Nearly a year ago, wildlife officials in Deschutes County confirmed the first case of livestock being killed by wolves in decades.

This week the county approved compensation for the dead livestock owned by rancher Ashanti Samuels.

The state granted the county $32,621, according to Donna Harris, a member of the Deschutes County Wolf Depredation Committee. Most if the money will go to the ranch owner.

The county did not get all the funds it requested. It originally sought $77,306 to compensate for losses and preventive measures.

Samuels, owner of Long Hollow Ranch, lost cows in May 2023 to the Metolius wolf pack, which is believed to include one male and one female. The award covers losses and the costs associated with preventing further attacks on his livestock.

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ODFW confirms wolves kill steer in rural Deschutes County, first in decades

At the time, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said evidence showed one steer was attacked while it was still alive, rather than being scavenged by wolves after dying from other causes.

Several other cows went missing after the incident. Compensation for the livestock owner after wolf attacks is allowed under the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance Grant Program.

Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang described the awarded amount as “reasonable,” despite it being lower than the requested amount.

The amount “provides good compensation for the losses that Long Hollow Ranch experienced,” said Chang. “And substantial investments in prevention work there and in a broader area. We will be able to do more prevention work next year, and I hope those dollars will be there then.”

The final award included $1,935 for one confirmed wolf attack on a yearling calf on Long Hollow Ranch, fully funding the requested amount.

An additional $2,876 was given for one missing calf and four other cows that had died from unconfirmed causes. This amount was 50% of what was requested.

Oregon Department of Agriculture also awarded the county $28,000 for nonlethal preventative measures such as invisible fencing, seasonal range riders and the destruction of carcass piles that can attract wolves. This amount was 40% of what was requested.

The wolf committee voted to award Samuels $20,000 for preventative tool expenses and retained $8,000 for its own use. Harris said the funds will be used for educational outreach and workshops designed to promote coexistence between ranchers and wolves.

Long Hollow Ranch is located 17 miles west of Terrebonne and backs up to a rugged forested area east of Whychus Creek. The working ranch hosts weddings and events and offers accommodations.

Samuels was not immediately available to comment when contacted by the Bulletin.