SALEM – Cattle ranchers are pushing for changes in Oregon’s wolf law in the wake of reported sheep kills by wolves in Baker County.

Oregon Cattlemen’s Association called on legislators to amend a bill to allow ranchers to protect their livestock. The action came after officials confirmed that wolves have killed more than two dozen lambs and a calf on the Keating Valley property of OCA member Curt Jacobs.

“Imagine if a marauder came onto your property to maim, kill and steal from you, and you couldn’t do anything but yell and wave your arms,” said OCA president Bill Moore. “Our animals are our livelihood, our income. And we need to be able to protect them.”

The kills confirmed earlier this month were in two separate incidents.

Wildlife agents last week put the lamb toll at 23, noting that four lambs injured in the wolf attacks April 9 and 12 had died.

Phil Carroll, spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said agents believe the calf, which was attacked early Friday, April 17, was killed by the same two wolves that killed the lambs. Tracks at the ranch were similar in size to tracks found at the site of the lamb attacks, he said.

Agents this week were trying to trap the two wolves believed to be responsible for the attacks and fit them with radio collars, Carroll said.

Wildlife agents first confirmed two wolves were involved in the lamb attacks after wolves were photographed standing over two dead lambs on a motion-triggered camera around 3 a.m. on April 13.

Cameras were placed at the ranch after 17 lambs were found dead from a predator attack April 9 that was later confirmed to be wolves.

Currently, ranchers are prohibited from killing a wolf – even a wolf caught in the act of attacking livestock – except when human health is at risk.

If the Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf is removed from the federal endangered species list, livestock owners in most Western states will have more leeway to kill problem wolves – but not in Oregon.

Under the Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Plan, the wolf will remain protected under the state Endangered Species Act until the state’s wolf population reaches four breeding pairs – or between 30 and 40 wolves – for three consecutive years.

Wildlife officials believe at least three pairs of wolves roam Eastern Oregon, and at least two of the pairs are breeding.

Federal officials have proposed to remove the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act effective May 4. The proposal has been challenged by environmental activists.

The bill Oregon farm and ranch lobbyists are pushing would align state and federal take provisions.

The OCA wants to make it legal for a person to kill a wolf that is seen attacking, chasing or harassing livestock, guard animals, sporting dogs and family pets.

Jacobs, the Keating Valley rancher, said he has lost 29 lambs to predation this month and only two were eaten.

The OCA points to the importance of the livestock industry to the state’s economy, as it pushes for changes in the law. Cattle surpassed nursery crops, excluding greenhouses, as the No. 1 agricultural commodity in Oregon, with $664 million in sales in 2008.

“We want the Oregon Legislature and the governor to make it a priority to protect the livestock industry in Oregon,” said Moore. “They can help us do that by amending the existing law language that makes ranchers powerless to defend their livestock against wolves.”

Capital Press staff writer Mitch Lies contributed to this article.