It is an ongoing dilemma in northeast Oregon. Wolves developed a sweet tooth for cattle east of Baker City near the Idaho border. 

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife authorized federal agents with the U.S. Wildlife Services to kill three wolves from a pack that continues to prey on livestock. That comes after state or federal agents lethally removed four wolves over the first two months of 2026. 

After removing the breeding male, ODFW monitored the movement of three other wolves, one of which wears a tracking collar, including the breeding female and two of her pups. The animals spent their days in the forest nearby but returned to the valley during the night. 

“They’ve been very, very consistent,” Brian Ratliff, ODFW biologist, told the Baker City Herald. “We’re trying to break that pattern.” 

In 2023, the pack attacked livestock at least 10 times in the same region. Authorities killed six of the wolves including the breeding female, breaking up the pack. However, the breeding male found a new breeding female and livestock depredations began again. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)