The Wolf Preservation Blog

Following the 2009 Minnesota deer season, Northland hunters claimed deer populations have been dwindling because of an increase in the wolf population.

However, wildlife biologist John Erb said hunters don’t have anything to be concerned over.

“For the most part there is no reason to be concerned. I think what has happened is that over the last 10-15 years, expectations have been high. We’ve had a very abundant deer population,” Erb said. “Hunters have come accustomed to getting a deer every year and often times on first day or weekend…so we’ve developed some unrealistic expectations what should occur.”

However, hunters’ fears aren’t completely unwarranted. A comprehensive study just completed by the minnesota DNR shows wolves are having an impact on the deer population. The 15-year-long study followed the behavior of 450 collared deer and 55 collared wolves living in the same area.

According to the research, an estimated 3,000 wolves roam Northland woods. It’s believed each wolf requires 15 to 19 adult deer annually. That’s approximately 45,000 to 57,000 deer annually per 3,000 wolves.

“It certainly is a large number, but when you look at that in the context of how many deer there are, it’s not too significant,” Erb said. “It represents, on average, 10 percent of our deer population taken by wolves in a given year.”

Estimates have deer populations near half a million roaming in wolf ranges. This equates to approximately 150 deer per wolf.

“The fact that wolves are present and eat deer doesn’t mean a deer population is affected from one year to the next,” Erb said.

Tough winters and extensive deer harvest from previous years have greater impacts on deer herds.

Wolves are considered a federal endangered species and are protected. Shooting a wolf can elicit maximum fines of $20,000 and loss of hunting licensure.

Thanks to WDIO.com for providing the information.

http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S1801461.shtml?cat=10335

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Seeing a wolf in the wild is rare.  From a distance, foxes, coyotes,  and even wild dogs running loose can be mistaken for wolves, which is a common error.  So, what are some differences between them?  Here are a few:

Foxes are much smaller than wolves.  Adult red foxes are not much larger than a house cat, weighing between 10-14 pounds.  Foxes do not hunt in packs while wolves do.  Foxes don’t hunt prey that are much larger than themselves.

Adult Coyotes weigh between 28-35 pounds.  They are larger than foxes but smaller than wolves.  Coyotes are often the same color as wolves but not quite the same shape.  Their legs are shorter, pointier muzzles, and have bigger ears.  Coyotes do not usually hunt in packs.  While Coyotes do howl, it sounds much different than wolves.   Coyote howls are more high pitched and contain barking sounds.

Dogs that can be mistaken for wolves are Siberian Huskies, German Shepherd, and Malamutes.  Generally, wolves have much wider heads, narrower chests, smaller more rounded ears, and do not have curly tails.

So the next time you see a dog-like animal in the distance, keep these facts in mind!

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Finally, an animated film that shows wolves in a more positive light.  No doubt this is great for the kids!   However, as briefly described in my review of this film, Wolf Preservation separates fact from fiction.  Here are the facts:

1. Do wolves howl at the moon?   No, just as people thought the earth was flat, many believed wolves primarly howled at the moon.

2. Is it true that only the Alpha male and female  howl together?  No, the entire wolf pack expresses a complex mixture of gestures, movements, postures, and vocalizations.  However, the Alpha’s typically mate only with each other.  An Omega has been known to be selected as an Alpha male’s mate, which immediately moved her up the ladder as leader of the pack. 

3.  Is the Alpha, leader of the pack, responsible for leading the pack in hunts?  No, the entire pack works together to hunt.  .  The film separated wolves into two categories:  Alpha and Omega.   The Beta, second in command, was not mentioned  Betas are typically the fastest runner.

4.  Is it dangerous for wolves to hunt caribou?   Yes, the film accurately reflects this.  Wolves success rate of catching caribou is not very high.  Caribou herds have become more alert with wolves present and run quickly.   Caribou can use their hooves as blunt weapons, causing bone fractures and even a fatal blow to the head.  A younger, less experienced wolf could easily become trampled.  This is why younger wolves must learn from more experienced members of the pack.  If a pack loses their more experienced members, it can be devastating to the pack’s survival.

5.  Is the Omega’s role to break tension among other wolf members?  Yes, but it’s not all fun and games.  Since Omegas are last in the social hierarchy, they must submit frequently to higher ranking members, often eating last during meals and can be at the brunt of pack aggression  Omega’s also assist with babysitting pups.  They are still important members of the pack.  Wolves clearly mourn the death of any pack member.

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