By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
NORTHEAST OREGON – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed four additional wolf depredations in Northeast Oregon from the latter half of October.
The first of these depredations occurred in the Hereford area of Baker County on a 48-acre private land pasture and was investigated on October 21, an estimated 32 hours after the attack took place. The depredation resulted in 1 dead yearling cow. A new and as of yet unnamed group of wolves were confirmed responsible for the depredation.
The second depredation also occurred in Baker County, this one in the Thief Valley Reservoir area on a 1400-acre private land pasture and was investigated on October 22, an estimated 36-48 hours after the attack took place. The depredation resulted in 1 dead 8-month-old calf. The Fraizer Mountain Pack were confirmed responsible.
The third depredation occurred in Union County in the McCoy Creek area on a large public land allotment and was investigated on October 23, an estimated 2-3 days after the attack took place. The depredation also resulted in 1 dead 8-month-old calf. The Ukiah Pack were confirmed responsible.
The final depredation reported to date for October occurred in Wallowa County in the Marr Flat area on a large public land allotment and was investigated on October 24, and estimated 10-14 days after the attack took place. The depredation resulted in a single injured 6-month-old-calf. The Middle Fork Pack were confirmed responsible.
In addition to the recent depredations, ODFW has also confirmed an active lethal removal permit for the Fraizer Mountain Pack. The full description of the release (as posted on the ODFW Gray Wolves page) is as follows:
“Frazier Mountain Pack – On October 23, 2024, after three confirmed depredations resulted in three dead cows, ODFW authorized lethal removal of two wolves in the Frazier Mountain Pack through a limited duration permit. This permit allows removal by the producer or their agent on the privately-owned or public pastures where they graze their livestock. The livestock producer has worked unsuccessfully to reduce depredation by changing pastures and providing human presence early in the morning almost daily. The limited duration permit is valid until December 31, 2024, or until the wolves are removed, whichever comes first.”