Wolves and Livestock Updates

Wolf Home Page

2020

• 09/16/20 Update to Rogue AKWA and ADW maps

• 09/04/20 Confirmed depredation by Rogue Pack (Klamath County)

• 09/01/20 Confirmed depredation in Union Co (Ruckel Ridge AKWA)

• 08/17/20 Confirmed depredation by Rogue Pack (Klamath County)

• 08/12/20 Confirmed depredation by Rogue Pack (Klamath County)

• 08/11/20 Two confirmed depredations by Rogue Pack (Klamath County)

• 07/31/20 Two confirmed depredations by Rogue Pack (Klamath County)

• 07/29/20 Confirmed depredation by Chesnimnus Pack (Wallowa County)

• 07/21/20 Confirmed depredation by Rogue Pack (Klamath County)

• 06/22/20 Confirmed depredation in Umatilla County (Mt. Emily AKWA)

• 05/27/20 Confirmed depredation by Clark Creek Pack (Union County)

• 05/26/20 Confirmed depredation in Wallowa Co (Chesnimnus Pack)

• 05/15/20 Confirmed depredations by Mt. Emily Pack (Umatilla Co) and Rogue Pack (Klamath Co)

• 05/14/20 Confirmed depredation by Rogue Pack (Klamath County)

• 05/04/20 Two probable depredations by Mt. Emily Pack (Umatilla County)

• 04/24/20 Two confirmed depredations by Middle Fork Pack (Wallowa County)

• 04/24/20 Update to Middle Fork AKWA map

• 04/17/20 Confirmed depredation in Union County (Hilgard area)

• 03/10/20 Confirmed depredation in Baker County (Cornucopia AKWA)

• 02/19/20 One confirmed and one probable depredation by Keating Pack (Baker County)

2019

• 11/18/19 Two confirmed depredations by Rogue Pack (Jackson County)

• 10/23/19 Two confirmed depredations by Rogue Pack (Jackson County)

• 09/05/19 Confirmed depredation - Ruckel Ridge Pack (Union County)

• 08/19/19 Confirmed depredation in Wallowa County (unknown wolf or wolves)

• 08/12/19 Confirmed depredation by Five Points Pack (Union County)

• 07/02/19 New AKWA map (Northside Wolves) in Grant County

• 06/04/19 Confirmed depredation by Rogue Pack (Klamath County)

• 05/29/19 Confirmed depredation in Wallowa County (unknown wolf or wolves)

• 05/16/19 Confirmed depredation by Pine Creek Pack (Baker County)

• 04/18/19 Confirmed depredation by Pine Creek Pack (Baker County)

• 04/15/19 ODFW released its draft proposed Wolf Conservation and Management Plan today at www.odfw.com/wolves.



The Fish and Wildlife Commission is expected to vote on the Plan at the June 7 meeting in Salem.



Public testimony will be taken during the June 7 meeting and can also be sent to odfw.commission@state.or.us Emails sent by May 23 will be in review materials shared with Commissioners prior to the meeting.



More information.

• 04/08/19 Oregon’s minimum known wolf count is 137, up 10 percent from last year State wildlife biologists counted 137 wolves in Oregon this past winter, a 10 percent increase over last year’s count of 124, according to the Wolf Conservation and Management 2018 Annual Report released today. Read the full news release

• 03/26/19 Confirmed depredation by Rogue Pack (Jackson County)

• 03/21/19 New AKWA posted for Indigo Wolves (Douglas/Lane Counties)

• 03/20/19 Confirmed depredation by Rogue Pack (Jackson County)

• 03/06/19 Probable depredation in Curry County (White Mountain area)

• 01/22/19 Confirmed depredation by Catherine Pack (Union County)

• 01/18/19 Confirmed depredation in Jackson County (Boundary Butte area)

• 01/2/19 Confirmed depredation in Jackson County (Boundary Butte area)

2018

• 12/24/18 Confirmed depredation in Jackson County (Boundary Butte area)

• 11/18/18 Confirmed depredation in Jackson County (Boundary Butte area)

• 11/10/18 Confirmed depredation in Jackson County (Rancheria area)

• 10/27/18 Confirmed depredation in Klamath County (Wood River Valley)

• 10/24/18 Three confirmed depredations in Klamath County (Wood River Valley)

• 10/24/18 Confirmed depredation in Grant County (Logan Valley area)

• 09/26/18 Confirmed depredation in Jackson County (Boundary Butte area)

• 09/17/18 Confirmed depredation in Wallowa County (Harl Butte area)

• 08/24/18 ODFW to reissue kill permit for wolf after additional livestock loss in Wallowa County ODFW will reissue a limited duration kill permit to a livestock producer who recently lost another calf to wolves (see investigation on Aug. 20). Since June, this same producer has experienced four depredations to his livestock by the Chesnimnus Wolves in northeast Oregon. After three of his calves where injured by wolves in June, the livestock producer was issued a kill permit on June 21. No wolves were ever killed under the original permit which expired on July 10. The new permit will allow the rancher or his agent to shoot one wolf on his public land allotment occupied by his livestock. It expires in 30 days (Sept. 24, 2018). The permit requires that the producer continue implement non-lethal measures and that there are no identified circumstances that attract wolf conflict. The producer has continued to use non-lethals in the large forested allotment since June, with human presence around the cows/calves including camping out at night; removing injured livestock from the pasture to avoid attracting wolves; and placing remote cameras and monitoring the area for wolf sign and changes in cattle behavior in order to focus human presence. ODFW employees have documented routine presence of wolves in the area during July and August. ODFW is working to learn more about these wolves and will place a radio collar on a wolf if there is an opportunity.

• 08/22/18 Confirmed depredation by Chesnimnus Wolves (Wallowa County)

• 08/03/18 Confirmed depredation by Chesnimnus Wolves (Wallowa County)

• 07/27/18 Confirmed depredation by Ruckel Ridge Pack (Umatilla County)

• 07/24/18 Confirmed depredation in Wallowa County (Harl Butte area)

• 06/21/18 ODFW to provide kill permit after three depredations by wolves in Wallowa County



ODFW will provide a kill permit to a rancher in Wallowa County who requested lethal removal after three of his calves were injured by wolves in his pasture last week. The permit will allow the rancher or his agent to kill one wolf on the privately owned pasture he leases and his adjacent public land allotment. The permit expires July 10, when he removes his cattle from that pasture. ODFW staff also has the authority to kill the one wolf.



A wolf or wolves in the Joseph Creek area in the Chesnimnus Unit injured three calves in the same privately-owned, open land pasture of the rancher’s over three separate incidents during a three-day period last week. ODFW confirmed the injuries as wolf-caused during two investigations on June 13 and 14.



The area where the depredations occurred is within the Chesnimnus Wolves Area of Known Wolf Activity. Three wolves were counted in this area at the end of 2017 but as there are no working collars in this group, it is unclear if the wolves involved are new wolves using the area, or remnants of the Chesnimnus Pack. ODFW is working to learn more about these wolves and will place a radio collar on a wolf if there is an opportunity.



Under the Wolf Plan rules, livestock producers must be using non-lethal methods and document unsuccessful attempts to solve the situation through these non-lethal means before lethal control can be considered. Also, there can be no attractants on the property (such as bone piles or carcasses) that could be attracting wolves.



ODFW did not identify any attractants on the property when investigating the depredation incidents. In terms of non-lethals, the producer has been checking livestock repeatedly since they were placed in pasture earlier in June; maintained human presence around the cows/calves including checking them during the night; penned the cows/calves in a smaller area after the first two depredations; removed injured livestock from the pasture to avoid attracting wolves; monitored the area for wolf sign and changes in cattle behavior; and arranged for an agent to spend several nights with the cattle after the first depredations.



Removing a wolf is intended to stop further depredations on this producer’s cattle. Authorizing incremental take and providing a kill permit is typically the first step ODFW takes when livestock producers using non-lethal measures cannot stop losses and ODFW believes depredations will continue. In this case, one or more wolves are routinely using this area and cattle will be at risk in this pasture until July 10.

• 06/18/18 Three confirmed depredations in Wallowa County (Joseph Creek area)

• 06/14/18 Confirmed depredation in Wallowa County (Reagin Gulch area)

• 04/19/18 Confirmed depredation by Pine Creek Pack (Baker Co)

• 04/18/18 Two confirmed depredations by the Pine Creek Pack (4/16/18-A & 4/16/18-B)

• 04/18/18 ODFW staff shot two wolves from the Pine Creek Pack (an uncollared yearling female and an uncollared adult male) this morning. The wolves were on private land and were shot from a helicopter.



Last night (evening of April 17), ODFW announced that additional lethal control of two wolves was authorized after a confirmed depredation on Sunday and two more confirmed depredations on Monday, April 16. These depredations occurred in a different area about 5-6 miles away from the April 6-7 depredations. (Reports on the Monday investigations should be posted online sometime today). The three recent depredations bring the total to five incidents of depredation by the Pine Creek Pack, killing four calves and injuring six calves and affecting two different livestock producers.



Producers in the new area have been implementing non-lethal activities including burying bone piles and removing carcasses. Ranch staff have hazed the wolves away multiple times. Ranch staff have also been patrolling cattle from before daylight until darkness daily and keeping track of the wolves’ location with ODFW assistance. Finally, ranch staff have delayed turning out cattle on large open range pastures and have moved cattle from pastures where the most recent depredations occurred.



ODFW had planned to provide the latest producer affected with a kill permit for two wolves, but as ODFW staff have already killed two wolves, no kill permit will be issued to this producer.



The Pine Creek Pack is now estimated to number five wolves including a breeding male (OR50), breeding female and three yearling wolves. One additional wolf from the pack could still be taken back at the site of the April 6-7 depredations by ODFW staff or under a kill permit that expires May 4.

• 04/17/18 Confirmed depredation by Pine Creek Pack and update to the Pine Creek Pack AKWA (Baker County)

• 04/12/18 Oregon home to more than 124 wolves; count finds 11% increase over last year

2017 Annual Wolf Report released today SALEM, Ore.— ODFW wildlife biologists counted 124 wolves in Oregon this past winter, an 11 percent increase over the number counted last year. This count is based on verified wolf evidence (like visual observations, tracks, and remote camera photographs) and is considered the minimum known wolf population, not an estimate of how many wolves are in Oregon. Twelve wolf packs were documented at the end of 2017. Eleven packs were successful breeding pairs, meaning that at least two adults and two pups survived to the end of the year. This marks a 38 percent increase in breeding pairs from 2016. More information about the minimum wolf count is available in Oregon’s 2017 Annual Wolf Report which was released today. ODFW staff will present an overview of the report to the Fish and Wildlife Commission at their April 20 meeting in Astoria. Read the full news release

• 04/10/18 Update April 11, 2018

ODFW staff who were already in the area hazing wolves shot and killed an uncollared yearling female wolf of the Pine Creek Pack yesterday afternoon on the private land where previous depredations occurred. Staff shot from the ground (no aircraft were involved). ODFW to provide kill permit after rancher loses calves to Pine Creek Wolf Pack



Incremental take of two wolves authorized ODFW will provide a kill permit to a rancher in Baker County, after two confirmed depredations by wolves of the Pine Creek Pack in two days on private property he is leasing to graze his cows. The wolves killed three calves and injured four others. While the producer requested full pack removal, ODFW is only authorizing the take of two wolves at this time. Under the terms of this permit, the producer can kill up to two wolves on the private property he leases where the depredations occurred, when his livestock is present on the property. The permit expires on May 4. ODFW staff are also authorized to kill the two wolves. Under the Wolf Plan rules, livestock producers must be using non-lethal methods and document unsuccessful attempts to solve the situation through these non-lethal means before lethal control can be considered. Also, there can be no attractants on the property (such as bone piles or carcasses) that could be attracting wolves. ODFW determined that there were no attractants on the property when it responded to a depredation report late last week. In terms of non-lethal measures, this producer was penning cattle and pairing calves and cows before turnout (keeping the mother cow with her calf can help deter depredation). This producer had delayed turning out his cattle and before he did, he and range riders watched for wolf activity but saw none. After the first report of wolves in the area chasing his cows, the producer used the range riders to check cattle and harass wolves. After the second depredation, riders hazed (shot firearms without harming wolves) to get the wolves to move. Beginning Sunday and continuing into Monday, ODFW staff have assisted in non-lethal efforts by using aircraft to haze wolves away from the pasture. The Pine Creek is a new pack previously referred to as the OR29/OR36 pair. It was designated after ODFW’s winter counts showed it met the definition of a pack (minimum of four wolves travelling together in winter, typically a breeding male and female and offspring). It currently numbers eight wolves—a breeding male and female, five yearlings (wolves born a year ago), and one other adult wolf. The breeding female appears to be pregnant and if she is, is expected to den up in the next 1-2 weeks. The pack’s breeding male, OR50, was formerly of the Harl Butte Pack but left that pack in October 2017 and joined OR36 in Baker County. The previous breeding male OR29 left the pack in the fall and did not return. Removing wolves is intended to stop further depredations by the Pine Creek Pack on this producer’s cattle. Authorizing incremental take and providing a kill permit is typically the first step ODFW takes when livestock producers using non-lethal measures cannot stop losses and ODFW believes depredations will continue. In this case, collar data shows these wolves have a pattern of routinely using this property at this time of year and many producers are getting ready to place cows on the neighboring pastures soon.

• 04/10/18 Two confirmed depredations (4/6, 4/7) Pine Creek Pack (Baker County)

• 02/06/18 11/25/2017 investigation changed from probable to confirmed (Union Co)

• 02/01/18 Confirmed depredation in southern Mt Emily WMU (Union County)

• 01/12/18 Two confirmed depredations (1/10, 1/11) Rogue Pack (Jackson County)

• 01/08/18 Confirmed depredation by Rogue Pack (Jackson County)

2017

• 12/12/17 Confirmed depredation by OR30 group (Union County)

• 12/01/17 Probable depredation in southern Mt Emily WMU (Union County)

• 10/13/17 Confirmed depredation by Harl Butte Pack (Wallowa County)

• 10/12/17 Confirmed depredation by Catherine Pack (Union County)

• 10/06/17 Update on the lethal take authorizations for Harl Butte, Meacham packs



Harl Butte Pack: Additional lethal take authorized



ODFW confirmed an additional two depredations by the Harl Butte Wolf Pack in the past few days, during investigations on a dead calf on private land on Sept. 29 and an injured calf on private land on Oct. 1.



ODFW will now authorize additional incremental lethal take of up to four wolves from the pack, which may be killed either by ODFW staff or by livestock producers affiliated with a local grazing association who will be provided with a limited duration lethal take permit. The permit is valid until 10/31/2017 and allows them to kill wolves in pastures on public or private land currently occupied by their livestock.



The Harl Butte pack is currently estimated at nine wolves (six adults and three wolves born this past spring). The younger wolves are likely to weigh between 50-60 pounds by this time of year while adult wolves generally weigh 70-115 pounds. Any wolf in the pack may be taken under the lethal control authorization.



ODFW has removed four adult wolves from the Harl Butte pack since Aug. 3, when it first authorized lethal control after non-lethal measures failed to prevent wolf-livestock depredation. The fourth wolf was killed Aug. 25. “With continued non-lethal measures by the livestock producers throughout the grazing season, we were hoping to see depredations stop after removing four wolves. And six weeks had passed with no depredations since mid-August. Unfortunately, it didn’t last,” said Roblyn Brown, ODFW acting wolf coordinator. “Grazing season is not over and these cattle will be on public land until Oct. 31 and private land even later depending on the weather.”



“As wildlife managers, we are responsible for balancing the conservation of wolves on the landscape with our obligation to manage wolves so that damage to livestock is limited. We need to take further action with this pack,” said Brown.



Livestock producers in the area have continued to use non-lethal preventive measures to limit problems with wolves. These measures include: increased human presence during daytime hours and spending nights outside to protect cattle from wolves; grouped cattle into one pasture instead of several; removed horses from a pasture after ODFW observed a wolf interacting with the horses; and a county and a volunteer range rider have patrolled the area and hazed wolves away from cattle. More info



Meacham Pack: Lethal control expires



The lethal control authorization for a livestock producer with chronic depredation by the Meacham wolf pack on private land ended on Sept. 30. The permit was not renewed because no further depredations have occurred and livestock are mostly removed from the area. While the lethal order authorized the removal of up to two wolves, only one wolf, a female, was killed on Sept. 7 where the previous depredations had occurred.



ODFW initially said this female wolf was a non-breeding female. Upon further detailed examination of the wolf’s remains, ODFW determined that the female wolf had bred this year. More info

• 09/08/17 Update on Meacham Pack lethal control - Yesterday, a non-breeding adult female of the Meacham pack was killed under the Wolf Kill Permit authorized by ODFW. More info.

• 09/01/17 New AKWA posted for Desolation Wolf (OR53) (Grant County)

• 08/23/17 Confirmed depredation (Meacham Pack)

• 08/18/17 Two confirmed depredations (Meacham Pack - 1 & 2)

• 07/31/17 New AKWA posted for Harl Butte Pack (Wallowa Co.)

• 07/28/17 Confirmed depredation (Harl Butte Pack, Wallowa County)

• 07/24/17 Confirmed depredation (Harl Butte Pack)

• 04/13/17 Confirmed depredation (Harl Butte Pack, Wallowa County)

• 04/10/17 Updates to the Specific Wolves and Wolf Packs pages

• 03/24/17 Confirmed depredation (Shamrock Pack, Wallowa County)

• 03/16/17 ADW map and Conflict Deterrence Plan posted for OR25 in Jackson County

• 03/16/17 New AKWA maps posted for Chesnimnus Pack (Wallowa Co) and OR25 (Klamath Co)

• 02/28/17 Confirmed depredation (OR25, Jackson County)

2016

• 10/24/16 ADW maps and Conflict Deterrence Plans posted for Silver Lake Wolves (Lake Co) and Rogue Pack (Klamath Co)

• 10/21/16 Confirmed depredation (Rogue Pack Area, Klamath County)

• 10/19/16 2 confirmed depredations in Wallowa Co (Chesnimnus pack , wolves in Imnaha WMU)

• 10/10/16 3 confirmed (1, 2, 3) depredations (Rogue Pack Area, Klamath County)

• 10/05/16 Confirmed depredation (Silver Lake wolves, Lake County)

• 09/06/16 Confirmed depredation (Mt Emily Pack, Umatilla County)

• 08/26/16 Probable depredation (Mt Emily WMU, Umatilla County)

• 08/23/16 Confirmed depredation (Meacham Pack, Umatilla County)

• 08/04/16 AKWA designated for OR33 (Jackson/Klamath Counties)

• 07/28/16 New AKWA designated for Silver Lake wolves

• 07/19/16 Confirmed depredation by Unnamed wolves in Wallowa County (Imnaha Wildlife Management Unit)

• 07/01/16 ADW map and Conflict Deterrence Plan posted for Lower Grizzly Peak area (Jackson Co)

• 06/29/16 Confirmed depredation (Shamrock Pack, Wallowa County)

• 06/28/16 New AKWAs for OR30 (Union/Umatilla Counties), OR35 and Chesnimnus wolves (Wallowa Co)

• 06/15/16 2 confirmed (1, 2), 1 probable wolf depredations (OR33, Jackson County)

• 05/27/16 Confirmed depredation and probable depredation (Umatilla and Wallowa County)

• 05/11/16 Confirmed depredation (Shamrock Pack, Wallowa County)

• 03/31/16 UPDATE March 31, 2016: The four wolves of the Imnaha pack associated with recent depredations were shot and killed today by ODFW staff on private land in Wallowa County.

• 03/28/16 Two more incidents of Imnaha depredation confirmed (1, 2), New ADW posted

• 03/17/16 New Imnaha AKWA posted

• 03/10/16 ADW map and Conflict Deterrence Plan posted for Swan Lake Valley (Klamath Co)

• 02/29/16 2015 Annual Wolf Report available



Oregon’s known wolf population increased 36% in 2015 and the minimum Oregon wolf population is now 110 wolves. Find out more at the Wolf Conservation and Management Plan 2015 Annual Report which was released today.

• 02/24/16 Confirmed depredation in Klamath County



OR33, a 2-year-old wolf dispersed from the Imnaha Pack in November 2015 and has traveled through 13 counties. OR33 spent 8 days in an area northeast of Klamath Falls in February. During this time a cow was injured and ODFW confirmed it as wolf depredation in the Swan Lake Valley area. OR33 is no longer in that area, and has not yet become resident in any area, so ODFW will not designate an Area of Known Wolf Activity (AKWA) at this time.



An Area of Depredating Wolves (ADW) will be designated and a Conflict Deterrence Plan will be written for the area where the depredation occurred. It is impossible to know where OR33 will travel to next or when he (or other un-collared wolves) will become resident in an area. Livestock producers are encouraged to watch for any signs of wolf activity in the area of their livestock. In addition, information which may be helpful in minimizing the risk of wolf-livestock conflict can be viewed at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/Wolves/non-lethal_methods.asp. In particular, removal of any livestock carcasses or other wolf attractants where possible can reduce the potential for conflict.

• 01/12/16 AKWA updates for Klamath, Lake and Wallowa counties (OR25, OR28, Shamrock)



In early November 2015, a 2-year-old radio-collared female wolf dispersed from the Mt Emily pack in Umatilla County. By Nov. 19, OR28 had arrived into the area she has continued to use in the Fort Rock and Silver Lake Wildlife Management Units (WMU) of Klamath and Lake County. ODFW has designated an Area of Known Wolf Activity (AKWA) and has evidence that at least one other wolf is using the area.



In December, OR25 left the AKWA he had been using, traveled south through Oregon and visited California. OR25 has now returned to the same area in Klamath County.



ODFW has designated a new AKWA for a pack in NE Oregon. The Chesnimnus pair previously used the Chesnimnus WMU in Wallowa County. In 2015, the pair denned in the Sled Springs WMU and has not returned to the Chesnimnus WMU. Moving forward the new pack will be named the Shamrock Pack.



AKWAs are created where and when wolves repeatedly use an area over time and become established. To help minimize potential wolf-livestock conflict, livestock producers are encouraged to use preventive measures within AKWAs. More information regarding preventative measures.

2015

• 11/12/15 Wolves delisted under Oregon ESA – No changes in wolf management



Earlier this week, ODFW filed rules with the Oregon Secretary of State that removed wolves from the state Endangered Species List in keeping with the Fish and Wildlife Commission’s decision on Monday, Nov. 9.



The Commission’s decision changed the wolf’s ESA status but it has no other immediate effect on wolf management in Oregon. Wolves are still protected by the Wolf Plan and its associated rules.



Any take of wolves is highly regulated in Oregon and the delisting does not mean additional take is now allowed. Hunters and trappers may not take wolves in Oregon at this time. The Wolf Plan does not allow for general season sport hunting of wolves in any phase of wolf management.



The delisting also does not change the current management of wolf-livestock conflict. In all phases of the Wolf Plan, non-lethal preventive measures are the tools of choice to address wolf-livestock conflict.



Wolves in the East Zone will continue to be managed under Phase 2 rules, which do not change with the delisting. Wolves in the West Zone are managed under the ESA-like Phase 1 rules until their population also reaches four breeding pairs for three consecutive years. West of Hwys 395-78-95, the gray wolf remains listed on the federal ESA and any take of wolves in this area is regulated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.



The decision to delist was a vote of confidence in the Wolf Plan and its continued implementation. “I think the Wolf Plan has been unbelievably successful in bringing together diverse interests,” said Commissioner Bruce Buckmaster during Monday’s meeting. “I believe we have wolves because of the Plan and the forbearance of eastern Oregonians in abiding by the plan. It is incumbent on everybody to continue sticking with the plan. We need to keep everybody at the table.”



“The big message that we got today is people want to protect wolves and that Oregonians love their wildlife,” said Commissioner Holly Akenson.



The Commission also asked ODFW to explore options to increase penalties for unlawfully taking a wolf. They will also ask the Oregon State Legislature to change the state’s ESA law to allow for listing and delisting of species in only a portion of the state in the future. “I think you can see by us asking for increased penalties and future regulations that [the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission] cares about wolves,” said Chair Mike Finley, while urging various interest groups to continue to work together.



For more information, please see ODFW’s Wolf FAQ.

• 11/05/15 Confirmed depredation in Klamath County (OR25)(pdf) Wolves are on the federal Endangered Species List in this area and US Fish and Wildlife Service guides response to wolf-livestock conflict.

• 10/29/15 Confirmed depredation by wolves (pdf) (Wallowa County, Imnaha pack)

• 09/14/15 Confirmed depredations by Mt Emily pack wolves (8/24/2015, 8/27/2015)

• 08/19/15 Confirmed depredation of livestock by wolves (pdf) (Umatilla County, Mt Emily pack)

• 08/07/15 Confirmed depredation of livestock by wolves (pdf) (Union County, Mt Emily pack)

• 08/03/15 Two new Areas of Known Wolf Activity



ODFW has designated two new Areas of Known Wolf Activity (AKWAs). The new areas are a result of two dispersing radio-collared wolves. OR25, originally from the Imnaha Pack, traveled through the Columbia Basin, Southern Blue Mountains, and Northern and Central Cascade Mountains and has been in the Klamath County area (Sprague wildlife management unit) since May. OR30, originally from the Mt. Emily pack, crossed I-84 and has been resident in the Starkey and Ukiah wildlife management units (Union County) since May.



AKWAs are created where and when wolves repeatedly use an area over time and become established. To help minimize potential wolf-livestock conflict, livestock producers are encouraged to use preventive measures within AKWAs. For more information regarding preventative measures.

• 07/31/15 Commission consideration of wolf delisting moved to October, November meetings



The informational briefing and rulemaking for removing gray wolves from the state Endangered Species list have been delayed until the Oct. 9 meeting in Florence and a November meeting to be held in Salem. These items were originally scheduled for September and October but after consultation with the Chair of the Commission, the decision was made to move the process back due to already full meeting agendas. Commissioners want to provide adequate time for public testimony and discussion during the meetings.



The date for the November meeting will be announced soon on the Commission webpage. Public testimony will be taken at the meetings but can also be emailed to odfw.comments@state.or.us Please make sure to include “Comments on Wolf Delisting Proposal” in the subject line of emails.

• 07/06/15 Confirmed depredation of livestock by wolves (pdf) (Umatilla River pack)

• 06/24/15 Confirmed depredations of livestock by wolves in Umatilla (pdf) and Wallowa (pdf) counties (Mt Emily pack and Sled Springs pair).

• 02/24/15 The draft 2014 Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Annual Report (pdf) is available online. It includes the 2014 update for Oregon’s Wolf Population. Nine wolf packs and six new pairs of wolves were documented in Oregon in 2014. Oregon’s minimum known wolf population at the end of 2014 was 77 wolves, including eight breeding pairs.



ODFW staff will brief the Fish and Wildlife Commission on the report at the Friday, March 6 Commission meeting in Salem.

• 01/13/15 New wolf activity in southwest Cascades. ODFW has documented new wolf activity in the southwest Keno Unit (in the southwest Cascades on a mixture of public and private lands).



Evidence of at least one wolf has been collected twice over the last month. This area is in a part of the state where wolves are protected by both the state and federal Endangered Species Act.



Repeated sign of a wolf requires that the agency designate an Area of Known Wolf Activity (AKWA), and ODFW will complete that next week.



The area this new wolf is using lies within the already established AKWA for the Rogue Pack (OR7), but data on OR7 and the Rogue Pack shows no use of this area recently. The Rogue Pack AKWA will soon be adjusted to reflect its current use area.



Little is known of this new wolf (e.g., sex, age, origin, other wolves) and efforts to gather additional data will be made by both ODFW and US Fish and Wildlife Service.

2014

• 12/17/14 New Area of Known Wolf Activity – Desolation Unit. A new Area of Known Wolf Activity (AKWA) has been designated by ODFW in the northern portion of the Desolation Unit (Grant and Umatilla County). On December 15, 2014 tracks of two wolves were documented by ODFW biologists in this new area. Irregular reports of wolf activity have been received over the past year in this general area of National Forest, and biologists documented two instances of a single wolf earlier in the year. However, AKWAs are created where and when wolves have become established, meaning repeated use of an area over a period of time by wolves and not simply dispersal of wolves.



At this time, ODFW has little data regarding the specifics of this new pair (i.e., sex, breeding status, and specific use area) and additional surveys will be required to get this information.

• 11/13/14 New Area of Known Wolf Activity (AKWA) for OR27-OR24 pair, Sled Springs pair and Unnamed Pack in Catherine Creek / Keating Units no longer AKWAs due to inactivity

• 10/07/14 New Meacham Pack AKWA, ADW map and Deterrence Plan posted

• 09/30/14 Meacham Pack (OR26) depredation qualifies

• 09/25/14 First confirmation of depredation by Meacham Pack (OR26)

• 09/24/14 New Mt Emily Pack AKWA, ADW map and Deterrence Plan posted

• 09/23/14 Confirmed depredation by Imnaha pack qualifies



Two Mt Emily pack depredations qualify (9/15/2014, 9/16/2014)

• 09/19/14 New wolf depredation in Mt. Emily pack. On September 15 and 16, ODFW confirmed depredations of sheep by the Mt. Emily pack. A total of 8 sheep were killed in separate incidents on consecutive nights while on a public land grazing allotment. In addition, two livestock protection dogs were injured and one is missing following the first incident. These depredations are the first attributed to this pack, and also the first time that livestock protection dogs were confirmed injured by wolves. ODFW is working with the producer to increase wolf deterrent measures. ODFW will also be coordinating with area livestock producers, landowners, and other relevant interests to prepare an area specific wolf-livestock conflict deterrence plan per state wolf management rules.

• 07/29/14 Chesnimnus wolves ADW map and Deterrence Plan posted

• 07/17/14 Depredation, new wolf activity in Chesnimnus Unit (Wallowa County)



ODFW has confirmed new wolf activity by previously unconfirmed wolves in the Chesnimnus Unit (Wallowa County). The finding was made last night when an investigation confirmed that a domestic calf was killed by wolves in the Cougar Creek Area, on national forest lands (Wallowa Whitman NF) approximately 30 miles north of Enterprise. ODFW had received irregular reports of wolf activity in this area but this is the first recent information showing evidence of resident activity by more than a single wolf.



At least two to three wolves were believed to be in the area where the calf was killed. These wolves are not believed to be part of any previously known wolf pack. ODFW is now working to gather more information on these new wolves, including determination of their reproductive status, and will attempt to radio-collar individual wolves in this group.



Depredation investigation report (pdf)

• 06/23/14 Two depredations qualify for Umatilla River Pack (6/13/2014, 6/14/2014)

• 03/14/14 New AKWA and ADW maps posted for Snake River Pack

• 02/24/14 Two Imnaha Pack qualified depredations from August 2013 no longer count towards lethal control because the six-month period has passed.

• 01/16/14 IMPORTANT UPDATE – New rules regarding lethal control of wolves by livestock producers



The Fish and Wildlife Commission passed new rules (pdf) about wolves last week, based on a legal settlement over lethal control of wolves.



Under these now permanent rules, livestock producers may take a wolf caught biting, wounding or killing livestock or working dogs, without a permit, under the following circumstances: Wolf is in area of Oregon where it is not federally listed (currently, east of Hwys 395-78-95).

Wolf is on land owned or lawfully occupied by livestock producer.;

No bait or other intentional attractants have been used.

Any take of a wolf is reported to ODFW within 24 hours. The scene must be preserved and the carcass not removed.

A livestock producer can allow an agent to take a wolf if written authorization procedures are followed. These rules also allow for livestock producers to take wolves which are chasing livestock under the same circumstances as above, but there are two additional requirements: ODFW must have determined that wolves in the area are in “chronic depredation” of livestock. (Chronic depredation is defined as four confirmed, qualifying depredations within six months.)

Livestock producer must have first undertaken non-lethal actions as defined in rule. As of today, there are no wolf packs in “chronic depredation” status and the take of wolves chasing livestock is not allowed.

2013

• 12/4/13 New AKWA and ADW maps posted for Snake River Pack

• 11/14/13 Imnaha Pack AKWA, ADW maps and Deterrence Plan posted

• 10/31/13 Snake River Pack AKWA, ADW maps and Deterrence Plan posted

• 9/6/13 Change to Umatilla River Qualifying Incident



After further review, ODFW has rescinded the decision to qualify the Aug. 23, 2013 confirmed depredation by the Umatilla River pack as a Qualifying Incident under new wolf management rules (OAR 635-110-0010(8)(a-c).



Under the new rules, ODFW needs to develop and post a Conflict Deterrence Plan within 14 days of the first depredation by a pack. In this case, the Umatilla River Pack Conflict Deterrence Plan did not meet the 14-day deadline. The decision does not change the original confirmation that a wolf or wolves were the cause of death of the goat in this instance.



This change reduces the number of Qualifying Incidents for the Umatilla River Pack from two to one. ODFW only considers lethal control for depredating wolves when there are four Qualifying Incidents within a six-month time period.

• 8/27/13 ODFW has confirmed two additional depredations—an injured cow by the Imnaha pack (8/22/13), and a dead goat by the Umatilla River pack (8/23/13). Investigation summaries for these depredations are posted on the website.



The Umatilla River pack depredation is a “qualifying incident” (see report), meaning the landowner was using appropriate preventative measures to minimize wolf-livestock conflict. (ODFW has rescinded decision to qualify Aug. 23 incident; see Sept. 6 entry above for more information.) ODFW is waiting on information from the livestock producers to determine if the two confirmed Imnaha Pack depredations (from 8/21 and 8/22) are qualifying incidents.

• 8/23/13 Depredation by the Imnaha wolf pack



ODFW has confirmed a depredation by the Imnaha wolf pack. ODFW is working to determine if the depredation counts as a “qualifying incident” toward a lethal control decision. (For a depredation to qualify, the affected landowner must have been using at least one preventive measure and removed all reasonably accessible unnatural attractants on his/her property at least seven days prior to the incident.) If this depredation qualifies, it will be the third qualifying depredation within the past six months.



Under new rules agreed to in a settlement with conservation groups and the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association earlier this year, ODFW does not consider lethal control before there are at least four qualifying incidents in a six-month time frame.

• 7/18/13 Ability to sign up for email notifications

• 7/18/13 Redesign of Specific Wolf Information page

• 6/3/13 Confirmed Depredation is a Qualifying Incident for Umatilla River pack.

• 5/22/13 Sheep depredation in northern Umatilla County



On May 21, ODFW confirmed that 6 sheep were depredated by wolves which resulted in four dead (3 lambs, 1 ewe), one injured (ram), and one missing (lamb). Wolf tracks were found in the pasture of the dead sheep, and radio-collar data showed that at least one wolf of the Umatilla River Pack was in the area on the night of the depredation. Evidence gathered showed a similar pattern of attack as the depredation events in 2012 in this same general area.

• 5/22/13 Confirmed depredations by Imnaha pack On May 15, 2013 a yearling cow was confirmed by ODFW to have been killed by wolves of the Imnaha pack. Evidence of at least two wolves was found at the site. In addition, GPS locations from OR4’s radio-collar confirmed that OR4 was present. On May 10, 2013 ODFW also confirmed that a small calf in the same general area had received wolf bite injuries on a hind leg. The calf was expected to survive. These are the third and fourth confirmed wolf depredation incidents by the Imnaha Pack in 2013.

• 1/29/13 ODFW confirmed a livestock depredation by the Imnaha wolf pack yesterday in Wallowa County. Summaries of this investigation and others.

2012

• 9/3/12 Confirmed and probable depredation (pdf) by Imnaha Pack, Wallowa County

• 8/31/12 Confirmed depredation (pdf) by Imnaha Pack, Baker County

• 7/26/12 Confirmed depredation by Imnaha pack, Wallowa County