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.
Table of previous lethal removal authorizations (pdf) |