In this episode of the Oregon D.O.G.E. podcast, Senator Todd Nash and Representative Jeff Helfrich join host Senator Mike McLane to scrutinize one of Oregon’s most contentious agencies: the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). What was meant to be a conversation about budget transparency quickly turns into a deep dive into how predator mismanagement, bloated spending, and politicized environmental policy are endangering not just wildlife — but rural livelihoods across the state.
Budget Bloat and Mission Drift
Since 2011, ODFW’s budget has more than doubled, nearing $600 million — a staggering number compared to Idaho’s $128 million. Despite this increase, hunting and fishing regulations remain needlessly complex, predator populations are out of control, and local input has all but disappeared from state policy decisions.
Meanwhile, funds are increasingly diverted to DEI initiatives, urban outreach campaigns, and bureaucracy instead of habitat restoration or enforcement.
The Wolf Problem: Real Costs, Fake Accountability
Senator Nash recounts firsthand experiences with wolf depredation on his ranch — including discovering 20 missing calves in one season and catching ODFW in a lie about wolf presence in the area. Despite documented losses, compensation programs are overly complex and rarely utilized. Nash’s Senate Bill 777 proposes a fair multiplier system to repay ranchers for verified kills and missing livestock — a solution that is long overdue and met with fierce opposition from environmental groups.
Cougar Chaos and Policy Paralysis
While wolves may dominate headlines, cougar populations have exploded — and Measure 18, which banned the use of dogs to hunt cougars, remains untouched since 1994. The result? Mule deer and elk populations have plummeted. Today, Oregon is home to more than 7,000 cougars — more than double the department’s minimum objective — and over 300,000 deer-sized animals are killed annually by predators.
Local governments are bearing the cost, while urban legislators fail to see the impact. And yet, despite bipartisan efforts, predator control bills continue to stall under pressure from Portland-centric commissions and environmental groups.
Political Interference and Commission Failure
Nash and Helfrich highlight how ODFW’s rulemaking authority — shaped by unelected, politically appointed commissioners — has veered away from science-based wildlife management. Despite legislation aiming to improve regional diversity in appointments, the balance still leans heavily toward urban, ideological perspectives. As Nash puts it: “The detachment is where the problem comes in.”
A Bigger Picture: Losing the Legacy of Oregon Agriculture
The episode also warns of a broader trend — Oregon’s shrinking cattle population, vanishing family ranches, and growing reliance on imported beef. In an ironic twist, ranchers are punished for predators killing livestock while the state celebrates the rewilding of the very animals causing economic devastation.