Ranchers Report Rising Livestock Losses from Expanding Wolf Pack
Gray wolf population growth in southern Oregon sparks renewed debate over management and coexistence
Cattle ranchers in southern Oregon say they are facing increasing livestock losses linked to the expanding Grouse Ridge wolf pack, a group now believed to number between seven and fourteen animals in the forested area between Butte Falls and Prospect.
According to reports from the Rogue Valley Times, rancher Ron Anderson and his family have documented multiple attacks this year, including calves killed within sight of their home. State records confirm several of the incidents as “probable or confirmed depredations,” while others remain unverified due to the lack of remains after wolves feed on carcasses.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) documented 69 confirmed wolf depredations statewide in 2024, slightly fewer than the 73 recorded the previous year. However, ranchers in Jackson County say their losses are significantly higher than reported, estimating dozens of unconfirmed attacks each season.
A growing population and shifting behavior
Known areas of wolf activity in Jackson County, Ore.
Oregon’s gray wolf population continues to climb, with ODFW’s most recent annual report citing 204 wolves statewide, up 15% from 2023. Much of that growth has been centered in southern and eastern regions of the state.
The Grouse Ridge Pack, established from members of the now-dissolved Rogue Pack, has reportedly grown in both size and confidence. Local residents have observed the wolves hunting during daylight hours and increasingly targeting cattle over traditional prey like elk or deer.
Ranchers Ron Anderson and Ted Birdseye—both longtime cattle producers in the region—say they’ve seen patterns of wolves returning to the same areas year after year. Birdseye, who once made headlines for installing deterrent fencing and noise devices, said the measures help but cannot eliminate the threat entirely.
“Initially we had a huge problem. We were the center of wolf activity when they first came here,” Birdseye told the Rogue Valley Times. “Now they’ve mostly moved on to Ron’s.”
State response and management challenges
ODFW biologist Sam Dodenhoff said his agency continues to work closely with landowners to investigate depredations, monitor wolf activity, and implement non-lethal deterrents.
“We’re trying to navigate that line between wolf recolonization, conservation and management, but also trying to minimize conflict issues with ranchers,” Dodenhoff said. “It’s a pretty delicate process.”
Federal protections for gray wolves remain in place for portions of central Oregon under the Endangered Species Act, limiting state authority to authorize lethal removal in many cases. However, in eastern Oregon, ODFW manages wolves under state jurisdiction, allowing removal of individual wolves in specific circumstances after repeated livestock attacks.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that gray wolves no longer need federal protection, citing recovery goals achieved nationwide. The decision reignited debate over whether management should return entirely to the states.
New legislation and compensation
To help offset ranchers’ losses, Senate Bill 777, signed by Gov. Tina Kotek in June, expands Oregon’s livestock compensation program. Beginning in 2026, the law requires that reimbursement be based on fair market value and include coverage for injured livestock and working dogs.
In 2024, Oregon distributed $789,565 in compensation grants to ranchers in 13 counties — up from $477,661 the previous year. Even so, many in southern Oregon say the funding doesn’t reflect the full financial or emotional toll.
“It’s really, really mentally frustrating,” Birdseye said. “Our hands are just tied.”
As the Grouse Ridge Pack continues to expand its range, ranchers say they’ll keep advocating for a balance between wildlife protection and agricultural survival — one that preserves both Oregon’s natural ecosystems and the families who depend on them.
Cover photo: A young wolf from the newly formed Grouse Ridge Pack, born in spring 2024, is captured by a trail camera on U.S. Forest Service land in Jackson County on Jan. 23. (ODFW)