Current Numbers: 5
Pack Status: Active. Designated in 2021.
OR63 dispersed from the Noregaard Pack in late 2019 and was documented with another wolf in early 2020. The breeding male and female (OR63) were counted as a successful breeding pair for the first time in 2020, producing three pups that survived to the end of the year. Because of this, they were officially designated as a pack in 2021.
According to ODFW, “radio-collar data showed a 97 mi² use area with 57% of location data points on public lands and 43% on private lands.”
In 2021, the Balloon Tree Pack produced three pups that survived to the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair, with seven wolves in the pack. An uncollared adult male wolf from the Balloon Tree Pack was shot by a livestock producer in February on private property near livestock. OSP interviewed the landowner and determined that charges were not warranted in the case.
In 2022, the Balloon Tree Pack produced two pups that survived until the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair, with six wolves in the pack. An uncollared juvenile wolf from the pack was lawfully shot by a sheep herder in September while stopping an interaction between three wolves and three livestock working dogs near the band of sheep.
In 2023, the pack produced at least four pups that survived until the end of the year and was counted as a breeding pair, with seven wolves in the pack. One wolf died in the pack in 2023; however, the cause of death remains unknown.
The Balloon Tree Pack produced two pups that survived to the end of 2024 and was counted as a breeding pair for the year. Two wolves from this pack were killed by the Agency in response to livestock predations. A total of five wolves were documented during the 2024 winter count.
