Wolves on private land in Union County in 2023.

Deschutes County’s wolf committee may start keeping secrets about the ranchers it gives money to.

Much of the committee’s work has been very transparent, so far. If you dig in, you can find publicly posted information about grants given to ranchers and their claims of wolf predation.

What should be publicly available and what should not? The names of ranchers? Addresses? Phone numbers? Where wolves are living and eating?

When it comes to wolves and their reintroduction, it’s not difficult to rub people the wrong way. Providing personal information opens up ranchers to harassment. But restricting access to information about how public money is being spent can also be problematic. And how would Deschutes County’s Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance Committee talk in a public meeting about a rancher’s request for assistance without naming names?

The committee is scheduled to discuss this issue at its Oct. 8 meeting. There is more information here: tinyurl.com/Deschuteswolves.