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Livestock producers, on land they own or lawfully occupy, can haze or scare (by making loud noises for example) a wolf or wolves without a permit if:
- The wolf is in close proximity to livestock or in the act of wolf-livestock conflict (testing, chasing), and
- The actions do not harm or injure the wolf, and
In addition, on private land, injurious harassment of wolves (e.g. haze wolves in ways that could cause injury but not kill – this includes pursuit) conducted for the purpose of minimizing conflict is allowed without a permit by producers on private land they own or lawfully occupy when livestock are present. In this situation, there can be no identified circumstance that attracts wolf-livestock conflict.
On public land, if depredation or other wolf-livestock conflict occurs, ODFW can permit livestock producers to injuriously harass wolves (e.g. haze wolves in ways that could cause injury but not kill) on public land under their valid grazing allotment. Hazing permits will not be issued if there are identified circumstances which attract wolf-livestock conflict.
Any type of harassment should be reported to ODFW within 48 hrs.
Within this zone, livestock producers or their agent may shoot a wolf caught in the act of biting, wounding, killing, or chasing livestock or working dogs on land they own or lawfully occupy, without a permit, under the following circumstances:
- They have not baited or taken actions to attract wolves.
- They must preserve the scene, and not remove or disturb the dead wolf.
- The shooting is reported to ODFW within 24 hours.
A livestock producer can allow an agent to shoot a wolf if written authorization procedures are followed. View the entire rule.
In situations of chronic livestock depredation, lethal take may be authorized by ODFW in certain circumstances under Oregon Administrative Rule OAR 635-110-0030. ODFW may authorize its personnel, authorized agents, or Wildlife Services, to use lethal force on wolves or ODFW may issue limited duration permits to livestock producers to use lethal force on land they own or lawfully occupy. The following are conditions that must be met prior to ODFW authorizing lethal control:
- ODFW confirms at least two incidents of depredation by wolves on livestock in the area within a consecutive nine-month period,
- Efforts to prevent or solve the situation through non-lethal means which are appropriate for the situation are documented by the livestock producer, grazing permittee, or representative,
- There is no identified circumstance which attracts wolf-livestock conflict, and
- There is no evidence of non-compliance with applicable laws and the conditions of any harassment or take permits.
Lethal removal is not automatic once those conditions are met. ODFW will assess several factors surrounding the depredation situation such as:
- ODFW determines that wolves are a significant risk to livestock present in the area.
- The frequency, locations, and severity of the depredation and the extent that appropriate non-lethals for the situation have been implemented.
- The situation of wolf depredation is likely to remain chronic despite the use of additional non-lethal conflict deterrence measures.
- The wolf or wolves identified for removal are those ODFW believes to be associated with the depredations, the removal of which ODFW believes will decrease the risk of chronic depredation.
Current lethal removal authorizations:
- Grouse Flats Pack – On December 20, 2024 ODFW issued a limited duration permit to a producer for lethal removal of two wolves from the Grouse Flats Pack. The producer had a probable depredation this month and a confirmed depredation in the same pasture in January 2024. During the last nine months, three confirmed depredations in Oregon and two depredations in Washington have been attributed to the Grouse Flats Pack. Fladry, Foxlights and daily checks are being used to reduce risk to livestock. The limited duration permit is valid until February 28, 2025, or until two wolves are removed, whichever comes first.
- Logan Valley Pack – On November 26, 2024 after another depredation resulting in the loss of an eight-month-old calf and injury of an adult cow, ODFW authorized the lethal removal of up to three wolves. The department has investigated and confirmed five separate depredation events during the previous seven months, resulting in four injured cows, one injured calf, and three dead calves. This authorization allows removal by the producers or their agents through limited duration permits on the privately-owned pastures in the area of conflict where their livestock are present. The livestock producers have worked unsuccessfully to reduce depredation by changing pastures, utilizing fladry, removing dead livestock from pastures, and providing human presence early in the morning almost daily. Wildlife Services has also attempted to haze the wolves away from livestock. The current authorization allows for wolves to be taken by agency action or under the issued limited duration permits. The limited duration permits are valid until December 31, 2024, or until the wolves are removed, whichever comes first.
On December 17, 2024 one Logan Valley wolf was removed by a livestock producer with a limited duration permit while the wolf was attacking his livestock. Due to continuing wolf-livestock conflict, the limited duration permits are extended until January 31, 2025.
- 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.
When wolves from the Frazier Mountain Pack returned to the area of previous depredations, ODFW hazed them from the air. Wolves returned to the area of previous depredation again on November 1, at which time ODFW killed two wolves and hazed the other wolves to change their behavior and reduce depredation. After a subsequent livestock depredation, the department authorized trapping in the area.
On November 26, 2024, ODFW amended the authorization to include up to six additional wolves of the Frazier Mountain pack. Livestock producers continue to implement non-lethal measures including daily and nightly checks of livestock. With this amended authorization, the limited duration permits issued to producers continues to be valid until December 31, 2024, or until the wolves are removed, whichever comes first.
One wolf was removed by Wildlife Services on December 11, 2024. Due to additional depredation, the Frazier Mountain limited duration permits were extended until January 31, 2025.
- Bear Valley group - On October 10, 2024, ODFW authorized lethal removal of one wolf in the Bear Valley area of Grant County after three confirmed depredations resulted in two dead sheep, one injured sheep and one injured calf. This authorization allows removal by the producer or their agent through a limited duration permit on the private land pastures where the livestock are present. The livestock producer had livestock guardian dogs present with the sheep day and night and is now night penning the flock near an occupied house with scare devices to reduce conflict. The limited duration permit is valid until December 31, 2024, or until a wolf is removed, whichever comes first.
Due to continuing wolf-livestock conflict, the Bear Valley limited duration permits were extended until March 31, 2025.
Table of previous lethal removal authorizations (pdf) |
