Wolf sighting...Sled Springs unit

[Blackbeardown]

A buddy of mine was out turkey hunting this weekend in the sled springs unit and noticed a fresh set of tracks in the new snow. He didn't pay much attention to them at first but the critter tracks stayed on the road for a while so he got out and looked at them. Big big dog looking tracks. He drove a bit further and came to a large meadow. Out about 150 laying down in the sun on the edge of the timber was a bonafide wolf. He had a digital camera and was able to take 4 good pics. I saw them today. Definitely a wolf...not a coyote and absolutely not a german sheperd. This was about 15 miles due north of Wallowa.

[shadowstalker]

Could you be a little more specific to the area in Sled Springs. It sounds like close to Promise, or is it closer to the end of Indian Pt Rd. I hunt Elk out that general area

[beardbuster]

Can you post the pics?

[Fried Oyster]

Post the pics?

By the way, as the wolf population grows, it might get tricky going after yotes. I mean, what if I mistake a wolf for a yote and pop it?

[TheTexan]

Originally Posted by Fried Oyster

Post the pics?

By the way, as the wolf population grows, it might get tricky going after yotes. I mean, what if I mistake a wolf for a yote and pop it?

[elkthumper]

hiii

[Oregon-Jet]

hiiiii

If you edit my post please just delete it.

[elkthumper]

post pics please!

[Ryan Pultz]

Originally Posted by Fried Oyster

Post the pics?

By the way, as the wolf population grows, it might get tricky going after yotes. I mean, what if I mistake a wolf for a yote and pop it?

walk away Walk way

I would love to see the pic rp

[scubaseth]

:lurk:just waiting for the pics.

Scuba

[nobrownline]

Originally Posted by Fried Oyster

Post the pics?

By the way, as the wolf population grows, it might get tricky going after yotes. I mean, what if I mistake a wolf for a yote and pop it?

Dont take any pics!!

[traks44]

I am sure Matt would post pictures if allowed, I will vouch for him and say he knows what he is talking about. I for one do not need pictures to believe it but it would be nice to see a good picture indeed.

Hope he can post picts in a couple days!!!!

[Blackbeardown]

Ok...fellas. Here are some pics of a bonafide wolf in the sled springs unit. Not to far from Akers Butte.

[beardbuster]

Very cool! Thanks for posting.

[danger]

Not the first sighting in that area, and you can bet not the last.

Dan

[Chug]

Originally Posted by beardbuster

Very cool! Thanks for posting.

Looks like a radio collar on the one photo??..

That is WOLF!!. first one in Oregon

ODFW will love to go chase it down, & keep tabs on it..

Get the trail cam's.. this is new honey hole.

[Hunt'nFish]

No surprise, they've only been out there for some 4-5yrs now. Although I do believe these are the first pics of them.

Matt, make sure those pics get to Vic and crew.
Email me the full res pics and I'll post them up via photobucket.
I think we'd all like to see them in high res.
Hunt'nFish

[Cliff D.]

Not the first Chug, but certainly not the last !!

[scottishsetter]

Let's put him/her on Craigs list!

[Lefty]

Definately not the 1st and not the last!

[Big Billy]

Originally Posted by Fried Oyster

Post the pics?

By the way, as the wolf population grows, it might get tricky going after yotes. I mean, what if I mistake a wolf for a yote and pop it?

Oh Darn I hate it when that happens, did the tracks look like the dog was dragging his back feet in the snow? Sure sign of a wolf, you will know when the wolves get there, there will be far less yotes and elk !

[RogueFishr]

Originally Posted by Hunt'nFish

No surprise, they've only been out there for some 4-5yrs now.

Been here since at least October 2000, but I digress.

Cool pictures. Thanks for posting them.

RF

[Ras]

New Oregon Fauna:

- Moose - check
- Wolf - check
- Griz - next???

Should make for an interesting future. Thanks for the pics.

Ras

[Chug]

Originally Posted by Ras

New Oregon Fauna:

- Moose - check
- Wolf - check
- Griz - next???

Should make for an interesting future. Thanks for the pics.

Ras

forgot Wolverine

[Jellyhead]

Originally Posted by Chug

forgot Wolverine

Dont forget

FISHER and.....
LYNX

Aaron

[Ras]

Hey now guys; them critters have been here all along.

Ras

[jvp]

we had reliable sightings of a wolf in k county back in the 60's.

[Cliff D.]

A wolf sighting in the 60's doesn't translate into a sustainable population.

[willametteriveroutlaw]

Originally Posted by Cliff D.

A wolf sighting in the 60's doesn't translate into a sustainable population.

I hope we never have one of those.

[OutdoorBum]

Here we go....:lurk:

[spottedhawk36]

thats a wolf alright, nice pics

[Timber]

Originally Posted by Blackbeardown

Ok...fellas. Here are some pics of a bonafide wolf in the sled springs unit. Not to far from Akers Butte.

There is no reason to doubt him as the wife and I saw one in chesnimius in the 02 buck season. The critter was on the imnaha side of buckhorn springs. Still kicking myself for not envoking

[scubaseth]

That looks like a good size wolf. Thanks for sharing!

Scuba

[Gun Rod Bow]

flippin great...

[Chug]

Has these photos been sent to ODFW?. To report it?.

Or this a Coyote on roids?

Wish for bigger photo's..

If there is one. should be two. Dog's are pack animals.

[roadsend]

Originally Posted by Fried Oyster

Post the pics?

By the way, as the wolf population grows, it might get tricky going after yotes. I mean, what if I mistake a wolf for a yote and pop it?

Accidents happen. Not the end of the world. Just be sure to report it to ODFW. I am sure they will understand.

[Gun Rod Bow]

Originally Posted by Chug

If there is one. should be two. Dog's are pack animals.

Nope.

In Wolf "society" adolecent males are pushed out of the pack and become "Lone Wolves". Those are the ones most apt to stray and seek new ground.

The total missnomer of "breeding pair" is really a pack of 8-16. That doesn't account for all the loners between the mythical "breeding pairs".

Remember that when the pro-wolf crowd says "Hey, we just want a few breeding pairs". It is a pure deception.

At least now the bios in Sled Springs have a new factor to consider in the continuing decline of elk there...

Flippin great.

[freespool]

Don't wolves hunt in packs? How effective is a lone wolf going to be against a large game animal?

[Gun Rod Bow]

Originally Posted by freespool

Don't wolves hunt in packs? How effective is a lone wolf going to be against a large game animal?

Does he look skinny to you?

They get it done Barney.

Yes packs hunt in packs.

Wolves are opportunistic predators and capable of taking down an elk solo. Especially in snow, where he is.

[beaverheart]

I'll bet that the coyote population will be reduced in size. No doubt that a lone wolf could survive here although there are undoubtedly others here as well.

[ommedia]

Ras-

It's funny you mention Grizzlies...

Talk to the right person at the Baker City office and you'll find someone who is aware of a big Sow and a cub that were in the Pine Creek area in the fall of 2006 (have no idea of the current status). I did not personally see them, but do know those that did. They thought at first they were looking at a HUGE blond sow, then saw the radio collar and the hump. It took them a few tries to get anyone at the Baker City office to talk about it when they walked in. What I was told, was that the bio was aware of a sow that had come over from Idaho, that may or may not have a cub.

Originally Posted by Ras

New Oregon Fauna:

- Moose - check
- Wolf - check
- Griz - next???

Should make for an interesting future. Thanks for the pics.

Ras

[No Luck]

Originally Posted by Chug

Or this a Coyote on roids?

That would be my story!!!! And I would stick to it...

[Hunt'nFish]

BlackbearDown asked me to toss these pics of a sighting over By Durkee, OR as well.

<Click to Enlarge pics>

Pics taken April 14, 2008
According to source, "This young wolf was trying to cross the freeway between Baker City and Ontario. Heading west."

Hunt'nFish

[freespool]

Originally Posted by Gun Rod Bow

Does he look skinny to you?

They get it done Barney.

Yes packs hunt in packs.

Wolves are opportunistic predators and capable of taking down an elk solo. Especially in snow, where he is.

Bruce, you know me better than that, when I ask a question on this board, I already have a pretty good idea what the answer is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lone_wolf_(trait)

Whoopps link didn't work properly, here's what it said.

A lone wolf is a wolf that lives by itself rather than with others as part of a pack. Most, if not all, lone wolves are ones that were banished from their packs such as a former pack leader or discarded pups (wolves prefer the safety of a pack; therefore, they almost never leave by choice). As such lone wolves are usually stronger, more aggressive and far more dangerous than the average pack wolf by necessity. They have difficulty hunting, as wolves's favorite prey are large ungulates, and it is nearly impossible for a wolf to bring one down by itself (hunting on their own can be done, as lone wolves are naturally stronger and some specialise in hunting moose on their own). Instead, they will hunt smaller animals and scavenge. Sometimes, a lone wolf will find another lone wolf of the opposite sex, and the two will start a new pack.
Among non-canines, this typically refers to individuals who prefer solitude and/or works alone. This term is not be confused with the term hermit. Hermits distance themselves from the world and live their lives outside of society. Lone wolves live their lives on their own with very little if any friends and are often have no family or on bad terms with what is left of their family or simply consider them dead and/or vice versa. However, they do still live in society in most cases.

[Gun Rod Bow]

Originally Posted by freespool

This term is not be confused with the term hermit. Hermits distance themselves from the world and live their lives outside of society. Lone wolves live their lives on their own with very little if any friends and are often have no family or on bad terms with what is left of their family or simply consider them dead and/or vice versa. However, they do still live in society in most cases.

Any Freudian reason you left this in...

[freespool]

Originally Posted by Gun Rod Bow

Any Freudian reason you left this in...

Whoops, sorry about that didn't see it.
I would agree with you that a lone wolf would pursue weak or sick animals, but injury is also a primary concern. Taking on a fully mature bull elk pushing 800lbs could be hazardous.

[Gun Rod Bow]

According to studies in Yellowstone, over 75% of wolf's diet consists of elk.

In the spring time, a majority of what they prey on are adult bulls.

"In the latest “wolf weekly” report from Ed Bangs at USFWS, Ed wrote: Yellowstone Park researchers report that the summer predation study is going well. Approx 31 kills have been found May-mid through mid-July and they are 20 bulls, 5 cows, 5 calves, 1 mule deer. These data support the results of research done by following tagged elk calves [wolves killed few] and generally, but less so, scat analyses (scat analyses show more mule deer used in summer). "

I am not concerned about a single wolf. This is just the leading edge of the wave.

According to the Oregon Wolf Plan, their Management Objective of "breeding pairs" (packs) needs to be established before delisting is considered. "Breeding Pairs" does not take into account loners.

So what may sound like a dozen or so due to the purposely missleading semantics is in reality hundreds. Hundreds of new predators to join the increased bear and cougar populations in further reducing the declining populations of elk in this state.

And in the interest of clarity, I am not whining because I don't kill elk. As a matter of fact I killed my bull during bow season probably within 2 miles of where that pic was taken.

When the bio stopped by our camp, he told us that there had been a record number of cougars killed in Sled Springs unit so far that year (14 as I recall). That was before counting the one killed by the bowhunters in the next camp that day. And before any of the gun seasons had started. BTW, I saw 3 bears that week.

Maybe I can show pics to my kids of what elk hunting used to be in Oregon.

[NWaddict]

This is a very interesting thread so far. I have to say I'm not thrilled about the idea of wolves establishing much of a presence in Oregon either. I go to law school with some of the most extreme predator-huggers you can imagine, so I understand the frustration.

My question is that while I know that mule deer populations seem to be down generally throughout the west, is it true that Oregon is one of the few states that has a declining elk population?

Can anyone link me to data that shows just how much the population has declined? I've looked at the aerial survey #'s in the yearly reports but they are hard for me to make sense of and I cant find anything to compare them with.

I dont at all doubt that elk populations are down as I have seen it referenced generally in articles, but as a life-long-fisherman-just-now-turning-hunter its hard for me grasp it without much experience or data.

Thanks,
Dom

[Gun Rod Bow]

A couple states are still on the increase but others are down. Where wolves are (in numbers), they are down.

New Report Examines the Effects of Wolves on Elk

CHEYENNE, March 23—A new report released today by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department ...

“We have seen a downward trend in many of Wyoming’s elk herds over this 26-year period,” said Wyoming Game and Fish Department Wildlife Chief Jay Lawson. “That trend is likely due to long-term drought and other habitat related factors. But in half of the herds occupied by wolves, we saw a significantly greater rate of decline after wolves were established compared to herds without wolves. We can’t attribute that increased rate of decline to any factor other than wolves.”

Biologists feel an elk herd’s population can be maintained at objective and provide some hunter harvest when the ratio of calves to cows is around 25 to 100. Once ratios fall below 20:100 there is very little opportunity for hunting. Four elk herds in Wyoming with wolves present have dropped below 25 calves per 100 cows, and two of those herds are below 20 calves per 100 cows. All four herds had declining ratios before wolves were present, but the rate of decline increased significantly after wolves were established. Currently, the only elk herds in the state with recruitment rates that will not support hunting, or possibly even stable populations, are those with significant wolf predation.

So in this case the wolves have accoplished the intended goal. Eliminated Sport hunting. All over Boston, New Jersey and San Francisco wine glasses are raised.


Sled Springs has experienced a general decline in elk population for the past 20 or so years. Recently, very low calf recruitment numbers have concerened managers there. Most agree that increased populations of bear and cougars since hunting method restictions are the direct culprit.

BTW, the FWS is going ahead with a plan to reduce cougar numbers in Sled Springs. Their data showed a coorelation between increased predation and low calf recruitment.

[willametteriveroutlaw]

Don't kid yourself, look who is pushing reintroduction and protections.

http://www.backpacker.com/blogs/140

Scary stuff.

I have heard that the federal investigators are now freezing any cell phone signals in the areas when a wolf mortality is shown on a collar. Sounds like they are doing there job to protect the wolves from poaching in EO.

[Hunt'nFish]

I don't understand.....what do cell phones have to do with wolves and the 3S's?
Hunt'nFish

[scottishsetter]

FOR THE LIFE OF ME; I can't see how 6 breeding pairs in Yellowstone Park and 300 animals TOTAL suddenly became kill all the Elk in the western states???????????????????????????????????????????? ???

Do they think we will sit for this? Wolves now in 2008; that is war against hunting in the west. We the hunters deserve more. We the hunters deserve to have 'our' prey included in the "endangered species"act...........

[willametteriveroutlaw]

Originally Posted by Hunt'nFish

I don't understand.....what do cell phones have to do with wolves and the 3S's?
Hunt'nFish

Basically, If you shoot a wolf with your cell phone on the feds will show up at your door.

[tailchaser]

First of all, I'm not against wolves at all......I'm against the poor management of them and how environmentalist handcuff the ability for everything and everyone to have a piece of the pie. I've hunted an area (Bitterroots) and discussed the wolves at length with locals and bio's in the area. One thing remains constant, they are very efficient hunters and can wipe an area clean in short order. The elk change dynamics in shutting up more (bugling) and keep on a constant move to avoid them. The deer in the area we were in well, were non-existant. I horsebacked and hunted an area over 45 sq. miles and didn't even see a deer track. Basically, Oregon does a horrible job of managing predators to date, they get an F- on my grade scale and won't object to the enviro's take on removing them. So adding the most efficient one in the mix only bodes for sad days ahead for this state without control.

tc