For Immediate Release

December 5, 2005

Contact: Mike Colton, Chairman Oregon Ranch Rescue (541)-523-7967

RE: Oregon Ranch Rescue

The Oregon Cattlemen's Association (OCA) has participated in the wolf issue at every level since it began nearly 7 years ago. The livestock representative on ODFW’s Wolf Advisory Committee wrote numerous proposals for the committee that would have helped eliminate conflict and produce winners, including the wolf, rather than losers. Failing to get anything positive adopted she wrote a minority report as did the County Government representative on the committee, opposing the plan.

The amended plan adopted by the Commission reflects none of the concerning testimony they received from ranching and livestock owners. They changed nothing as a result of thoughtful testimony drafted after hours of research by citizens on all sides of the wolf issue. As a result, the plan will achieve nothing regarding conflict resolution or control of depredation on livestock and big game animals. It commits the Agency to nothing but protecting the proliferation of wolves in Oregon.

OCA passed a resolution during our December annual meeting stating that if the Commission did not rescind the wolf plan we would support a proactive campaign to close our private land to any public entry with the intent being: 1. A protest of the agency for not following its own policies, mission and goals. 2. Protecting the wolf’s wild prey base in anticipation of their arrival in Oregon.

Last Saturday night during the Union County Cattlemen’s annual meeting in La Grande, the OCA Wolf Task Force Committee kicked off a proactive campaign called Oregon Ranch Rescue. Chairman of the campaign, Mike Colton (Baker County Livestock Association President), outlined the particulars of the voluntary private land closure that will welcome others who believe private property rights have been violated. The campaign will facilitate the principle that its time to stand up and be counted against out-of-control agencies.

Colton has been in touch with hunter organizations that, while not in favor of losing private lands that provide the best hunting experiences, he said, "Hunters clearly understand that uncontrolled wolf populations will end hunting seasons anyway. They understand that seasons and tags have been severely limited already because of ODFW’s lack of meaningful commitment to manage bears and cougars. They know that wolf depredation will be additive."

Colton added, "The Oregon Ranch Rescue campaign will be accessible on OCA’s website www.orcattle.com where there will be OCA’s history of activities, involvement, testimony and articles. We will post scientific studies and presentations from other states and organizations, and links to informational sites. There will be a place on the website to sign up your acres to be withheld from public use and to purchase signs to post your property."

The truth is self evident to the student of the issue that OCA has exhausted all practical means to preserve the livestock industry in Oregon. It will make clear that the Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Department of Fish and Wildlife must bear full responsibility for closing doors to any other reasonable options.

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