Central MN wolf kill!!!!

First of all just let me say I never ever thought I would personally encounter wolves in central MN and I’m still dealing with trying to figure out how to emotionally deal with this. Since the opening of bow season I was regularly seeing what looked like very large dog tracks on a piece I hunt just minutes of where I live. The tracks would be made almost daily over mine on a field road. In late Sept. I saw my first wolf, he chased 2 does right under my stand and then he got into the turkeys as I heard them start putting and take flight. Later that evening I heard a light howl behind me. I thought coyotes? I repeatly tipped my can call hoping to bring them in, just then the whole pack came in and I saw 6-7 with some off in the distance. They were no coyotes, way too big and it’s my understanding coyotes rarely travel in numbers like that. Then I finally got a pic of one on my cam. That brings me to the Friday before gun season. After having 2 encounters with a dandy buck I decided to sit Friday evening before my 3 1/2 drive up north for gun opener. That night I heard something I’ve never heard in the woods before. It was roughly 150 yards away and I heard what sounded like something take about 10 huge breaths over a 15 minute period. I told a few friends about it after and described it like some animal with lungs the size of 55 gal drums to make that sound. Well that night came and went and I sorta forgot about it. This Sat after my morning sit the wind was blowing hard and perfect for some still hunting. So I went on a 5 hour walk in the swamp and saw alot of these big dog tracks again,each set being a single animal. I got into an area hit by some strong winds a few years ago and the tamarack are lying every which way and I was sick of crawling over and under them and started back to the hardwoods. I got on a trail to head out with one big set of dog tracks and smaller coyote tracks and lying partially covered with fresh snow was this dandy buck with 6″ G1’s 8 1/2 G2 and 7 1/2 G3, his left mainbeam was broke off just above the G1. The spine and what was left of ribs was still attached. My heart sank as this was exactly where I had heard those heavy breaths just a while back come from. After I followed the same trail out it got wider and wider and then I found the rest of his hide and hind legs. One hind leg had its hide pulled down to his hoove like a stocking and I know that takes alot of strength to do that. There was a 25′ diameter circle around this site where all the weeds where trampled down. I was so worked up I couldn’t even take a pic of this. Also fresh wolf tracks as it just snowed the night before. Now I know it takes a heckuva force to break a mainbeam of this size so it’s possible he was hurting from a fight or vehicle but the break was not super fresh so he was alive for quite awhile after break off. I don’t even know where to begin with dealing with this. I don’t know what this means for future deer populations but it cannot be good. Plain and simple I am just worried sick that these killers are roaming my favorite hunting woods. Another great idea from the MN DNR to reintroduce these killers in populated areas. Does anyone know how to go about obtaining a possesion tag for a situation like this??

were these introduced in the area or is this a pack that is moving south? i sure hope the MN DNR is not bringing T-wolves that far south. I feel for you Coppertop. you know i only hunt 5 miles away in one spot and across the river in my other spot. I’ve noticed a lot more Coyotes this year then in the past. maybe the wolves pushed the Yote’s out your area and they started to take residence over on my side. Later

I hunt near the blackduck area. My family has been hunting the same area for over 50 years. All of my uncles said this year is the first year that they have seen so many wolve track in the woods. And it doesnt stop in the woods, they are traveling across frozen swamps to islands and going into ground that they shouldnt really be in. Ive heard that a mature wolve can take 25 deer a year. Ive also heard people say that wolves dont kill just to kill that they only kill when they eat thats something else i dont believe last year i watched two wolves take down a doe and its fawn and saw a group of 3 this year tracking a trail that a fork buck had walked down 3 hours earlier. I think MN is starting to get a wolve problem that they dont want to admit. Everyone needs to contact their local CO and express their concerns so we can get something done before it gets out of hand.

here are some links from the MN dnr website interesting information

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/wildlife/wolves/2008_survey.pdf

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/wolves/mgmt.html

Might be a wolf kill…maybe not? Could be a car, poacher, natural death that the wolves finished off and cleaned up. One never knows.

Wolves will travel hundreds of miles from their “home” range. A collared wolf was known to have traveled over 500 miles, from Int. falls to somewhere in canada!! Last winter one was shot down in the SE part of the state, yote hunter mistook it. Just tonight there was a show on talking about the wildlife on the Camp Ripley property, wolves were discussed, Ripley has a healthy population. The wolf isn’t real uncommon through central MN but they do become less common the further south you go. Last I read there was a pop. of 3K+/- wolves in the state.

The Northern part of the state is known for them, where we deer hunt has one of the largest pack/population of wolves in the state. Most nights you can listen to them howl in just about every direction. Seeing how one pack can and will have a range of over 150 square miles it’s easy to see how they’ll move from northern Mn to central.

They will generally prey on weak or injured deer, they like easy prey. They have a tough time taking a healthy deer unless deep snow plays a part.

I wouldn’t worry about them hurting “your” deer population. Our family has been hunting the same area for nearly 50 years, wolves have ALWAYS been there and our family has taken many deer over the years. I see lots of wolf sign every season, have seen wolves and still have no problem getting my share venni. Some years are better than others, some years we see more wolf sign than others. Iv’e never seen a corralation between the two. I took 3 deer this year, saw lots of wolf sign as well. Having the large population of wolves we do in our area for all the years one would think there would be no deer left, not true, there’s lots of deer.

Wolves and deer coexist, they always have. We’re lucky to still have wolves on this continent…did you know MN was one of the only states to have any wolves left…every other state all but killed them to extinction!! We’re lucky to have a few around, really. They’re a necessary part of the ecosystem. I’ve blabbed on long enough, I find it a interesting subject though.

I pulled the dnr 08 wolf study, pretty interesting, worth a read. Click on the PDF “Wolf Survey”

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/wolves/mgmt.html

I should clarify…I’m not a wolf “lover”…save the wolves! If the wolf population shows to be growing out of control, we need to control it.

BIRDDOG

I agree with BD on this one. I would love to have the wolves back in central IA. I imagin that as the wolves move south to areas where thay have not been for many years you will initially see more deer kills than usual. I would attribute that to deer not knowing how to deal with a predator. It is new for them as well as you. Still with in a year or so the deer will adapt to the new threat just like they always do. I hope that in the future the wolf pop will be high enough to trap and hunt again. They are amazing creatures and imo should be valued.
Your gonna loose some deer, but I would rather loose to a wolf than to a stinking paocher.

My uncle went to the U of M for Game and Fish Management back in the late 60’s early 70’s. He deer hunts up in Fairbanks MN up on the Iron Range. I had hunted up there as a kid as well. Wolves up there have changed the deer herd dramatically. A few years back my uncle went up after a rather big snowfall year to see what the herd was looking like, and to his horror saw wolf kill after wolf kill. Carcasses killed but not eaten or partially eaten. He even walked up to one deer that was shredded, but still standing. Obviously wolves kill to eat. But in cases like this, I believe wolves kill because they can. For many years after that you could drive for miles and never see a deer track through the snow crossing a road. This happened about 10 years ago, and the area still is not right. I believe the statement is correct that when you reintroduce a predator like the wolf into an area where they were not present for some time the prey, in this case deer, do not know how to react. All it takes is a “Normal” old fashioned MN snowfall and the scales will be tipped quite decidedly into the wolves favor.

This subject has become quite the coffe pot talk focus here in my office. A friend of mine is currently taking online college courses, one of which is environmental science. Our discussion has been more focused on the pred problem surrounding Yellowstone. If you get a chance look up the % of livestock damage due to wolves and grizzly bears. The % of grizzly bear kills on cattle is amazing!!! I am just happy that we are not contending for deer with those bad boys!!!!

Do wolf packs ever attack humans? I am sure a hunting dog in the woods wouldn’t be taken kindly to.

I have heard of coon hunters looseing dogs to wolves. I have enjoyed seeing wolves in Yellowstone and in Canada, but I do not want them around here. I know the day is comeing.

this winter so far I have seen roughly 40 wolf tracks. Years past i have probally seen 5 to 10 total. I would say they are increasing and in large numbers. I havent seen much for dead deer laying around but im sure there is some out there. I think the biggest problem with them around were I hunt is with dogs. The bear hunters train their dogs down there and each person usally looses 2 dogs to wolfs and 4 due to bears. That is a lot of dogs to loose when you are talking about how much each dog is worth.

Just my .02 on the subject

By the numbers I’d say humans are the odd man out in this equation. Wolves are not a new invention nor are deer. (Humans neither but our population has exploded) Both wolves and deer have survived just fine by themselves before anyone ever heard of a hunting season or quotas. Wolf kills are ugly and people think they kill for fun. That is not true what so ever. Think of it as going to the grocery store. We don’t eat everything we bring home all at once. Heck we don’t even eat all the deer we shoot at once. Like wolves we kill the animal and then store it and eat as needed. The ugly part is what people don’t like, the ham stringing if you will. Wolves are not capable of feeling remorse and cannot care if their lunch is suffering. No one has ever witnessed a predator weeping in the bushes ashamed that it didn’t kill quick and clean. That is why people seem to hate wolves. But curiously they think it is cute to watch a fox bat a mouse around play with it until the mouse dies. What’s the difference? No one hunts mice!

I’m not at all against having wolves. Extinction is forever and is not a management tool. Peoples problem is they want their cake and eat it to. Can’t always have it that way.

And for those living with high wolf density I’d suggest making sure you have means to protect yourself when out in the habitat. Make sure to follow the regulations if carrying a handgun (thinking of concealment and so on) but don’t over look personal safety. Especially bow hunting. No way in heck a lone bow hunter has a good advantage against a few wolves with a sow and arrow.

HOLY CRAP SNAPS!!!! I jsut looked at the MN DNR page on your population numbers. An estimate of 3000 animals!! That’s crazy. Here in WI we are seeing problems with an estimate of less than 600. Most of us agree this is most likely only 1/3 of the actual number. Even if that number held at 1800 that’s far less than MN. Yet we are seeing a lot of problems with them. I know MN is a little bigger than WI, but can there be that much room for them to hide?? Would think you guys are having more problems than are being heard about.

Steve

At 300 wolves I assume there is a limited wolf season? If not there should be.

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At 300 wolves I assume there is a limited wolf season? If not there should be.

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That’s 3000 wolves – not 300.
Wolves are on the endangered species list. Therefore, there are no seasons. Hence is why Coppertop is concerned and I am too. We have wolves on our property which is 12 miles north of Pierz. They are moving south at a very quick pace and the population is increasing dramatically (doubling in 2 years).

Sorry, typo. I do recall too now that wolves were on the list but I thought they were delisted. Nature will balance as it has for years though. Sooner or later.

On the WI DNR site on the wolf page the DNR has a photo of a wolf in Iowa county. If you go in a straight line west that is further south than the MN border. There have been sightings south of Lacrosse as well. Based on that would think there are wolves everywhere in MN. They are starting to be seen all over WI. With 6x the estimated population than we have you guys are in real trouble!!

Steve

I suspect the wolf issue is one I’ll be getting more familiar with and sooner than later. This is the first year on our hunting land that we’ve actually heard wolves howling regularly. Some of the local landowners have been wondering if it will be an issue. Thankfully thus far non have spoken anything about killing everyone they see as I have heard and read in other places. So far my only thoughts of change are to make a conscious effort to be armed at all times when reasonable. We’ve seen wolf tracks and heard of sightings over the last 5-6 years but have never actually heard them howl from localized areas. I don’t know if that means a pack has taken residence in our area or not. So far I view them like I do tornadoes. I love to see them but never hope to and then only from a distance, lol.

RiverRatt- Not sure what part of central WI you are in. 20 years ago alredy I was face to face with one in the Mt Morris swamp near Wautoma. They are closer than you may think.

After reading all these replys, I have to wonder if I have to start carrying a hand gun with me during a bow hunt or have to worry about my GSP when I am grouse hunting….. well something is not right with that.

Wolves were introduced in the UP of Mich about 15 years ago with the blessing of the DNR. The Mich Biologists are giving us summer numbers of over 2,000 now! Our radio collared wolves have been found in Indiana, Missouri, Wisc, Iowa, and Minn.
A 5 yr old girl was killed by a wolf 2 years ago in a small town of National Mine (near Lake Superior). The Feds flew in here, quashed the media , and exonerated the wolves by say the culprit was a wolf/dog cross and so could not be counted as a “wolf” attack.
Our fawn numbers are way down along with the bigger bucks that are easy targets after an exhausting rut period…
Mark my words… as deer populations decline, there will be humans attacked by wolves. The Public will not stand for it and they will be exterminated as they were by our forefathers( for the same reasons).
There is BIG Hollywood and PETA money behind wolves. The Timberwolf Alliance ( out of NY) spends a lot of Moola promoting the wolf as benefactor of wildlife…friend of Man… who would NEVER HURT Fido…or the kiddies…

Wow, I didn’t know people were so against the wolf. Interesting reading for sure.

I am not against wolves, not at this time. I believe they existed well before man with the rest of nature and I don’t believe in extinction as a control method. Will my views change? Possibly but I’d hate for them to based on what I think it would take to happen. I’d welcome a season on wolves just like any other animal however.

To the fellow wondering where I’m located, about an hour east of Marshfield. And to the fellow wondering about additional self protection. I’m a fan of it. Please be sure and check regulations to be sure your in compliance though.

Tom- That is the first I heard of that little girl. That’s horrible. Doesn’t suprse me on the cover up though. That is the case entirely with the wolf. That is why you will still hear people say there has never been an attack on humans in North America. I just tell them to do a google search on it now, and when done to send the kids that were sledding in BC an apology. Makes them think a little when you mention kids.

RiverRatt- wouldn’t that be east of Wausau.

steve

It’s not legal to have a handgun on you while bow hunting is it?

We had a wolf shot in Houston CO MN last deer season and a few others have seen them. My old man said he heard one this fall while checking cattle. I like that they kill some deer, but they better not get too close to me. I don’t like ‘yotes and the same will go for any wolves.

Hey RiverRat…a guy who has a Bear Avatar in central WI is my kind of guy!
While I am not for exinction of any species…the reintroduction of them in the UP was done with out enough research or planning… There is no natural limitor to wolf populations booming in the midwest. The are one of the smartest animals on earth…they CAN live in close proximity to habitation and absolutely LOVE to dine on domestic animals like your Lab or Golden Retreiver. Talk to anyone who spent some time in Alaska… In fact a young Geologist was killed and partially eaten by Wolves in Ontario a couple years back also…His GPS brought search crews to the scene.

East of Wausua about half way to Eau Claire, then 12 miles south of hwy 29.

I asked the DNR last spring about carrying a handgun during hunting and they told me that I can carry during any season not specifically stating it is illegal. The sidearm has to be in plain view though unless you are some type of LEO that allows for concealment. I’d still suggest checking before going afield if you want to make sure you are legal.

Tom, I catch a lot of grief for being a Bears fan but that’s Ok. I’m normally a Packer fan too but I’m struggling with that this year.

I agree that any predator type animal needs to be kept in check and I look forward to the day I can legally harvest one for its fur.

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It’s not legal to have a handgun on you while bow hunting is it?

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I do not know about WI but it is not legal in MN while bow hunting to carry a firearm.

Just an update, I was out hunting on the piece on Mon evening. I park roughly 350 yrds from a the woods I hunt in. I got a mere 20 yrds from my truck and there they are 3 fresh sets of wolf tracks. Then as I walk in I find 2 more sets directly over and following my tracks. I was going to sit on the ground near a good food source but opted for one of my bowstands as I figure a tree is a safer bet. None spotted but will check it out again on Thursday. FOR THE MN GUYS, THIS IS WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF ST. CLOUD!!!!