Wolves in B.C.

M

MTM

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Several of our traditional hunting areas have been overrun with Wolves. Areas where we normally have never seen a Wolf track are now hammered out with Wolf and very few Deer to be seen. They've made their way into wintering grounds and rutting areas and totally pushed the Deer out. Anyone else noticed this? I'm talking a huge area below Wells Gray park all the way down to the Bonparte River. I'm thinking a mid winter wolf hunt could be in order. Also NBL on Wolves in a couple of the zones there, someone else must have noticed this.
 
I encountered wolf while hunting north of Clearwater few years ago, and was surprised over the large size of a wild wolf. It was standing next the the logging road as I passed it with the truck. I will never forget its face as it looked at me.

Also while driving into Jasper, a wolf was standing on an ancient burial ground.
 
Ya Kitimat valley too. Hehehe this is the first wolf i have ever seen in kitimat:D
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But ya you would never see tracks around here now they are almost everywhere. Kill them all!!!!
 
Well we know there's a lot more wolves. the ministry has increased the allowable take, there was talk of a cull till the anti's freaked, and people in several areas have reported higher-than-usual numbers.

I don't normally go looking for 'em, but it's not a bad idea this year if you happen to get a shot or two to zap some.
 
Here in northern AB we are having the same troubles. We shot 3 in my hunting party this year.

I know very few people who managed to call in their moose this year. Numbers are way down and they are so timid to call this year. Making things worse, we already have a lot of snow here, may make for a great wolf winter and really bad moose winter.

We were calling once, and a pack of 6 wolves poped out of the bush.

I don't know if hunting them will help, they are wary.
 
I don't know if hunting them will help, they are wary.
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It is almost impossible to reduce their numbers much using traditional hunting techniques without traps or poisons. But you can thin 'em out a little and help keep the numbers from getting much worse.
 
I've been informed by an older fella, older than me, that has trapped them on the Island, that if by whatever means if you happen to kill off the alpha male and or female, it may actually have the effect of increasing the pack size. Apparently under normal circumstances only the alpha male & female breed. In their absence and until that hierarchy is re-established, all of the pack tries to breed. Does anyone know for sure?
 
I've been informed by an older fella, older than me, that has trapped them on the Island, that if by whatever means if you happen to kill off the alpha male and or female, it may actually have the effect of increasing the pack size. Apparently under normal circumstances only the alpha male & female breed. In their absence and until that hierarchy is re-established, all of the pack tries to breed. Does anyone know for sure?
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I've heard something simiilar - but slightly different. The alpha male and female will not allow others to breed - unless there is an abundance of food.

If they are killed, the 'second' pair will become alpha. Now - if the pack is smaller and the food is therefore more plentiful, this could mean they will allow others to breed.

incidently - wolves are the only known animals who suffer no ill effects from inbreeding. Brothers and sisters can have kids with no ill effects. I have no idea why, but it's been studied.

So your old timer friend may have been more right than wrong. But - I don't think it's a 'foregone' conclusion if you shoot the alpha or not that this will happen - i think it could happen either way. if a few of the 'lower ranks' get bumped off, the alpha's may allow more breeding anyway.
 
In the Quesnel area I encountered lots of wolf sign in every area I hunted this year. I have never seen anything like this before. I thought I was going to get a crack at one while hunting deer but was a couple minutes too late trying to intersect them.
 
My brothers walked into a vehicle closed area to fish a lake, it was a long walk and they were packing belly boats and gear so lefl the shotgun at the atcs. When they came back to the road they were surounded by several large wolves. They picked up big sticks and walked out but had a few tense moments. Apparently the wolves showed no fear. This in an area where they've never seen a wolf or wolf track before. Sure messed up our last Deer hunt this year.
 
MTM said:
My brothers walked into a vehicle closed area to fish a lake, it was a long walk and they were packing belly boats and gear so lefl the shotgun at the atcs. When they came back to the road they were surounded by several large wolves. They picked up big sticks and walked out but had a few tense moments. Apparently the wolves showed no fear. This in an area where they've never seen a wolf or wolf track before. Sure messed up our last Deer hunt this year.
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Does anyone know how much fear a wolf would/should show naturally?

Same thing with me, until we popped two, the pack that stalked us showed no fear of us. I thought this was also unusual, but maybe I am just expecting the wrong reaction.

Anybody in the know have an answer?
 
They show fear where man has given them cause to be afraid, and don't where he hasn't. But they're usually always cautious and don't get TOO close.

I've seen the same with yotes. Some will stand yards from you and not blink, others will leave quickly - and it seems the more they deal with humans the more it's the latter.
 
Foxer said:
I've heard something simiilar - but slightly different. The alpha male and female will not allow others to breed - unless there is an abundance of food.

If they are killed, the 'second' pair will become alpha. Now - if the pack is smaller and the food is therefore more plentiful, this could mean they will allow others to breed.

incidently - wolves are the only known animals who suffer no ill effects from inbreeding. Brothers and sisters can have kids with no ill effects. I have no idea why, but it's been studied.

So your old timer friend may have been more right than wrong. But - I don't think it's a 'foregone' conclusion if you shoot the alpha or not that this will happen - i think it could happen either way. if a few of the 'lower ranks' get bumped off, the alpha's may allow more breeding anyway.
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At the time of my discussions with him he was still actively trapping in the mid to south section on the island. The info he gave me was a result of trapping experiences in this area as well as similar experiences trapping in the central interior of the province. His experiences and conclusions were the result of not only his trapping and shooting of wolves but also as part of culling operations years ago where the likes of poisons and even antifreeze were supposedly used.
As far as trapping and shooting he also recounted a number of simple calls and attractants that worked very effectively at certain times of the year.
 
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