March Wolf Workshop
“We found sign all over!” declared Dan Youngbauer and Travis Booms, the March TWIN workshop trackers. These words were the frosting on the cake for a great weekend session. The thirty new faces in the classroom at Treehaven had traveled from all parts of Wisconsin and as far away as the state of Missouri. They were eager to learn and would soon become a group of friends interested in studying the elusive wolf. Instructors Don Bogdanske, TWIN secretary, and Paula Hanson, TWIN vice-chairperson, had earlier presented the group with a wolf ecology, biology and field study techniques lecture and slide show. When the news that tracks (sign) had been found, the group was ready for a bus trip out to the Averill Creek Pack territory.
After lunch on Saturday the participants boarded the bus. As is custom, everyone was dressed for the weather. The temperature was in the upper 20s with knee-deep snow. The winter had been particularly harsh on the deer because of the heavy snowfalls in northern Wisconsin. We were prepared to find dead deer that may have been scavenged. This was like a fast food drive thru for the wolves and other predators. Clearly marked were tracks of coyote, fisher, deer, mice, white- tailed deer, snowshoe hare and, of course the main attraction, the timber wolf. The group estimated that there were six sets of wolf tracks. This was good news for the Averill Creek pack. As predicted, a deer carcass was found. Its red bone marrow indicated it must have died from stress. The participants had a wonderful time exploring various wildlife signs, making observations of relationships between land, animal and man.
The return was made to Treehaven where all enjoyed a superb meal and had a chance to purchase books, clothing and other items at the TWIN bookstore being run by board member Lorrie Barber. After supper the group again returned by bus to an earlier site where a howling response to the wolves was attempted between Bogdanske and Youngbauer. Even though no wolves returned howls, the calm evening quiet air captivated everyone’s auditory senses. Snowshoe hare could be heard nibbling on aspen and the soft distant steps of whitetail could be heard as they labored through the heavy snow. The sky was clear and brightly twinkling with millions of brilliant stars. Everyone felt a sense of satisfaction for a great day of activity.
The weekend continued with a whitetail jaw aging study. This was followed by a radio telemetry session, where one person was “collared” as the wolf and a team of trackers using the telemetry equipment searched for their “wolf.” Attitudes and values of European and Native American relationships with the wolf, through history, were also discussed. Through all these experiences, many friendships were made between the group and the TWIN facilitators. Contacts still continue with Don Bogdanske reporting that he has sent the wolf lab box out to four teacher participants of the March session. We are always delighted to have our workshop friendships and contacts continue.
Paula Hanson
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