ODFW authorizes lethal removal of wolves in Ukiah Valley area
By Terry Murry on Saturday, October 2nd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
News release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
ODFW has authorized lethal action and will provide a kill permit to a livestock producer who requested the option after confirming two depredations in a three-day period in the Ukiah Valley area. The depredations were confirmed on private land pastures on Sept. 25 and Sept. 28, resulting in the death or injury of eight calves. Lethal take can be authorized by ODFW in chronic depredation situations when there is significant risk to livestock present in the area.
The permit allows the producer or their agents to kill up to two wolves on a portion of the private land they own in the Ukiah and Heppner units. The permit expires Oct. 31, 2021, when the two wolves are killed, or when the producer’s livestock are removed from the area, whichever comes first. The method of take under the permit is restricted to shooting the wolves from the ground.
Under the Wolf Plan rules, livestock producers must be using and document non-lethal methods appropriate to the situation before lethal control can be considered. Also, there can be no identified circumstances on the property (such as bone piles or carcasses) that could be attracting wolves.
ODFW found no attractants. During each livestock investigation as well as during each trip to the investigation sites, the Department searched the immediate area for any bone piles, carcasses, or other attractants and found none.
Prior to the first depredation, the producer has removed dead animal carcasses from the landscape, and continually monitored the health of the cow herd and removed animals that are sick and in risk of attracting predators. Since the first confirmed depredation, the producer has additionally had employees stay with the cattle each night and utilize hazing tools to deter wolves from the area.
At the time of the depredations, there was no area of known wolf activity (AKWA) designated in the area the depredations occurred. The location of these events is less than two miles from the estimated boundary of the Fivemile Pack. There is limited location data for the Fivemile Pack and it is possible these wolves are now utilizing areas east of the current AKWA boundary. Recent public reports have also indicated multiple wolves within ten miles southeast of the depredations. ODFW has identified an initial area around the presence of the depredating wolves in the Ukiah Valley area to address associated risk to livestock. ODFW staff are monitoring the region to confirm resident activity by new wolves as well as confirm the current movements of the Fivemile Pack.
Lethal action is authorized with the goal of putting an end to the chronic depredation but livestock producers will also continue to use nonlethal measures
