Lethal removal authorized after livestock depredations in Grant County
Pups from the Fivemile Pack caught on remote camera in 2019 on USFS land in Morrow County.
This graphic from ODFW shows areas of known wolf activity in 2023.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) authorized the lethal removal of one wolf from the Logan Valley Pack in Grant County on August 23, 2024. This decision comes after the pack was linked to four separate depredation incidents over the past four months, resulting in four injured cattle and two dead calves.
In response to the depredations, local livestock producers implemented numerous non-lethal measures to mitigate the conflict. These included increased human presence through patrolling and hazing, removal of potential attractants, relocation of cattle to reduce interactions, and the use of scare devices informed by wolf location data. Despite these efforts, the depredations continued, leading to the authorization for lethal removal.
The Logan Valley Pack consisted of two breeding adults and this year's juveniles. While the authorization permitted the removal of any member of the pack, ODFW prioritized targeting the adult male while aiming to protect the breeding female. However, the adult male could not be removed, and on August 24, ODFW successfully removed a 63-pound juvenile wolf, born earlier this spring. With this action, lethal removal has been temporarily halted as the department evaluates the impact of the removal on reducing future conflicts.
There is growing concern that more wolves will move into Wheeler County. A single wolf is thought to be in the area around Lost Valley and ODFW acknowledged that a wolf killed a calf there last winter. There is also concern fires that impacted the Ukiah area and the Lone Rock Fire could drive more wolves into Wheeler County.
In related developments, two new Areas of Known Wolf Activity were designated in Umatilla County and Klamath/Lake Counties. Additionally, confirmed depredations were reported in Grant and Lake Counties. ODFW has also extended limited-duration permits until August 31, 2024, for livestock producers near Lostine who have been dealing with a chronically depredating wolf on their properties.
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