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Lake County adopts emergency declaration over collared wolf after livestock losses
Summary
On Feb. 18, 2025, the Lake County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Resolution 2025‑01 declaring a wolf threat after officials reported a collared wolf linked to eight confirmed livestock kills; the declaration asks state assistance and is intended to support permit requests under 50 C.F.R. §17.
The Lake County Board of Commissioners voted Feb. 18 to adopt Resolution 2025‑01, a declaration that seeks state assistance in responding to a collared wolf blamed for repeated livestock losses in the Valley Falls area.
Sheriff Daniel Tague told commissioners he had spoken with multiple federal agencies about the animal and "believed the agencies were not being transparent regarding the movements of [the] animal," and he asked the board to declare an emergency so the county could use that declaration to help secure permits under Code of Federal Regulations, title 50, Section 17, to trap or kill the wolf. Vice‑Chair Barry Shullanberger said the animal had been linked to eight confirmed livestock kills and appeared to be traveling between three ranches while sending intermittent tracking signals.
Commissioner James Williams moved to approve the resolution, Vice‑Chair Shullanberger seconded, and the motion carried on a 3‑0 vote. The resolution included a letter of support from Sheriff Tague and requests that the State of Oregon assist "by any legal means" to resolve the threat posed by the wolf identified in county materials as Oregon Wolf 158.
Supporters of the declaration said the animal’s apparent lack of fear of people and repeated depredations were placing stress on ranching families and creating a potential public‑safety concern. Sheriff Tague said the declaration was intended both to secure additional resources and to provide leverage when applying for federal permits under 50 C.F.R. §17.
Vice‑Chair Shullanberger also told the board that Congressman Cliff Bentz’s office had discussed holding a public meeting in Lake County to address the issue; he added that interagency communications had been hampered, in his view, by federal restrictions on agency statements. The transcript records no formal response from state or federal wildlife officials during the session.
The Board adopted the resolution during the work‑session resumption at 11:11 a.m.; the meeting adjourned at 11:31 a.m. No additional emergency actions or operational details were recorded in the work session minutes about immediate trapping or removal steps.
