Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 17, 2019)
community january17 2019 Wolf Plan Revision to be Presented in March Some progress made, but stakeholders could not find consensus on several topics removal after three or more confirmed depredations. In practice, ODFW has denied more lethal removal requests for wolves than it has approved. Since the first Wolf Conser- vation and Management Plan was ap- proved in 2005, hunting of wolves has been in the Plan as a potential tool to manage wolf populations. Throughout the current review of the Wolf Plan, no proposals have been made by ODFW to begin hunting wolves. If hunting of wolves were to be proposed by staff in the future, it would have to be approved by the Commission in a public rule- making process. The Wolf Plan proposal will be available for review prior to the March 15 Commission meeting on the wolf website at www.odfw.com/wolves. 19 Where Do You Read the Voice? After completing the last scheduled facilitated meeting with stakeholder representatives on Monday, January 8, ODFW staff are working to finalize a revised Wolf Conservation and Management Plan. That Plan will be presented to the Commission at its March 15 meeting in Salem for final adoption. Last year, Commissioners decided to postpone Wolf Plan revisions and conduct additional facilitated outreach in hopes of getting more consensus from stakeholders. Professional facilitator Deb Nudelman with Kearns and West facilitated five meetings with stakeholders from late August 2018 through early January 2019. While stakeholders representing ranching, hunting, and wolf conservation came to agreement on some topics, there was no consensus on several of the most controversial issues, including the number Remington Winningstad caught up on all the news of livestock depredations that leads to consideration in the Voice while visiting Kona, Hawaii. of lethal removal of wolves when nonlethal deterrents Pups for White River Wolves A new pair of wolves in the have not worked. Environmental group stakeholders increase over the number counted the previous year. with Oregon Wild, Cascadia Wildlands, Center for White River Unit (southern Wasco The count was based on verified wolf evidence Biological Diversity, and Defenders of Wildlife County) south of Mt. Hood has produced at least two (like visual observations, tracks, and remote camera pups in 2018. announced January 4 that they would not attend the photographs) and is considered the minimum known A remote camera on the Warm Springs Indian final meeting. wolf population, not an estimate of how many wolves “We were disappointed these groups left the Reservation first captured images of two pups on discussion and we did not have the full stakeholder August 10. This marks the first known reproduction are in Oregon. 12 wolf packs were documented at the end of group present at the final meeting,” said Derek by wolves in the northern portion of Oregon’s Cascade 2017. 11 packs were successful breeding pairs, meaning Broman, ODFW Carnivore Coordinator. “Since the Mountains since wolves began returning to the state in that at least two adults and two pups survived to the end drafting of the original 2005 plan, stakeholders remain the 2000s. of the year. This marks a 38 percent increase very passionate so consensus is challenging in breeding pairs from 2016. to achieve.” “The wolf population continues to “The facilitated process was grow and expand its range in Oregon,” said designed to create a space for stakeholders Roblyn Brown, ODFW Wolf Coordinator. to negotiate and allow for give and take on “This year, we also documented resident all sides,” Broman continued. “We thank all wolves in the northern part of Oregon’s stakeholders for their time and attention at Cascade Mountains for the first time.” the meetings and for the progress made on More information about the minimum several issues, and everyone thanks Kearns wolf count is available in Oregon’s and West for their professional facilitating of 2017 Annual Wolf Report. these meetings.” Stakeholder groups were able to find Other highlights from the report: some consensus on wolf collaring priorities, • The 12 wolf packs documented had a mean the desire to increase the use of nonlethal size of 7.3 wolves, ranging from 4-11 wolves. The breeding male of White River wolves with two pups, taken August 19 by techniques, and funding enhanced population Another nine groups of 2-3 wolves each were remote camera on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Photo courtesy of modeling. But stakeholders remained divided also counted. Wildlife Department BNR-Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. on lethal take of wolves when they are killing • Known resident wolves now occur in Baker, livestock, including the number and time Grant, Jackson, Klamath, Lake, Umatilla, Union, Wolves in Wasco County and anywhere west of Wallowa, and Wasco counties. frame of confirmed depredations before lethal control Highways 395, 78, and 95 are protected by the federal • 25 radio-collared wolves were monitored, including of wolves is considered. ODFW is responsible for investigating Endangered Species Act, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife 19 wolves that were radio-collared during 2017. livestock depredations and uses a rigorous, evidence- Service is the lead management agency. • Four collared wolves dispersed out of state (two to ODFW, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Idaho, one to Montana, one to Washington). based process to determine if a wolf or wolves was responsible. A certain number of “confirmed” livestock the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are working • 13 wolf mortalities were documented, 12 of those depredations can lead to consideration of lethal removal together to monitor this group of wolves. human caused. of wolves by the department or a landowner. Currently, Wolf Counts in Oregon Increase • 54 percent of documented wolf locations were on the Plan allows for consideration of lethal removal ODFW wildlife biologists counted 124 wolves public lands, 44 percent on private lands, and 2 percent after two confirmed depredations within no specific in Oregon during the winter of 2017-18, an 11 percent on tribal lands. time frame, but ODFW typically authorizes lethal MIKE PIHL V ernonia C hristian C hurch LOGGING CO., INC Everyone is welcome in our vibrant & active community! Free Estimates Specializing in Private Timber Sunday Worship Service 11:00 am Pastor Sam Hough 410 North St. Vernonia mplogging@frontier.com 1984 mist drive po box 321 vernonia, or 97064 503-429-1470 cell 503.789.1268 fax 503.429.0252 • Youth and Adult Sunday School • Evening Youth Groups 4th-6th Grade Junior & Senior High • Home Study Groups • Outdoor Ministry Christian Bow Hunters of America Annual Sportsman’s Banquet office@VernoniaChristianChurch.org 503-429-6522
