Two Bear Hounds Killed By Wolves This Week
Incidents occurred in Bayfield County
Gray wolf packs in Bayfield County have killed two dogs in the past week.
On July 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves from the Delta Pack in Bayfield County depredated a bear training hound on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in the Town of Delta. The incident killed a three-year-old female redtick.
Last winter, the Delta Pack was comprised of two wolves and had pups this spring. Wolves in the pack are currently using rendezvous sites and are are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR set up a caution area that follows Beck, W. Delta, and Muskie Lake Roads on the west, County H on the north, Pike River Road and Delta Drummond Road to the east, and FR 392 (Reynard Lake and Jann’s Road) on the south. Hunters and dog trainers should be aware of the potential conflict and should be careful within the caution area.
On July 25, USDA-Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves killed a second bear training hound in the Town of Port Wing. This inicident occurred on private lands in Bayfield County and involved a 1 1/2 year old male Australian heeler.
The attack was probably due to the Orienta Pack that consisted of two wolves last winter, says the DNR. Since the depredation occurred on private property no caution area was created.
For more information about living with wolves, visit the DNR website.