rate of 58%. Based on 20 years of investigations he estimates there are about 200 wolves in Catron County, higher than the Fish and Wildlife estimates.

Fish and Wildlife confirmed that domestic animal owners or their agents can shoot wolves that are in the act of biting, killing, or wounding domestic animals (livestock or non-feral dogs) on non-federal land (private, tribal or state land) south of Interstate 40. “Livestock” includes domestic alpacas, bison, burros (donkeys), cattle, goats, horses, llamas, mules, and sheep. “Non-feral dogs” includes domestic pets and working/hunting dogs. Poultry are not considered livestock under this rule. A person may harass, injure or kill a wolf in defense of human life.

Any person taking any of the above actions must report the incident within 24 hours at 888-459-9653.