ODFW Authorizes Lethal Removal of Five Points Pack Wolves in Union County
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, July 24th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION COUNTY – (Release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) ODFW has authorized lethal removal of chronically depredating wolves from the Five Points Pack in Union County. Two affected producers requested the permit after three depredation events in the past eight months, including two in the past two weeks. Each producer is receiving a permit which allows them or their agent (including USDA Wildlife Services at their request) to kill up to four wolves total on their leased private land and adjacent forest service allotment. The producers have been using range riders daily and must continue to use appropriate non-lethal measures. The permit is valid until Oct. 31, 2023, in pastures where cattle are present, or until four wolves have been removed, whichever comes first. Producers are required to promptly communicate with each other and ODFW if they take a wolf. The pack numbered 12 wolves during the winter count in January and pups were born in April. All Wolf Plan rules regarding lethal removal permits are in effect for this permit, including that ODFW did not identify any wolf attractants on the properties. Another update about the permit will be posted if the four wolves are removed, after Oct.31 if less than four wolves are removed, or the permit is extended.
