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Wolves in this area of Oregon (west of Hwys 97/20/395) are federally and state delisted. ODFW is the lead management agency and manages wolves under Phase I of the Wolf Plan and Oregon Administrative Rule OAR 635-110-0010 (1-11) (pdf)
Harassment and Take of Wolves in Oregon (pdf)
Areas of Known Wolf Activity
Areas of Depredating Wolves
Wolf-Livestock Conflict Deterrence Plans
Qualification of Confirmed Livestock Depredation
Lethal Take Orders
Harassment of Wolves
Caught-In-Act 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. AKWA’s 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. AKWA’s will periodically change as new information becomes available.
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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Lethal control:
- Within an Area of Known Wolf Activity, an incident of depredation qualifies toward lethal control only if the landowner or lawful occupant of the land where the depredation occurred had:
(i) At least seven days prior to the incident of depredation, removed, treated or disposed of all intentionally placed or known and reasonably accessible unnatural attractants of potential wolf-livestock conflict, such as bone or carcass piles or disposal sites, and
(ii) Prior to and on the day of the incident of depredation, been using at least one non-lethal measure ODFW deems most appropriate to protect calving operations, nursing cattle, sheep operations, or other reasonably protectable situations, not including open range situations.
- In documenting the removal of unnatural attractants and implementation of conflict deterrence measures, the Department may rely upon documented personal observation and/or written statements by the owner or lawful occupant of the land to determine if an incident of depredation qualifies.
Note: The non-lethal measures referred to in this section are not mandatory. Producers may elect not to implement measures to minimize wolf-livestock conflicts. However, it is important for producers to understand that any lethal control options for ODFW will be dependent on the use of non-lethal measures and their documentation of use. |
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Currently designated AKWAs
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What is an “Area of Depredating Wolves” and when/how is it designated?
When ODFW confirms wolf depredation of livestock, an Area of Depredating Wolves (ADW) is designated for the purpose of focusing non-lethal deterrent measures. In some cases, the ADW may encompass the entire home range of a pack, but in others, it may only encompass a portion. Landowners and other livestock producers can determine if their land is within an ADW by viewing the map associated with depredating wolves (see below for maps). ADW’s may be modified periodically based on new information.
What does an ADW mean to a livestock producer?
- Once an ADW is designated, ODFW will coordinate with affected livestock producers, landowners, and other relevant interests to prepare an area specific wolf-livestock conflict deterrence plan. The plan will be posted below.
- Under Oregon Administrative Rule OAR 635-110-0010(8)(a-c), some non-lethal measures from the conflict deterrence plan may be necessary before a depredation would qualify toward future lethal control actions.
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Lethal control:
- Within an Area of Depredating Wolves, an incident of depredation qualifies toward lethal control if the landowner or lawful occupant of the land where the depredation occurred had
- Complied with the two AKWA qualification sections ((i) and (ii) above), and
- Prior to and on the day of the incident of depredation, was implementing at least one non-lethal measure identified in the area-specific conflict deterrence plan that is specific to the location, type of livestock operation, time of the year, and/or period of livestock production associated with the depredation. In open range situations, the conflict deterrence plan measure implemented by a landowner or lawful occupant must address wolf-livestock conflict.
- Human presence, when used as a non-lethal measure, is presence which could reasonably be expected to deter wolf-livestock conflict under the circumstances and may be considered an appropriate non-lethal measure if it; a) occurs at a proximate time prior to and in an area proximate to a confirmed depredation as determined by ODFW, and b) indicates a timely response to wolf location information in situations of potential wolf-livestock conflict.
- In documenting the removal of unnatural attractants and implementation of conflict deterrence measures, the Department may rely upon documented personal observation and/or written statements by the owner or lawful occupant of the land to determine if an incident of depredation qualifies.
Note: The non-lethal measure identified in the area-specific conflict deterrence plan may, in some cases, be the same as those used within the AKWA prior to the first incident of depredation. |
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Currently designated ADWs
A wolf-livestock conflict deterrence plan is prepared for an area designated to be an Area of Depredating Wolves (ADW). The conflict deterrence plan will help livestock producers identify the appropriate non-lethal measures which are effective in a given circumstance, including the nature of the livestock operations, habitat, and landscape conditions specific to the area, as well as particular times of the year or period of livestock production. The plans may change based on new information.
An incident of depredation is a single event resulting in the injury or death of one or more lawfully present livestock that is reported to ODFW for investigation and upon investigation by ODFW or its agent(s), ODFW confirms to have been caused by a wolf or group of wolves. Each incident is evaluated to determine if it qualifies towards chronic designation and lethal control actions. A situation of chronic depredation exists when ODFW confirms at least four qualifying incidents of depredation of livestock within the previous 6 months by the same wolf or wolves.
There are no chronic depredation situations at this time
In situations of chronic livestock depredation, lethal take may be authorized by ODFW in certain circumstances under Oregon Administrative Rule OAR 635-110-0010. ODFW may authorize its personnel or authorized agents to use lethal force on wolves it reasonably believes are responsible for chronic depredation upon livestock where each of the conditions in subsections (7) through (10) of OAR 635-110-0010 is satisfied. The Department shall limit lethal force to the wolf or wolves it deems necessary to address the chronic depredation situation. View the entire rule.
Lethal removal is not automatic once those conditions are met. ODFW will assess several factors surrounding the depredation situation such as:
- 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.
There are no lethal control orders at this time
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
- The encounter is unintentional (i.e., pursuit is not allowed)
If depredation or other wolf-livestock conflict occurs, ODFW can permit livestock producers or their agent in the area to injuriously harassment of wolves (e.g. haze wolves in ways that could cause injury but not kill – this includes pursuit). Hazing permits will not be issued if there are identified circumstances which attract wolf-livestock conflict. Permits are required on both public and private land.
Any type of harassment must 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 or killing 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.
Additionally, livestock producers or their agent may shoot a wolf caught in the act of chasing livestock or working dogs under the preceding circumstances, and:
- If the person has first undertaken nonlethal actions as specified in 8(b)(C) and 8(c) of OAR 635-110-0010, and
- At least seven days prior to the incident, removed, treated or disposed of all intentionally placed or known and reasonably accessible unnatural attractants of potential wolf-livestock conflict, such as bone or carcass piles or disposal sites, and
- The landowner or lawful occupant of the land, prior to and on the day of the incident, was implementing at least one non-lethal measure identified in the area-specific conflict deterrence plan developed under subsection (7)(d)(B) that is specific to the location, type of livestock operation, time of the year, and/or period of livestock production. The conflict deterrence plan measure implemented by a landowner or lawful occupant must address wolf-livestock conflict in open range situations when that situation exists.
- The taking occurs during a time period in which the Department has determined a situation of chronic depredation exists.
A livestock producer can allow an agent to take a wolf if written authorization procedures are followed. View the entire rule.
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