For those that don't feel like clicking the link-------
"University researchers reviewed the deaths of 937 wolves from October 1979 to April 2012, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. The state’s first wolf hunting season began that fall.
Of the 937 wolves, 431 wore radio collars. The researchers found that 64 percent of the radio-collared wolves’ deaths were due to human causes. A 2012 DNR report found humans caused 55 percent of the deaths and the cause of the remaining 18 percent of deaths was unknown.
The researchers said they found “abundant evidence” of gunshot wounds and injuries from trapping that may have been overlooked as factors in the animals’ deaths. Underreporting poaching raises the possibility of the wolf population crashing, the researchers wrote.
One of the researchers, Adrian Treves, has criticized the state’s now-defunct wolf hunting and trapping seasons. He has questioned whether wolves can sustain themselves in the face of hunting and trapping.
DNR officials said the data they collect is meant to determine population and pack territories and isn’t intended to determine wolf deaths. Adrian Wydeven, a retired department ecologist, told the Journal Sentinel that he disagrees with the study’s findings, saying in an email to other wolf experts that the study seems to suggest the agency intended to underreport poaching when it was simply reporting raw data.
Wisconsin held wolf hunting and trapping seasons in 2012, 2013 and 2014. A federal judge ended the seasons in December 2014 when he found federal wildlife officials had improperly removed gray wolves in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan from the endangered species list."
Ok.......so.....275 (64% of 431) wolves that showed evidence of gunshot and trapping injuries over the course of 3 decades and they’re worried that this will cause the population to crash? During this time the population has grown to the extent that the wolf can be removed from the endangered species list. If anything this shows that trapping and hunting does not have a negative impact on the overall health of the species.
Yes, the pro-wolf community will spin this to make it look bad but in reality it shows that the wolf population can sustain a hunting/trapping season as well as a high level of poaching. I believe that poaching would go down if there was a hunting/trapping season with a realistic quota. People are frustrated and they are taking matters into their own hands. That frustration would go down if people felt that something was being done about the problem. Also, people would be less likely to poach if they had a reasonable chance at drawing a tag and being able to kill a wolf legally.
I read this article in the newspaper and had pretty much the same reaction many of us I think had, they can spin the story any way and make the wolf look like it's in trouble but when you look closely at the facts they aren't hurting but rather thriving.
Where I disagree is when it comes to poaching. Someone poaches a deer and people lose their minds. Someone shoots a wolf and it must be fear and frustration. Poaching is poaching!
coyotes find a way to sustain themselves even though they can be shot year round. somehow that fact always seems to be missing when it comes to wolves. get the seasoned back opened and let the states manage their resources appropriately.
"I believe that poaching would go down if there was a hunting/trapping season with a realistic quota."
There will never be a realistic quota as long as the DNR continues grossly underestimating the wolf population. The DNR loves wolves don't let them fool you into thinking they don't. Wolves kill deer that hunters won't. Wolves know no boundary lines. Wolves are slowly but surely taking the place of hunters and I don't think that bothers the DNR one bit. Yes we need a hunting and trapping season, but as much as that we also need people in the DNR that care at least a little bit about protecting and managing our natural resources and will tell it like it is with no hidden agendas.
The numbers that are being portrayed are incorrect... I'll be willing to bet that not one wolf was DNA tested to see if in fact the wolf was a pure bred or a hybrid. Under the law ( which the WDNR wants to keep under the table ) any hybrid wolf is not protected under the law. A large portion of the wolf population in Wisconsin are now hybrids. It is well known amongst northern hunters and residents if you kill and get caught killing a wolf protecting your life, safety or property. ( even though not legal ) ASK FOR A DNA TEST OF THE WOLF. The WDNR has been trying to keep this little know fact as quiet as possible.
The DNR and other groups like wolves because they diminish the need for human hunting and conflict. Wolves can hunt anywhere, even private lands. Wolves are not into APR's and horn porn, do not bait or argue over crossbows. They are the perfect resource for deer herd management, licensed humans are not.
True they do not pay license fees, but they really bring in the grant money.
For the reasons above, that is why game managers love wolves in our woods, along with some of the other high level protected predators around the nation.
I might also add that the DNR and FWP groups have become very liberalized the last twenty years. This is true of many other animal groups and professions such as vet medicine. These are " I love animal" groups these days, including the DNR. Their fabric is not one of I grew up hunting, fishing and trapping in the woods and on the farm therefore want to become a wildlife manager. They are not the friend of the human hunter, time to face reality.
Missouri, that's pretty generalized …. while there are some concerns, all the wildlife guys I know aren't wolf lovers, they're like me, some are ok, but they need to be managed down toward a realistic goal. And wolves don't bring $$ to the DNR through grants, not by a long shot. Wolves cost money, not just for management when allowed, but population estimates and depredation payments. Wolves are a cash cow for anti-hunting and trapping groups, yes, but not for our state DNR.
Naz, liberalism in the BLM, FWP, game management, and the courts is a trend. I did not say everyone is that way. The winds are blowing federal game management in the radical liberal direction, that is undeniable.
One thing not hit on yet is that back when those wolfs were shot I believe it was legal for wolfs to be shot if they were attacking cattle. Some may have been attacking a farm dog, pet, or hunting dog when shot. They might have run off injured and died a ways from where they were shot. Even if they were legal many of those incidents may not have been reported and the shooter probably didn't even know if they hit the wolf. Many may have even been mistaken for a yote. Yes, even the DNR is partly at fault for incorrectly reporting some of them by not doing DNA testing on every one of the dead wolfs they found.
When DNR and federal trappers catch a wolf I wonder if they DNA test every one. Plus hold any that they plan to relocate long enough to get the results and dispatch every one that is not 100% wolf. (I doubt they do any of this.)
A lot of people laughed when it was discussed years ago that animal rights groups were going take control of animal management one position at a time. They told their young members to go into the management positions in DNR, and federal programs. It is only starting to show up. Even in CO positions as the older generation retires. The goal of some and it will be more is to protect the animals not manage them.
A lot of people laughed when it was discussed years ago that animal rights groups were going take control of animal management one position at a time. They told their young members to go into the management positions in DNR, and federal programs. It is only starting to show up. Even in CO positions as the older generation retires. The goal of some and it will be more is to protect the animals not manage them.
Orion- That's from a few years ago near Rostov na Donu. I have friends there. Amazing how bold they get. They also have a very serious feral dog problem.
Hey how did you get the video embedded rather than just the link?
Tweed - You just left click on "share" under a YouTube video, then left click on "embed" a little lower... the embed code will highlight in blue... then you right click on the blue highlighted embed code and left click on "copy" when the window opens. Left click inside the "REPLY TO THREAD" box here on Bowsite, right click and click on "paste". It's way easier to do than describe.
" When DNR and federal trappers catch a wolf I wonder if they DNA test every one. Plus hold any that they plan to relocate long enough to get the results and dispatch every one that is not 100% wolf. (I doubt they do any of this.) "
I know one of the federal trappers very well... NO they don't very expensive.
I was pretty sure they wouldn't bother to test, after all, it would make sense and the DNR seems to avoid anything that makes sense.
Too bad DNA testing can't be done on the spot with instant results by wolf hunters and trappers. You could dispatch the animal and not have to punch your tag. I know, I am talking crazy again.
"But when wolves lose their fear of humans, such as is happening in Northern Saskatchewan, the standard explanation is habituation. A wolf pack starts by learning to associate humans with easy snacks of garbage and food.
Then, as wolves get used to roaming around within sight of human settlements, they will eventually attempt what biologists call an “exploratory attack;” they will see if they can take down a human without consequence, normally one who is small or vulnerable.
“If a person gets attacked, it is likely that it is being tested by the wolf, to see if it might serve as prey,” said Dennis Murray, a conservation biologist at Trent University, writing in an email to the National Post.
Murray said this is typical of other wild canids. He described being in Yellowstone National Park several years ago when a “habituated” coyote began stalking a five-year-old child before it was chased away by nearby adults."
What Orionsbrother said happened with a pack of wolfs that was in the area where an old woman lived out in the country in northern Minnesota near the small town of Wirt several years ago. She lived a couple blocks from the cemetery where her husband was buried. She would walk to visit his grave every day until the wolfs noticed her and the wolfs would get more and more brave every day so she could only look at the cemetery from here house from then on .
Please no more wolf bs stories....Personally I do not like wolves, I like deer and lots of them,,,,, I would have never brought them back,,,,, with that said, and I have wolves in my back yard in the UP,,,,,, Please tell me the last time a wolf has attacked a human being........
I personally have no use for wolves, I like deer, like to kill deer and eat deer, again I have no use for wolves, I will be back at my cabin for the next month, I will be roaming the woods, I have no fear of wolves,,,,,,,,, that is a simple fact,,,,,,,
I am okay with wolves and I will always roam the woods but I will carry. I have been surrounded by a pack and have been messed with another time before. Both times in the dark. Like Orions said. Once they lose their fear that is when they pose a threat. I am no small guy by any means either. They are a different animal when they are packed up. That's for sure.
Lol MF!!! I'm not a husky feller.. I am confident I can take a lone wolf by myself however if there were two of them. I don't think many would stand a chance unless they were packing something deadly. I still love and respect those animals. They most definitely have their place.. We've talked about this on other threads. Guys who walk in wolf country without guns are silly to me. I'm sorry.. it's like fishing, the one time you don't bring your net is the time you need it.
We have one bear bait that when a hunter sits it he sits with another person. Even when we bait it we carry a cruzer shotgun. In the past we have been followed out by wolves. Every hunter that hunts it sees wolves. It is a very dark and a spooky place. There is always relief when I walk out after baiting it like "I made it". It tests everyone who goes in there and produces some big mature bears.
It was my hunter that had the incident with the wolves that was in the WON last fall bear hunting. The 17 sheep that were killed last year is only a mile from my home. 3 deer have been killed in front of my home on the ice this winter by wolves. We had had them in the school yards with children present. They have killed pets within the city limits of Parkfalls.
The boy at the scout camp was just a few miles from me. I believe he learned his lesson about bears and having snacks in the tent. On another note a couple years back I talked with a pro wolf biologist. Long story short he told me, "Now don't get me wrong, I like wolves, they have their place, but you can't have what's going on in Wisconsin. With population expanding greatly it's only a matter of time when someone is seriously hurt or killed, for instance an old male gets kicked out of the pack and now has to fend for himself. What's an easier prey than a person or child walking down a road or trail."
We've had a couple bad incidents with wolves scouting and tracking bears up in Bayfield County as I'm sure MF has also. I will now always carry a sidearm after one very bad tracking mission one night.
" Please tell me the last time a wolf has attacked a human being........ "
This past year, but it was not a fatal attack.
There was a Canadian Engineering student killed by wild wolves about ten years ago or so. I think his name was Carnegie(sp?). Most people killed by wolves are killed by penned wolves or wolf-dog hybrids. But the number of non-fatal attacks and menacing incidents is increasing as the number of wolves increases.
well I now learned something....... I do not fear wolves, I respect them, like any dangerous animal, but I was and still am, 100 percent ever bringing them back into our system,,,,, I felt it was a mistake than, as it is now, they have wreaked havoc on a deer herd that was big business once in the north, not so much now,,,,,,,
I do not think we will ever get the numbers down, the state will manage them only to the point, that they think will keep our sportsmen happy, but heck they would rather have them wolves killing deer than hunters,,,,,,
I will not hold my breath for the delisting, that could have been done 2 weeks ago
"I am confident I can take a lone wolf by myself however if there were two of them."
First off there is always more than one that is how they hunt. I doubt a man if not ready for it could take a lone wolf. I hunt around an established pack and don't think twice about it in terms of carrying more gear to kill a wolf. If one gets me than you guys can laugh you asses off. Watch from 45 seconds to 1:30....I am sure a Wolf could devastate a Shepard in sort order.
Fip sorry to burst your bubble. Wolves do hunt in packs but I see them by themselves a lot. The others may be around and as a crow flies they could be a mile away. Wolves fan a large area. Seeing as they are social creatures. A couple howls when one finds food and they are packed up pretty quick.
Also wolves are not like cats. You will hear them or see them. They circle very fast. But You will have enough time to get ready for the attack, if that ever occurred.
This is a typical response you give when you come here to comment. Fip there's no need to twist my words. I've had close encounters before. Never needed to fire a shot. My point is carry a gun, have some bear spray or something you can defend yourself with. Close encounters are not rare , attacks are.
Good luck Noc sounds like your in the Wolf Jungle.......shoot a couple for me if you can or pepper spray them for me...maybe you and Ruger can go on a hunt......I will just carry my bow and hope for the best(odds are in my favor)
bcd notice how the guy gives up before the dog gets him? Most criminals do lol. I believe most men can kill a lone wolf if he had to put his life on it. Maybe not you Fip. But most the men here could.
Seems very unlikely thT the UW researchers have looked at all the dead wolves since 1979. I never heard of the research. Who does it for 35 years before making a conclusion. The students/grad students are only there for a few years. The get abundant is not real definitive when used in a scientific study.
Hoot that sounds like one heck of a hunt. At least you said the word we.... Maybe if you can squeeze some time in and share the story. Has anyone here run into them??
Noc - We had a client come back to camp that said he doubled lunged a bear. Art asked his daughter and niece if they'd like to go on a bear recovery with us. Six of us headed out. Me being color blind Art does the tracking. He kept kicking up the bear maybe 5 or 6 times. Tons of blood. The last time he kicked it, we couldn't figure out wtf was going on. Then we saw the bear, laying there dead, rigor mortis had already set in. Now a trailing wolf was what we were sure we were kicking up. We sent a guy back to get an otter sled. I would say he might have been 1/2 way back to the trucks when wolves opened up a fair distance away. They were coming and coming fast. This area we were in is so thick you can hardly see anything. The pack broke up and were probably 30 yds surrounding us. I was looking for a tree to get the girls up. Art would get a glimpse of an eye when shining every once in a short time. They were barking/half ass howl all around us. Yelling didn't deter them. The girls were crying and scared to death. I was kicking myself for not carrying that night thinking it would be a quick recovery, in & out. Suddenly it got so quiet it was eerie and then we heard guys yelling. Our other guides knew we were on a bear recovery and came to help and were by our trucks. When they arrived they could hear the pack going from point A to point B. Figuring out we were point B one guide was on a dead run yelling, pulling the otter sled, banging on it with a mag light. I, myself never heard them leave, but Art heard them crack a few twigs. I can't imagine what would have happened if we came upon the kill with the pack already there. Wolves very seldom ever give up a kill. I've never tracked a bear again without carrying a sidearm. So that's it in a nutshell. BTW - When my flashlight went dead, that night became almost became a pants filler for me. LOL Easy to joke about it now since no one was hurt, but I have absolutely no time for wolves anymore. I don't trust them, PERIOD!
Having two cousins and an uncle on the local pd I've had the pleasure of being tased, pepper sprayed and also got to put the dog suit on and go up against a pd K-9. I think without the suit and if I was allowed to kick the dog I "might" have had half a chance but it would be unlikely. In a fight against the law, I'd take my chances against a taser over a K-9 every time. If a lone wolf were trying to attack, your first kick would absolutely have to connect and be a strong kick. If you miss, it would likely be over from there. I have had a close encounter with a wolf pack and when I get a few extra min I'll relay the story on the worst things thread. I do agree that WI should open wolf hunting again. Or those that do now should continue to SSS.
The attack in WI wasn't considered an attack, since the guy wasn't injured, he shot at a couple wolves with his pistol and killed least 1 wolf, from what I can remember. He had to kick one away before he could get his pistol out and ready. That was in Adams or Juneau County, there was a near attack with a father and son a short time after that first "incident". I think those wolves were killed after that.
Crusader.... So you are saying that if your life was on the line and it was a 1vs1 with a wolf. You'd consider yourself gone over a wild dog? You can guarantee some some broken bones and puncture wounds, but A leg and arm wrap around that wolf for a few seconds to snap its neck is all it will take. Now I'm not saying I would ever want to be in the situation to prove my opinion, but I do believe there are a lot of guys out there and on here, Who could handle the situation. Humans have been known to do the unthinkable when death is knocking on the door.
Noc, I think if your first strike did not land hard on a wolf my $ would then be on the wolf. I would/did have a different opinion up until last summer when I got to go against the pd k9. The suit and rules definitely limited my ability to fight back. But the agility and aggressiveness of the dog would have still made winning that battle a hard chore to say the least. I do consider myself both strong and tough as well as a good fighter but all it would take is one wrong move by me or one well placed bite by the wolf. You are right that if you could grab the wolf you'd have the upper hand but in order to grab him you'd be opening yourself up to some major damage. I would take my chances on kicking it hard enough to make it give up and run away over letting it get close enough for me to grab it. I think they train their k9s to go at a persons arms/legs whereas a wolf is going to aggressively go at your head/face/neck. If he gets that far it's most likely the end of you/me or any other unlucky son of a gun.
I do not carry a gun or spray even when hunting the Clark co forest. If the situation ever arises I hope you are right and I am wrong. The good news is the odds of finding out is less likely than winning the lottery.
Your experience over rules mine. I can't disagree with you. First off I will empty my mag before I wrestled with a wolf and On the other hand. You better be packin in the Clark county. Lol. I'm just sayin man.
My hunting partner is a cop. I haven't wrestled with any of the dogs so I have no direct experience, but I think that you have to keep in mind that police dogs are trained to hold/subdue. They'll shake if you keep struggling, but they undergo rigorous training to not kill suspects.
I don't think it's a good comparison. I think a predatory attack by a mature wolf, even a solo mature wolf, would be a very hazardous situation. I think it's a very good thing that it's an exceptionally rare occurrence... here... so far.
In history, there are quite a few recorded wolf attacks in Europe. Most of those attacks can still be attributed to wolf/dog hybrids and rabies though.
But recorded predatory attacks are primarily on children. Remember the Little Boy Who Cried Wolf? Culture in Europe shifted earlier and child labor has been less common amongst shepherds for quite a while and wolf populations were suppressed.
However, it has continued to be more common for children to tend to herds of domesticated animals in India. The recorded number of Indian kids eaten by wolves? One article I saw stated more than 275.
As the population of wolves grows and they continue to be habituated without any hunting seasons and any form of management or controls, I think that it's only a matter of time before a kid gets eaten.
There are plenty of guys on this forum who feel that it's prudent to carry a sidearm at this time. I wonder how many of those guys rode a bike or hiked into the Chequamegon to fish a trout stream or went snowshoeing or skiing alone as a kid. Or camped alone as a kid.
My great uncle introduced me to the Northwoods as a kid. I'd grab my tent and bomb back into the woods a half mile and think I was on a great solo adventure. I'd build a small fire and cook hot dogs on sticks and drink water from a surplus metal canteen. No one in the family thought twice about it. It was a normal occurrence by the time I was nine or ten. They'd schedule driving into town for dinner and drinks based on it.
"You going to camp out by yourself again tonight? We're thinking of going to town. We'll see you for breakfast. Wake me up so we can get on the lake." I thought I was the man.
I don't think that I'm wolf paranoid, but I can't imagine letting my eleven year old go solo at this time, let alone my eight year old.
Fivers - The wolf attack or encounter was in Adams County. I remember reading about it. The DNR said it wasn't an attack, but a encounter. A few paragraphs later they said the Feds were going to show up so they could show them where the attack occurred. ?????????????
Got this from Senator Johnson's office today. Maybe we're close to having a season.
Johnson Supports Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Encourages Passage of Gray Wolves Bill
Sen. Ron Johnson offered written testimony Wednesday in support of his bill to return control over the management and protection of gray wolves in Wisconsin and other states to wildlife experts rather than judges.
Dear Jim,
Senator Johnson offered written testimony Wednesday before a hearing by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on potential reforms to the Endangered Species Act. The hearing also highlighted bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Johnson last month with Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) that would delist the gray wolf in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Wyoming under the Endangered Species Act. U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) has sponsored similar legislation in the House of Representatives.
Excerpts of the written testimony submitted by Senator Johnson for the hearing are below:
“I am glad the committee invited Jim Holte from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau to provide insights on the Endangered Species Act’s unintended, negative consequences. I strongly agree with what I have heard directly from Mr. Holte and other stakeholders including farmers, ranchers, loggers and sportsmen ? that all future gray wolf listing decisions should be made by experts in the field, not judges in courtrooms.
“In order to correct the misguided judicial action, I first introduced legislation two years ago with Chairman Barrasso requiring the Department of the Interior to reissue the respective 2011 and 2012 delisting decisions for Great Lakes and Wyoming gray wolves. Unfortunately, Congress did not take action on our bill last session. I was pleased to reintroduce the Johnson-Barrasso legislation, S.164, this year with the welcome addition of bipartisan support.
“I am hopeful this committee and Congress will pass S.164 soon and note our bill takes a sensible approach that allows states to manage gray wolf populations while not modifying the Endangered Species Act. The bill also does not prevent Fish and Wildlife Service experts from ever returning the wolf to the endangered list if it determines the population is in need of federal protection. This legislation provides us an example of how states and the federal government can work together towards reasonable, common-sense solutions for ecosystem preservation.”
This thread reminds me of what happened to me last fall while bow hunting one morning. Sat in a tree for a few hours and did not see or hear a single deer. Climbed down and started to walk out of cedar swamp edge to a high hemlock area. I was wet and the wind was in my favor. Halfway along this hemlock ridge I caught movement out of the corner of my left eye and spotted a wolf 30 yards out trotting away to my left. I turned in that direction to face it and watch it, then I heard something to my right and it made me turn my head in that direction and 20 yards out were 2 more wolves circling to my right, angling behind me. I turned to face them and they just stopped and stood there facing me. They stood their ground and I yelled and stamped my feet, they did not back down. Armed with only a bow I yelled again and nocked an arrow. At that point they turned and walked/trotted off. I tell you I was looking over shoulder the whole way out, heart was still pumping. That very same day I went out and bought a 9mm to protect myself. I now always carry it while out on our land. This was in Portage Co. in an area not known to have many wolves. The picture is from a neighbors land of the pack.
I believe with a well placed knee or elbow strike and maybe some work to a few select pressure points or a well timed arm bar I could get a wolf to tap out as long as there was only one of them. If I had time to take my shoes and socks off first and lick my finger tips no way would it stand a chance.
I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks that if TrapperJack2 were to send that picture to the DNR and ask them how many wolves they see their response would be 1 and it's probably not a wolf but rather a coyote or someone's dog.
"I believe with a well placed knee or elbow strike and maybe some work to a few select pressure points or a well timed arm bar I could get a wolf to tap out as long as there was only one of them. If I had time to take my shoes and socks off first and lick my finger tips no way would it stand a chance."
I don't think some of you guys realize what you would be up against. The power of these animals are awesome, they brake bones with a single bite. These aren't your ordinary house dogs, pit bulls, German Shepherd's, Rottweiler's etc. Even a 100lb black bear could kill ya if it wanted to.
"I believe with a well placed knee or elbow strike and maybe some work to a few select pressure points or a well timed arm bar I could get a wolf to tap out as long as there was only one of them. If I had time to take my shoes and socks off first and lick my finger tips no way would it stand a chance."
"I don't think some of you guys realize what you would be up against. The power of these animals are awesome, they brake bones with a single bite. These aren't your ordinary house dogs, pit bulls, German Shepherd's, Rottweiler's etc. Even a 100lb black bear could kill ya if it wanted to."
I probably should have mentioned I was joking around, no way do I think I or most people (not even a ninja or a mma specialist lol) could take a wolf in self defense without some sort of weapon that goes boom.
It's happened before when guys have had to fight a wolf. I've read stories of zoo keepers having to kill a wolf by hand too. Your best defense is wrestling it to the ground. That's obvious.... I will take back my answer on mostly everyone. But I believe a decent percentage of grown men could come out alive if it ever happened. The average wolf weighes what? Female vs male? If a wolf that pushed 150 pounds or more and I know that's not an uncommon weight in males. So yeah, That would be a devastating animal to go up against. The odds of survival are slim. But some of you say no freaking way. Not a single one? Cmon really?
HunterR - I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks that if TrapperJack2 were to send that picture to the DNR and ask them how many wolves they see their response would be 1 and it's probably not a wolf but rather a coyote or someone's dog.
But if that picture was deer and sent to the DNR, it would be 50. LOL!
In my opinion I think a wolf's weight is greatly exaggerated when you see these hunters holding a wolf and then read the weights. Here's a picture of a friends wolf that he got close to our home. What do you think the weight of this wolf is? It was the alfa male. The biggest North American wolf I've ever heard of was shot in Alaska and was 175's.
Man those Delafield Wolves are big. How did you know it was the Alpha? Did it have that alpha symbol tattooed on it? I know if I was walking in a Delafield neighborhood and my flash light stopped working I would curl into a ball and wait for first light.
No more than 77 pounds.......unless you decide to lie:^)
He's no little guy. The wolf weighed 98#'s, on a certified scale. As far as the alpha male, this is what he told me. I have no reason to lie, just telling what he told me and he's not a BS'er. When he shot it the pack was all together coming back to a kill they had made a day or two before. This pack had killed four steers on a farm recently. He more or less just set up an ambush near the farm. He took the largest of the bunch. I believe he told me the DNR said it was probably the alpha male.
From what I have seen in the past wolves do not care for cold meals. They like fresh hot bloody kills. You can put a dead cow in wolf territory and they will not touch it. Walk up to it smell it and move on...same with deer.
What is the name of your friend that killed the Wolf? What county Waukesha?
Fip, you apparently do not know much about wolves. An outfitter and friend in BC routinely baits wolves with road kill deer and elk. Maybe just coincidence that he sees and kills lots of wolves on those carcasses? Unless maybe they are simply stopping by to check the temperature of the meat?
Um, fip you've not got around much have you? Places where they are legal to hunt use wolf "popsicles" for bait. Take a 5 gallon bucket. Fill it with meat scraps and some blood. Mix with water and let freeze.
Carry it to your spot and bang it out of the bucket and wait for them to find it and start hunting it when they do. It's better than road kills as they can't grab a chunk and run off. They have to stay around and work the popsicle to get anything giving more opportunities for a good shot.
Droptine - Never heard of the wolf popsicle, but it sounds like a magnet for wolves. I shot my first wolf off rotten meat in Canada during a bear hunt. Two wolves shot off old meat that week.
