Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Plan (April 2019)

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4/12/19 Draft Wolf Plan Update 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

The following explains options available to livestock producers in situations of wolf-livestock conflict. Important Note: At the time of this Plan’s adoption, wolves in the West Zone, and a portion of the East Zone (west of Hwy’s 395-78-95) are listed as endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act. All management related to harassment and take of wolves is regulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, not ODFW. The information below only reflects ODFW rules regarding harassment and take of wolves once they are delisted from the Federal ESA. Until that time, federal laws preempt these rules. Non-injurious harassment of wolves includes scaring off an animal(s) by making loud noises (e.g. safely firing shots into the air,)or otherwise confronting the animal(s) without doing bodily harm. It is allowed without a permit by livestock producers (or their agents) on land they own or land they lawfully occupy, or by permittees (or their agents) who are legally using public land under valid livestock grazing allotments. For non-injurious harassment to occur, the following criteria apply:  It is allowed only for wolves in close proximity of livestock or in the act of testing, chasing, or otherwise disrupting livestock.  It must not result in injury to the wolf.  It must be reported to ODFW within 48 hours. Any non-injurious harassment that does not meet each requirement of this rule requires a permit in advance from ODFW. Non-lethal injurious harassment means scaring off a wolf (or wolves) older than 6 months without killing but with some injury to the wolf and includes rubber bullets, bean bag projectiles, and vehicle or other pursuit-oriented hazing. It is conducted for the purpose of minimizing wolf-livestock conflict when livestock are present. It is allowed by permit issued by ODFW to livestock producers (or their agents) on private lands they lawfully occupy or by permittees (or their agents) who are using public land under valid livestock grazing permits. Non-lethal injurious harassment permits shall remain valid for the livestock grazing season in which it is issued provided the livestock operator (on private and public land) is compliant with all applicable laws, including permit conditions. The agency shall inform permit holders (on public and private land) of non-lethal methods for minimizing wolf-livestock conflict, provide guidance upon request, and inform permit holders that receiving future lethal control permits will be contingent upon documentation of efforts to use non-lethal methods. For a non-lethal injurious harassment permit to be issued, the following criteria must apply:  ODFW confirms wolf depredation on livestock or other wolf-livestock conflict (i.e. testing, chasing, or otherwise disrupting livestock).  The applicant will work with ODFW to determine appropriate course of action.  ODFW will consider locations of known wolf dens and the presence of livestock before a permit is issued.  The harassment does not result in the death of a wolf.  No identified circumstances exist that are attracting wolf-livestock conflict.  The harassment must be reported to ODFW within 48 hours.

Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Plan/ WOLF-LIVESTOCK CONFLICTS

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