The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will hold three meetings in northeastern Washington to discuss wolf-livestock conflict management.

The meetings will give livestock owners a chance to talk directly with department wildlife managers about wolves and their impact on ranching operations, according to a department press release.

The meeting will cover the types of landowner assistance available and specific producer needs, department wildlife conflict manager Stephanie Simek said.

Simek said the department has funding available for cost-sharing agreements for preventative measures to help reduce problems with wolves, including installing special fencing, protected areas for calving and lambing and range riders to haze wolves away from livestock.

To date, 16 producers have signed cooperative cost-share agreements, Simek said.

Meetings run from 6 to 8 p.m. in the following locations:

* Feb. 26: Cusick Community Center, 107 First Ave.

* Feb. 27: Colville Ag Trade Center, 317 W. Astor Ave.

* Feb. 28: Okanagan Public Utilities District office meeting room, 1331 Second Ave. N.

-- Matthew Weaver

Online

http://wdfw.wa.gov/