With no formal action slated on wolf management, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Commission announced that no public testimony will be heard on the subject at its next meeting scheduled for Friday, February 7.

"At this point it would be premature to take public testimony," said Commission Chair John Esler. "We've asked the staff to recap the results of the recent town hall meetings and to provide an update on legal issues. We're still gathering information. Public testimony will be invited when we begin considering action."

The Commission will continue to take written comment on wolves in Oregon until further notice.

The staff report to be presented February 7 will summarize some of the major themes communicated in the oral and written public comments received at the November, December and January town hall meetings, and will provide a legal review of current laws related to wolf management.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is the rule-making body for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The seven-member panel meets monthly to adopt administrative rules, and fish and wildlife policies for implementation by ODFW.

More than 2,000 people attended the 15 town hall meetings held throughout Oregon. During those meetings, attendees provided more than 1,600 statements and asked 400 questions. A preliminary review has found most of the statements and questions fall into 12 to 15 broad themes. In addition, nearly 1,400 written statements have been received.

Statements taken during each of the public meetings are now posted to the ODFW Web site at:
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/InfoCntrWild/gray_wolf/wolf_publicmeet.htm

Additional information may be found at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/InfoCntrWild/gray_wolf/wolf_main.htm