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Trapping and removal of wolves seems to reduce losses at most farms, but the extent of trapping that is necessary to reduce losses is not obvious. At some farms, depredations stop even though few or no wolves are removed. At other farms, depredations recur across the years despite regular removal of wolves. The difference seems to be related to (1) whether a pack or transient single wolf is involved, (2) farm management practices, (3) differences in behavior of specific wolf packs, and (4) wolf density near the farm. Because few wolves are involved in verified losses, and many wolves live near farms without killing livestock, trapping should be directed toward the capture of specific offending wolves rather than local populations. Results of the FWS's depredation control program in 1979 and 1980 suggest that depredations can be controlled without taking large numbers of wolves. Whether this will remain true is, of course, unknown. In 1979 and 1980 trapping was supplemented by alternate means of control including taste aversion baiting and placement of flagging and highway flasher lights at some farms. Additional study will be required to determine the effectiveness of these methods in reducing losses.

Many questions about the wolf-livestock problem need more complete answers. More research needs to be done to determine the exact nature of the problem and its possible solutions. It would be worthwhile, for example, to closely examine management practices at farms with verified losses and compare them with those at similar farms located nearby, but not experiencing losses. Also, cattle mortality studies at certain farms where calves disappear would be especially elucidating. Research should be directed toward developing more effective means of minimizing livestock losses while reducing the number of wolves that have to be killed.