
Current Wallowa County map (pdf)
Previous Wallowa County maps: 12/31/2022, 12/31/2021
Within Areas of Known Wolf Activity (AKWA) certain preventative measures are recommended to minimize wolf-livestock conflicts. Though not required, non-lethal measures are important to reduce depredation. If depredation becomes chronic and lethal control become necessary, ODFW’s ability to lethally remove depredating wolves will be dependent on the extent that non-lethal measures have been used and documented.
Click on each wolf group for more information:
The Couse wolves primarily reside in Washington State and are counted in Washington’s wolf count. WDFW counted the Couse Pack as a breeding pair with five wolves in the pack during the annual count for 2023. See www.wdfw.wa.gov for more information.
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April 15, 2024 – In 2023, the Bear Creek Pack produced one pup that survived until the end of the year and was not counted as a breeding pair. A total of four wolves were documented during the winter count.
April 18, 2023 – In 2022, the Bear Creek Pack had two pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair, with five wolves in the pack.
April 19, 2022 – In 2021, the Bear Creek Pack produced three pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair, with six wolves in the pack.
April 21, 2021 – In 2020, the Bear Creek Pack produced two pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair. Radio-collar data showed a 168 mi² use area with 86% of location data points on private lands and 14% on public lands.
April 15, 2020 – In 2019, the Bear Creek Pack produced two pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair.
June 14, 2019 – A new group of wolves was discovered after a depredation in the Wallowa Valley of Wallowa County. A male wolf was collared in early June. Two additional wolves were documented by remote cameras.
Previous Bear Creek AKWA maps (for reference only): 12/31/2020, 04/15/2020, 12/31/2019, 06/14/2019 (pdfs)
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The Grouse Flats wolves primarily reside in Washington State and are counted in Washington’s wolf count. WDFW counted the Grouse Flats Pack as a breeding pair with ten wolves in the pack during the annual count for 2023. See www.wdfw.wa.gov for more information.
Previous Grouse Flats AKWA maps (for reference only): 12/31/2020, 04/15/2020, 12/31/2018 (pdf)
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April 15, 2024 – In 2023, the Middle Fork Pack produced at least two pups that survived until the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair, with eleven wolves in the pack.
April 18, 2023 – In 2022, the Middle Fork Pack produced five pups that survived until the end of the year. The pack was counted as a breeding pair, with eight wolves documented during the winter count.
April 19, 2022 – The pack reproduced during 2021, but no pups survived to the end of the year, so the pack was not a breeding pair. Four wolves were documented in this area during the winter count.
April 21, 2021 – In 2020, no pups were detected at the end of the year and the Middle Fork Pack was not counted as a breeding pair. Radio-collar data showed a 459 mi² use area with 70% of location data points on public lands and 30% on private lands.
April 15, 2020 – In 2019, the Middle Fork Pack produced two pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair.
April 8, 2019 – In 2018, the Middle Fork Pack produced at least three pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair. This uncollared pack appeared to use higher elevation range during the summer, and separate lower elevation range during the winter.
April 12, 2018 – The Middle Fork Pack was discovered in August from public reports of wolf activity. In 2017, the pack produced at least four pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair.
Previous Middle Fork AKWA maps (for reference only): 12/31/2020, 04/23/2020, 12/31/2019, 12/31/2018, 01/31/2018 (pdf)
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April 15, 2024 – In 2023 the Minam Pack produced four pups that survived until the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair, with ten wolves in the pack.
April 18, 2023 – In late fall 2022, four Minam wolves were documented, including one pup. No wolves were documented during the winter count and the pack was not counted as a breeding pair. It is expected that wolves still occupy the area and it will continue to be monitored for wolf activity.
April 19, 2022 – In 2021, a new Minam pair produced at least two pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair. Four wolves were documented in the area during the winter count.
April 21, 2021 – In 2020, no reproduction was documented and no Minam wolves were documented in the pack area at the end of the year.
April 15, 2020 – In 2019, the Minam Pack produced at least two pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair.
April 8, 2019 – In 2018, the Minam Pack produced at least two pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair.
April 12, 2018 – In 2017, the Minam Pack produced at least five pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair.
April 10, 2017 – In 2016, the Minam Pack produced at least three pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair.
March 4, 2016 – From the 2015 Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Annual Report
The pack was discovered within the Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Minam Unit in 2012. The pack produced at least three pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair. The breeding female’s collar failed in May and a radio-collared adult female dispersed in late August. Prior to September the Minam Pack used a 285 mi² area with 99% of locations on public land.
February 25, 2015 – From the 2014 Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Annual Report
Minam Pack: The Minam Pack was discovered within the Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Minam Unit in June 2012. The pack produced at least three pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair in 2014. The breeding female (OR20) was GPS-collared in May of 2013 and her data shows the pack using a 352 mi2 area, primarily public lands (89%).
February 25, 2014 – From the 2013 Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Annual Report
The Minam Pack was discovered within the Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Minam Unit in June 2012. The 2012 annual report recorded a year-end number of 5 wolves in the Minam pack. This number was subsequently adjusted to 7 to account for data collected after the 2012 report was published. The pack produced at least 5 pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair in 2013. The breeding female was GPS-collared in May and her data shows the pack using a 394 sq. mi area, primarily public lands (92%).
May 22, 2013 – Minam Pack female collared
On May 16, 2013 ODFW successfully trapped and GPS-collared an adult breeding female of the Minam Pack. The 81-pound wolf was in excellent condition and is the first radio-collared wolf in this pack. The Minam Pack was first discovered in 2012 and early information about the pack suggested that it occurred mostly within the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Managers expect that the GPS collar will allow better understanding of the pack’s use areas. This marks the 20th radio-collared wolf in Oregon.
February 28, 2013 – Minam/Upper Minam River determined to be same pack
ODFW has recently added another breeding pair to its 2012 population estimate. Recent winter (February) surveys revealed that the Minam pack has two pups. Also, new genetic evidence from scats collected in January indicate that the Minam and Upper Minam River wolves are from the same pack, hereafter referred to as the Minam Pack. Based on this new information, ODFW is revising its earlier estimate of the Oregon wolf population to six known packs (all breeding pairs) and a total of 46 wolves.
January 16, 2013 – The ending year-2012 wolf count for the Upper Minam River pack is 7. More information.
August 30, 2012 - New Upper Minam River wolf pack
A new wolf pack was discovered by ODFW wolf program staff in northeast Oregon on Aug. 25 when a pair of gray-colored adult wolves with five gray pups was observed in the Upper Minam River drainage. ODFW has received irregular wolf reports in the general larger area over the past several years. ODFW had been monitoring wolf activity in the Lower Minam River area since a photo of a black lactating female was taken on June 4. However, these new wolves appear to be unrelated to the lactating female as they were all gray-colored. The home range of these newly discovered wolves is unknown at this time, but represents the fifth litter of pups documented in 2012.
July 19, 2012 - Eagle Cap Wilderness wolf
In late June, ODFW surveyed an area east of the Minam River in the Eagle Cap Wilderness after a remote camera took an image of a lactating female on June 4. At least three adult wolves were confirmed through tracks, scats and howls but no sign of pups was found. A later visit on July 19 found no wolf sign or remote camera photos, so the wolves are believed to have moved out of this immediate area.
June 27, 2012 - New wolf activity (lactating female) in Eagle Cap Wilderness
On June 25, ODFW received a trail-cam photograph of a lactating female wolf in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The image was captured on June 4 on a camera placed by a research biologist as part of another wildlife research project. The wolf was not in an area of known wolf activity (e.g. is not believed to be part of a known wolf pack). The photo clearly shows that reproduction has occurred, but the current location and number of wolves in this area is unknown at this time. ODFW will survey the area to try and gather additional information.
Previous Minam AKWA maps (for reference only): 12/31/2015, 1/27/2015, 2/4/2014, 7/8/2013 (pdf)
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The Noregaard Pack spends most of its time in Union County. See Union County AKWA for more information.
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April 15, 2024 – In 2023, the South Snake Pack produced four pups that survived until the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair, with nine wolves in the pack.
April 18, 2023 – Five wolves were documented at the end of 2022. No pups were documented during the winter count and the pack was not counted as a breeding pair for 2022.
April 19, 2022 – In 2021, the South Snake Pack produced at least two pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair.
April 21, 2021 – In 2020, the South Snake Pack produced two pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair. Radio-collar data showed a 275 mi² use area with 98% of location data points on public lands and 2% on private lands.
April 15, 2020 – Reproduction was not confirmed in 2019 and the group was not counted as a breeding pair.
April 8, 2019 – In 2018, a new pair produced four pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair. It is unknown if these wolves are related to the wolves of the previous South Snake Pack.
April 10, 2017 – Reproduction was not confirmed in 2016 and the pack was not counted as a breeding pair. There were no radio-collars in the pack during 2016 and the pack was not located during the spring, summer or fall. Three wolves were located in the southern portion of the use area during January 2017, but at this time it is unknown if they are resident new wolves or part of the South Snake Pack.
March 4, 2016 – From the 2015 Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Annual Report
This pack was discovered in early 2015 in the northeastern portion of the Pine Creek Unit. The pack produced at least 2 pups that survived to the end of 2015 and qualifies as a breeding pair. A female wolf was radio-collared in June.
July, 2015 – Remote camera photographs taken near the end of March, 2015 showed six wolves in the pack with at least 2 pups born in 2014. This was the evidence needed to confirm the South Snake pack as a breeding pair for 2014.
February 25, 2015 – Summary from 2014 Annual Report:
Evidence of wolf activity in the south Snake River Unit began as early as August 2014 and information of repeated use of this area (by wolves other than the Snake River Pack or the Imnaha Pack) was later documented in January 2015. Although evidence of at least two wolves was confirmed, little is known of these new wolves at the time of this report.
Previous South Snake AKWA maps (for reference only):12/31/2020, 12/31/2019, 12/31/2018, 12/31/2015, 2/11/2015 (pdfs)
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April 15, 2024 – In 2023, the Wenaha Pack produced at least two pups that survived until the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair, with nine wolves in the pack.
April 18, 2023 – In 2022, the Wenaha Pack produced five pups that survived until the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair, with eight wolves in the pack.
April 19, 2022 – In 2021, the Wenaha Pack produced three pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair, with seven wolves in the pack.
April 21, 2021 – In 2020, the Wenaha Pack produced two pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair. Radio-collar data showed a 241 mi² use area with 86% of location data points on public lands and 14% on private lands.
April 15, 2020 – In 2019, the Wenaha Pack produced two pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair.
April 8, 2019 – Reproduction was not confirmed in 2018 and the pack was not counted as a breeding pair. The breeding female disappeared during the summer, she was at least ten years old and appeared in poor condition in remote camera photographs.
April 12, 2018 – In 2017, the Wenaha Pack produced at least four pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair.
April 10, 2017 – In 2016, the Wenaha Pack produced at least four pups surviving to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair.
March 4, 2016 – From the 2015 Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Annual Report
This pack was first discovered in 2008 in the northern part of the Wenaha Unit. The pack produced at least two pups surviving to the end of the year, qualifying as a breeding pair. No collars remained in this pack after OR13 dispersed in February. Though this pack has historically spent time in Washington, most of the packs locations, and the den, were in Oregon therefore this pack is counted in Oregon’s wolf population.
February 25, 2015 – From the 2014 Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Annual Report
This pack was first discovered in 2008. The pack produced four pups surviving to the end of the year in 2014, thus qualifying as a breeding pair. One female is GPS collared within this pack. In addition to the pack’s traditional area (Wenaha unit), 12% of its locations occurred within the Sled Springs Unit in 2014. The collar data shows the pack using an 870 mi2 area with 85% of location data on public land. Though monitoring data showed a small amount of time (9%) spent in Washington, most of the packs locations, and the den, were in Oregon therefore this pack is counted in Oregon’s wolf population.
February 25, 2014 – From the 2013 Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Annual Report
This pack was first discovered in 2008. Data shows that 2 females produced pups in 2013, but only 1 pup was known to survive to the end of the year. The pack does not count as a breeding pair. Two wolves (1 pup and 1 subadult) were confirmed to have died from parvovirus and this disease likely affected the other pups as well. The breeding male, a breeding female and a subadult female in the pack are GPS collared. The Wenaha Pack used its traditional area in the Wenaha unit and also started using a large amount of the Sled Springs Unit in 2013. The Oregon portion of the pack area increased to 1016 mi2 compared to 299 mi2 in 2012. The pack was on public land 63% of the time, down from 97% in 2012. Though monitoring data showed a small amount of time (8%) spent in Washington, most of the packs locations, and the den, were in Oregon therefore this pack is counted in Oregon’s wolf population.
August 12, 2013 2nd Wenaha wolf has died from parvovirus
Lab results show that a dead Wenaha Pack wolf pup recently found had died as a result of parvovirus. The carcass of the pup was discovered by ODFW on July 30th while staff was conducting routine surveys. This marks the second wolf death attributed to parvovirus in Oregon (the first was a 55-pound female yearling, also from the Wenaha pack, discovered in May 2013). Other apparently healthy pups were observed when the carcass of the pup was found on July 30, so the extent of the disease within this pack is unknown.
Parvovirus outbreaks have been documented in wolf populations throughout the western United States. In some areas parvovirus has caused short term declines in wolf populations by reducing the number of surviving pups. Long-term effects of the disease are less understood, but are generally not expected to threaten overall conservation of the species (though it may reduce the rate of population growth). ODFW staff will continue to monitor survival of the remaining pups as the year progresses.
May 30, 2013 Wolf OR19 died from complications of canine parvovirus
Preliminary laboratory results, conducted at Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, indicate that OR19, the wolf found dead by ODFW biologists on May 19, died of complications of canine parvovirus. The highly contagious and often fatal disease is common among domestic dogs, and can spill over into wild canids such as coyotes, foxes, and wolves. Domestic dogs are normally vaccinated for the disease but wild animals are not. Parvovirus has been documented in wild canids in other areas of the country and most commonly occurs in pups. It is unknown at this time if other wolves in Oregon are affected with the virus, but biologists will continue to monitor for signs of the disease throughout the summer.
This is the first documented case of parvovirus in Oregon wolves, though outbreaks have been well documented in wolf populations throughout the western United States. In some areas it has caused short term declines in wolf populations by reducing the number of surviving pups. Long-term effects are less understood, but are generally not expected to threaten overall conservation of the species (though it may reduce the rate of population growth).
May 22, 2013 Loss of collared Wenaha female
On May 11, 2013 a 55-pound yearling female wolf (OR19) from the Wenaha pack was trapped and released with a GPS radio-collar. She was caught in the Sled Springs unit where some members of the Wenaha pack have been located for more than a month. The capture went well and the wolf appeared healthy and unharmed. Following the capture, the movement data from the wolf appeared normal. However, late on May 17 the collar sent out a mortality message – a message which indicates the collar had been stationary for an extended period of time. Radio collar mortality signals do not always mean mortality, but on Sunday May 19 ODFW investigated the area and found that the wolf had died. The cause of death is unknown, but we do not suspect foul play at this time. Even so, the animal is being independently examined in an effort to learn more of the cause of death.
January 16, 2013 – The ending year-2012 wolf count for the Wenaha pack is 11 and Wenaha are a “breeding pair” for 2012. More information
November 19, 2012 – DNA results for Wenaha samples
DNA analysis of wolf scats in the Wenaha pack territory confirms that OR12 is the breeding male of the Wenaha pack in 2012. OR12 is the first wolf confirmed to have been born into one pack in Oregon (Imnaha), then dispersed and successfully bred in a different Oregon pack.
August 15, 2012 – ODFW surveyed the Wenaha pack on Aug 9, 2012 and was able to document seven pups for the pack.
August 1, 2012 – Genetic test results have found that OR12 (Wenaha Pack, captured on April 2, 2012) is progeny of the Imnaha pack (OR2 and OR4). OR12 is believed to be the breeding male for the Wenaha Pack and ODFW is currently testing Wenaha pup scats to confirm.
June 11, 2012 – ODFW biologists radio-collar OR-13
May 30, 2012 – ODFW observes four pups in Wenaha pack. Photo of pups
April 2, 2012 – Wenaha wolf collared
December 23, 2011 – Wenaha wolf pack has pup
August 5, 2011 – Yearling wolf seen on trail camera footage.
June 2011 – Trail camera footage captures images of wolves from the pack, including at least four adult wolves in pack
October 8, 2010 – Reward offered in wolf death USFWS news release
August 20, 2010 – Two pups of the Wenaha pack were trapped and released on Aug. 20, confirming for the first time that the pack produced pups this year.
August 4, 2010 – A two-year-old male of the Wenaha pack was captured, radio-collared and released on Aug. 4.
The Wenaha pack has an estimated four adult wolves. News release
July 21, 2008 – Wolf pack with pups confirmed in northeast Oregon News release
July 12, 2007 – Gray wolf found dead in Union County News release
Previous Wenaha AKWA maps (for reference only): 12/31/2020, 12/31/2019, 04/10/2017, 12/31/2015, 02/04/2014, 07/08/2013 (pdf)
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April 15, 2024 – In 2023, the Wildcat Pack produced two pups that survived until the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair, with five wolves in the pack.
April 18, 2023 – Reproduction was confirmed in the Wildcat Pack during 2022, but without two pups surviving to the end of the year, the pack was not counted as a breeding pair. Based on winter count data it is possible that two pairs now occupy the area.
April 19, 2022 – In 2021, the Wildcat wolves produced two pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair, with five wolves in the pack.
April 21, 2021 – Reproduction was confirmed in 2020, but no pups were documented at the end of the year and the wolves were not counted as a breeding pair.
April 15, 2020 – Reproduction was not confirmed in 2019 and the group was not counted as a breeding pair.
April 8, 2019 – The Wildcat Pack was a new pack in 2018. During 2018, the pack produced at least two pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair.
Previous Wildcat AKWA maps (for reference only): 12/31/2018 (pdfs)
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