Tag Archives: ODFW

Oregon’s Wolf Conservation Plan in Trouble

by Shannon Perry

https://pixabay.com/photo-1336229/

Oregon Wild and other sister organizations walked away from ODFW’s proposed wolf conservation plan, rather than sign off on recommendations that rejected every suggestion from environmental groups and scientists. Despite working with a professional facilitator, negotiations were unsuccessful.

Some objectionable aspects include allowing trophy hunting for pelts and trapping. ODFW is seen as shifting more money and power to their agency with less oversight. Barring changes in the plan, conservation groups will be looking for other means to support Oregon’s small wolf population. For more information and action steps please see the link below.

https://oregonwild.org/about/blog/real-wolf-conservation-plan

Wolves in Oregon up 11% from 2017

Gray wolf

This gray wolf was captured on a remote ODFW camera in Mt Hood National Forest on Jan. 4, 2018.

The good news is that 12 wolf packs were documented in Oregon at the end of 2017. And 11 of those packs were successful breeding pairs. See the press release from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife: Oregon home to more than 124 wolves; count finds 11% increase over last year 2017

On April 10, however, ODFW staff who were already in the area hazing wolves, shot and killed an uncollared yearling female wolf (scroll down the page) of the Pine Creek Pack on the private land where previous depredations occurred.

To learn more about the state of Oregon’s wolf population, see the 2017 Annual Wolf Report which ODFW staff will present to the Fish and Wildlife Commission at its April 20 meeting in Astoria.

Also, as I wrote previously, the commission  will conduct additional facilitated outreach, and postpone final adoption of the draft Wolf Management Plan in the hope of getting more consensus from stakeholders. Therefore, the plan will not be considered for adoption at the April meeting in Astoria. ODFW will announce a new meeting date when it’s scheduled.

In the meantime, your comments on the draft plan can be sent via email to odfw.commission@state.or.us.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Governor for staggered four-year terms. Commissioners formulate policies concerning management and conservation of fish and wildlife resources, and establishes seasons, methods and bag limits for recreational and commercial take.

ODFW postpones Wolf Plan adoption

UPDATE: The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has decided it will conduct some additional facilitated outreach, and postpone final adoption of the draft Wolf Management Plan in the hope of getting more consensus from stakeholders. So the plan will not be considered for adoption at the April meeting in Astoria. ODFW will announce a new meeting date when it’s scheduled.

In the meantime, your comments on the draft plan can be sent via email to odfw.commission@state.or.us. Visit this link for updates on Oregon wolf management and to get on the Wolf Plan email list.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Governor for staggered four-year terms. Commissioners formulate policies concerning management and conservation of fish and wildlife resources, and establishes seasons, methods and bag limits for recreational and commercial take.

Oregon Fish & Wildlife struggling to help non-game species

Western Pond Turtle

Western Pond Turtle. Courtesy USFWS.

If you’re reading this, you must care about non-game wildlife. But with a long history of relying on fishing and hunting fees to fund only Oregon’s game animals, non-game species have been left in the dust.

The series below, which appeared on Oregon Public Broadcasting, explains the problems and possible solutions to helping Oregon’s non-game wildlife before it’s too late.

Part 1: Wildlife Neglected: How Oregon Lost Track Of Species It’s Supposed To Protect

Part 2: Wildlife Neglected: Lacking Support, Conservation Falters At Oregon Fish and Wildlife

Part 3: Wildlife Neglected: To Fund Conservation, Oregon Hopes To Succeed Where Past Efforts Failed