I hear wolves!!!!!!!!!!!!!

myheaven · #21 08/20/06, 10:33 AM

That was my first run in with the wolves. I have seen one running once about 2 miles from my house. I have pigs rabbits chickens and ducks easy pray for any k-9 type breed. They stayed away everyone is fine. sammy did her job. I know one dog cannot take a pack. We are on the look out for another lgd. We have papers in to adopt another lgd but well wait for a match.
Im sorry if I have offended some of you. I dont know squat about wolves. I would shoot one to protect my kids. But for an animal nope. to protect sammy umm Id endup shooting sammy Im not the best shot and when two k9 tangle its impossable to get a good shot. I love sammy very much she is such a dear. I just know she cant take a pack.
I know nothing can be said to unanger the ones who were offended so ill end this here. Everyone is fine.

LisaInN.Idaho · #22 08/20/06, 10:44 AM

Definitely get another LGD and don't worry about it. What breed is the one you have now?
Harp and Guinness came back a few minutes ago, wet from the river and swaggering like quarterbacks who scored the winning touchdown.
"High Five Bro...we TOTALLY kicked their butts... stinkin' wolves...won't have no stinkin wolves around here"

LisaInN.Idaho · #23 08/20/06, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wind in Her Hair

Lisa, I'd come visit you but I'm afraid I'd never want to leave.

Your hosses and dogs sound like my kinda people.

That's why we never have visitors! We came here to build a summer cabin and never left.

Irish Pixie · #24 08/20/06, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wind in Her Hair

Not one today - however, I grew up outside Wichita Falls, Texas smack dab in the middle of commercial sheep country and the cedar fenceposts were "decorated" with the carcasses of hundreds and I mean hundreds of slain coyotes and wolves. Some were trapped , some were shot, most were poisoned. So perhaps my "tolerance" of wildlife may be different from those who have moved out to the country from the city.

However, I used to run 100 head of registered cattle, a dozen brood mares and foals, a couple a dozen chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, etc. on 400 acres - so I am well aware what it takes to protect livestock from predators and what - in my experience - is a reasonable response to howling wolves.

We saw and heard LOTS of coyotes and wolves -and one winter we had one "move in" with the herd and trail the newborn calves feeding on their droppings.

It exhibited very unusual and strange behavior by not fleeing when we went out to check the herd -either by truck or on horseback - and that was unsettling. Because we had lost a full grown cow just a week before to an unknown predator - (which turned out to be a mountain lion), and because this wolf was acting so strangely - he was dispatched.

Upon examination, it was apparent why this wolf was trailing the newborns. He had been shot clean through the stomach with a .22 and was suffering a slow painful death by starvation because he was unable to stay with the pack and hunt properly.

Because he was wounded - he became more of a threat than if he had been left alone.

Thats my point.

That -and if I had livestock here in Minnesota , I'd also have a pair of properly bred LGD and I would not worry. I'd certainly not be shaking in my boots and worrying about my marksmanship because unlike myheaven I don't "suck at shooting when I'm scared". I'd expect my LGDs to do their job -act as a deterrent to predators. Thats what they are here for. myheaven suggested that "they can have my little critters if they leave my sammy doggie alone". I was merely pointing out the irony of that statement. Not a very realistic approach to long term homesteading, IMHO.

And yes, I am aware that predators moving through an area (bears, mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, etc) can cause livestock to spook and unfortunately go through fences. Hence, the popularity of LGDs and Great Pyrenees in sheep and cattle country.

I'm sure you have experience, darlin' -- that's my point, how'd you feel the first time? I've lived my entire life in the country and wolves would still make *me* nervous. I can't have LGD's in with my horses, please read my prior post regarding Star and his playing small furry animal stomp.

Me, I dispatch any animal harassing my stock, I have far too much money, time, and passion tied up in them to lose any to a predator.

Stacy

paulaswolfpack · #25 08/20/06, 12:46 PM

Myheaven, why dont you just get your taperecorder out and tape the music they are making for you, you know if you listen they are singing the true call of the wild,wish I was were they were singing all the time the closest thing here are coyates. Just enjoy the music, Dont quote me but I dont think there has ever been wolf attacks on people.and maybe get a couple more dogs.

RedneckPete · #26 08/20/06, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beorning

I agree with the folks that advise against killing the wolves. I don't have any issues dispatching possums or racoons, there are a ton of them, but there aren't too many wolves left.

Whatever. There might not be many left were you are, but northern Canada is overrun with them. They aren't going extinct any time soon. The southern pockets of them are relatively small and isolated, and the conservationists seem to think that every pocket is irreplaceable and should be preserved at all cost. I say if they threaten your livestock or dogs, shoot every last one of them. If it had a collar, I'd walk the collar a couple miles away from where I shot the wolf and chuck it into a bush.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beorning

Sometimes we need to remember that being people doesn't give us an inherent right to kill anything we want if we're a bit scared of it.

Says who? A threatening dog should be shot, a threatening raccoon should be shot, perhaps even a threatening human being. Why not a wolf?

Pete

RandB · #27 08/20/06, 01:12 PM

You might want to consider adding a cantankerous horse to your mix of animals!

We have a big ol' Belgian-Standardbred cross who is ornery as all get-out. However, years ago, he defended our 2 elderly horses from a pack of wild dogs who were actively trying to corner one of them. It was middle of the night. We heard a commotion, then a gunshot, then we went flying out just in time to see Jack (the horse) galloping behind that pack of dogs, who were yelping and running, he was trying to stomp them to death. We found out later another neighbor had seen them running and biting at their horse, they shot the gun in the air which chased them into our field. Big mistake for the dogs. We never saw them again!

moonwolf · #28 08/20/06, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedneckPete

If it had a collar, I'd walk the collar a couple miles away from where I shot the wolf and chuck it into a bush.

those collars are tracked to the last position that a signal was heard. MNR would find it. They have tracking devices on Elk in this area and also smallmouth bass that somoene caught and threw into the dump after filleting them without reporting the tracking device to the MNR. On any animal that they invest the time for research like that, the MNR won't just NOT notice.

RedneckPete · #29 08/20/06, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonwolf

those collars are tracked to the last position that a signal was heard. MNR would find it .... the MNR won't just NOT notice.

They would find it two miles from the dead wolf, that's what I'd be counting on. Perhaps it would be better to throw it into an inflated plastic bag and toss it into a decent sized creek.

Pete

LisaInN.Idaho · #30 08/20/06, 01:43 PM

So you advocate breaking laws for your convenience? How 'bout just getting some LGDs or fencing in your stock?

Shepherd · #31 08/20/06, 02:13 PM

Myheaven, glad you're all okay. Talk to and befriend your neighbors. Get to know how they handle these situations so that next time you'll feel you have more options.

myheaven · #32 08/20/06, 02:28 PM

My closest neighbor is a 76 yo widow who is loosing her mind

the other neighbor is snooty (well the wife is) and feels animals are dirty. Umm she grew up on a farm lol. I know the neighbors will shoot at them often you hear them shooting at the coyotes. The rest of the neighbors I have talked with and am "friends" with. I must use that term loosly.
Sammy my lgd is my baby. she came to me on deaths door. She was 58 lbs and should have been 100+ she was skin and bones scared to death and in need of medical treament. She was a childs "christmas presant" and when she got to be to big and wouldnt stop being a "puppy" they stuck her in back on a chain with scraps once in a while.. I can tell she was beat alot. she was terrifyed of men. She would litterly almost pass out when a man in orange would come near her.I havenever seena dog shake like that. She is so much better. she is ok with men now. she is up to 108lbs now. sounds dont scare her. she loves a car ride. but will defend her property and "people" to the end. I would rather loose animals than her. rabbits chickens ducks and pigs are easyer to replace than her.
Coyotes were hunting my kids last year and she got ride of them. I thank god For her. I know Ill loose her one day just not any time soon I pray.

LisaInN.Idaho · #33 08/20/06, 02:51 PM

Is Sammy an LGD breed?

myheaven · #34 08/20/06, 03:09 PM

yes sammy is

LisaInN.Idaho · #35 08/20/06, 03:13 PM

What breed is she?

myheaven · #36 08/20/06, 03:14 PM

great pyrenees

Mountaineer · #37 08/20/06, 06:35 PM

Racing to blast an innocent creature into kingdom-come just because you're ignorant, uninformed, frightened and ill-prepared is just - well...its stupid.

Thats how I see it. I live in wolf, coyote, cougar, grizz and black bear country. None will go through a correctly grounded electric fence. If you're going to keep livestock, invest in their well being, it's only common sense.

I just love hearing the wolves/coyotes at night. I also like thunder. It's natural energy.