Should I worry about wild predators in WI? (Madison, Green Bay: rental, how much)

[pearlsnspurs]

We are moving to Wisconsin this summer.. probably Eau Claire area.. and one place we are looking at is in a neighborhood but has some forest around it. We have a 6 month old, will be having more children in the next few years, and have dogs: two small chihuahuas and will be getting an American Bulldog and possibly a newfoundland. I've read a lot of newspaper articles on the wolf packs in Wisconsin, and recent bear sightings and the occasional attack by a wolf, bear, or coyote in the area we are looking at. After we're done renting and testing the waters, we want to by a hobby farm of about 20 acres.

Now, I need to know if I should be concerned for my kids' and pets' safety. The rental we are looking at doin not have a fence and the woods nearby are somewhat dense but the present owner said she has never had to worry about critters. However, I understand that wolf numbers are increasing.. and there are a few packs nearby (we are looking at Boyceville) and I'm curious about how much I really need to be worried. Specifically about the small children and the chihuahuas. We do keep guns in case of needing to defend our property but I don't want to be in a position where I would have to kill a wild animal.. That isn't my style.. I just don't know if it will be safe to let my kids and dogs play in the yard without a fence. On the other hand, everything I read says that a fence won't keep coyotes or wolves out. I'm starting to get a little panicky! Is walking our dogs not a safe activity in the area? I've read about wolf packs attacking dogs and people with little notice. Any help? I want my family and animals to be safe.. especially when we have a large amount of property! What can I do?

[escapetacoma]

Originally Posted by pearlsnspurs

Now, I need to know if I should be concerned for my kids' and pets' safety.

I'd be WAY more concerned about their safety if your neighbor had a mastiff or a pit bull. Even a german shepard would be a bigger concern to me than wolves, coyotes or black bears.

Yes there have been rare attacks by wolves on humans. I think that there's only been one case of wolves killing a human, though, in North America. You don't want to think about the cases of dogs killing people. Either coyotes or wolves might be a problem for your small dogs, however. Not that larger dogs aren't generally a bigger problem.

Now, if you were moving to cougar or grizzly country I'd say you had a bit more reason to be concerned! Even then I probably wouldn't let it affect my decision too much - it would just serve to make me more careful and attentive.

[zz4guy]

Buy a gun. Then you can protect yourself from the Human predators too!

[JoshB]

I have family that lives in Medford and they own Nelsons Berry Farm, they've never had problems with any sort of "Wild Predators." I don't think you have much to worry about.

[dreamhunter65]

I live north of Eau Claire in big bear and wolf and coyote country. We had a search and recover this summer and DNR had 2 wolves on tracking collars on next 80 and no worries and they more scared of us than them and usually not come near houses. Bear now in spring may come in looking for food when bird feeders full, but cure is keep them empty until everything greens up a bit and bears have more food. Wolf attacks are rare and usually Canada and Alaska and western states.If you have a Newfie around do not worry about anything as good protectors and if trained well good water rescue dogs also. So no worries except mosquito's taking off with kids or dog.
No gators either. Worst scenario would be a hawk or eagle after the small dogs. When get up north here will realize safer than alot as many hunters take out coyotes and try keeping bear in check.
If out walking and want more safety carry a whistle as will scare alot off.
Have more questions can DM me also as lived in Northern Wisconsin 34 years.

[Megan1967]

Goodness! Where are you moving from? Eau Claire isn't part of the Yukon... I lived there for two years (on the edge of town) and found the humans more surly than the wild life. Never saw a bear, coyote, wolf - nothing more exotic than a squirrel. That said there are coyotes all over the state and they can be bold, but they are nocturnal animals. RARELY would you see one in broad daylight. I have, but only once or twice and I've lived in Wisconsin 41 years.

I guess I wouldn't leave any child under the age of 6 unattended outside anywhere at any time, but mainly because of the kinds of predators you find all over......... The chihuahuas may be in a little danger from hawks during the day, but larger breed dogs wouldn't have to worry about them. I would definitely go out with any dog at night as coyotes would be valid concern after dark. Because your dogs are so small owls would also be a reason to go out with them at night.

Gee, not sure I diminished any fears here, but honestly, wolves and bears are not a big threat in the Eau Claire area.

[Chelito23]

I think we are making a mountain out of a molehill.
The answer to your questions is NO, there is not a concern.

Wisconsin is not bear country or wolf country. My parents have a house that backs up to a forest outside of Madison, they have dogs, the most they have seen is deer and at night sometimes people spot coyotes or they say they hear them...but they go after small prey, and who leave, say, a Chiuahua out at night? Especially in Wisconsin? Too cold for that.

My parents walk their dogs around 9PM or so, and they never have a problem.

Now, if you are moving to the boondocks ANYWHERE in the US you will have predators to worry about, but Wisconsin isn't that rural, especially on the edge of cities.

[pearlsnspurs]

Thanks for all of your help, we are moving from Florida so I honestly didn't know. I feel much better about it now!

[berries]

of course!! If you move to the "forest" near madison...which does not exist..I would not worry about it. If you move to a small town near Eau Claire, then yes indeed you need to take precautions and anyone that tells you otherwise is a fool. Do you have kids?? I think you said you did. If they are young and smaller than the size of a full grown labrador than you indeed need to take precautions from wolves, coyotes, martins, fishers, and at times especially in the spring bears. If anyone tells you not to you could up in a situation you would rather avoid and you can avoid it by prudence

[gallon]

Originally Posted by Chelito23

Wisconsin is not bear country or wolf country. My parents have a house that backs up to a forest outside of Madison, they have dogs, the most they have seen is deer and at night sometimes people spot coyotes or they say they hear them...but they go after small prey, and who leave, say, a Chiuahua out at night? Especially in Wisconsin? Too cold for that.

My parents walk their dogs around 9PM or so, and they never have a problem.

Now, if you are moving to the boondocks ANYWHERE in the US you will have predators to worry about, but Wisconsin isn't that rural, especially on the edge of cities.

Whoa. Wisconsin has lots of bears up north. And we have reintroduced a few wolves also. For an approximation to the area, the north woods north of Hwy 29, which runs across the state from Green Bay, could contain bears anywhere. The bear species is the black bear, which is an extremely shy creature which avoids human contact. When I have come across them in the national forests, they always turn around in a huff, and bolt away at top speed. In fairness to the bears, it could have been my face that scared them.

There are creatures here which pose a more clear and present threat than the classical bears and wolves.

Bugs, for starters. Mosquitoes can carry tropical diseases. Ticks can be a serious problem, as a certain species of tick carries the debilitating lyme disease. Spiders, not as many nor as menacing as down south. But any spider bite can leave a welt, or worse. No scorpions that I am aware of.

Small urban nocturnal mammals. This lot, raccoons, opossums, skunks, foxes, have adapted to human presence. They live in our shadow, and they can carry rabies. Coyotes are here, I believe they have reached all the way to the Atlantic.

Snakes. I think there are two very rare presences of poisonous snakes within WI borders. There is a little rattler in the bluffs along the Mississippi river and part way up the Wisconsin river. Very rare though. Googling the state DNR site also points out a variation of timber rattler along the same waterways as the little rattler. Both of these are endangered or protected.

Large creatures. You are far more likely to hit a deer at highway speeds anywhere in this state, than you are to be chased by a large carnivore.

To the original poster, I would rate the risk from wildlife here in WI to be much lower than in FL. Use common sense and learn from your new neighbors. Tell them Florida alligator stories and I would bet they don't have any equivalent scare stories.