Crook County hears public support and a Wildlife Services presentation on predator-control services

Crook County commissioners on March 26 heard public comment and a presentation from Wildlife Services about expanding predator‑conflict and nuisance wildlife work and a proposed county line item roughly equal to $86,000 for a half‑time position.

The discussion drew livestock producers and wildlife coordinators who said local relationships speed response to depredation and other livestock damage. "Half guy for $86,000 seems pricey," said John Baylor, identifying himself as a Crook County landowner, but he added that whatever the county chooses it should preserve direct contact between producers and responders.

The issue matters to ranchers and rural residents because county officials now rely on a patchwork of services for carcass removal, nonlethal deterrence and, in some cases, lethal removal after ODFW authorization. "This partnership between ODF and W, wildlife services and landowners has been incredibly beneficial," said Ellie Gauges, who identified herself as the Oregon resource coordinator for Western Landowners Alliance and chair of the Crook County Wolf Committee. She described Wildlife Services staff as "incredibly responsive, very available to landowners," and urged the county to consider staffing that can perform wolf work where legally allowed.

Wildlife Services staff described local capabilities and limits. Jared Mitchell, a Wildlife Services coordinator, said the program has a local conflict‑prevention specialist, David Andrews, who "would be the individual that would go out and if we had wolves coming into pastures ... he would be the one implementing nonlethal work, flattery, range riding, all those types of activities." Mitchell added that Andrews' NRCS funding restricts him to nonlethal measures, while other Wildlife Services resources can support lethal removal where ODFW authorizes it and where wolves are delisted.

Sheriff's Office representative Bill Elliott supported adding Wildlife Services capacity. "I do think that this would be a great addition," he said, noting Wildlife Services staff he has worked with "are here to support all of the citizens of Crook County."

Speakers described a range of services the county could buy or contract for: carcass removal (Ellie said she requested a dump trailer in a recent grant cycle), nonlethal conflict prevention and range‑riding, and aerial work (fixed‑wing or helicopter) that Wildlife Services has used selectively for predator removal. Jared Mitchell said helicopters are sometimes used to selectively remove wolves when required; fixed‑wing aircraft are used more often for coyote work because of lower cost.

Several commenters urged the county to budget for more staffing than a single half‑time position. Baylor and others said one part‑time person is unlikely to cover Crook County’s geography and seasonal peaks in calls. Speakers also stressed the value of maintaining direct, quick lines of contact between producers and responders rather than routing requests through multiple layers of bureaucracy.

Commissioners did not take a formal vote or adopt a contract at the work session; staff and Wildlife Services said they would follow up with details about services, permits and funding arrangements. Discussion touched on inter‑county arrangements and on how federal funding and state rules (including ODFW's role and NRCS funding limits) shape which actions Wildlife Services can legally perform.

The issue will return to the county’s agenda for further review once staff provides options on staffing levels, costs and the scope of services. Commissioners and presenters said the county’s needs may change if wolves are delisted in parts of the state, which would alter what Wildlife Services and ODFW can lawfully do.