Federal Judge Orders Reconsideration of Wolf Protection in Eastern Oregon
Published August 6, 2025, by Jayson Jacoby, Baker City Herald
A federal ruling on August 5 by Judge Donald W. Molloy in Montana has led to a reconsideration of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision regarding the protection status of gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). While the judge’s ruling is significant, it currently has no immediate effect on the status of wolves in Eastern Oregon.
Wolves residing east of a designated line—the boundaries created by Highways 395, 78, and 95—are managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and not under federal protection. This area encompasses all of Baker, Union, and Wallowa counties, as well as parts of Grant and Umatilla counties. In contrast, wolves west of these highways are protected federally.
As of late 2024, Oregon’s wolf population was estimated at a minimum of 204, with approximately 75% of these wolves found in the northeast corner of the state. The management policy for these wolves allows ranchers greater leeway in addressing livestock predation, a contrast to regions where federal protections apply.
Wolf advocates celebrated Molloy’s decision, arguing that it challenges the Fish and Wildlife Service’s approach. “This decision was a thorough repudiation of the agency’s handling of wolves," stated Kate Schultz, a senior attorney involved in the legal challenge.
The ruling has sparked renewed discussion about wolf management practices, particularly in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, where hunting is permitted. Unlike these states, Oregon’s wolf population has rebounded from just 29 in 2011, thanks to the state’s protective strategies and financial compensation measures for livestock owners.
As Eastern Oregon continues to navigate its wolf management plan, the conversation surrounding the future of gray wolves remains engaged and complex.
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