ODFW Extends Kill Permit For Chesnimnus Pack

Due to the continued significant risk of wolves to livestock in the Wallowa County area, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has extended a kill permit. That permit for the Chesnimnus Pack was set to expire May 24^th. This extension means the permit will now be valid until June 14^th. The permit allows the livestock producer to shoot one wolf in pastures occupied by their livestock. The original permit was issued April 29^th after several confirmed depredations by the Chesnimnus Pack in just a few days.

It allowed for the removal of up to two wolves and the producer legally shot one wolf on May 3^rd under their permit. Since then, there has been one probable depredation in the area and wolf activity and risk to livestock has remained high. Evidence indicates wolves are testing cattle, with cattle showing signs of stress including breaking through a fence in one incident.

The producer continues to use non-lethal measures including moving their cattle to a different pasture and increased human presence. Lethal take can be authorized by ODFW in chronic depredation situations when there is significant risk to livestock present in the area and non-lethals were being used prior to depredations.

The Chesnimnus Pack currently numbers at least 7-8 adult and yearling [born last year] wolves, and their breeding female may still be in the den. None of the wolves currently have working GPS or VHF collars. The kill permit allows the producer to shoot any one wolf in pastures occupied by their livestock. The reduction would not be expected to impact the pack's breeding success. Another update will be posted about this permit only if a wolf is removed or the permit is re-issued.

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