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Wolves in this area of Oregon (east of Hwys 395-78-95) are federally and state delisted. ODFW is the lead management agency and manages wolves under Phase III of the Wolf Plan and Oregon Administrative Rule OAR 635-110-0030.
Harassment and Take of Wolves in Oregon (pdf)
Requesting Lethal Removal of Wolves in Eastern Oregon – What does a livestock producer need to do? (pdf)
Areas of Known Wolf Activity
Harassment of Wolves
Caught-In-Act Lethal Take
ODFW Lethal Take
What is an “Area of Known Wolf Activity” and when/how is it designated?
An Area of Known Wolf Activity (AKWA) is an area which is designated by ODFW showing where resident wolves and/or packs have become established. AKWA designation is based on actual wolf data or information which is verified by ODFW, and not reports or other hearsay. AKWAs are only designated in situations of repeated wolf use over a period of time. For example, a single photo or a set of tracks showing that a wolf may be traveling through an area would not be designated an AKWA.
When repeated wolf activity is established, ODFW will delineate AKWA boundaries using actual location data points. In situations where wolves are resident but location data is limited, ODFW will use a fixed circle of a size based on home range data from other packs. AKWAs will periodically change as new information becomes available. AKWAs are posted on Specific Wolves and Wolf Packs page.
What does an AKWA mean to a livestock producer?
- ODFW coordinates with livestock producers within designated AKWA’s to discuss topics such as the Oregon Wolf Plan, current wolf management and conservation, how to recognize and report wolf activity, and appropriate non-lethal measures.
- Livestock producers within AKWA’s are encouraged to access the information associated with known wolves or packs.
Producers are encouraged to implement non-lethal measures which are designed to minimize conflicts between wolves and livestock.
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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:
- Crow Creek area of Wallowa County – On Feb. 19, 2026, ODFW authorized lethal removal of wolves in the Crow Creek area
in response to chronic depredation on sheep (two events resulting in injuries to five and deaths of two rams). Livestock
will be in this area throughout the winter and limited duration permits were issued for up to two wolves. Livestock
producers have implemented preventative measures to reduce depredation in the area, such as, daily checks while feeding,
increased human presence, RAGbox deployment, and moving sheep out of the area.
- Keating Valley area of Baker County - On January 13, 2026, ODFW authorized lethal removal of up to two wolves in the
area historically used by the Keating and Black Pines Packs in response to chronic wolf depredation resulting in the
loss of four calves and injuries to four cattle. Five affected producers implemented preventative measures to reduce
depredation, such as calving in more protectable areas near residences, livestock checks at least once a day, and
nightly checks while calving.
After three more depredations, a total of four wolves were removed incrementally from the Black Pines Pack. At least two
wolves remain and will be monitored to assess if additional lethal action will be necessary.
- Grouse Flats Pack – On December 22, 2025, ODFW authorized lethal removal of wolves in the Grouse Flats Pack area in
response to chronic depredation (four depredation events resulting in injuries to two cows and the deaths of two
calves). Limited duration permits were issued for up to two wolves. Livestock producers have implemented preventative
measures to reduce depredation, such as, increased human presence in areas experiencing conflict, using foxlights around
the perimeter of the pastures, and cameras to monitor predator activity. After two additional depredations, the permit
area was expanded, the take was increased to four total, and an additional limited duration permit was issued. On Jan.
18, 2026, one wolf was removed by a livestock producer with a limited duration permit.
Depredation continued after two more wolves were removed. On Feb. 13, 2026, ODFW authorized the removal of the rest of
the Grouse Flats Pack to address the chronic depredation.
- Wenaha Pack - On Nov. 26, 2025, ODFW authorized lethal removal of Wenaha Pack wolves in response to two depredation
events resulting in the deaths of two calves since mid- October. There was also a probable depredation (1 injured sheep)
in October, and a livestock protection dog was confirmed injured on Dec 1. The livestock producer lives on the property,
uses livestock protection dogs and responds when they alert to conflict. Fladry has been installed around smaller
pastures, and the sheep are kept in the barn at night. ODFW issued a limited duration permit for the removal of one wolf
on the property where livestock will be present all winter.
Table of previous lethal removal authorizations (pdf) |
