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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2018)
A16 From A1 wallowa.com ATTACKS Continued from Page A1 Upon examination of the car- cass, multiple canine tooth scrape marks were found on the hide of the right hind leg, back and left front legs. The findings also indi- cated pre-mortem hemor- rhage and muscle tissue damage from canine bites on the upper left front leg, left elbow, both hind legs above the hocks and the lower-left side of the back. The agency issued a confirmation on July 24. It is the pack’s 12th con- firmed depredation since July of 2016 and first of this year. The pack does not have a collared member. Only one of Wallowa County’s estimated 60-plus wolves is collared. However, the location of the depredation is within the Known Area of Wolf Activity of the Harl Butte pack. County commissioner Todd Nash said the pack has had more than enough chances to alter its behavior and needs severe curtailing if not elimination. “We need to clean this mess up,” he said. “The state needs to do its part if we’re going to achieve co-existence with wolves and ranchers.” Bucks raised during ‘Miles for Mammograms’ Walkers and their dogs gathered outside the Thun- der Room at the Harley Tucker Rodeo Grounds in Joseph for the 11th Annual “Miles for Mammograms” run July 26. The event, part of the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” campaign for Chief Joseph Days Rodeo, was partnered this year with Wallowa County Humane Society. Around 20 dogs joined approximately 100 walkers for the hike from the rodeo grounds and around Iwetem- laykin State Heritage Site just outside of Joseph. Each dog owner paid $5 for his or her dog to join in, raising $100 for the local Humane Society. Human entry fees are added to the other fund- raising events of the rodeo and donated to the Wallowa Memorial Hospital to pro- vide free mammograms for local low-income women. Although a total was not available for money raised for mammograms, organizer Doris Noland said she was happy with the results. WOLVES Continued from Page A1 The county formed the Wallowa County Wolf Com- pensation Committee in 2011 at the suggestion of local rancher Dennis Sheehy. According to county commis- sioner Susan Roberts, the idea began as a community alliance livestock fund to help produc- ers who were hardest hit by depredations. Eventually, a committee of nine was formed. Eventually the idea came to the attention of the Oregon Legislature. “We said, ‘Hey, the state has determined we need wolves and here’s how they can help,’” Roberts said. The legislature ultimately mandated seven-member committees for counties with wolves –– two members from the wolf conservation com- munity, two livestock pro- ducers and a county commis- sioner or designee. That group of five would select two mem- bers from the local business community. As the wolf popula- tion spread, additional coun- ties have looked to Wal- lowa County as a model of management. “We have shared our meth- ods, forms and papers with anyone who asks for them, so they wouldn’t have to start from scratch,” Roberts said. The Claims Committee determines the monetary value of depredation losses. “Knowing ranchers, know- ing conditions: it’s all part of the equation,” Wallowa County Commissioner Todd Nash said. The group meets annually and uses August as its refer- ence point. “Usually, by August, you know how the markets are going to be for that year,” Nash said. “We try not to take the high or low, we decide on a reasonable price.” Market rate for beef doesn’t determine the damage amount. For example, if a 100-pound calf is killed, the damages aren’t set in the $150-$200 range the calf might have brought at auction. “We don’t sell those calves,” Nash said. “We con- sider that he would have made it to weaning at 600 pounds.” A weaned calf depredation that made it through fall might be considered at 800 pounds. Replacement heifers, cows, bred cows and registered live- stock present other mitigating factors. Stock dogs and horses are occasional victims and merit compensation. Current committee mem- bers also include Wally Sykes, an original member, and Jacob Johansen from the con- servation community, Larry Snook and Bill Phinney from the business community. Jill McClaran and Levi Hermens represent livestock producers. When a claim is submit- ted, the county contracts with a August 1, 2018 Wallowa County Chieftain member of the Soil and Water Conservation District, Cyn- thia Warnock, to complete the paperwork. Warnock collects the paper- work and hands it to Roberts, who reviews the filing before handing it off to the claims committee. they suffered additional losses since wolves migrated to the county. “This takes agreement and buy-in from the livestock pro- ducer to say, ‘OK, that’s an added thing I have to do, but I understand, and I’m going to do it,’” Roberts said. “Most producers worth anything already keep excellent records anyway.” Thus far, no depredation claim has been turned down, but several have been reduced from the original request. Roberts said she has never seen what she considers an outrageous claim. For some ranchers, reimbursement sometimes falls short of full restitution. The fund is administrated by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Part of the fund- ing is for nonlethal deterrents, such as paying the range rider and providing his equipment, among others. This year, the county received its full funding of $63,500, $55,000 is for non- lethal deterrents. The remain- ing funds are tagged for direct-loss compensation. The federal government has also pitched in an extra $13,500 for nonlethal purposes. Roberts said the compen- sation program is marginally successful. “It does help offset some of the losses ranchers suffer,” she said. “It’s one of those questions that has no good answers.” It does help offset some of the losses ranchers suffer. It’s one of those questions that has no good answers.” — Susan Roberts county commissioner The paperwork details the type of nonlethal deterrents and other preventatives the rancher used, such as increas- ing patrols, using the range rider and others. A pasture rotation form is also used, and the claim- ant writes a narrative as well as having a third party ver- ify a stock count in the spring before cattle are let loose on allotments as well as a third party to verify the stock arriv- ing in the fall. Additional paperwork includes the rancher having a verifiable and detailed history of livestock loss on a particu- lar range to make a claim that 74 golfers turn out for Shriner’s Chief Joseph tournament Rochelle Danielson After last week’s column and my attempt to explain the lack of interest in golf tournaments, the Shriner’s come along and prove otherwise. Turnout for the CJD Shrine golf tournament included 74 golfers, which made up 18 teams of men and women spill- ing over on Alpine Meadows fairways. The Shriner’s has always attracted golfers, but the tour- nament became notorious for its all-day into the night ordeal, creating a reason not to enter the fundraiser. The Shriners eventually saw the light, eliminated mulligans by the bushel, and in turn, sped up the game. This year teams played the 18 holes in six hours. Although local Shriner’s Club membership is down from earlier times, those who are members work hard to make their “once a year money maker” a success. Sam Wade, who has been tourney chairman for ages, claims he has lots of help from his family, friends, Shriner members and Alpine Meadows crew. “We have great support from the golfers too. Several teams return year after year,” said the always smiling Wade. “Not only can these guys and gals hit the ball, they have a lot of fun even when they don’t. In fact, we call the tourney ‘Hit and Giggle,’ and there’s lots of giggling.” This year’s scramble win- ners: Randy Slinker, Nathan Slinker, Kyle Crawford and Josh Harman, 59. One stroke behind the No. 1 team was Gordon Hig- heagle, Levi Taylor, Frank Tay- lor, Easton Powaukee, and Mike Bisbee, 60. Third Place Tie: Tristan Beck, Pat Lynn, Justin Bird, Dean Duquette, 61. Den- nis Kennedy, Matt Alandt, Bob Payant, Rob Payant, 61. Ladies Longest Drive, Becky Collman. Men’s Longest Drive, Marcus Bridges. Ladies KP, Amanda Weselak. Men’s KP, Matt Alandt. A Hole-In-One was a tour- nament highlight for the small crowd who witnessed Matt Alandt, of Meridian, Idaho, make his first-ever hole-in-one. NEW FINGERPRINT-RESISTANT SUNSET BRONZE Add warmth to your kitchen with the soft glow of this brushed satin finish. His team had played 4 holes when they made the turn at the clubhouse. Teeing off No. 1 Alandt watched as his 135 yard drive went high and landed on the green uphill from the flag, rolled back and dropped in the cup. For a moment he stood paralyzed, his eyes grew big, his mouth opened wide, then he began to dance. Congratulations Matt. Golfers: Perhaps we should put “giggle” back in our game. 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