Dog Depredations by Wolves in Wisconsin - 2009

Each year, with the beginning of the Wisconsin bear hound training and hunting season, bear hunters are reminded to exercise caution if they plan to train or hunt bear with hounds. As of September 23rd, seven hounds have been killed by wolves since the opening of bear hunting season. Hunters should use the caution area maps below to help reduce conflicts during this year's bear dog training season. Table 1 contains a summary of the 2009 dog depredations by wolves.

As with other wild canids, wolves are very territorial. Wolves guard their territories from other wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs. Wolves are probably most aggressive toward strange wolves and dogs when wolf pups are small at den and rendezvous sites, during the breeding season in January and February, and when they are protecting a fresh kill. Wolf packs have pups in spring and use rendezvous sites from mid June to late September, after the pups are big enough to leave their den. Adult wolves are very defensive of pups at rendezvous sites and will attack other predators, including dogs, that get too close to the rendezvous site or the pups. Some hunters have had success with bells on dog collars to reduce wolf attacks, but some dogs with bells have been attacked by wolves.

A pack will use from 2 to 3 to as many as 6 or more rendezvous sites during the summer. The exact locations vary from year to year and throughout the summer. The sites are usually forest openings or edge areas, with lots of wolf tracks, droppings, and matted vegetation. Move 2 or 3 miles from any rendezvous site, if possible, before releasing dogs. Avoid releasing dogs at baits recently visited by wolves. When looking for bear sign at a bait, make sure to also look for wolf tracks. Be familiar with your own dog's tracks, so that you can distinguish it from any wolf tracks. If a specific bait site is receiving a lot of wolf use, discontinue using it until wolves have left, and concentrate on an alternative bait site....

Bear hunters are urged to exercise greater caution if they plan to train hounds or hunt bear with hounds near the caution areas, especially if near the actual kill sites.

Anyone suspecting a wolf attack in northern Wisconsin should call USDA-WS immediately at 1-800-228-1368.

For more information on reducing conflicts between wolves and hunting dogs see "A Guide to Reducing Conflict Between Wolves and Hunting Dogs".

Cautions for Bear Hunters with Hounds:

• Learn from DNR web or local wildlife biologist locations of any possible wolf attacks on dogs in your hunting area


• Attempt to stay as close to dogs as possible


• Avoid releasing dogs at bear baits recently visited by wolves


• Avoid areas with high concentrations of wolf tracks, scats, and remains of wolf kills


• Learn to recognize your own dog tracks so that you can distinguish them from wolf tracks


• Use bells or beepers on dogs

Guidance for pet owners in wolf range near near forested areas:

• Do not leave pets outside overnight unless they have a sturdy kennel


• Avoid feeding deer near your home


• Don't leave cat or dogs food outside at night


• Don't deposit table scraps or animal products near home sites


• Keep pets on a leash or in visual/ auditory range on walks and vocalize regularly including use of whistles


• Don't allow dogs to roam at large


• Avoid releasing dogs outside for bathroom breaks after dark except in areas with good lighting or fenced

Table1. 2009 Dog Depredations by Wolves

The following maps are established caution areas:

Shanagolden Pack - Ashland County Caution Area
The Shanagolden Pack was responsible for injuring a bear hound while hunting on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. On September 26th, Wildlife Services confirmed that a 5 year old male Bluetick was injured by wolves. Hunters are reminded of the Ashland County Caution area seen on the map below for this wolf pack, which has killed 3 hounds this year.

**Click on the map to open a printable PDF

Log Creek Pack - Sawyer County Caution Area
On September 22, wolves from the Log Creek pack killed a hound while bear hunting on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Sawyer County. Killed was a male Walker hound of unknown age. This is the second hound killed by the Log Creek Pack this bear hunting season and hunters are urged to use caution while hunting in this area. The caution area includes areas within Ashland, Saywer, and Price counties as seen on the map below.

**Click on the map to open a printable PDF

Averill Creek Pack - Lincoln County Caution Area
Wildlife Services has verified that wolves killed a bear hound while hunting on DNR lands in Lincoln County. Killed was a 6 year old male Plott/Redbone mix. This appears to be the South Averill Creek Pack, which consisted of only 2 wolves last winter, but the location may also be the North Averill Creek pack from the north (5 wolves last winter). The caution area seen on the map below reflects portions of both pack territories. Hunters are urged to use caution if hunting within the caution area and to minimize conflicts with wolves while hunting.

**Click on the map to open a printable PDF

Shanagolden Pack - Ashland County Caution Area
Wolves from the Shanagolden Pack attacked and killed a hound while bear hunting on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Killed was a 3 1/2 year old male Redbone. This is the 3rd depredation by the Shanagolden Pack this bear hunting and training season. Hunters are reminded of the caution area seen in the map below and to take precautions if bear hunting with hounds in this area.

**Click on the map to open a printable PDF

Lake Nebagamon Pack - Douglas County Caution Area
On September 13th, Wildlife Services verified that wolves from the Lake Nebagamon pack killed a hound on the Brule River State Forest. Killed was a 3 year old female Walker hound. The pack consisted of 5-7 wolves last winter, and pup production was assumed this spring. Bear hunters are urged to use caution and minimize conflicts with wolves while hunting within this and other caution areas. The caution area includes Highway 53 on the west, Highway AA & A on the south, Highway 27 & S on the east, and Highway B on the north.

**Click on the map to open a printable PDF

Log Creek Pack - Ashland County Caution Area
On September 10th, two bear hunting hounds were attacked in the Town of Chippewa, Ashland County. The Log Creek Pack killed a female, 9-10 year old Bluetick/Plott hound and also a 3-4 year old Redtick female hound. Hunters are urged to use caution and minimize conflicts with wolves while hunting within this and other caution areas.

**Click on the map to open a printable PDF

Shanagolden Pack - Ashland County Caution Area
On September 10th, wolves from the Shanagolden Pack killed a hound in Ashland County. Killed was a 5-6 year old, female July hound while bear hunting on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. This pack has attacked and killed dogs in the past and hunters are urged to be cautious if hunting within the caution area seen on the map below.

**Click on the map to open a printable PDF

Shanagolden Pack - Ashland County Caution Area
On August 21st, Wildlife Services verified that wolved depredated a bear training hound in Ashland County. Killed was a 2 1/2 year old male Plott/Walker hound while bear training on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The responsible pack is the Shanagolden wolf pack, which consisted of 6 wolves last winter. Hunters are urged to be aware of the caution area on the map below when training hounds in this area. The caution area follows Highway 77, Forest Road 168 and 347 on the west, FR 164 and Stock Farm Road to the south, Right-of-Way Road, Lutz Road, and Highway 13 on the west, and Forest Road 181 and 182 on the north. Hunters are urged to use caution and minimize conflicts with wolves while training dogs within this and other caution areas.

**For a printable PDF map, click on the map below:

Brushy Ridge Pack - Clark County Caution Area
On August 15th, a 2 1/2 year old male Plott hound was attacked and killed by wolves in Levis Township, south of Neillsville. Wildlife Services verified the depredation, which occurred on Clark County Forest and was the 2nd one by the Brushy Ridge Pack this training season. Another 4 year old male Plott hound was injured. Wolves are currently using rendezvous sites, where the pups are left behind while the pack goes off to hunt. Adult wolves are very defensive of pups at rendezvous sites and will attack other predators, including dogs, that get too close to the rendezvous site or the pups. Hunters are urged to use caution and minimize conflicts with wolves while training dogs within this and other caution areas.

**For a printable PDF map, click on the map below:

Black Lake Pack - Ashland County Caution Area
On August 8th, Wildlife Services verified that wolves depredated a 3 year-old male Walker bear hound while training on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The pack was the Black Lake Pack, which consisted of 4 wolves last winter including a radio-collared female. Hunters are urged to use caution and minimize conflicts with wolves while training dogs within this and other caution areas.

Lipsett Lake Pack - Burnett County Caution Area
Wildlife Services documented a new depredation by the Lipsett Lake Pack in Burnett County. On August 6th, wolves killed a 6 year old male English Bluetick bear hound while training on Burnett County Forest lands. This pack consisted of 4 wolves last winter and pup reproduction is evident for the pack this year. Hunters should be advised of the caution area that is bounded by Highway 70 on the south, Highway 35 on the west, County Road A to the north, and Highway H on the east. Please use caution if training hounds within the caution area outlined on the map below.

Eau Claire River Pack - Clark County Caution Area
On July 31st, Wildlife Services investigated a second wolf depredation on a bear hound in Clark County. Killed was a 5-year old female Plott hound while bear training on the Clark County Forest. This is the 2nd depredation by the Eau Claire River pack. Hunters are reminded of the caution area on the map below while bear training with their dogs.

Flag River Pack - Bayfield County Caution Area
On Sunday evening of July 26, Wildlife Services confirmed wolves killed a 4 year old male Walker bear hunting hound. The depredation occurred on south of Port Wing, Town of Orienta in Bayfield County. This location is in the area of the Flag River Pack, which consisted of 4 wolves last winter and apparently had pups again this spring. Wolf packs currently have pups and use rendezvous sites from mid June to late September, after the pups are big enough to leave their den. Adult wolves are very defensive of pups at rendezvous sites and will attack other predators, including dogs, that get too close to the rendezvous site or the pups. Hunters are urged to use caution if training hounds within the caution area outlined on the map below.

Iron Run Pack - Clark County Caution Area
On July 26th, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves attacked and killed a bear hunting dog and injured another while training on the Clark County Forest. The depredation occurred just east of Fairchild. One 3 1/2 year old female walker/red tick hound was killed and a 5 year old walker/blue tick was injured by the Iron Run Pack. This depredation and corresponding caution area is directly adjacent to and south of the Eau Claire River Pack caution area (view map below) where wolves killed a bear training hound on July 8th. Hunters are urged to exercise great caution if they intend to use this area during this year's bear dog training season.

Pelican Lake Pack - Oneida County Caution Area
On July 23rd, a 10 year old Walker hound was killed by wolves while bear training on Oneida County Forest lands. The depredation occurred south of Rhinelander in the Town of Enterprise by the Pelican Lake Wolf Pack.. This pack contained 2-3 wolves last winter, but probably had pups this spring. Hunters are urged to be aware of the caution area outlined on the map below when training with dogs in this area. The caution area is bounded by Highway 17 on west, Highway 8 to the north, Highway 47/45 on east, and County Highways Q, G & B on the the south.

Riverside Pack - Burnett County Caution Area
On July 21st, Wildlife Services verified that wolves from the Riverside Pack in Burnett County had attacked and killed a 9 year old Redtick hound while bear training on Burnett County lands. The attack occurred on July 19th. The pack contained 2 wolves last winter, and probably had pups this spring. The caution area is bounded by Highway 77along the south; Highway 35 on the west; Big McGraw Rd., Rocky Brook Rd., & County line on north; and Dry Landing Road, St. Croix Trail, & Namakagon Trail on east. Hunters are urged to exercise great caution if they intend to use this area and should use the caution area maps below to help reduce conflicts during this year's bear dog training season.

Giant Pine Pack - Forest County Caution Area
On July 14th, Wildlife Services verified wolves injured 4 bear training hounds in the Town of Argonne, Forest County on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. One two-year old male Walker was severely injured. The other three are being treated by the owner. All hunters are urged to be aware of the caution area shown on the map below and to minimize conflicts with wolves while hunting with dogs within this site. The caution area follows State Highway 32 and Military Road on the south and west, Highway 70 on the north, and State Highway 55 to the east. The Giant Pine Pack consisted of 5 wolves last winter.

Eau Claire River Pack - Clark County Caution Area
On July 8th, wolves killed a 5-year old bluetick female in the Eau Claire River Pack in western Clark County, near the Eau Claire County line. The pack was not known to previously attack dogs. The pack consisted of 5-6 wolves last winter and appeared to produce pups this spring. The Eau Claire River caution area follows County MM along the north; County M (Clark County) along the east; Willard Road, Dickerson Ave, Rock Dam Road, County H & M (Eau Claire Co.) along the south; and Kelly Road and County GG on the west back up to County MM. The caution area straddles Clark and Eau Claire Counties. All hunters training dogs are urged to be aware of the caution area shown on the map and to minimize conflicts with wolves while training dogs within this site.

Torch River Pack- Ashland County Caution Area
On July 7th, wolves severely injured and killed a 9 year old dachshund near a home east of Clam Lake in Ashland County in the area of the Torch River Pack. This pack had not previously been know to attack dogs. The pack consisted of 4 wolves last winter and apparently produced pups this spring. The Torch River caution area follows Highway 77 along the west and north through Clam Lake; Forest Road FR 168 along the east; the Moose River along the south; Forest Roads FR173, FR792, FR176, FR174 along the southwest back to Highway 77. The caution area straddles Ashland and Sawyer Counties.

Brushy Ridge Pack- Clark County Caution Area

On July 4th, Wildlife Services verified that wolves had depredated and killed a Walker Hound in southwest Clark County while bear dog training. The pack is believed to be the Brushy Ridge Pack and this is the first report of any depredations on domestic animals by this pack. A recommended caution area is shown below. All hunters training dogs are urged to be aware of the caution area shown on the map and to minimize conflicts with wolves while training dogs within this site.

Past Depredations: 2007 2008

Interactive map of wolf pack territories (exit DNR)