“As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.”  
​- Harrington Emerson

Range riders have proven success in reducing wolf-cattle conflict in parts of the western United States and Canada,  ​However, traditional range riding that focuses on controlling wild wolves either through human presence or hazing vs focusing on managing the cattle, has limited effectiveness long-term.

Working Circle takes the concept of range riding to a more comprehensive, sustainable, and effective level.

Reducing stress in cattle through proper handling plays a significant role in reducing conflict risk. Utilizing effective stockmanship in the daily handling of cattle along with a solid herd health and nutrition program is key in reducing vulnerability, thus preventing cattle loss to wolves.

Range riding need not be an extra thing that ranchers need to do in order to manage wolf-livestock conflict. The stockmanship and herd health practices we advance to mitigate conflict can be and should be part of the ranches normal activities designed to lower stress not only in cattle but the operation as a whole. 

Rather than a strategy in itself, Range Riding should be used as as tool to implement practices surrounding daily cattle  management to reduce the risk of wolf-livestock conflict.

Working Circle supported Range Riders receive in-depth training and ongoing support in cutting-edge herd management practices that include stockmanship techniques, cattle health and nutrition along with wildlife tracking and monitoring and understanding wolf behavior and ecology.  Our focus is on practices that have the co-benefit of increasing ranch resiliency and economic viability.  

"Livestock, when handled properly, will develop trust and respect (not fear) which translates into a wide variety of positive results including better weight gains, less sickness, easy gathers, efficient corral work and happier cattle/handlers.'
~ Cattle Up Stockmanship

It is our desire for ranching families to be able to manage their own operations, including wolf-livestock conflict and risk-reduction strategies independent of long-term outside reliance. 

LINKS:
Wolf-Livestock Conflict Risk Mitigation
Understanding Vulnerability for Managing Conflict Risk
Calving Season Tips for Reducing Conflict Risk 

Wolf-Livestock Conflict
​ EMERGENCY SUPPORT contact:
Email or Call: 949-429-9950

On-Ranch Consultation & Support​ 
(no charge to livestock producers)
 

Stockmanship
​for Effective Range Riding
In partnership with Cattle Up Stockmanship, Working Circle offers comprehensive
​Effective Stockmanship Training Courses for ranchers.
These courses support the goal of reducing wolf-livestock conflict risk through adaptable practices that also strengthen the ranch overall. 

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​"We are grateful you came along; this is an issue we have struggled to deal with and honestly have been unsure of how to proceed. The Working Circle model provides the most sense moving forward.”
                                                                                      ~ Oregon Senior Wildlife Biologist,
​US Fish & Wildlife Service

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