Oregon: Updated wolf plan falls short, ranchers say

BEND, Ore. — The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on Oct. 1 adopted an updated Wolf Conservation and Management Plan.

The plan eases some requirements for producers to obtain permits to take wolves caught in the act of killing livestock but fell short of giving them other tools they need to protect their herds, according to Rod Childers, chairman of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Wolf Committee.

Also in the plan the commission designated the state Department of Fish and Wildlife as the lead agency in determining whether livestock was killed by wolves. In some previous cases in Oregon, USDA Wildlife Services personnel have determined that wolves killed livestock but state Fish and Wildlife personnel have disagreed.

Also on Oct. 1, an 11th wolf kill was confirmed in northeastern Oregon, Childers said. The 10th, a calf, was confirmed on Sept. 30.

The cattlemen’s association plans to introduce a bill during the next legislative session to set up a compensation fund for producers who lose livestock to wolves.

Wolves are protected under the federal and state endangered species acts.