Wolf

[xcr440]

I have seen many wolves on sled, and lots of evidence of them being very close.

About 8 years ago, hunting, I shot a small buck, but being close to dusk, I couldn't find a blood trail. Next afternoon walking out to my stand, I found the blood trail, and tracked it to the 6 pointer I had shot the night before. Needless to say, the wolves had found it over night, and stripped it of its hind quarters, all the good meat was gone. That was about 250 yards from the cabin.

About 5 years ago on sled, I came upon 3 running across Fish Trap Lake in Sawyer County, WI. Tried to catch up to them to get a closer picture, but they b-lined it for the woods, and when I stopped, they stopped and looked back at me, about 100 yards away. Then slowly turned and walked into the woods.

The year after that in the Chequamegan National Forest South of Clam Lake, I saw 3 standing on the forest road as I came around a corner on the sled, they hopped in the woods. Tried to convince the wife they were wolves, even showing the fresh tracks, and of course I get the "You don't know what you're talking about". When we go to take off, they jump back out of the woods and high tail it down a 2 track. Needless to say, she believed me after that.

Just a couple of my most memorable wolf encounters.

 

[1-snowbullet]

up in the Chawamigan national forest by round lake- pike lake (( price co. Wi. ))we have our camp site at night owels start hooting then the hair raising howeling from the wolves and cyote's in all directions .. encountered them atving in summer late night seen them driving to camp site stopped and watched (( from the comfort of the truck seat )) about 5 feet from truck one pup wolf no more than 100 yards from camp site 2 am in morning awww how cute and cuddely but NO FEAR of cars trucks atv's snowmobiles ect ect .. the funny thing when you are out enjoying a nice ride on what have you-- you never think of those cute and cuddely animals .. There has also been sitings of those big cute kitty cats up there and not snowmobiles .. summer time you need to keep an eye out for those big black teddie bears l.o.l .. the funny thing never have a camera handy at the time you run into these animals bummer .. enjoy and stay safe ..

 

[skiroule]

On two different occasions I've seen big timberwolves riding in the Houghton area (whoops, sorry frnash, "WHEN riding in the Houghton area"). I found this surprising since I only get to ride up there once or twice a year. You'd think my odds would be lower.

This year I was riding towards Freda and a smaller wolf (maybe a brush wolf or coyote) came flying out of the woods right in front of me. I locked it up and it gave the wolf just enough time to pick up enough speed to stay 3-4 feet in front of me as we both headed down the trail. He (or she) eventually dove off the trail and I took a few very deep breaths.

 

[famousguy]

Near Blind River Ontario the trail goes right by a dump. We used to see wolves by there quite often. I have not ridden there in years, but I'm sure the wolves are still enjoying the free meal.

 

[cuzzinolaf]

Would there be anything to worry about if I was out on my ATV (with my wife) and we came across a pack of wolves? I always hear that you don't need to worry if it is just one and am curious if anybody has had a close encounter on an ATV.

 

[bearrassler]

I have seen one Timber Wolf when on my sled in NW MN, he sat off to the side of the trail and watched us watch him. I have also come across fresh wolf kills a few times. Brush Wolves or coyotes we see a lot more often.

 

[srt20]

Would there be anything to worry about if I was out on my ATV (with my wife) and we came across a pack of wolves? I always hear that you don't need to worry if it is just one and am curious if anybody has had a close encounter on an ATV.

I dont worry about wolves at all if Im on a motorized vehicle. If the machine broke down and you encountered a pack while walking at night, might be a little hairy. But what I would be scared of is encountering a cougar. Of course, by the time you know there is a cougar near you, it will prolly be too late.

 

[xcr440]

Of course, by the time you know there is a cougar near you, it will prolly be too late.

Could sure take this and run with it!

 

[srt20]

Could sure take this and run with it!

Either way you look at it, its trouble......haha

 

[cuzzinolaf]

Haha! Thanks!

I'll be on the lookout for urban cougars in the Houghton/Hancock area. I'm not too worried about the cougars out in the bush.

 

[srt20]

Haha! Thanks!

I'll be on the lookout for urban cougars in the Houghton/Hancock area. I'm not too worried about the cougars out in the bush.

I was actually being serious about the the "wild animal" cougars. I think they are far more dangerous than a wolf.

 

[cuzzinolaf]

I was actually being serious about the the "wild animal" cougars. I think they are far more dangerous than a wolf.

I knew what you were saying. I think the chances of seeing one are slim though. They would most likely run or hide (maybe watch) and I would never know they were near.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Seen Cougar tracks up in the Porkies but never seen a cat.....but I'm sure they've seen me. When you see them it will usually be too late.

 

[lvr1000]

..... and especially the eyes. Those eyes give you a look that you never forget.

I tell you what, that will raise the hair on the back of your neck......

2x Closest I seen was by Lake Gogebic, saw him up ahead a ways about dusk. I slowed to a crawl (waiting for my group to catch) to see if I could see the path he took. Wrong, he was just off the trail waiting to see me. When I saw him he was looking directly at me at most 25 feet away. I pinned the flipper and never looked back.

 

[anonomoose]

In reality, wolves that stop to look back or stare are just curious and want to study you. You are not familiar prey targets and therefore not very likely to be attacked by a wolf or cougar for that matter.

They simply are not familiar with what you are and want to study you, which we interpret as attack mode.

While small dogs and cats are potential food sources, only a hungry animal would chance attacking something it did NOT believe to be food.

I have a place in central U.P. that has lots of them but I have never worried about being attacked...and I have been very close to them...even talked to them from time to time. They are amazing animals and though I am not a bit worried about any healthy animal going after me, I would also say that a small child might not be looked at in the same way...and would not let my kids wonder far away in an area that has a good number of these animals. Even then it would be a fluke...but once is too much by any measure.

Knowing all this, I do believe the country has far more in numbers than is healthy for the population. Unchecked and a good food source will cause the population to expand even more.

 

[camphappyplace]

Saw one two years ago while I was heading North on Trail 7 about 3-5 miles south of the Buckhorn. He crossed the trail about 30 yards in front of me. I was amazed at how it pushed through the deep, untouched snow to get out of there. It didn't even stop to look at me...it was just moving as fast as it could towards some trees. My cabin is a few miles south of there so for the next few days I looked for tracks in the same area that I saw it. Didn't see any new ones which was fine with me.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

While small dogs and cats are potential food sources

I've had wolves take down mature cattle....Which are much much larger than any dog, cat or person. They also like to attack heifers that have laid down to calf, they will eat the calf and the back half of the heifer and leave when they are full...Leaving the cow alive and suffering.

They are off the endangered list so now lethal control is an option to protect livestock and pets.

 

[srt20]

I've had wolves take down mature cattle....Which are much much larger than any dog, cat or person. They also like to attack heifers that have laid down to calf, they will eat the calf and the back half of the heifer and leave when they are full...Leaving the cow alive and suffering.

They are off the endangered list so now lethal control is an option to protect livestock and pets.

HAHA, yeah I "guess" it wasnt before........

Ive talked "hunting" before with locals in the northwoods......

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Hows this lethal control is now a "legal" option..... haha

Always remember the three S's

 

[anonomoose]

I've had wolves take down mature cattle....Which are much much larger than any dog, cat or person. They also like to attack heifers that have laid down to calf, they will eat the calf and the back half of the heifer and leave when they are full...Leaving the cow alive and suffering.

They are off the endangered list so now lethal control is an option to protect livestock and pets.

Cattle are similar to one of their primary food sources....deer, and moose. With dogs and cats it is more an issue of territory...competing with wolves...so they naturally eradicate them as they have opportunity to do so.

People are not on the list and as may have attested here, wolves could have easily gone for them and without knowing other wolves were nearby to help with the job, yet they don't because they don't view people as a food source.

While there are lots of wolves around, I do not worry walking at night or daytime because I understand this principle. Of course, some folks are weary of bears too...but for the most part, bears aren't looking at you as a food source either, unless they are very hungry or sick.</SPAN>