Living with Wolves: Tips for avoiding conflict

Wolves are shy and generally avoid humans. Most people will never see a wolf, let alone have a conflict with one. Wolves can, however, lose their fear of humans through habituation and may approach camping areas, homes or humans. When this happens, there is an increased possibility for conflict between wolves and humans.

Photo of a gray wolf howling.
Photo by WDNR.

Below are guidelines that you can follow to decrease the chance of wolf habituation and conflict while living and visiting wolf country.

Living in wolf country

Do not feed wolves

Feed all pets indoors; leave no food outdoors

Dispose of all food and garbage in cans with secure lids

Do not feed wildlife: attracting any prey animal may attract wolves

Hang suet feeders at least 7 feet above the surface of the ground or snow

Don't leave pets unattended outside: dogs and cats are easy targets for wolves

If pets must be unattended in the yard, keep them in a kennel with a secure top

Install motion sensor lights, as they may help keep wolves away

Camping in wolf country

Cook, wash dishes and store food away from sleeping areas

Pack out or dispose of garbage and left over food properly

Suspend food, toiletries and garbage out of reach of any wildlife

Keep pets near you at all times

Watching wolves in wolf country

While seeing a wolf is a memorable experience, like any other wild animal, you should use caution when they are close. Keep the following things in mind while you are viewing them:

Do not feed wolves

Do not entice wolves to come closer

Do not approach wolves

Leave room for a wolf to escape

Do not allow a wolf to approach any closer than 300 feet

Aggressive or fearless wolves in wolf country

If a wolf acts aggressively (growls or snarls) or fearlessly (approaches humans at a close distance without fear) take the following actions:

Raise your arms and wave them in the air to make yourself look larger

Back away slowly; do not turn your back on the wolf

Make noise and throw objects at the wolf

To report fearless or aggressive wolves, contact:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
715-762-1363 or 715-762-1362

USDA-Wildlife Services
Northern Wisconsin 1-800-228-1368, or
Central and Southern Wisconsin 1-800-433-0663

Reality of Wolf Attacks in North America

It is important to keep wolf attacks in perspective. There has been only one case of a healthy, wild wolf killing a person in North America in the last 100 years. Most wolves are not dangerous to humans and there is a greater chance of being killed by lightning, bee sting or car collision with a deer than being injured by a wolf. The injuries that have occurred were caused by a few wolves that became fearless of humans due to habituation. Nonetheless, like bears and cougars, wolves are instinctive predators that should be kept wild and respected.

This information taken from the International Wolf Center, Ely, MN (Exit DNR)

For information about wolf depredation in Wisconsin or the DNR reimbursement program:

Adrian Wydeven
WDNR Mammalian Ecologist
DNR, 875 S. 4th Ave.
Park Falls, WI 54552
715-762-1363

WDNR Reimbursement Program
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
608-266-7012