ODFW Authorizes Lethal Removal Permits for the Balloon Tree Wolfpack
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, October 10th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) With non-lethal measures failing to stop depredations, ODFW has authorized lethal removal of wolves from the Balloon Tree Pack in Union County.
The agency will allow USDA Wildlife Services to take up to two wolves on private land pastures where the depredations occurred. The limited duration permit is valid until Oct. 15, 2022.
The producer requested lethal removal of wolves after ODFW confirmed four depredation events on their private land grazing allotment in September, resulting in the death of four sheep. An additional depredation was confirmed in July resulting in three dead goats belonging to a different livestock owner and private land pasture.
That level of depredation meets the definition of chronic livestock depredation under Wolf Plan Rules (minimum of two confirmed depredations in nine months). Find more information on the depredations at https://www.dfw.state.or.us/wolves/depredation_investigations.asp. Lethal take can be authorized by ODFW in chronic depredation situations when there is significant continued risk to livestock present in the area and non-lethal preventative measures were used prior to depredations.
The producer uses human presence and livestock protection dogs 24/7 to protect his sheep. They have employed extra herders, moved camps more frequently to move away from where wolves had depredated previously, and also used foxlights, airhorns and gunshots to scare wolves away. The producer’s agent also legally shot a wolf that was caught in the act of fighting with livestock working dogs on Sept. 14. Unfortunately, depredations have continued with the most recent one confirmed Sept. 26. Under the rules, there can also be no identified circumstances on the property (such as bone piles or carcasses) that are attracting wolves. The Department searched the immediate area for any bone piles, carcasses, or other attractants during their investigations and found none.
Lethal action is authorized with the goal of putting an end to the chronic depredation, but the livestock producer will also continue to use nonlethal measures to reduce conflict. Currently there are at least six wolves in the pack, two of which are juveniles born this year. Two of the wolves in this pack currently have a working GPS collar.
Another update will be posted about this permit only if wolves are removed or the permit is extended.
