Wolves in your area? (movies, moving, backyard)

[notmuch69]

Sounds like nature, although inconvenient. Hard to pick a side. Humans also kill cows to eat but if I had wolves killing my cows I would be defending the cows.

[ranger17]

sort of like killing gators in FL when it's their waterways that are being built in; or bears when they only follow what humans leave out in their yards or un-protected cans ( or feeders ) to forage thru. I can fully understand the side of the farmers; but one can't introduce an animal like the wolf back to the wild, and not expect them to feed.
As to OP, there was a case of a wolf hit by a car near Racine I believe, and it's collar showed it was from north-central WI. One was hit near Portage awhile back, and we had some passing thru family property in Marquette County ( south central WI ). So i'd guess except for some islands, that the wolves could really roam about anywhere. But i'd also think coyotes at this stage are far more of a nuisance then a wolf is ( my .02 )

[Geechie North]

FYI,

Wolves were never "introduced" into Wisconsin.

[ranger17]

maybe I'm wrong, but I thought that packs were brought back in to "re-introduce" the wolf population to northern WI. I'm sure they never truly left, but thought that they had assistance in getting their numbers back up. Then by protecting them while the packs grew in size and #'s, they in effect brought them back.

[Geechie North]

Originally Posted by ranger17

maybe I'm wrong, but I thought that packs were brought back in to "re-introduce" the wolf population to northern WI. I'm sure they never truly left, but thought that they had assistance in getting their numbers back up. Then by protecting them while the packs grew in size and #'s, they in effect brought them back.

No assistance whatever.

The operative thought is (although I'm like you in believing they never really left) is that they repatriated themselves from Minn when the Deer herd began to increase in the 50's.

By the 70's a few (< 50) were roaming the Far Northern counties.
By the 80's they were expanding to refill their previous niche in their old ranges in N. Central area.

By the 90's, wolves numbered in the 100's.

Today, best guess in 700-900; DNR's "goal" population is around 500, or so.

My guess is they will rise and ebb with their prey species, the Whitetail.

[notmuch69]

Would wolves attack a small child?

[ranger17]

Originally Posted by Geechie North

No assistance whatever.

The operative thought is (although I'm like you in believing they never really left) is that they repatriated themselves from Minn when the Deer herd began to increase in the 50's.

By the 70's a few (< 50) were roaming the Far Northern counties.
By the 80's they were expanding to refill their previous niche in their old ranges in N. Central area.

By the 90's, wolves numbered in the 100's.

Today, best guess in 700-900; DNR's "goal" population is around 500, or so.

My guess is they will rise and ebb with their prey species, the Whitetail.

Thanks, guess I had in my mind the various stages of "protection" granted them over the recent history and took that as the assist. Must be the elk project that I'm thinking of for actual hands on help.

Side note the paper back where we grew up ( Montello area ) listed pix of bears in town there which doesn't surprise us either, as they have frequented the home areas for some years. I think their movement, much like the wolves, will spread out further each year. If they have enough food and shelter they will stay in place. A rough winter for deer means more kill off, which leads to more food for wolves, coyotes, etc. If not, expect to see them soon in areas previously thought to be clear of them.

[ranger17]

Originally Posted by notmuch69

Would wolves attack a small child?

I would be more worried about neighborhood dogs attacking my child then a wolf.

And i'd think there would have to be something wrong with a wolf to venture that close to humans to grab a child. I don't believe them to have the same traits as say a mountain lion.

[notmuch69]

We live in the country with our own woods. When I was a kid I played in the woods and river often by myself. Seems like a lone 8 year old in the woods might look tempting to a wolf.
All we had to worry about when I was young was a rabid animal.

[Geechie North]

Originally Posted by notmuch69

Would wolves attack a small child?

Never a recorded attack on humans.

However, since humans have been recorded attacking small children, and like humans wolves are animals and therefore motivated by various needs including hunger, you wouldn't want to leave your toddler go off on a solitary backpack through the Nicolet, for example.

Wolf hybrids (esp as pets) are another entire issue.


Numerous cases of attacks by family "pets" on children and adults.