A Wolf Story

“It was an incredibly beautiful day yesterday. Spring had finally landed smack dab in the middle of Northern Wisconsin. Blue sky, a few clouds floating lazily by, nice warm sun bringing a temperature in the low 70's and me trying to figure what to do with such a gorgeous day.

I had already done my aerobics class when I decided to float a section of the Namekagon River that I heretofore had not visited. It was a nice windy ten mile section from the K landing to Whispering Pines, coupled with a 9 mile run/hike back to my truck (mostly hike). Just for the heck of it I brought along my fishing pole, slipped it in my kayak along with a bottle of water and pushed off into the current. For the first few miles I fished in a nonchalant way learned only by those who never really catch any fish when they try hard anyway. Getting bored with my least favorite right handed exercise, I took to paddling a little and started to take in the scenery: Bald Eagles perched in oaks in early leaf, flying up when I got too close and soaring against the light blue sky, a few beaver, muskrats. Skittish ducks not trusting anything in a craft looking like it could contain a shotgun usually bolted long before anything else. I floated near banks edge for quite some time, lazily enjoying my life and occasionally bursting into exuberant episodes of paddling just for the sheer hell of it.

I have learned that if I want to see wild life it is best to hug the shore line as much as possible. My theory is that if I'm in the middle of the river I will be quickly spotted and all the creatures will hunker down and flatten out in order to avoid being seen.

I came to an island in the middle of the river and chose to pass on its right side for no particular reason. Sensing something I turned my head quickly to the left and saw a gray wolf lying stretched out on the river bank not more than 7 feet away. Folks often talk about wolves always seeing you first. Not this one, I definitely saw him first and we probably crapped our pants at the same time (I crapped more however). Once he spotted me he rose up and we looked at each other as if deciding who was the Alpha male. The vote was 2 to 0 in his favor. In about 2 leaps he had crossed the small island and I could hear him splashing through the river. By this time I floated to the end of the island and could see him slowly bounding up the river bank. He turned and looked once before disappearing from sight and reapparing in my permanent memory.”

“man, thats a great story Snake Eyes. more proof that life is way better once you get off the couch.”

“Let me tell you about my limo ride with the chorus line of Vegas show girls....”

“...don't feed the troll, don't feed the troll...”

“Nice story, Snake Eyes.”

“After I posted this story I got to thinking about Prosecutor's recent post on the "Wolves in Wisconsin" thread. It pretty much looked like those wolves were going to have a logger for lunch if he hadn't been able to get out of there. Not that I intend this to be a fuego thread, but what do you all think of carrying a sidearm for safety purposes...especially in areas of known wolf habitat like the BWCA?”

“Nice story Snake eyes...thanks for sharing!!!!”

“Carry bear spray, not guns.”

“Nice thought, but I'm not certain that I'd want a wolf to get so close to me that I can spray him.”

“Snake Eyes most wolves will leave the area as soon as they get your sent or see you. There have been to many time that wolves have been killed by man and they will try to avoid you when ever possible. Even crossbreeds that are half dog and half wolf will try to avoid people especially in a group. You have a lot more bear maulings than wolf encounters.”

“Okay so far Photo Pack, but please check the Wolves in Wisconsin thread and read about the encounter with wolves experienced by the logger up in Ashland. My current thinking is you're right, but it only takes once.”

“I agree that is the way with most wild animals. You were lucky and got to see one in its natural habitat. That is rare now days. I don't have a problem carrying a gun to use as a last resort. I have carried a gun for years when I am in the back woods, and so far have never had to use it. I have been with 25yds of Greizzly and Cougar and a host of other bears and other wildlife. When you are on their turf it is wise to be aware of the animals body language, as most will give a warning. Except when surprized or you get between them and their young. I hope some day to kayak the Wisconsin and Minnesota area's. It is a great story to bad you didn't get a picture.”

“Sounds like we're on the same page. I wouldn't carry one around here, but the BWCA could be another matter. No problem with me seeking options other than blazing away at whatever pops up either. I don't compulsively shoot at anything except for my neighbors outdoor crapper.”

“To carry a gun in Minnesota you need to have a gun permit. $100 for the first year. The permit is NOT good for Federal buildings, like the Boundary Waters Offices, State Parks, and National Parks.

http://www.packing.org/state/index.jsp/all+united+states

Lot easier carrying bear spray. Save the gun for your urban hiking where you really have to be on guard for deadly predators. Too bad that idiot Wisconsin governor vetod your CCW law, and the override failed by one vote.”

“The law regarding guns and the BWCA wouldn't be the issue for me. I'd rather carry something and pay the fine (or do the time) than end up as particulate in wolf feces along some lonely trail. That being said, I'm probably just to lazy to go through all the work of buying a gun. Maybe I'll just get some wolf's clothing from a costume store.”

“That was my cousin you saw.”

“It was? Wow, he rocks. No wait, you rock.”

“In 2001:

47,288 people killed in car accidents
11,348 by criminals with guns
1,054 drownings in natural water
44 by lightning
43 by bees and wasps
25 by dogs
7 by snakes
5 by spiders
Source: http://www.nsc.org/lrs/statinfo/odds.htm


"While wolves certainly have the ability to kill people, there has never been a verified report of a healthy wild wolf deliberately attacking or seriously injuring a human in North America" from

Point being: Wear a seat belt, wear a life vest, carry a gun in the city, and watch out for snakes and spiders. Wolves are your friend. And bear spray works better on a wild animals than a gun. When I worked for a police department almost 30 years ago, the officers routinely responded to calls of dangerous dogs by shooting them with their 38 caliber revolvers. Often they would keep running despite multiple impacts in the body. Bear spray brings even the big animals down right now.”

“Missed second source: from http://species.fws.gov/species_accounts/bio_gwol.html”

“Your last sentence sold me. Looks like it's time to find some bear spray and I guess I'll just have to be content with shooting my neighbors outhouse. Thanks.”