Wolf Identification How To Identify Wolves In Washington Wolf Plan Predation

WDFW enforcement Officer Pam Taylor steadies a male gray wolf in Pend Oreille County that has been temporarily sedated so it can be equipped with a satellite radio tracking collar.

After being fitted with a satellite radio collar, this male wolf will return to his pack.

Wolves of the "Diamond Pack" in Pend Oreille County.

Lack Of Fear

Skinner was correct. The areas of Asia where wolf attacks occur on humans are the same areas where people have no firearms or other effective means of predator control: See

Wolf-Human Encounters

Why

Hunt Wolves?

Analyzing the history of wolf-human and wolf-livestock conflicts in areas where wolves are hunted as compared to areas where wolves are not hunted, it is easy to conclude that wolves need to be hunted to reinforce their fear of ranching operations and humans so wolves and humans can co-exist in today's world.

Wolf Identification

The photo above shows two wolf tracks the front and hind foot, and a (smaller) coyote track. Wolf tracks are usually twice the size of coyote tracks. Tracks of both species are more oval shaped "canine-like" and similar to dog tracks. The two center toes of a wolf or coyote "canine track" are farther forward than the two center toes of a cougar "cat track" as shown in photos to the right.

The single track above shows the size of a wolf's hind foot, which without claws is usually 3.4-4.2" long and 2.8-3.8" wide. Notice the elongated oval shape of the toes and the overall track shape verses the rounder shape of cougar toes and the rounder shape of the cougar tracks shown to the right. Wolves and coyotes (canines) walk with their toe nails protruding which causes the pointed nail mark on the end of the toes.

This is an inline, "directly registered" walking wolf track set, meaning the wolf's hind foot is placed exactly in the front foot track. The tracks are 24" apart, which is a typical stride length for a wolf when walking.

A wolf's hind foot is smaller in size and generally placed in front of the hind foot when trotting. There are pointed claw marks on the end of the toes made by the protruding toe nails.

The above tracks were made by a single trotting wolf. These trotting wolf tracks are spaced about 3 feet apart.

First wolf taken on 2009 Idaho Hunt. Notice the large head, broader snout, and larger body size.

Large Coyote taken in Washington. Notice the small head, narrow snout, and smaller body size.

The photo above shows a cougar track which is more round shaped "cat-like" and similar to oversized domestic cat tracks. Cougar tracks are larger than coyote tracks, but smaller than wolf tracks.

The toes of a cougar (above) are more rounded than the toes of a wolf. A cougar track also has a rounder appearance and there are no toenail marks at the end of the toes of a cougar track because cats walk with their claws retracted.

Wolf on Trail Cam, Methow Valley

Twisp Area, Okanogan County

Wolf on Trail Cam, Methow Valley

Trail Cam Photo Of Gray Wolf

Predation, Methow Valley

Confirmed Wolf Predation, Live Cow

Contact the Wildlife Commission and Legislators: Contact Info

(1) Ask for "Hunting" to be included in the "Washington Wolf Plan" language as the "Eventual Wolf Management Tool".

(2) Ask for the right to protect your pets and livestock from wolves that are in the act of attacking.

(3) Ask for fewer Breeding Pairs to be required for delisting so that management can occur sooner.

(4) Ask what is being done to prevent wolf diseases like Hydatid Disease from infecting pets, animals, and humans.

(5) Ask what is being done to preserve your current lifestyle, your future safety, and your future hunting opportunities.

(6) Ask if all these considerations were addressed in the "Washington Wolf Plan".

(7) Ask for a response to your questions.

Report wolf sightings or send your comments for the Comments page to: info@bearpawoutfitters.com

Identification | Livestock | Videos 1 | Videos 2