Post by muskyhusky on Oct 19, 2008 0:48:22 GMT -6
Provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, USDA-APHIS- Wildlife Services, Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, National Wildlife Federation, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, and the Timber Wolf Alliance.
Wolves in Wisconsin
By 2002 wolves were distributed across much of the heavily forested portions of northwest and north central Wisconsin, and were starting to spread into forests of the northeastern part of the state. The late winter count in 2003, before pups were born, was a population of over 335 wolves across the state. A small population of about 45 wolves occur west of Wisconsin Rapids in the central forest of Wisconsin, and about 290 wolves occur in northern Wisconsin....
Wolf Conflicts with Dogs
As with other wild canids, wolves are very territorial. Wolves guard their territories from other wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs. Wolves are probably most aggressive toward strange wolves and dogs when wolf pups are small at den and rendezvous sites, during the breeding season in January and February, and when they are protecting a fresh kill. Hound dogs used for hunting bear, coyotes, bobcat, and raccoons, are perhaps at greatest risk of being attacked by wolves. Dogs used for bird hunting are less likely to be attacked. Wolves normally avoid people and are less likely to approach dogs that are in visual or auditory range of humans.
Hounds often hunt some distance from hunters, and their baying sound may also present a challenge to the territorial wolves. Highest risk of wolf depredation to dogs seems to occur in July through September, and a moderately high risk occurs in December. These periods signal the summer rendezvous period, and the approach of the winter breeding season....
Reducing Conflict of Wolves with Dogs
Avoidance of wolves, by hunters with dogs is the best way to minimize conflict, but because wolves are so wide spread, total avoidance may not be possible. Although wolves do have large territories, they do concentrate a lot of activity in specific areas, such as the rendezvous sites. One of the keys for minimizing wolf problems with dogs is to avoid areas with concentrated wolf use.
Move 2 or 3 miles from any rendezvous site, if possible, before releasing dogs. Avoid releasing dogs at baits recently visited by wolves. When looking for bear sign at a bait, make sure to also look for wolf tracks. Be familiar with your own dog's tracks, so that you can distinguish it from any wolf tracks. If a specific bait site is receiving a lot of wolf use, discontinue using it until wolves have left, and concentrate on an alternative bait site....
Wolves in Wisconsin
By 2002 wolves were distributed across much of the heavily forested portions of northwest and north central Wisconsin, and were starting to spread into forests of the northeastern part of the state. The late winter count in 2003, before pups were born, was a population of over 335 wolves across the state. A small population of about 45 wolves occur west of Wisconsin Rapids in the central forest of Wisconsin, and about 290 wolves occur in northern Wisconsin....
Wolf Conflicts with Dogs
As with other wild canids, wolves are very territorial. Wolves guard their territories from other wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs. Wolves are probably most aggressive toward strange wolves and dogs when wolf pups are small at den and rendezvous sites, during the breeding season in January and February, and when they are protecting a fresh kill. Hound dogs used for hunting bear, coyotes, bobcat, and raccoons, are perhaps at greatest risk of being attacked by wolves. Dogs used for bird hunting are less likely to be attacked. Wolves normally avoid people and are less likely to approach dogs that are in visual or auditory range of humans.
Hounds often hunt some distance from hunters, and their baying sound may also present a challenge to the territorial wolves. Highest risk of wolf depredation to dogs seems to occur in July through September, and a moderately high risk occurs in December. These periods signal the summer rendezvous period, and the approach of the winter breeding season....
Reducing Conflict of Wolves with Dogs
Avoidance of wolves, by hunters with dogs is the best way to minimize conflict, but because wolves are so wide spread, total avoidance may not be possible. Although wolves do have large territories, they do concentrate a lot of activity in specific areas, such as the rendezvous sites. One of the keys for minimizing wolf problems with dogs is to avoid areas with concentrated wolf use.
Move 2 or 3 miles from any rendezvous site, if possible, before releasing dogs. Avoid releasing dogs at baits recently visited by wolves. When looking for bear sign at a bait, make sure to also look for wolf tracks. Be familiar with your own dog's tracks, so that you can distinguish it from any wolf tracks. If a specific bait site is receiving a lot of wolf use, discontinue using it until wolves have left, and concentrate on an alternative bait site....
