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View Full Version : Was I taunted by wolves or coyotes?




kumma
10-15-2005, 12:49 AM
I spent the last 6 days in the western UP north of Bruce Crossing, fixin up the house and doing a little hunting. The first day I got free I headed out to my ground blind to wait for the deer to come in to feed. I got half way up the fence line and saw 4 animals coming out of the woods. I spent approx 15 minutes watching them frolicking for lack of a better word on the edge of the field. A couple local power company guys stopped on the road and watched from binoculars as well. (Which leads me to think wolves) There are 2 smaller ones and 1 of the big ones which you can see and 1 monster of an animal stayed back on the fringe(right on top of my ground blind for gun season) :( . I took a few poor photos and headed back inside to get my binoculars and gun. Needless to say I didnt go anywhere last week with out the .357.

The next day I was stalking 2 doe back in the field along the same fence line. I was about 75 yards from them when out of the blue comes one of the bigger wolves not 20 yards ahead of me chasing after these same doe.

3rd encounter I had stalked a doe in the opposite barley/weed field, got within 15 yards, peeking up every so often, busted on the last peek that doe just dissapered. On the way out of the field I spot 2 of these wolves working there way towards me on the outskirts. I glass them at 50 yards and they see me but pay no mind and keep coming. I keep backing up and eventually they head off into the woods not 20 yards from me.

Last encounter I see all 4 crossing us-45 around 3pm on the 4th day. I followed 3 doe out accross the road to the same side around 6:30. Close to 7:45 after I lose any chance at these does I hear some god awful howling and barking coming from the 40 a 1/2 mile back.

Now I think they are wolves and so does the local farmer. My dad thought coyotes until I said they were all the same size and 2 of them were bigger and taller than my Viszla who goes 60 pounds. What say you does this sound like actions of coyotes or wolves? I just wish I had a better camera. No deer this trip, but definitly some great memories. For reference the cut oat field averaged 1 foot in depth where thes guys were standing.




Wizard3686
10-15-2005, 04:34 AM
most likely wolves last year durning gun season we were checking out a field out in the Baraga Plains area and we seen 6 of them set up in a field you could tell they were waiting to ambush a deer but i have been told by alot of locals that have seen them by there deer blinds and and 3 outta 4 of them said they never seen another deer around there untill the pack moved on

Moe
10-15-2005, 12:58 PM
I'd be 95% confident in saying wolves, there are a lot of them down in that area and it sounds like them from what you said.

Crazy Bird Hunter
10-15-2005, 01:03 PM
By the size of them, I would definately say wolves. Coyotes don't get that big.

JAG
10-15-2005, 02:07 PM
I've read that wolves won't tolerate coyotes and fox in their core areas. They will actually dig them out of their dens.:SHOCKED:

pottsie
10-16-2005, 09:04 PM
In the picture they look pretty dark in color. I would agree they are wolves. At our camp near Iron River a few years ago I saw two at the edge of the swamp and they were dark also. The deer in the area are now very skitish due to being stalked. I am not to comfortable being out there anymore with just a bow with them and the bears.

yooperkenny
10-17-2005, 08:55 AM
Coyotes go 35 pounds or so, about the size of a Brittany Spaniel. Wolves will go 100 lbs - if it looks German Shepherd size, it's a wolf. Also coyotes yip, but wolves HOWL.

This doesn't necessarily mean Zero deer though - I shot a real nice buck last 11/28 about 100 yds from where I photographed a wolf on 9/15. But in general it doesn't bode well for seeing a lot of deer. Trying to remain optimistic here, since a bad day hunting is always better than a good day at work.;) And after all, the prospect of seeing few deer isn't going to keep me home watching football.

Dedge
10-18-2005, 12:32 PM
They saw you and were not bothered by you?!?!?!? I hope to God they are just yotes. Wolves without any fear of man are not a good thing. Honestly I would call the DNR and at least report it.

Dan

kumma
10-18-2005, 02:29 PM
Yep they were not afraid nor were they aggresive, they came closer to me as if to investigate then ducked into the woods. I have been told there was a person parked on my property last year who was tracking wolves with radio collars on them. Last year some one called in a dead wolf report approx 1 mile north of me, it appeared it died from lead poisining ;).

There didnt seem to be a lack of deer. I saw 1 buck and 7 different doe. Hopfully the deer stick around until gun season, I have a funny feeling a few small grey furry "deer" will be shot this year.

One Eye
10-18-2005, 05:22 PM
Sounds like a great use for the CCW permit!

Dan