Dog Depredations by Wolves in Wisconsin - 2011

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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. Hunters should use the caution area maps below to help reduce conflicts during this year's bear dog training and hunting season. Table 1 below contains a summary of the 2011 dog/hound depredations by wolves.

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

Caution Areas and Wolf Behavior

When wolves attack dogs in hunting or training situations, the Wisconsin DNR will create "wolf caution areas" to warn hunters that a specific pack has attacked a dog or group of dogs (see maps below). (What are Wolf Caution Areas?) Bear hunters are urged to exercise greater caution if they plan to train hounds or hunt bear with hounds near any caution area, especially if near an actual kill site. Table 1 contains a summary of the 2011 dog depredations by wolves with additional information and caution area maps shown below.

As with other wild canids, wolves are very territorial and will guard their territories from other wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs. Wolves are probably most aggressive toward strange wolves and dogs at den and rendezvous sites when their pups are small, during the breeding season in January and February, and when they are protecting a fresh kill. Wolf packs have pups in spring and then later will 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. (What are rendezvous sites?)

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. In addition, 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. Some hunters have had success with bells on dog collars to reduce wolf attacks, but some dogs with bells have been attacked by wolves. For more options on reducing the likelihood of wolf attacks on hounds see:

• A Guide to Reducing Conflict between Wolves and Hunting Dogs
• Guidance for Bear Hunters and Pet Owners

Pet Dogs

Although wolf attacks on pet dogs in residential areas are rare, they do occur and have increased in recent years. These types of attacks represent a special kind of wolf depredation to domestic animals. For additional guidance and information about protecting pet dogs and bear hounds from wolves, see "Guidance for Bear Hunters and Pet Owners".

Table1. 2011 Dog Depredations by Wolves (listed by date)

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Maps of Caution Areas and Depredation Information - listed in chronological order

Caution Areas are created to warn hunters and dog owners about wolf attacks that occur in hunting situations. Caution Areas do not represent actual wolf territories but rather are generally considerably larger than the actual pack territory.

Morrison Creek Pack - Iron County
On March 10th, a 3-year old female beagle was killed by wolves from the Morrison Creek Pack while hunting snowshoe hare. The attack occurred on Iron County lands about 5 miles northwest of Saxon in northern Iron County. This is the first documented attack on dogs by wolves for 2011. Hunters and dog trainers should be aware of the potential conflict and should exercise caution within the caution area outlined on the map below. The caution area follows the Montreal River from Lake Superior to Highway 122 to Saxon on east side, Soo Line Railroad on South Side, the Iron/Ashland County line to Highway 2 and then along Highway 2 west to Madigan Rd north to Lake Superior.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Magee Creek Pack - Ashland County
On March 28th, Wildlife Services investigated the depredation of a pet Collie that was killed sometime on March 25 or 26th in the Town of Peeksville. The depredation occurred approximately 5 miles northeast of Butternut on private lands. The investigation confirmed that wolves from the Magee Pack had most likely attacked and killed the dog. While attacks on pet dogs are rare, they do occur. For tips on helping keep your pet safe, see "Guidance of Bear Hunters and Pet Owners". No caution area was created.

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Chequamegon Waters Pack - Taylor County
On April 22nd, Wildlife Services investigated a wolf complaint involving a hunting dog that was injured by wolves while coyote hunting on the National Forest. Injured was a 4-year old Walker female hound. The complaint is classified as a probable wolf injury and occurred in the Town of Grover, Taylor County. The pack involved had 2-4 wolves counted this past winter. Hunters and dog trainers should be aware of the potential conflict and should exercise caution within the area outlined on the map below. The caution area follows Highway 64 on the south, Highway 73 on the west, County M to the north and Division Road on the east.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Unity Township - Clark County
On May 27, a 3-year old male bluetick coonhound was attacked by another large canid in the owner's yard in the Town of Unity. Investigations indicated the dog may have been attacked by a wolf or wolves, although no pack is known to live in the area, and no wolf sign was found at the site. It appeared that a wolf, wolf-dog hybrid or large dog, came into the yard and attacked the dog. The Department will treat this as a possible wolf attack. The owner did indicate finding wolf tracks near his home during the previous winter. Although no wolf packs are know to exist in the area, lone dispersing wolves do travel throughout much of northern and central Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR urges people with wolf observations to report them to the Department using the Rare Mammal Observation Form. No caution area was created.

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Town of Minong - Washburn County
On June 27, an 8-year old male Cocker Spaniel was injured by wolves. The attack occurred in a private yard in the Town of Minong, east of Sleepy Eye Lake. It is currently unknown which wolf pack may have been responsible for the attack. The Wisconsin DNR reminds people with wolf observations to report them to the Department using the Rare Mammal Observation Form. No caution area was created.

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Town of Middle Inlet - Marinette County
On July 10th, Wildlife Services investigated a probable wolf injury to a dog on private lands in Marinette County. The landowner reported seeing a wolf near the home just after the dogs were let outside. When the female lab mix ran after the wolf, the wolf attacked the dog. and the landowner ran out the house screaming at the wolf. The wolf subsequently let go of the dog and ran off. This is confirmed as a probable wolf injury. No caution area was created.

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Ox Creek Pack - Douglas County
On July 19th, Wildlife Services investigated a wolf complaint involving a bear training hound on Douglas County Forest lands. Upon investigation, Wildlife Services classified this as a probable wolf depredation by the Ox Creek Pack. The pack consisted of a pair of wolves last winter but probably had pups this spring. Wolves are currently using rendezvous sites and are are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites. Hunters and dog trainers should be aware of the potential conflict and should exercise caution within the area outlined on the map below. The caution area follows US Highway 53 on the west, County AA and A on the north, Connors Meadow Road to the east, and County Y on the south.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Delta Pack - Bayfield County
On July 23rd, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves from the Delta Pack depredated a bear training hound on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The incident killed a 3 year old female redtick, and occurred in the Town of Delta. Last winter, the Delta Pack was comprised of two wolves and had pups this spring. Wolves are currently using rendezvous sites and are are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites. Hunters and dog trainers should be aware of the potential conflict and should exercise caution within the area outlined on the map below. The caution area follows Beck, W. Delta, and Muskie Lake Roads on the west, County H on the north, Pike River Road and Delta Drummond Road to the east, and FR 392 (Reynard Lake and Jann's Road) on the south.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Oreinta Pack - Bayfield County
On July 25th, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves depredated a dog on private lands in Bayfield County. The incident, that killed a 1 1/2 year old male Australian heeler, occurred in the Town of Port Wing. The attack was probably due to the Orienta Pack that consisted of 2 wolves last winter. Wolves are currently using rendezvous sites and are are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites. Hunters and dog trainers should be aware of the potential conflict between wolves and their dogs this season. The depredation occurred on private property and no caution area was created.

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Black Lake Pack- Ashland County
On July 29th, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves depredated a a bear training hound while training on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The incident marks the 3rd hound killed during the bear hound training season. While the exact pack responsible is not totally clear, the depredation was likely due to the Black Lake Pack. This pack currently has pups and are using rendezvous sites. Wolves are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites and both hunters and dog trainers should be aware of the potential conflict between wolves and their dogs in the caution area depicted in the map below. The caution area follows County Highway GG to the east, FR 172 south, FR 174 & FR 164 on the west, and FR 173 & FR 176 to the north.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Peshtigo Brook Pack- Oconto County
On August 2nd, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves depredated a a bear hound that was training on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The incident occurred on 7/29 or 8/1 in the Town of Armstrong, Oconto County. The depredation was due to the Peshtigo Brook Pack, which consisted of two adults last winter. This pack probably has pups and are using rendezvous sites. Wolves are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites and both hunters and dog trainers should be aware of the potential conflict between wolves and their dogs in the caution area depicted in the map below. The caution area follows Highway 32 on the west, Highway 64 on the south, Parkway Road on the east, and County W to the north.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Tranus Lake Pack- Washburn County
On August 6th, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves depredated a a bear training hound on Washburn County Forest lands. The depredation occurred in the Town of Gull Lake and was in the Tranus Lake wolf pack's territory. Four wolves were detected in this pack last winter and they probably produced pups this spring. Wolves are currently using rendezvous sites and are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites. Caution is advised to both hunters and dog trainers and, if using the area outlined below, to be aware of the potential conflict between their dogs and wolves within the caution area boundary. The caution area follows Highway 53 on the west, Highway 77 to the north, County M on the east, and County F to the south.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Lincoln Township - Monroe County
On August 11th, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves attacked a 10 year old lab mix on private lands near the Monroe/Jackson county line. The dog was injured but should survive. The attack was near a known location of a radio-collared female from the Starlight Pack. The pack consisted of 3-4 wolves last winter. Pups were heard in the pack on 7/29 about 3 miles from the depredation site, so pups were again produced in the spring. Wolves are currently using rendezvous sites and are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites. See the "Guidance for Bear Hounds and Pet Owners" for more information. The Wisconsin DNR reminds people with wolf observations to report them to the Department using the Rare Mammal Observation Form. No caution area was created.

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Riverside Pack- Burnett County
On August 15th, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves depredated a a bear training hound on the Burnett County Forest. The depredation occurred in the Town of Swiss and was in the Riverside wolf pack's territory. Four wolves were detected in this pack last winter and they probably produced pups this spring. This pack also had hound depredations in 2009 and 2010 (see map). Wolves are currently using rendezvous sites and are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites. Caution is advised to both hunters and dog trainers and, if using the area outlined below, to be aware of the potential conflict between their dogs and wolves within the caution area boundary. The caution area is bounded by Highway 77 along the south; Highway 35 to the west; Big McGraw Rd., Rocky Brook Rd., & the county line on the north; and Dry Landing Road, St. Croix Trail, & Namakagon Trail on east.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Moose Road Pack- Douglas County
On August 20th, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves depredated a a bear training hound in Douglas County. The depredation occurred in the Town of Dairyland and was in the Moose Road wolf pack's territory. This pack also had a hound depredation in 2010 (see map). Wolves are currently using rendezvous sites and are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites. Caution is advised to both hunters and dog trainers and, if using the area outlined below, to be aware of the potential conflict between their dogs and wolves within the caution area boundary. The caution area is bounded by Highway 35 to the east; County T along the south; the Minnesota/Wisconsin line on the west; and Moose Road on the north.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Lake Nebagamon Pack- Douglas County
On August 23rd, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves depredated a a bear training hound in Douglas County. The depredation occurred in the Town of Solon Springs. After review, biologists determined that the Lake Nebagamon Pack to the north was responsible for the depredation. This pack also had hound depredations in 2009 and 2010 (see map) and was comprised of 9 wolves last winter. The pack likely produced pups this spring. Wolves are currently using rendezvous sites and are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites. Caution is advised to both hunters and dog trainers and, if using the area outlined below, to be aware of the potential conflict between their dogs and wolves. Since two packs appear to be responsible for depredations within this general vicinity, a combined caution area that includes both the Lake Nebagamon and Ox Creek Pack caution areas is being issued . The caution area is bounded by Highway 53 to the west; County B to the north; County S, Highway 27, and Connors Meadow Road on the east; and County Y to the south.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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North Blue Hills Pack- Rusk County
On August 26th, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves depredated a a bear training hound on Rusk County Forest lands. The depredation occurred in the Town of Wilson and the North Blue Hills Pack was likely responsible. This pack was comprised of 5 wolves last winter and likely produced pups this spring. Wolves are currently using rendezvous sites and are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites. Caution is advised to both hunters and dog trainers and, if using the area outlined below, to be aware of the potential conflict between their dogs and wolves. The caution area is bounded by Highway 48 and County NN to the west; Highway 48 to the north; Highway 40 on the east; and County Highways C and O to the south.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Lake Nebagamon Pack- Douglas County
On August 28th, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves depredated a a bear training hound in Douglas County. The depredation occurred in the Town of Solon Springs and was within the Lake Nebagamon Pack's territory. In addition to hound depredations in 2009 and 2010 (see map), this pack also depredated a training hound on August 23rd, less than 3 miles southwest of the current depredation site. This pack was comprised of 9 wolves last winter and likely produced pups this spring. Wolves are currently using rendezvous sites and are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites. Caution is advised to both hunters and dog trainers and, if using the area outlined below, to be aware of the potential conflict between their dogs and wolves. Since two packs appear to be responsible for depredations within this general vicinity, a combined caution area that includes both the Lake Nebagamon and Ox Creek Pack caution areas is again being issued (see the map for August 23 above). The caution area is bounded by Highway 53 to the west; County B to the north; County S, Highway 27, and Connors Meadow Road on the east; and County Y to the south.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Catawba Pack- Price County
On August 28th, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves depredated 2 bear training hounds in Price County. The depredations occurred in the Town of Catawba on Price County Forest lands. They were likely due to the Catawba Pack that was first detected last winter with 2 adults. The pack likely produced pups this spring. Wolves are currently using rendezvous sites and are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites. Caution is advised to both hunters and dog trainers and, if using the area outlined below, to be aware of the potential conflict between their dogs and wolves. The caution area is bounded by County N to the west; US Highway 8 to the north; Highway 13 on the east; and County D to the south.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Flag River Pack- Bayfield County
On September 16th, wolves killed a 5 year old female Walker hound while bear hunting on Bayfield County lands. The depredations occurred south of Port Wing in the Town of Orienta. This was apparently due to the Flag River Pack. Four wolves were detected in the pack last winter and pups were probably produced this spring. This is the first depredation by this pack in 2011 but several depredations were verified in 2010. Caution is advised to both hunters and dog trainers and, if using the area outlined below, to be aware of the potential conflict between their dogs and wolves. The caution area is bounded by Highway 13 and Touve Road to the north, Battle Axe and Lenawee Road to the east, McClean Road and Fairview Road to the south, and County A along the west.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Casey Creek Pack- Douglas County
On September 17th, wolves injured two hounds while bear hunting on Douglas County lands. The depredations occurred northeast of Lake Nebagamon in the Town of Brule and were apparently due to the Casey Creek Pack. Three wolves were detected in the pack last winter and pups were probably born this spring. This is the first hound depredation by this pack in 2011, although the pack has been involved in some livestock depredations. Caution is advised to both hunters and dog trainers and, if using the area outlined below, to be aware of the potential conflict between their dogs and wolves. The caution area is bounded by County FF to the north, Highway 27 and County to the east, County B to the south, and County F along the west.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Peshtigo Brook Pack- Oconto County
On September 19th, wolves killed a 7 year old female Plott-Bluetick mix while hunting on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The depredation was apparently due to the Peshtigo Brook Pack that consisted of two adults last winter. Since this pack probably had pups this spring, they would currently be using rendezvous sites. Wolves are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites. Caution is advised to both hunters and dog trainers and, if using the area outlined below, to be aware of the potential conflict between their dogs and wolves. The caution area follows Highway 32 on the west, Highway 64 on the south, Parkway Road on the east, and County W to the north.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Shoberg Lake Pack - Douglas County
On September 28th, Wildlife Services verified a wolf depredation on a hound in Douglas County . The attack occurred on a 5 year old male, Walker Plot mix in the area of the Shoberg Lake Wolf Pack. This pack consisted of 6 wolves last winter, and probably produced pups in the spring. Wolves are currently using rendezvous sites and are are highly defensive of both pups and rendezvous sites. Hunters and dog trainers should be aware of the potential conflict and should exercise caution within the area outlined on the map below. The caution area follows US Highway 53 on the west, County A on the north, County Y and Highway 27 to the east, and County Y on the south.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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Ranger Island Pack - Lincoln County
Wildlife Services recently investigated a complaint concerning a raccoon hunting dog that was injured by wolves on October 22nd. The determination was a probable wolf attack. The attack occurred in Lincoln County, Town of Harding and the dog did not require veterinarian care. Hunters and dog trainers should be aware of the potential conflict and should exercise caution within the area outlined on the map below. The caution area follows the Spirit Flowage on the north, the Wisconsin River on the east, County E to the south, and New Wood Road to the west. Update 1/3/2012: This dog died from its injuries December 26, 2011.

**Click on the map to enlarge and open a printable PDF

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More information

• Rare Mammal Observation Form
• "Living with Wolves"
• "A Guide to Reducing Conflict between Wolves and Hunting Dogs"
• "Wolf Caution Areas"
• 2010 Depredations
• 2009 Depredations

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