ODFW authorizes wolf takes

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced Oct. 6 that it has authorized additional incremental lethal take of up to four wolves from the Harl Butte wolf pack due to confirmed livestock depredations. The authorization allows wolves to be killed either by ODFW staff or by livestock producers affiliated with a local grazing association who will be provided with a limited duration lethal take permit. The permit is valid until Oct. 31, and allows them to kill wolves in pastures on public or private land currently occupied by their livestock. The Harl Butte pack is currently estimated at nine wolves (six adults and three wolves born this past spring). The younger wolves are likely to weigh between 50-60 pounds by this time of year while adult wolves generally weigh 70-115 pounds. Any wolf in the pack may be taken under the authorization. ODFW has removed four adult wolves from the Harl Butte pack since Aug. 3, when it first authorized lethal control after non-lethal measures failed to prevent wolf-livestock depredation.