Jackson County rancher talks about losing his dog, Scout, to wolves

February 10, 2026 Shannon Lukens

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By Shannon Lukens for Steamboat Radio/Blizzard Broadcasting. (Warning, some pictures are graphic.)

A working ranch dog named Scout was killed by a wolf, or wolves, Saturday, Feb. 7, at a ranch in Jackson County. Coy Meyring is a fifth generation rancher. He got Scout as a puppy.

“Well, Scout, she was nine, and her and Millie are the two dogs that I have here, go everywhere with you. And, I knew something was wrong Saturday morning because Scout wasn’t with Millie.”

Meyring found Scout’s body along a back fence in his yard, after feeding his cattle Saturday morning. Scout was killed by a wolf or wolves, as confirmed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife Monday on the Confirmed Gray Wolf Depredation Information Page.

Game camera photos courtesy Coy Meyring.

Meyring’s property is home to the natal den of the One Ear Pack, which was confirmed by CPW as having four adults and at least six pups last summer. A natal den is typically a secure, reused, underground burrow or rock crevice used by a mother where she has her pups, and then shelters them from April to early summer.

July 30, 2025 — Jackson County Rancher says the One Ear Pack has 10 wolves in it
CPW — Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirms first reproduction from gray wolves released in December
CPW — Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirms minimum count of pups in One Ear Pack

Meyring says in addition to his dog, they’ve had two yearling head of cattle killed, and two more attacked, but they were able to save those two. He also said they lost a newborn calf during calving, to the wolves, all on his Jackson County property.

We asked Colorado Parks and Wildlife about the multiple kills on the ranch. But they have been spread out over a couple of years. What Colorado Parks and Wildlife watches for is Chronic Depredation events that are caused by the same wolf or wolves, within a 30-day period. This has not happened on the Meyring property.

Here’s more from Luke Perkins, the Statewide Public Information Officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

CPW has an administrative directive which defines “Chronic Depredation” and provides guidance on when lethal removal is warranted and how they will be carried out.

This directive defines “Chronic Depredation” as three or more “depredation events” caused by the same wolf, or wolves, within a 30-day period, provided there is clear and convincing evidence that at least one of the depredation events was caused by a wolf or wolves. The two additional events must also be determined by at least a preponderance of evidence to have been caused by wolves.

The key point for your question is the 30-day period.

For context a “Depredation event” refers to a 24-hour period in which the Division determines by a preponderance of the evidence that a wolf or wolves caused physical trauma resulting in injury or death to a producer’s livestock or working dogs.

When a situation meets the definition of “Chronic Depredation” CPW will then consider four factors to decide if lethal removal is appropriate:

The documented repeated depredation and harassment of a producer’s livestock or working dogs caused by the wolf, wolves, or pack targeted;
The use of a variety of nonlethal conflict minimization materials and techniques;
The likelihood that additional wolf-related depredation will continue if lethal control is or is not implemented;
And if there was the unintentional or intentional use of attractants that may be luring or baiting wolves to the location.

After considering these factors CPW will decide on a case-by-case basis if carrying out lethal removal is appropriate.

When carrying out lethal removals, CPW goal is to:

target the wolves responsible for the depredations to the best extent possible;
minimize the number of wolves that must be lethally removed;
change pack behavior to reduce the potential for future depredation; and
use the fastest, safest, most humane, and most cost-effective methods available.

CPW takes an incremental approach to lethal removals when carrying them out. For example, if an entire pack is responsible for a series of depredation events, the Division will start by trying to remove one or two wolves during an active removal period, then evaluate whether the removal efforts have achieved the goal of changing pack behavior.

As CPW has a responsibility to balance the sharing of information with the safety of the public, staff and animals — and wildlife management operations are extremely sensitive — CPW does not confirm or comment on them until they are completed.

Perkins added, “CPW has issued no Chronic Depredation Permit over the life of the wolf program.”

Meyring added that Scout was a part of his family. He would like people to understand the impact this has on the ranchers, the animals, and the wolves.

“We’re really defenseless here. And, it’s a hopeless feeling and it’s frustrating, and, it’s hard to understand the impact that this has on us and this operation and my family and, you know, the people that work for me. There’s a lot of fear. It’s confusing, it’s disappointing.

It’s disappointing that, you know, we’ve done this to the wolves. I really feel like that’s as big a tragedy as any of this. These, these wolves didn’t ask for this. They didn’t want this. And they’re struggling to survive, just like we are. And there’s no room for them here. Colorado is too small and they’re constantly gonna be in conflict. And a lot of bad things have already happened to them.

And so, I just wish that people could understand really the toll that this is taking on us, financially and emotionally, you know. We’ve been ranching here, my family, I’m fifth generation here. This has changed everything for us. I mean, there’ve been a lot of challenges over this last century, but this one is tough.”

Courtesy photos of Blaze, Buster, and Cisco.

Since January of 2022, four other dogs have been killed by wolves in Jackson County, according to the CPW Wolf Depredation page. One rancher was reimbursed the full amount from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, ($15,000) for his working ranch dog that was killed by wolves in March of 2023.

Meyring says he will submit a claim with CPW for the loss of Scout.

March 15, 2023 – TWO DOGS DIE FROM WOLVES IN JACKSON COUNTY THIS WEEK

Confirmed Gray Wolf Depredation Information Page

Steamboat Radio News Past Coverage of wolves in Colorado

Feb. 9, 2026 — Facebook Post: The Confirmed Gray Wolf Depredation Information page is reporting a new wolf kill.
Feb. 3, 2026 — A wolf died in Routt County, while being collared by CPW on Jan. 28
Jan. 27, 2026 — Applications being accepted to promote awareness for Born to be Wild License Plate
Jan. 21, 2026 — CPW says no wolves will be translocated to Colorado this winter
Jan. 20, 2026 — Another wolf from British Columbia has died
Jan. 6, 2026 — Former CPW Director headed to Wyoming Fish and Game
Dec. 17, 2025 — Grand County Commissioners sent letter to Gov. Polis about the wolf re-released in their county
Dec. 11, 2025 — Wolf from the Copper Creek Pack is returned to Colorado after traveling to New Mexico
Nov. 25, 2025 — Jeff Davis is stepping down as Executive Director for Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Nov. 7, 2025 — Another wolf introduced to Colorado from British Columbia has died
Oct. 14, 2025 — Two more ewes killed in Rio Blanco County by a wolf or wolves
Sept. 9, 2025 — Cause of death determined for wolf that died in May in Northwest Colorado
Aug. 27, 2025 — Petition organizers to put a stop to wolf reintroduction pause the campaign
Aug. 26, 2025 — Search for uncollared wolf in Rio Blanco County is discontinued
Aug. 21, 2025 — Plaster casts have been made of wolf paw prints in Jackson County
Aug. 20, 2025 — Gov. Polis’ office and CPW respond to proposed Wolf Bill in Special Session
Aug. 19, 2025 — Colorado legislators to introduce a bill to put a pause on wolf introductions, to help with the budget
Aug. 9, 2025 — Dead cow discovered by range riders in Pitkin County
Aug. 6, 2025 — Another gray wolf has been killed in Wyoming
August 5, 2025 — CPW confirms uncollared wolf in Rio Blanco County is a “chronic depredator”
July 30, 2025 — Jackson County Rancher says the One Ear Pack has 10 wolves in it
July 27, 2025 — Meet a Colorado Range Rider – Shelby Neiberger
July 24, 2025 — CPW reports wolf activity in this month’s watershed map
July 17, 2025 — CPW updates the four wolf packs in Colorado and settles claims for missing livestock
July 8, 2025 — CPW Commission and staff discuss Copper Creek Pack
July 6, 2025 — Holy Cross Cattlemen ask CPW for Chronic Depredation Permit
July 3, 2025 — CPW Commission receives a new letter about the Copper Creek Pack of wolves
June 30, 2025 — CPW officials discuss wolves at with Colorado State Legislators at State Capitol
June 27, 2025 — CPW releases this year’s Colorado Gray Wolf Annual Report
June 24, 2025 — Colorado Cattlemen hear of new wolf petition being presented to CPW
June 2, 2025 —Another wolf has died
May 30, 2025 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife kills a wolf from the Copper Creek Pack
May 16, 2025 —A gray wolf from British Columbia has died in Northwest Colorado
April 24, 2025 — Another gray wolf from British Columbia has died
April 11, 2025, Media Statement: Colorado Gray Wolf 2513 Mortality in Wyoming
March 29, 2025 — Wolf in Jackson County may be heading to Wyoming
March 28, 2025 — Wolf in Jackson County meets three Livestock Guardian Dogs
March 27, 2025 — Day 12 and the wolf keeps showing up each night at the same Jackson County ranch
March 24, 2025 — Wolf spotted on game cam in Jackson County
March 22, 2025 — Ballot initiative to end wolf introduction by 2026 has been filed
March 20, 2025 — A gray wolf recently introduced to Colorado has been killed in Wyoming
March 19, 2025 — CPW confirms a wolf attack on a dog in Jackson County
March 5, 2025 — CPW Commission talks wolves and how “we have to get past this point of constant contention”
Feb. 14, 2025 — Jackson County Rancher says CPW has confirmed a wolf kill of his cow
Feb. 13, 2025 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife updates wolf movements and more
Jan. 19, 2025 — Twenty wolves have been released in Eagle and Pitkin counties
Jan. 16, 2025 — Here is how you can become a Range Rider
Jan. 15, 2025 — Colorado legislators are told that CPW agents are being threatened
Jan. 12, 2025 — New wolves may have arrived from British Columbia
Jan. 11, 2025 — Up to 15 new gray wolves from British Columbia will be in Colorado within two weeks
Jan. 8, 2025 — Video of the CPW Commission vote, denying the Wolf Citizen Petition
Jan. 7, 2025 — Ag producers on Ad Hoc Wolf Working Group speak out before Wednesday’s CPW Commission meeting
Jan. 7, 2025 — STATE LEGISLATORS DISCUSS WOLVES AND THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jan. 2, 2025 — A reward is offered for the person who shot a gray wolf in Grand County
Dec. 31, 2024 — Producers submit three wolf depredation claims for over $575,000
Dec. 23, 2024 — CPW releases definition and stipulations of Chronic Depredation and Lethal Management of wolves
Dec. 21, 2024 — CPW says they’ll recommend denying petition request for delaying next introduction of wolves
Dec. 9, 2024 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife has started the operation to bring 15 gray wolves to Colorado from British Columbia
Nov. 14, 2024 — Wolf Update — November 14, 2024
Nov. 3, 2024 — A collared wolf has crossed I-70 to the south, for the first time
Nov. 3, 2024 — CPW responds to requests from Club 20 about Wolf Reintroduction
Oct. 15, 2024 — Livestock producers have access to livestock protection dogs for free from USDA
Oct. 11, 2024 — Fifth wolf pup has not been captured
Oct. 8, 2024 — CPW Commission gets another letter asking to pause wolf reintroduction
Oct. 6, 2024 — CPW Commission hears wolf updates at meeting
Sept. 30, 2024 –– A 5th wolf pup is spotted in Grand County and will be captured by CPW
Sept. 30, 2024 — Colorado Ag Organizations petition CPW Commission before further wolf releases happen
Sept. 26, 2024 — No producers show for first Non-Lethal Wolf Conflict Reduction Training Meeting
Sept. 23, 2024 — CPW confirms a cow and a calf killed by wolves in Grand County
Sept. 16, 2024 — The Wolf Conflict Reduction program is hiring two field specialists
Sept. 14, 2024 — The next set of wolves coming to Colorado will be from Canada
Sept. 13, 2024 — Middle Park Stockgrowers ask CPW not to release any more wolves there
Sept. 12, 2024 — Another wolf is dead in Grand County
Sept. 10, 2024 — Grand County ranchers are reporting more wolf kills
Sept. 9, 2024 — The Copper Creek Wolf Pack has been captured and CPW says the adult male was unhealthy and has died
Sept. 9, 2024 –– Ranchers with the most wolf depredations ask U.S. Fish & Wildlife to take over wolf management
Aug. 27, 2024 — The Copper Creek Wolf Pack is getting rounded up and relocated
Aug. 23, 2024 — CPW confirms the next wolves introduced will again be in Northern Colorado
July 31, 2024 — Eight more sheep confirmed killed by wolves in Grand County
July 31, 2024 — Colville Tribe says they won’t send wolves to Colorado now
July 29, 2024 — Two more sheep die from wolves in Grand County
June 24, 2024 — CPW REPORTS LESS WOLF ACTIVITY IN ROUTT AND NONE IN MOFFAT
June 20, 2024 — WOLF PUP CONFIRMED IN GRAND COUNTY
June 19, 2024 — CPW CONFIRMS SOUTH ROUTT WOLF KILL
June 17, 2024 — PRODUCER REPORTS SUSPECTED WOLF KILL IN SOUTH ROUTT COUNTY
June 16, 2024 — CPW DIRECTOR JEFF DAVIS ANSWERS QUESTIONS AT JACKSON COUNTY GATHERING
June 13, 2024 — CPW TO FORM WORKING GROUP REGARDING WOLF RESTORATION
June 12, 2024 — NORTH PARK PRODUCER WHO LOSES CALF SPEAKS OUT
June 10, 2024 — CPW CONFIRMS ANOTHER WOLF DEPREDATION IN JACKSON COUNTY THIS WEEKEND
June 5, 2024 — Wolf Video posted from Grand County
May 26, 2024 — DON GITTLESON SAYS ANOTHER CALF HAS BEEN KILLED BY WOLVES ON HIS RANCH
May 15, 2024 — HERE’S THE LATEST LETTER TO MIDDLE PARK STOCKGROWERS FROM CPW DIRECTOR DAVIS
May 14, 2024 — Suspected mountain lion kills the collared wolf
May 6, 2024 — MIDDLE PARK STOCKGROWERS SEND EIGHT-PAGE LETTER TO CPW
April 30, 2024 — GRAND COUNTY RANCHERS TO GET HELP WITH PROTECTING THEIR LIVESTOCK
April 30, 2024 — NORTH PARK STOCKGROWERS SEND ANOTHER LETTER TO CPW AND GOV. POLIS
April 28, 2024 —ANOTHER WOLF KILL IN GRAND COUNTY SUNDAY
April 24-2024 — COLLARED GRAY WOLF ACTIVITY MAP RELEASED FOR APRIL
April 23, 2024 — A WOLF HAS DIED, AND MIDDLE PARK STOCKGROWERS HEAR FROM CPW
April 22, 2024 — MULTIPLE LETTERS SENT TODAY TO GOVERNOR POLIS AND CPW ASKING FOR ACTION ON WOLVES
April 18, 2024 — FOUR MORE HEAD OF LIVESTOCK KILLED BY WOLVES IN GRAND COUNTY
April 9, 2024 — AG PRODUCERS MEET WITH CPW OFFICIALS IN KREMMLING ABOUT WOLVES
April 8, 2024 — ANOTHER CALF KILLED BY A WOLF OR WOLVES IN JACKSON COUNTY
April 3, 2024 — A WOLF OR WOLVES HAVE KILLED A NEWBORN CALF IN GRAND COUNTY
April 3, 2024 — Denver 7 Calf killed in first confirmed report of gray wolf depredation since wolves were released in December
Feb. 29, 2024 — COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE OFFICIALS COME TO STEAMBOAT SPRINGS TO TALK WOLVES
Jan. 30, 2024 — CPW SENDS UPDATE ON WOLF SIGHTINGS SINCE 2004, AND MORE ON THE MAP
Jan. 24, 2024 — ELECTED OFFICIALS GRILL DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CPW AT HEARING WEDNESDAY
Jan. 22, 2024 — CPW GETS HARSH LETTER DEMANDING ANSWERS FROM ROBERTS AND MCCLUSKIE
Jan. 19, 2024 — COLORADO’S NEXT WOLVES TO BE REINTRODUCED WILL BE FROM TRIBAL LANDS IN WASHINGTON
Jan. 12, 2024 — CPW CONFIRMS WOLVES WERE IN SOUTH ROUTT BUT AREN’T (YET) IN MOFFAT
Dec. 22, 2023 — FIVE MORE WOLVES ARE RELEASED BY COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Dec. 22, 2023 — CPW DENIES GITTLESON’S REQUEST TO IMPLEMENT 10(J) RULE ON JACKSON COUNTY WOLVES
Dec. 21, 2023 — THREE OF THE FIVE WOLVES RELEASED IN COLORADO WERE IN PACKS THAT KILLED OR INJURED LIVESTOCK IN OREGON
Dec. 19, 2023 — LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS RECEIVE WOLF UPDATE FROM CPW IN CRAIG MONDAY
Dec. 13, 2023 — GITTLESON SAYS ANOTHER CALF WAS ATTACKED BY A WOLF TODAY
Dec. 11, 2023 — COMPLAINT FILED IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT TO STOP WOLF REINTRODUCTION IN COLORADO
Dec. 4, 2023 — KEEP YOUR PETS CLOSE AND CARRY A BIG STICK – CPW HAS ADVICE FOR LIVING WITH WOLVES
Nov. 19, 2023 — THREE LAMBS KILLED BY A WOLF IN JACKSON COUNTY, SAYS RANCHER
Nov. 17, 2023 – CPW AND CDA ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO WORK TOGETHER ON WOLF REINTRODUCTION
Nov. 7, 2023 – U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SETS DATE FOR 10J RULE FOR WOLVES
Oct. 6, 2023 – COLORADO WILL RECEIVE WOLVES FROM OREGON
May 16, 2023 – POLIS VETOES 10J RULE WOLF BILL
May 3, 2023 – CPW COMMISSION APPROVES FINAL WOLF RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN
May 2, 2023 – MANAGEMENT OF GRAY WOLVES REINTRODUCTION BILL PASSES IN STATE HOUSE
May 2, 2023 –CPW MEETS THIS WEEK FOR FINAL WOLF MANAGEMENT PLAN
April 27, 2023 – CPW CONFIRMS WOLF SIGHTING EAST OF KREMMLING
April 8, 2023 – CPW WOLF COMMISSION MEETS IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
April 3, 2023 – CPW TO PRESENT FINAL DRAFT WOLF RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
March 28, 2023 – THE SOUTHERN UTE TRIBE ASKS THAT CPW RELEASES WOLVES ALONG I-70 CORRIDOR
March 15, 2023 – TWO DOGS DIE FROM WOLVES IN JACKSON COUNTY THIS WEEK
March 3, 2023 –COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION RELEASES WOLF REINTRODUCTION MEETING RECAP
Feb. 21, 2023 —WOLF 2101 RECAPTURED AND RECOLLARED IN JACKSON COUNTY
Feb. 21, 2023 —10J RULE MEETINGS WITH REGARDS TO WOLVES SCHEDULED FOR NW COLORADO BY US FISH AND WILDLIFE
Jan. 17, 2023 —STATE LEGISLATORS HEAR MORE ON WOLF REINTRODUCTION AT JOINT COMMITTEE HEARING
Dec. 13, 2022 —MORE WOLVES VISIT GITTLESON PROPERTY IN JACKSON COUNTY THIS WEEK
Dec. 12, 2022 —NORTH PARK RANCHERS MEET WITH CPW REGARDING WOLF REINTRODUCTION PLAN
Dec. 10, 2022 —CPW RELEASES DRAFT COLORADO WOLF RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN
Nov. 19, 2022 —ANOTHER WOLF ATTACK REPORTED IN JACKSON COUNTY
Oct. 9, 2022 —WOLVES ATTACK CALVES IN RIO BLANCO AND JACKSON COUNTIES
July 14, 2022 —CPW UPDATES THE WOLF PACK IN JACKSON COUNTY
June 20, 2022 ––WOLF MANAGEMENT DISCUSSED AT MEETING IN WALDEN
June 15, 2022 —WOLVES IN NORTH PARK ARE SUBJECT AT MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 20
May 30, 2022 —THE GITTLESON RANCH LOSES ANOTHER CALF TO WOLVES, THEY SAY
May 5, 2022 —AT LEAST TWO MORE CALVES KILLED BY WOLVES ON GITTLESON RANCH
May 10, 2022 ––THIRD CALF DIES ON JACKSON COUNTY RANCH; CPW DOES NECROPSY
April 11, 2022 —A NEW LITTER OF WOLF PUPS IS EXPECTED IN JACKSON COUNTY
March 17, 2022 —WOLVES ATTACK ANOTHER DOMESTIC COW IN JACKSON COUNTY
Feb. 10, 2022 – MONTANA STOCKGROWERS VOICE SUPPORT FOR COLORADO RANCHERS OVER THE WOLVES
Feb. 9, 2022 – WOLF MANAGEMENT DISCUSSED BY LOCAL RANCHERS AND OFFICIALS AT FORUM IN STEAMBOAT
Jan. 22, 2022 – WOLF MITIGATION OPTIONS
Jan. 19, 2022 – ANOTHER COW KILLED OVERNIGHT IN NORTH PARK BY WOLVES
Jan. 18, 2022 – TWO MORE COWS ATTACKED BY WOLVES IN JACKSON COUNTY TUESDAY
Jan. 12, 2022 – CPW ALLOWS WOLVES TO BE HAZED IN EMERGENCY DECLARATION
Jan. 10, 2022 – A WOLF PACK KILL IS REPORTED IN JACKSON COUNTY OVER THE WEEKEND
June 9, 2021 – WOLF DEN WITH PUPS CONFIRMED IN NW COLORADO