Wolves

CurlyDave · May 11, 2006

We had just moved our motorhome to a more-or-less permanent spot on our 40 acres in Grants Pass, OR last Saturday afternoon.

About 8 A.M. Sundy morning, two wolves walked by our window about 30-40 yards away. The looked like gray German shepherds and were clearly much larger than our two spayed female Labrador Retrievers.

Our dogs weigh 75 and 85 pounds and these guys were about 100 and 125 pounds.

They were clearly not coyotes (too large and gray instead of a more redish-blond color), I didn't want to believe wolves at first , but some of the neighbors said they were around. Our land has a common border with several sq miles of BLM land on the top of Bolt Mountain, which is very inaccessable and seldom, if ever, visited by humans, so the environment is right. The land has never been developed and is mountainous with 100+ trees per acre.

The land is designated "deer winter range" and there are a few deer, also turkeys. The rabbit and squirrel populations are substantially less than I would have expected. Now I think I know why.

Anyway the first real question is are the wolves a danger to our dogs?

At the time, the only weapon I had was a S&W .44 special, which I took with me every time took the dogs out from then on. This was a PITA, but I felt it was a lot safer.

At the time we saw them, I had just brought the dogs in after letting them out for a quick morning run. Clearly the wolves knew the dogs were there and it appears they were not in the slightest disturbed, and may even have been stalking them.

A second question is how do I get the wolves to move on? They looked like a male & a female. Are they protected, or is a .308 the best way to get them to move on?

When construction on our house starts, will they leave, or will it not bother them?

Has anyone ever mounted a rifle rack on a JD TLB 110? Any pictures of an installation? I have a hard time finding a place for a few tools, much less a rifle.

mcouey · May 11, 2006

Yes your dogs are in danger.

Yes the wolves are protected.

If you see them again and deem them a threat to you or your animals, follow the 3S's and never speak of this again.

Seriously.

dmccarty · May 11, 2006

CurleyDave,

Check with the State Wildlife department to see if the wolves are protected. My guess is that they are. The state's hunting regulations would list when there is an open season on wolves.

You might be able to mount a rifle scabbard to the FEL or cab of the JD. I would want a scabbard that would keep out dust. A 308 would do the job if you can take them out. Personally if it was just me, the wife and the dogs I would leave them alone assuming the dogs are kept with you all of the time or kept in a secure run.

I would HIGHLY recommend that you read Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat. Its an absolutely hilarious book about a biologst sent to study wolves in the artic.

This is going to sound way weird but I would mark your territory around your RV. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif And I do me mark. Drink lots of your favorite beverage and mark your territory. See if the wolves respect you boundry. I don't want to spoil the above mentioned book but its worth a try and does not cost you anything to try. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Later,
Dan

RobertN · May 11, 2006

They don't have anywhere to move on to. Increasing development and human interface will lead to more interaction. Then it is either extinction, or live with them.

CurlyDave · May 11, 2006

This is going to sound way weird but I would mark your territory around your RV.

Already in process. It keeps the load on the RV holding tank down. I think I will start to range further afield...

When we bought the land, my wife suggested that we should get an outhouse for when I was working on it. I laughed and told her that I didn't know any guy who needed an outhouse when he had 40 acres of woods.

beenthere · May 11, 2006

I agree that your dogs are in danger. Read some of the accounts of loss of dogs to wolves in Wisconsin. Can't shoot the wolves either. Federal protection. Many a good dog has been lost to the wolves, that have been established in the state of WI. Cattle are also on the menu. I'd suspect dogs are considered a threat or competition, and it's not a one-on-one take down either.

There is also a movie "Never Cry Wolf" based on the book, and it is pretty close to the book theme. Very good movie. Bought a copy on a DVD last year to give to our guide who took us through Yellowstone Park on a snowcoach in Feb '05. She did such an excellent job of telling us about the Park.

On that trip West, we also went through Grants Pass. Great scenery there and hope the wolves and you both survive. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The woves were introduced in WI several years ago, and have been multiplying rapidly. They are regularly seen in the southern part of the state, 200 miles from where they were introduced. Black bear are also widening their territory and finding there way to more populated areas. Don't know who is running who out of their territory. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Personnaly, I can do without the wolves in the state. All don't agree with me though. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

greatrandini · May 11, 2006

Fence a yard for your dogs and don't spare the electric wire! I like dogs and I like wolves. You can't just let your dogs run out there. Electric fence will keep anything out....or in! .44 special is plenty of pistol for a wolf. Get some firecrackers and light a few when you see them...You'll need to proceed as if you are moving into the wolves neihborhood because....you are.

AKfish · May 11, 2006

Yup, wolves eat dogs. They make for a tasty treat. Coyotes will eat your dog, too!

Anyone who has hunted coyotes with dogs can tell you it takes one he** of a dog to kill a 40 lb coyote one on one! Dog hunters generally have 2 killer dogs (or more) to dispatch the coyote. Most 100 lb labs wouldn't stand good odds with a coyote one on one and since coyotes typically hunt in pairs (or more) there wouldn't be a long fight.

Realistically, I don't think you should be fearful for your safety or your wife's. Unless they've got rabies or are near starvation they won't mess with you or your wife. You'll likely have more problems with the black bears (and I'd sure keep a wary eye out for those guys..).

It's understandable the measure of concern that anyone would have with large predators (safety, livestock losses, etc.). But, knowing that they're out there and seeing them on occasion would be an exciting and compelling reason to live where you do.

I doubt that you chose to live on 40 acres near a National forest 'cause you wanted the safety of a nearby WallMart and cookie cutter homes.

It really depends on who or what you want to share your space with....

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

AKfish

SnoFalls · May 11, 2006

( You'll need to proceed as if you are moving into the wolves neihborhood because....you are. )
yup ... marking will help, and the firecrackers (or a round or two into the ground) make you a "pack" they won't wanna mess with.

Sounds like your in THEIR territory, and either you become boss of it or they will.

( You'll likely have more problems with the black bears (and I'd sure keep a wary eye out for those guys..).)

x2 on that! ... I'd build a HARDENED trash box/trailer ASAP. Once one gets into a bag, you'll be on his route for quite a while (ask me how I know).

My neighbors thought is was "funny" when I put up a "bear Xing" sign ... now that I'm off his route, and they are, they sorta understand /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

EddieWalker · May 11, 2006

Dave,

There's a ton of information out there about wolves and some of the wives tails related to them.

First, there is no recorded history of wolves killing a human. There is plenty of cases of coyotes killing children and babies.

Pets are a favorite food of allot of predators. Lions love to hop a fence on the edge of town and eat what they find. Wolves will eat just about anythign they can catch.

The ranchers around Yellowstone have been killing wolves since they were re-intorduced there. Lot's of ways they go about hiding the bodies, including dumping them hundreds of miles away from their properties. Some have been found dead on the side of the road in Arizona!!!

The biggest complaint is they kill for fun and have hurt the lamb, sheep and calf populations. Park officials and government agencies publicly deny these accuasations and say it's not happening.

They say the same thing in California after the Mt. Lion was protected. Then they hire trappers to go and kill the offending lions. More lions are killed by hired trappers now that they are protected than at any time when there was a hunting season.

Never contact the Fish and Game directly about an animal that you very well might have to deal with yourself. They will remember you and if there is a complaint against you or if an animal is found dead, you will become a suspect. Doesn't matter if it's ten years from now, they will keep the record of you call.

Odds are very good that they are not pure wolves. Rarely does a wolf get to a hundred pounds unless he's got some husky mixed in him. 60 to 70 pounds is more realistic.

The fact that you saw them during the day and close to your building should be very alarmning to you!!!! You should never see them and they should never be near any dwellings. They no better and have a well founded fear of humans.

If you see a racoon or skunk during the day, the first thing you do is kill that animal because it's very likely it's sick and something is very wrong. Seeing two wolves in the morning like you did isn't as bad as the middle of the day, but it still indicates at the very least a lack of fear for humans.

This either means they were pets at one time or are problem animals. Both bad news to you. Dogs that were pets are more prone to attack people than wild animals.

Stay allert and deal with it when the oportunity presents itself. Never tell a soul of what you did or how you did it. If two people know something, it's not a secret any more!!

Eddie