Timber Wolf

[Cabin Fever]

On the drive into work this morning, WIHH and I passed this poor guy on the road just a few miles from our home. The timber wolf was lying on the center line of the road, probably killed by a logging truck just minutes before we got to the scene. We pulled him to the shoulder of the road and then swung him into the bed of our pick-up. The wolf was still warm. He’s now with the Minnesota DNR. They will skin and tan him and use the pelt for school demonstrations.

[crashy]

Well that WAS a beautiful one
How sad.

[A'sta at Hofstead]

What beautiful animals they are, so sad.

[tinknal]

He looks thin. I'm guessing the lack of snow has made for a rough winter for the wolves. He looks like a young loner. Bad time of year to be alone in the world. Probably looking for roadkill.

[moonwolf]

that's very rare to hear of a road kill timber wolf. sad to see it. glad to hear you did some usefulness with the situation by picking it off the road and donating it to DNR for school demonstations and learning.

[rileyjo]

I heard a news report about timberwolves invading the town of Marathon in N. Ontario. A professional trapper has been brought in to deal with the situation. I have seen more wolves this winter than I have in many years.

[Rockin'B]

Nice Woof.

Plenty of them in Minnesota and Wisconsin. They are really impressive to watch.

[fordy]

.........................Read an article in NY times that said Bush adm. is removing grey wolves from the end. species list in Idaho and Wyoming . Respective governors indicated they will immediately allowing killing of "EXcess" numbers except those residing in national park(s) and establish Minimum numbers to keep them from disappearing from landscape , i.e. , there will be basically open season on wolves .
.........................Of course , ranchers cattle have priority grazing on federal lands along with the excess numbers of deer and elk that continue to over populate the same shared area's so maybe they've forgotton that Mother Nature will balance the excess number of wolf prey , If the gov't will just leave things alone . fordy...

[texican]

I wish I could run up on one of those overpopulated deer or elk herds... haven't hunted out west in a few years, but the dang cows had the forage gnawed down to the dirt...

nice wolf, too bad he's gone

[Spotted Crow]

That's so sad...someone wiped out a Coyote at my Exit the other day. I feel bad that the animal is dead...poor wolf too.. truck got him good.

[Jillis]

Not to be too worrisome, but I would have the carcass tested for rabies. My friend's son skinned out a skunk someone had killed, and my friend requested it be tested for rabies when she found out. It was positive and the kid had to endure the series of shots.

If it is rare to see a wolf under these circumstances and it was thinner than usual, you might want to have it tested, just to be on the safe side.

[moonwolf]

Originally Posted by Jillis

If it is rare to see a wolf under these circumstances and it was thinner than usual........

from the picture, I'd say the wolf wasn't thinner than usual for this time of year. It's rare to see a wolf anytime. It's probably less rare these days that a wolf could get road killed because of all the roads and traffic increases the risk they would BE killed more than ever. sad, in any event.

[staceyfb]

Its not all that rare for wolves to be road killed anymore. Especially in this neck of the woods. We have had at least one killed per year for the past 4 or 5 years in the county that I hunt in. I say they have their place, on our farm is not the place though.

[TedH71]

They're killing rancher's dogs and hunting dogs nowdays and they do eat livestock. Read the Range magazine to get more info....

[MelissaW]

Poor baby!

[fishhead]

One winter while X-C skiing I found a dead wolf next to a beaver dam. When I got back home I called a local nature center to see if they wanted the skull. They did but I wasn't allowed to go back and collect the skull without a CO escort.

While waiting for all the permits spring came and the skeleton sank to the bottom of the pond.

[glidergurl03]

They say they're getting thick up here in MN, even took 'em off the endangered list, but I haven't seen our pack at all. Hide nor hair of 'em. I don't go looking, but usually I hear them when I'm outside at night. At least SOMETIME during the winter. We have a pack in the area, was out walking in the woods once with my rottie & now ex boyfriend. The dog was kinda circling and smelling and playing with the boyfriend. He was probably 20 yards ahead of me, and Misty all of a sudden walked behind me and slightly snarled. Just a light growl, like letting something know she was there. Well, ex called her right then and she took off to go tackle him (she loved to tackle running things lol) and I don't know what caused me to turn around, but I was probably 20 - 30 yards staring into the eyes of a timber. He was just lettin me now that these were his woods, and he wasn't afraid of me. Nothing threatening or anything, just started for a few seconds and walked away. Wonderful, yet terrifying moment. lol. At any rate, we've never had any problems with the wolves taking stock or anything, so I just love the rare chance I get to listen to them.

You guys are probably right though, probably was a young, lone male. Hopefully it was painless

[tinknal]

Originally Posted by fordy

.........................Read an article in NY times that said Bush adm. is removing grey wolves from the end. species list in Idaho and Wyoming . Respective governors indicated they will immediately allowing killing of "EXcess" numbers except those residing in national park(s) and establish Minimum numbers to keep them from disappearing from landscape , i.e. , there will be basically open season on wolves .
.........................Of course , ranchers cattle have priority grazing on federal lands along with the excess numbers of deer and elk that continue to over populate the same shared area's so maybe they've forgotton that Mother Nature will balance the excess number of wolf prey , If the gov't will just leave things alone . fordy...

It had nothing to do with Bush. The wolf was delisted because it is no longer endangered.

This process has been going on for years, and the states are prepared for it. It is still a gross misdomenor to kill a wolf and the state of MN will NOT allow hunting for at least 5 years (if ever). Wolves are not "sacred symbols of the wilderness" they are wildlife that needs to be managed if we are to coexist with them.

Pretty easy to sit and criticize wolf management when it's someone elses livestock getting killed and eaten.

[unioncreek]

Idaho's planning a wolf hunting season, I can't wait. Their causing a lot more problems than people think.

Bobg

[fishhead]

I've heard of MN wolves attacking dogs even while the owner was close. Another guy told me of a lab that was killed. The dog ran around a corner out-of-sight and the owner heard a yelp. By the time the owner reached the dog it was dead. I haven't had a chance to talk with the owner to verify that story yet.

When I lived in AK the moose population around Fairbanks dropped and the wolves started eating peoples dogs while the owners were at work. A chained dog doesn't stand much of a chance. A friend told me that his beagle was eaten one night.

I'm glad they are back but at some point we'll probably have to put a cap on the population for everyone's sake. How we do it will depend on politics more than science I'm afraid.