Oregon WildBlog

At one time, gray wolves inhabited much of Oregon. Unfortunately, by the late 1940s, a very deliberate campaign had eradicated this iconic species from the state. It would be more than a half a century before gray wolves would return in earnest.

By Daniel Collay

by Ethan Shaw

In this final installment of our three-part series, we consider the extirpated Oregon grizzly’s ecological world and briefly look at the status of the existing grizzly populations nearest the Beaver State.

Read Part 1: Oregon as Grizzly Country and Part 2: The Last Grizzlies of Oregon

As it has been for most of history, Oregon is once again wolf country. Even so, they and other native hunters are seen by many as novel or – worse – as dangerous forces lurking on the edge of sanitized civilization.

By Marla Waters, Eugene Conservation & Outreach Intern

By Phillip Brown

by Ethan Shaw

Last time, we considered the grizzly’s historical distribution in Oregon. Today, we’ll look at the geography of the bear’s retreat in the state; the story of a latter-day Oregon grizzly of much renown; and the bear’s ghostly presence on the landscape in the form of place names.

by Ethan Shaw

In this three-part series, we’ll explore what’s known about the grizzly bear in Oregon—its historical distribution and its extirpation—and muse on its potential life history in the Beaver State. First up: an overview of just where the griz once roamed.

Read Part 2: The Last Grizzlies of Oregon and Part 3: Ghosts of the Oregon Grizzly.

By Teresa Connolly

Got everything you need for your next hike or camping trip? Well how about your bear safety precautions? Whether you are new outdoor enthusiast or a well-seasoned veteran, take a moment to refresh your memory on the steps you should be taking to avoid an encounter with a bear.