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Areas of Known Wolf Activity
Harassment of Wolves
Caught-In-Act Lethal Take
ODFW Lethal Take
The information below describes ODFW’s management rules for lethal control but these are superseded by federal rules west of Hwys 395-78-95. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, not ODFW, regulates any lethal take of wolves where wolves are federally listed.
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
- The encounter is unintentional (i.e., pursuit is not allowed)
Any type of harassment must be reported to ODFW within 48 hrs.
The information below describes ODFW’s management rules for lethal control but these are superseded by federal rules west of Hwys 395-78-95. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, not ODFW, regulates any lethal take of wolves where wolves are federally listed.
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.
The information below describes ODFW’s management rules for lethal control but these are superseded by federal rules west of Hwys 395-78-95. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, not ODFW, regulates any lethal take of wolves where wolves are federally listed.
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.
All management related to harassment and lethal take of wolves west of Hwys 395-78-95 is regulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. |
