Progress Report of
Wolf Population Monitoring in
Wisconsin for the Period
January - March 1997

April 5, 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

  • Tranus Lake Pack
  • 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

    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
    		•

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

    Wolf 19(adult male) and yearling female 263F, were located 11 and 25 times respectively during the quarter and were together 7 times. Wolf 191M went off the air after February 13, 1997, probably due to radio failure. He had transmitted since July 19, 1993, and was believed to be the alpha male of this pack. At least 7 wolves were observed in this pack indicating good pup survival; probably 3-4 of these were last year's pups.

    Bruce Kohn conducted 10 miles of survey in this pack and found lots of RLU's and proestral blood indicating breeding activity.

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

    Wolf 267M (adult male) was located 25 times and seen 18 times with up to 5 other wolves. This male was probably the alpha. Probably 3 or 4 pups from last year had survived. Track surveys covering 22 miles had many RLU's, suggesting breeding activity.

    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

    This group was the largest pack in Wisconsin during winter 1996-1997. In early winter, with wolf 194M (adult male) and 266F (yearling female) present, at least 11 occurred in this pack. Wolf 194M dispersed after January 30, 1997, reducing the pack to 10 wolves. Wolf 194M was located 9 times in January and was with 266F 6 times. Between January 30 and February 17, wolf 194M was apparently alone (6 locations), but after February 20 through March 31 he was with yearling female 255F on 14 of 15 locations in an area 16 miles southeast of the Crotte Pack.

    Wolf 266F was located 25 times and was observed 9 times with up to 9 other wolves. Pup survival apparently had been very good in this pack. Probably at least 6 of these wolves were last year's pups.

    During 39 miles of survey in this territory, Bruce Kohn verified breeding activity based on RLU's and proestral blood.

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

    Adult female 210F was located 24 times during the quarter and was seen 13 times with up to 2 other wolves. Possibly one of these 2 wolves was a surviving pup from last year, although there was no positive evidence that a~ pups were produced last year. Bruce Kohn found RLU's along 54 miles of survey in this pack this winter, indicating probable breeding activity. The Chase Brook Pack found in the southwest corner of this county is discussed under Burnett County below.

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

    Wolf 185F (adult female) was located 22 times in this pack through March 20, but was lost after that date. She was observed 12 times, once with another wolf and 11 times by herself. As many as 3 wolves were seen in the pack on November 4, 1996, but no more than 2 had been seen since that time. Bruce Kohn found single RLU's but no double RLU's or proestral blood along seven miles of track survey. Therefore, it was unclear whether breeding had occurred this winter. It appeared that no pups were successfully raised from last year.

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

    Adult male 230M and adult female 187F formed this pack with a third wolf last year. The two were located 25 times and were together on 22 of these. Wolf 230M was observed 14 times with up to 2 wolves, and 187F was observed 12 times with up to 2 wolves. The two collared wolves were joined by another adult-sized wolf when they formed this pack last year, therefore the third animal in this pack probably does not represent a surviving pup from last year. During 45 miles of track surveys in this pack, RLU's and proestral blood were found, indicating probable breeding.

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

    Wolf 195F (adult female) dispersed east from the Crex Meadow pack after the end of December 1996. She had been the last collared wolf in that pack, but her movements since spring 1996 had extended beyond the pack territory. Extensive surveys were not conducted in the area during the quarter, but the crew at the Crex Meadow Wildlife Area had track observations of 3-4 wolves on two occasions. Status of breeding activity was not known.

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

    No collared wolves occurred in this pack during the quarter. Sign of 5 wolves were found along 19 miles of track survey, and RLU's and proestral blood indicated breeding activity. The count of 5 indicated that at least 3 pups had survived from last year. The pack still occupied land on the west side of U. S. highway 53 between Trego and Minong. Trapper information from the area suggested that the pack may be ranging out further than during previous years.

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

    Wolf 194M (adult male - probably 4 or more years old) from the Crotte Creek Pack and yearling female 255F, originally from the Rainbow Lake Pack, met between February 17 and 20 in north central Washburn County and were together for the next 14 of 15 locations. From late February to the end of March wolf 194M was observed 1 I times including 9 seen with 255F.

    Wolf 194M had been a steady member of the Crotte Creek Pack in Douglas County
    Wolf 255F had dispersed from the Rainbow Lake Pack in Bayfield County in the beginning of April 1996, and had roamed broadly through Bayfield, Douglas, Washburn and Sawyer Counties.

    The two wolves remained within an area of about 10 square miles north and west of Tranus Lake. Bruce Kohn and Jim Ashbrenner conducted 84 miles of track searches in the area and found several single RLU's. The two wolves met at the height of the breeding season, and it is possible that breeding could have occurred.

    The Tranus Lake area includes the Rainy Lake area where wolf 260F (yearling female) was killed in November 1996. Also, wolf 254F (pup female) from the Smoky Hill pack was just north of nearby Gull Lake when its signal was lost in February 1996. Despite these possible mishaps, the Tranus Lake area does have a fair amount of wildlands that would appear to be suitable for wolves.

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

    Sarah Boles conducted 4 surveys of 49 miles in the Rainbow Lake area, and detected tracks of 3-4 wolves showing some breeding activity on March 3, 1997. On March 8, 1997, a dead adult female wolf was found. It occurred at a deer feeding station off Highway A, near the west side of this territory. The wolf may have been the alpha femate and had a severe case of mange that probably contributed to her death. She may have been one of the 3-4 wolves detected by Boles 5 days earlier. With a count of 2-3 wolves, possibly 1 pup was produced and survived in this pack from last year. Wolf 255F, temporarily removed from this pack in 1995 and held in captivity for 53 days, also had a severe case of mange. Possibly the dead female had been 255F's mother. Prospects for pup production in the Rainbow Lake Pack look somewhat dismal for this year.

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

    Sarah Boles conducted 55 miles of tracking in the Flag River area and found tracks of 2 wolves displaying raised-leg urinations on January 12, 1997. If any pups were produced last year, none apparently survived, but breeding had again occurred. Northland College students also conducted 94 miles of survey in this territory.

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

    Yearling female 259F was located 13 times during the quarter, and was observed 5 times with up to 6 other wolves. The pack mainly occupied the land between Highways 27 and 63 north of Nelson Lake and south of the Eau Claire Lakes. Sarah Boles and Pam Troxell conducted 18 miles of tracking in this pack and indicated breeding based on RLU's and proestral blood. It appears that 3 or 4 of last year's pups had survived in this pack.

    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

    Sign of 4-5+ wolves was found on two track surveys of 19.4 miles in this territory. Double RLU's sod proestral blood was detected on February 13 when a minimum count of 5 wolves was obtained. Probably 2-3 pups survived from last year, and apparently, breeding had again occurred.

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

    Sign of 2 wolves were detected three times by Sarah Boles on 153 miles of survey, and three times by Lowell Tesky along 50 survey miles. Proestral blood was found on January 14 and 25, 1997. No pups were apparently produced or survived in this pack from last year.

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

    Wolf 258F (adult female) was located 12 times during the quarter and was observed 6 times with up to 5 other wolves. This wolf was apparently observed last summer with as many as 8 pups, and it appeared that half were still alive. DNR personnel conducted 156 miles of survey, and U. S. Forest Service conducted 104 miles. Breeding activity was again detected. The pack mainly occupied the area from Highway 77 to F.R 164, and County GG to the Forest eastern boundary.

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

    Wolf 257M (adult male) has dispersed from this pack in November 1996, leaving no collared wolves in the pack. Boles conducted 26.5 miles of tracking and determined breeding activity from tracks of 3 wolves showing RLLT's and proestral blood. Apparently one of these was probably a surviving pup from last year. Northland College students tracked 73.6 miles in this territory and found evidence of 2-3 wolves.

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

    The Brush Creek area lies east of Highway GG and east of the Hellhole Creek Pack. Boles and Wydeven conducted 81 miles of tracking in the territory. At least S wolves showing breeding activity were found in this pack (RLU's and proestral blood). It was not clear if these wolves represented the original Brush Creek Pack or if members from the Hellhole Creek Pack has split and moved into this area. There was evidence during winter of two distinct breeding pairs between the two packs. It appears that 2-3 pups probably survived from last year in this pack.

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

    Wolf 229F (adult female) was located 13 times, and was observed 4 times, including 2 with another wolf. Northland College students detected 2 wolves on 5 of 6 surveys covering 47.2 miles of the territory. Proestral blood was detected on February 2, 1997. Although as many as 5 wolves may have been present last summer, apparently no pups survival to the winter. This pack was involved with depredation on two dogs that were killed last summer, and injured two other dogs involved in bear hunting and training.

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

    Two reports were received of possible wolf activity in this area, but DNR trackers were unable to confirm. On February 6, 1997, two wolves were detected, but these occurred at a time when wolf 253F of the Pine Lake Pack made a short visit to the area. Possibly another pair of wolves also inhabited the area.

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

    Wolf 253F (adult female) was located 13 times, and observed 5 times, including 3 times with another wolf. Three wolves were seen in this group on two occasions in December. Possibly the pack produced one successful pup, but it may have disappeared by late winter. Nancy Warren conducted 92 miles of survey in this territory and found some territorial marking on February 15.

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

    Sarah Boles detected 5 wolves in this territory on 2 surveys in January covering 39 miles. Breeding activity was detected and proestral blood was found on January 17. It seemed that three pups had survived in this pack from last year. The pack roamed areas along the Iron/Ashland County line near the headwaters of the Chippewa River.

    Surplus killing apparently occurred in this territory in early March On or within a day of March 4, 1997, 6 deer were apparently killed by the pack in a timber sale. When examined by Bruce Bacon on March 7, 1997, only small portions of meat had been eaten; these included 3 adult does, a yearling doe, a yearling buck and a fawn buck. Although bone marrow appearance (white to reddish/pink) did not indicate severe starvation, deer were all probably stressed and had difficulty traveling in the deep snow. Four fawns and one adult doe (older kills) were found dead in the adjacent forest; the fawns mostly showed signs of severe malnutrition and one or two had probably died from starvation.

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

    Tribal biologist Tom Dolittle reported that this pack in the western and southern portions of the Bad River Reservation consisted of 4 wolves. Double RLU's and proestral blood were detected. It seems 2 pups probably survived from last year.

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

    Tom Dolittle reported 4 wolves in this pack in the northeast portion of the Bad River Reservation. Apparently 2 pups survived from last year, and breeding activity again occurred (RLU's and proestral blood).

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

    No update reported for this quarter

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

    Wolf 237 (adult female) was located 13 times and was seen 5 times with up to 2 other wolves. Probably no pups were produced in this pack last year. Five miles of survey were conducted in this pack and some breeding activity was detected. The pack occurred across eastern portions of the Flambeau State Forest, Kimberly-Clark Wildlife Area and swampland to the east.

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

    Wolf 225F was located 9 times during the quarter and was seen S times with up to 5 other wolves. Three surveys covering 44.3 miles were run by Ron Schultz in this pack. Breeding activity, inctuding RLU's and proestral blood, were found on February 13. Apparently 4 pups had survived from last year.

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

    Ron Schultz conducted 46.3 miles of survey in this pack an<1 found evidence of 2-3 wolves. Single RLU's were detected, but no double RLU's nor proestral blood were found. No pups apparently survived in this pack

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

    Three surveys covering 33.7 miles were run by Ron Schultz in wildlands south of the Willow Flowage. Evidence of a pack of 3 wolves was found somewhat west of areas occupied by wolf 201M in 1991-1995. It was not clear whether this represented a new pack or these wolves were remnants of the old Little Rice River Pack. Breeding activity was detected on January 18. The presences of 3 wolves indicate that the pack may have produced 1 pup last year.

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

    Averill Creek Pack: Sheri Buller and Pat Rominski ran 3 surveys covering 40.9 mites in the Averill Creek Pack area. Six wolves were detected on 2 occasions and proestral blood was found on February 3. Probably 3-4 pups had survived in this pack from last year. Volunteers with Chris Giese surveyed another 68.2 miles in this pack

    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 Pack: Wolf 238M (adult wolf) was located 18 times and was observed by himself twice. Wolf 274 (adult male) was also located 18 times and was observed 4 times including one with another wolf. The two wolves were together on two occasions, but neither was observed at those times. On February 25, wolf 274M rejoined the Wildcat Pack after having left the pack last November. He had traveled extensively through the cranberry country of eastern Jackson and western Wood Counties. Aerial observations of this pack has been difficult because of the dense cover used by them.

    On March 5, Ken Jonas ran 3 survey crews through the Wildcat Pack area and found sign of 7 wolves. Breeding activity was not detected but suspected. Apparently pups survival was rather high, with 4-5 pups present.

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

    Wayne Hall and others conducted 3 surveys covering 45.3 miles in the South Bluff area of southwest Wood County. Wolf sign was found on all 3 surveys and on January 7, 5 wolves were detected. Probably 2-3 pups had survived. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point students conducted 175.0 miles of additional survey of the South Bluff Pack and found RLU's on several surveys and detected proestral blood on February 10.

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

    Dick Thiel and others conducted 33.8 miles of tracking in the Bear Bluff area and found sign of 4-7 wolves on 3 surveys. RLU's were detected on 2 surveys. The minimum estimate for this pack was 7 wolves, probably including 3-4 pups. Wayne Hall had found proestral blood in this pack on February 14.

    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 January - March 1997. By Adrian P. Wydeven.