Learning to live with wolves on the range

The word came in from a local rancher: Wolves had killed his livestock. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) investigated the claim and confirmed it. Reactions to the incidents ranged from outright anger and fear to tempered excitement that wolves were finally back in Central Oregon, where they once lived until being eradicated 50 years ago.

According to ODFW Wildlife Biologist Aaron Bott and Range Specialist Mike Ensley, the initial responses that included taking up arms against the wolves is often not necessary. There are non-lethal methods to deter wolf predation. All it takes...