The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will continue gray wolf protection. The Department is taking over wolf management due to the delisting of gray wolves by the federal government. Oregon is currently in a wolf reintroduction management plan. This plan calls for the complete protection of wolves that are in Phase 1 of the reintroduction plan. When wolf packs are in Phase 1 officials strongly oppose lethal measures of management. Likewise, The Department encourages non-lethal measures to deter wolves that prey on livestock. Wolves in the western side of the state fall into the Phase 1 category.
Wolf Management Going Forward
Wolf management is slightly different in the eastern part of the state. Most of the wolf packs on the eastern side of the state are in Phase 3. Phase 3 is similar to Phase 1 in that they do not recommend the taking of wolves as a management tool. However, wolves in Phase 3 can be killed by someone protecting livestock or property. With that being stated the Department still prefers that people try non-lethal means first, as well as contacting the ODFW before lethal measures are taken. One of the major differences in federal protections vs. state protections is that lethal measures may be taken more commonly by the state.
“We thank all landowners in areas with wolves for going the extra mile to implement non-lethal measures over the past few years. We know that regardless of whether or not you lose livestock to wolves. Their presence requires changes to your business practices, and we thank you for taking these steps to reduce conflicts with wolves.” – ODFW Director Curt Melcher.
The trapping and hunting of wolves in Oregon will remain illegal statewide. For the foreseeable future, Oregon will continue to grow its wolf population. Currently, the wolf population in Oregon sits somewhere around 158 wolves. In recent months, some of these wolves seemed to have taken to killing livestock from time to time. As the wolf population grows, the state expects more wolf-livestock conflict going forward. However, with proper management, they hope to keep it to a minimum.
What are your thoughts on Oregon continuing wolf protections? Do you have wolves in your state? Let us know in the comments!
