Progress Report of
Wolf Population Monitoring in
Wisconsin for the Period
October - December 1996

January 10, 1997

Douglas County

  • Truck Trail Pack
  • Empire Pack
  • 35 Pack
  • Crotto Creek Pack
  • Moose Lake Pack
  • Moose Road Pack

    Burnett

  • Chase Creek Territory
  • Crex Meadow Pack

    Washburn

  • Stuntz Brook Pair

    Bayfield

  • Rainbow Lake Pack
  • Smoky Hill Pack
  • Echo Valley Area

    Iron

  • Thornapple River Pack
  • Log Creek Pack
  • Torch River Pack
  • Hellhole Creek Pack
  • Augustine Lake Pack
  • Potato River Area
  • Pine Lake Pack
  • West Firebreak Pack
  • Chippewa River Pack
  • Morrison Creek Pack
  • O'Brien Lake Pack

    Price

  • Price Creek Pack
  • Bootjack Lake Pack
  • Little Rice River Pack
  • Wilson Flowage Pack

    Lincoln

  • Averill Creek Pack
  • Ranger Island Territory
  • N. Taylor County Pack

    Clark, Jackson, and Wood Counties

  • Wildcat Mound Pack
  • Bear Bluff Pack
  • South Bluff Pack
  • Sandhill Wildlife Area
    		•

    Click Here From a Larger Map




































    Update of the Truck Trail Pack located in Doulas County, WI

    Wolf 191 M (adult male) and 263F (yearling female) were located 24 times during the quarter, and the two were together 9 times. Up to 5 wolves have been seen with 191M, not Including 263F. Therefore at least 7 wolves occurred in the pack. Wolf 263 spent less time with the rest of the pack later in winter, and may be preparing to disperse. Although no successful howling surveys were obtained in this pack last summer, the high count indicated that pups were apparently produced.

    Pack update for the Empire Pack located in Douglas County, WI

    Wolf 267M (adult male) was located 24 times and was observed with up to 4 other wolves. Wolf 260F (yearling female) was initially thought to be part of this pack. Her capture and first 3 locations Last summer were in this territory, but from September 12 through September 21 she occurred in the Moose Lake Pack territory. Apparently at least 5 wolves occurred in the Empire Pack during the fall of 1996. A successful howl survey had been obtained in this pack last summer, and probably at least 2 pups were still present in the fall.

    Pack update for the 35 Pack located in Douglas County, WI

    No update reported during this quarter.

    Pack update for the Crotto Creek Pack located in Douglas County, WI

    Wolf 194 (adult male) and wolf 266 (yearling female) were located 24 times and were together 18 times during the quarter. Up to 9 other wolves were seen with these two wolves, therefore the pack contained at least 11 wolves. This is the largest pack observed in Wisconsin by DNR pilots. No successful howl surveys occurred in this pack, but pup production was apparently very successful.

    Pack update for the Moose Lake Pack located in Douglas County, WI

    Wolf 210 (adult female) was located 24 times during the quarter, but was not observed from the air. Wolf 260 (yearling female) was in this territory from September 12 through October 21, and perhaps was also a pack member, although the two were never located together. Wolf 260F dispersed to the south later October 21. No pups were detected in this pack from howling surveys last summer, but as with other packs, pups may have been missed.

    Pack update for the Chase Brook Pack located in Burnett County, WI

    Wolf 185F (adult female) was located 24 times in the northwest corner of Burnett County, southwest Douglas County and eastern Pine County. On November 4 wolf 185F was seen with 2 other wolves. It was thought that this wolf had not produced pups; this observation suggests that perhaps pups had been produced. Additional aerial observations will be needed to assess the pack's composition.

    Pack update for the Moose Road Pack located in Burnett County, WI

    Wolf 230M (adult male) and 187F (adult female) were located 24 times and were always together. The wolves were seen four times, and the pack contained one additional wolf. Howling surveys were successful last summer, therefore this additional wolf is probably a pup. This would represent the first successful mating of wolves 187F and 230M.

    Pack update for the Crex Meadow Pack located in Burnett County, WI

    Wolf 195F (adult female) of the original Crex Meadow Pack was located 21 times during the quarter. She was observed only once and was by herself.

    Wolf 195F was originally a member of the Crex Meadow Pack that occupied the Crex Meadow Wildlife Area, and areas along the St. Croix River north and west of the Wildlife Area.

    Last spring, after the demise of the Five Corner Pack to the north, wolf 195F began to roam widely. During the fall she roamed an area 19 miles north to south and 12 miles east to west. Her movements were mostly through the former Five Corner Pack area in St. Croix State Park, Minnesota and areas to the north.

    Possibly the Crex Meadow pack has also declined or disappeared. No wolves were detected from howl surveys last summer, and wolf sign in the Crex Meadow Wildlife area were sparse.

    Pack update for the Stuntz Brook Pack located in Washburn County, WI

    Wolf 199M went off the air Last summer, but the pack apparently had produced at least 4 pups in this small territory (=15 mi2) along U.S. Highway 53. Observations of 3 and 6 wolves were made in this territory during fall. Wolf 260F was seen in this territory with another wolf on November 4. Track surveys will be used during winter to assess pack numbers and the extent of the territory.

    Pack update for the Rainbow Lake Pack located in Bayfield County, WI

    Initial snow tracking was conducted in the Rainbow Lake territory, but no wolf sign was found. Very limited wolf sign was found in the territory last summer, although the pack's den seemed to have been used. Additional tracking will be conducted over winter.

    Pack update for the Flag River Pack located in Bayfield County, WI

    Two wolves were reported in the Flag River Pack area during fall. Northland College students found tracks of possibly 3 wolves in the territory. Snow track surveys will be conducted over winter. One or two wolves may also be using the Echo Valley west of Bayfield in the northern tip of the Bayfield peninsula.

    Pack update for the Smoky Hill Pack located in Bayfield County, WI

    Yearling female 259F was located 15 times during the quarter. Five wolves were seen with 259F on December 11. Although mange appeared to occur in pups in this pack, probably 2-3 pups survived to early winter. The pack continued to occupy southwest Bayfield County and extreme northwest Sawyer County.

    Pack update for the Echo Valley Pack located in Bayfield County, WI

    No update reported for this quarter

    Pack update for the Thornapple River Pack located in Sawyer County, WI

    No wolf surveys were conducted in this territory in east Sawyer County during the quarter. Snow tracking will be done during winter. Hunter reports indicate up to 4 wolves in the area.

    Pack update for the Log Creek Pack located in Ashland and Sawyer Counties, WI

    No wolf sign was observed on two track surveys in the Log Creek territory of south Ashland and northeast Sawyer counties, but tracking conditions were marginal. No positive wolf sign was detected in this territory since last winter.

    Pack update for the Torch River Pack located in Ashland County, WI

    Wolf 258F (adult female) was located 15 Times during the quarter southeast of Clam Lake. She was observed with 2 other wolves on December 11, 1996. This probably does not represent the whole pack because 8 pups had been observed in this pack last summer. Wolf 258F is probably the alpha female of this pack. Additional attempts will be made during winter to observe this pack from the air.

    Pack update for the Hellhole Creek Pack located in Bayfield and Ashland Counties, WI

    Wolf 257M (adult male) was Initially thought to be the alpha male of this pack, but in late November he dispersed east of the Hellhole Creek territory. He was located 13 times during the quarter. The original perceived status of the animal was probably incorrect. By the end of December, 257M had moved 29 miles east of the Hellhole Creek Pack to the Gile Flowage area of Iron County.

    No observations were made of 257M during the quarter. Track surveys will be necessary to determine wolf numbers in the Hellhole Creek pack.

    Pack update for the Brush Creek Pack located in Bayfield and Ashland Counties, WI

    No surveys were conducted in the Brush Creek area northeast of Clam Lake during the quarter. Wolf 257M passed through the area on his way eastward. No pups were heard in this territory last summer, but a dead pup was found along a forest road. Track surveys will be conducted during winter.

    Pack update for the Augustine Lake Pack located in Ashland and Iron Counties, WI

    Wolf 229F (adult female) was located 15 Times in this territory during the quarter, and was observed only 2 Times. She was seen with only one other wolf, but others may be present. Jack Stewart's students detected sign of 3 or 4 wolves In this pack during fall. Pups had been produced Last spring. Wolf 229F seemed to occupy a relatively small area along the Ashland/Iron County border. e needed during winter to assess the status of this pack.

    Pack update for the O'Brien Lake Pack located in Iron County, WI

    No surveys were conducted in this territory in central Iron County during the quarter. Wolf 257M moved into the northeast side of this territory during late December. Aerial surveys will attempt to determine if he joins up with this territory. Track surveys will be used to assess the number in this pack.

    Pack update for the Pine Lake Pack located in Iron County, WI

    Wolf 253F (adult female) the alpha female of this pack was Located 14 Times during the quarter. She was seen twice during the quarter; both Times with 2 other wolves. The presence of 3 wolves indicates that 253F may have produced at least 1 pup Last spring. The pack occupied areas west of Pine Lake and Highway 51 in central Iron County. Although during summer some movements had been made east of Highway 51, all the quarter's locations have been west of the highway.

    Pack update for the Chippewa River Pack located in Iron County, WI

    No surveys were conducted on this territory northwest of Flambeau Flowage during the quarter. Tracks surveys will be planned Later this winter.

    Pack update for the West Firebreak Pack located in Iron County, WI

    Tom Dolittle reported 4 wolves in this pack in the western Bad River Indian Reservation. Apparently pups were produced and at least 2 survived by November.

    Pack update for the Morrison Creek Pack located in Iron County, WI

    Four wolves were reported in this pack along the Lake Superior shorelines of the Bad River Reservation. Pups were probably also produced In this pack.

    Pack update for the Potato River area located in Iron County, WI

    A third pack may occur in the Bad River Reservation on the south side of the reservation. Additional surveys will be needed during winter to assess the status of this pack.

    Pack update for the Price Creek Pack located in Price and Sawyer Counties, WI

    Wolf 237 (adult female) was located 15 times during the quarter and was seen by herself once. Although this wolf did not seem clearly associated with this pack for much of the Last year, she continues to use the general pack area in western Price County. Wolf 237 was assumed to be a subordinate female in this pack. 8ecause of her loose association with this pack, observations of other wolves perhaps will not occur with 237F. Therefore track surveys will be necessary, to determine the pack size.

    Pack update for the Bootjack Lake Pack located in Price and Oneda Counties, WI

    Wolf 225F, the alpha female of Bootjack Lake Pack, was located 7 times during the quarter. She was observed once by herself. Other wolves were probably missed, and hopefully win be observed in furture flights. Apparently at least 6 pups were produced last spring. Track surveys by Ron Schultz thus far have come up with only one or two wolves. Additional surveys will be done next quarter.

    Pack update for the Wilson Flowage Pack located in Price and Oneda Counties, WI

    Wolf 128M (adult male) with an inactive collar was assumed to be the alpha male in this territory. On two track surveys, Ron Schultz was able to detect only two wolves. Not all wolves may have bean detected. Pups were heard in this territory last summer. The pack's territory seemed to occur around Wilson Flowage in the Park Falls District of the Chequamegon National Forest.

    Pack update for the Little Rice River Pack located in Price and Oneida Counties, WI

    Tracks of at least one wolf were detected by Ron Schultz south of the Willow Flowage in western Oneida County. Hunter reports indicate that 2 to 3 wolves may occur in the area. Additional surveys will be done later in winter.

    Pack update for the Averill Creek Pack located in Lincoln and Taylor Counties, WI

    No wolf sign was found in the pack on a single survey by Ron Schultz. Addition surveys are planned by Ron and Sheri Buller. Reports of up to 6 wolves were received from hunters in the area during fall.

    Pack update for the Ranger Island Pack located in Lincoln and Taylor Counties, WI

    No update reported for this quarter

    Pack update for the North Taylor Pack located in Lincoln and Taylor Counties, WI

    No update reported for this quarter

    Pack update for the Wildcat Mound Pack located in Clark, Jackson, and Wood Counties, WI

    Wildcat Mound Pack: Adult male 238M was located 16 times during the quarter, but was not observed. Wolf 274M (adult male) had been a member of this pack, but dispersed after October 28. Wolf 274 moved eastward toward Wisconsin Rapids. Flights during winter will concentrate on attempts to observe these wolves, and any wolves that may accompany them. Track surveys will also be done In the area. Wolf 238M continued roaming the area around the Black River State Forest. Bear Bluff Pack: No track surveys were done this quarter in the Bear Bluff territory of eastern Jackson County. Surveys will be done next quarter.

    Pack update for the South Bluff Pack located in Clark, Jackson, and Wood Counties, WI

    Dick Thiel initiated surveys in this territory in southwest Wood County and found sign of 4-5 wolves. Additional surveys will be done later in winter.

    Pack update for the Bear Bluff Pack located in Clark, Jackson, and Wood Counties, WI

    No update reported for this quarter

    Pack update for the Sandhill Wildlife Area located in Clark, Jackson, and Wood Counties, WI

    No update reported for this quarter


    *source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Progress Report of Wolf Population monitoring in Wisconsin for the period October - December 1996. By Adrian P. Wydeven.