WYOMING – Wyoming Game and Fish Department has believed in “fladery” for some time now. The unique method of flagging a fenceline to keep wolves out has been effective enough that the department begins conflict mitigation with the relatively inexpensive method of wolf deterrent.
Fladery. It almost seems too simple to be true. Erecting a temporary perimeter fence with strips of red plastic to flutter in the wind and scare wolves away from livestock. Hold your scoff. So far, it seems to be working, at least on a temporary basis.
For at least one Wyoming rancher willing to try it, fladery has kept wolves from livestock for weeks now during calving season. While the flagged fence has been up at the rancher’s calving pasture, there have been no further incidents with wolves to date, where there typically has been in the past.
While no methods are 100 percent effective, Game and Fish will continue to work with willing landowners to implement this relatively inexpensive and nonlethal strategy for deterring wolf depredation on their cows and newborn calves. As simple as it may be, it seems to have helped at least one rancher through the calving season with no losses to wolves.
Source: Wolf warning: Fladery will get you everywhere – Buckrail, Jackson Hole News