The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has issued a kill order for a third wolf found to be preying on livestock outside of Joseph, Oregon. Cascadia Wildlands, a group that apparently opposes the killing of any wolf ever, also opposes the killing of this wolf. The ODFW has already killed two problem wolves, and most of the other wolves in the Imnaha pack have moved south. By killing the latest problem wolf, the ODFW has the chance to push this pack of wolves deeper into the wilderness where they will be less likely to encounter livestock, pets, and anyone else who doesn’t want to see them.
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The ranchers in this area have already taken steps to avoid wolf/livestock encounters. In addition to having to absorb the calf losses that Oregon law requires concrete proof of before ODFW removes a wolf they
“have used electrified fladry (flagged fencing known to deter wolves), removed bone piles that can attract wolves, and installed radio activated guard (RAG) boxes that emit a sound when collared wolves draw near. ODFW has been tracking wolf location information received by radio and GPS collars and a range rider is monitoring wolves and protecting livestock in the area. Wolves have also been hazed away from livestock operations. Many landowners in the area have changed grazing practices to reduce the risk of depredation by wolves.”[1]
All of these measures cost money and time that most ranchers, especially small-scale, local producers, don’t have. The ranchers have made an honest, good-faith effort to avoid wolf/livestock encounters, and they need to have the tools to remove wolves they find attacking their livestock. Even California, which has protected mountain lions in an ill-fated attempt at ballot-box conservation (I’ll write about this loathsome law later), allows producers to take animals they find attacking their livestock, and there doesn’t seem to be any evidence suggesting widespread abuse of that law.
Cascadia Wildlands however, doesn’t trust that ranchers won’t murder every wolf they come across. Citing the 19th and early 20th century policies of wolf removal, groups like Cascadia refuse to believe that ranchers have changed at all. This lack of trust prevents any real, productive dialog regarding giving ranchers in Oregon the tools they need to deal with problem wolves as they show themselves. The ranchers on the other hand, doubt that the environmental groups will stick to a plan even after they help draft it. These fears often are shown to be valid when groups like Cascadia Wildlands do things like file lawsuits seeking to stop the removal of problem wolves by the ODFW in accordance with the Oregon Wolf Management Plan.[2] This lack of trust manifests itself on both sides and hinders dialog whenever it rears its ugly head. Both sides need to come up with a plan they are willing to stick to and advocate for it in the legislature. If they can’t come to an agreement, they need to take it to court in the beginning and have done with the whole thing, these false agreements that are later broken only foster the feelings of distrust on both sides.
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