Taking your dog into the woods

[Ridgeratt]

StoryComments
September 13, 2012 in SportsLanders: Wolves make taking dogs into wild risky
By Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review

 
Wolves have changed the playing field in northeastern Washington.

Livestock grazers aren’t the only people who must make adjustments as wolves reintroduce themselves to their former range. Hikers, hunters and other recreationalists will need to make the transition, too.

Especially if they bring their pet dogs along.

Wolves won’t tolerate other canines in their territory. We know this from Alaska and British Columbia, where wolves have harassed people walking their dogs and killed pets in the process.

We know this from Idaho, where hound hunters learned the lesson the hard way early in the wolf reintroduction process.

We know this from Yellowstone, where wolf packs decimated coyote populations that had enjoyed a relatively hassle-free life before canis lupis was reintroduced to the park and the Northern Rockies in the mid-1990s.

And Jim Groth of Colville knows the threat wolves pose to dogs from a personal experience he had last week at the south end of the Kettle River Range.

“It changed the way we think about going into the mountains,” he said.

Groth was working for the Forest Service doing fall mushroom surveys southeast of Republic and about 5 miles north of the Colville Indian Reservation boundary.

He was hiking through timber near Hall Ponds with Ollie, his 90-pound golden retriever-Labrador mix.

“He’s very well socialized and gets along great with other dogs,” Groth said.

But wolves are another animal.

“The dog had wandered down below me a ways and I heard some scuffling,” he said. “I saw something black and I figured it was a bear, so I started down through the thick deadfall. It wasn’t a pleasant place.

“Then I thought, ‘I’ve never seen a bear move back and forth that fast.’

“I was yelling, and the dog started coming up toward me. I could see a little blood on his neck. He kept looking back. Then I could see, following very closely, was a big, black wolf.

“The wolf had a little taste of my dog and I think it wanted to finish him off.”

Groth grabbed Ollie by the collar and leashed him as he yelled at the wolf.

“I’m from Minnesota and I’m no stranger to wolves,” he said. “But they’ve always been shy in my experience. This one was not. It just kept coming to within 25 feet of me. Then I noticed another, smaller grayish-colored wolf behind it.”

Groth said he yelled and lunged toward the wolves, trying to look big and tough.

“The big wolf stood his ground woofing for a minute or so before it turned and walked away, but both wolves still hung around as I tried to get out of there,” he said.

Ollie wasn’t interested in being aggressive or protective. Groth noticed the bleeding was only on his neck and wondered if the big, thick collar might have given his dog a break.

After another anxious minute or so the wolves slinked away.

“It was quite unsettling,” Groth said. “It took an hour to get back to the road with the dog on a leash.  I was looking over my shoulder a lot.

“Like most people, I’m used to just heading out with my dog in the forests, whether I’m working or recreating. But all of a sudden the old rules don’t apply anymore in this place where I live.”

 Back at his vehicle, Groth ran into a bowhunter and told him about his encounter.

“The hunter asked if there was a smaller grayish wolf with the big black wolf,” he said. “When I said yes, the hunter nodded and said he’d run into them last year, so it appears they’ve been in the area for a while.”

Groth doesn’t know if there were more wolves with the two he saw. The Colville Tribe has documented two packs on the reservation and has put GPS collars on three animals to monitor their movements.

To the northwest, state officials are trying to kill some wolves in the Wedge Pack, which has been killing cattle. Five other packs are known to be roaming the tri-county area of northeast Washington

“A few thoughts keep coming back to me,” Groth said.

“First, is how black, big and healthy that wolf was. It was jet black from nose to tail. A beautiful, healthy animal; one of the most incredible things I’ve seen in the woods. But then, my dog came out of it OK. I might not be thinking so fondly of the moment otherwise.

“I’m concerned about their lack of shyness. They were undaunted by me.

“And I want to make sure people know what’s going on. A lot of hikers and campers come out here with their family dogs.”

Grouse hunters will have to think twice about cutting loose a pointing dog that occasionally zips out of sight.

“These wolves aren’t just moving through,” he said.

“I won’t be carrying a gun because they’re heavy and I’m not the kind of guy who would use it.”

But as he struggled out of the woods that day with Ollie – during that hour that seemed more like 10 hours as he looked over his shoulder scanning for movement or any indication the wolves were still there – he made some promises to himself.

“I’m getting a little boat air horn,” he said.

“And I don’t think I’ll be leaving the bear spray in the truck anymore. It’s pretty useless there.”

[ICEMAN]

So the guy is arming up with an air horn. Impressive.

[jackmaster]

piss on the air horn and take a 12ga no plug maxed out with 3 1/2 in 00 buckshot

[remington300mag]

LMAO....an Air Horn?!?! His only hope is if the wolves laugh themselves to death!! 

[Heredoggydoggy]

Those wolves aren't dumb--they knew if they killed him they'd be strengthening our gene pool.

[UptheCreek]

I was the bowhunter he ran into last week.  He and his dog were fortunate that there were only 2 wolves.  The area he came out on is some pretty tough hiking and thankfully his dog only had a couple bite marks.  I know what would have been the outcome had it been me and my dog....

[PBinWA]

I was the bowhunter he ran into last week.  He and his dog were fortunate that there were only 2 wolves.  The area he came out on is some pretty tough hiking and thankfully his dog only had a couple bite marks.  I know what would have been the outcome had it been me and my dog....

If you find a small air horn while you are out - you'll know who it belongs to! 

[Huntbear]

How do you tell wolf scat?

It smells like a Lab, and has airhorns in it....   

[quadrafire]

How do you tell wolf scat?

It smells like a Lab, and has airhorns in it....   

On a serious note.... How do you think bear spray would work as a wolf deterrant??

[Huntbear]

How do you tell wolf scat?

It smells like a Lab, and has airhorns in it....   

On a serious note.... How do you think bear spray would work as a wolf deterrant??

Not ever gonna find out..... there is a reason either my .45 or my .44 mag are always on my hip...  I never carry bear spray... I carry bear loads in my revolver....

[woodswalker]

How do you tell wolf scat?

It smells like a Lab, and has airhorns in it....   

On a serious note.... How do you think bear spray would work as a wolf deterrant??

Not nearly as well as 00 buckshot.

[NW-GSP]

A gun is too heavy but your going to carry bear spray and a air horn.

[woodswalker]

A gun is too heavy but your going to carry bear spray and a air horn.

>I< never thought A gun was too heavy...more than 2-3 of them might be too heavy.

[Ridgeratt]

This is where the wolf issues will come to a head!

There are 2 schools of thought here.

1: The folks who's dogs run around with bandana's on and the stroll in the woods in shear bliss of the world 
     around them. These people will watch "Fluffy" the wonder dog get shredded!

2: The person who while they have their dog in the woods is armed and they will light them up like the 4th of July.
   
Not sure which group I fall into but the Yellow Q-tip will have a good chance the wrath of hell is standing next to her!!
Right now I'm torn on the fact some of my Blue Grouse ridges may become off limits to us. Just because we can see the Diamond M from them.

[6x6in6]

It's changed where I take my dogs when I go riding the trail on my horse.
My 2 Aussie Shepherds would be toast before I could get off the horse and start picking off wolves.  If it should ever happen, sadly enough, I'll be waiting over my dog as a bait pile hoping for the pay-back-is-a-bit$% moment.

[CAMPMEAT]

Is this your neighbor I met ? 

[waterdoctor]

We have a 100# Airedale, I put a spiked collar on him and hope for the best.  Last year a wolf ran a deer into the yard and the dog went after the wolf.  It was a lone one that I think had been kicked out of a pack.  45 minutes later my dog came back none the worse for ware.  However if there are two or more of the wolves he is toast.  The Fish and game biologist out of Colville  came by our house and said he thought that my dog would do alright.  I told him that my dog was on borrowed time.

 I always carry my .44 when away from the house.   

[Mudman]

Bear spray works on any animal very well.  Not as good as a 50cal.!   An air horn?  Come on man!  Is he gonna throw rocks too?  Natural selection at work.

[UptheCreek]

Would bear spray work on cattle?  Darn things seem to sniff out the alfalfa every time I put it out at my stand!

[Mudman]

Yes it would!!!   Do it, funny thing about the bear spray that most people dont realize is after its sprayed and has time to relax it becomes a pepper food attractant for bears!!!!  I dont believe Gamie could bust ya for baiting for using spray?

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Sorry but those wolves would have been dead if it were me.  I'll knock the *censored* out of domestic dogs if they are harassing my dogs in town, a wolf in the woods is meeting the 44.

On a different note, i don't bring my dogs to Idaho with me anymore since one is a husky, I don't think wolf hunters will notice a collar ; )

I am very cautious of them exploring around camp or running free in the woods in wa since they seem  to be spreading everywhere and I have heard what happens when wolves and dogs meet.  I used to worry about coyotes, not anymore!!!!

[Ridgeratt]

I left the "Blonde" Q-tip home this weekend didn't want to get in trouble!
Said she's going next weekend or my shoes are "TOAST"!! 

[KFhunter]

I keep my Britt pretty close - a lion wanted her pretty bad once ( that I know of )

[bearpaw]

I knew we were on borrowed time, we have documented those wolves here on the forum and they don't have enough trappers to verify them because they are too busy at the wedge and elsewhere.  We need a dozen trappers now, but by the time they increase the trappers we will need two dozen trappers to keep up. 

This is exactly the sequence of events that occurred in ID/MT.

We need legislators to get on this issue before it's the human and not the dog that gets attacked. 

The state better get on top of this quick, next year more pups will be born and put twice the number of wolves on the landscape. In the beginning wolves increase in population very quickly, ask anyone in ID/MT.

[madmack76]

the wolves are getting out of control me and my dad have seen them for the last two years up in randle, but of course they don't exist there. they were gone for a reason keep it that way.

[windygorge]

A gun is too heavy but your going to carry bear spray and a air horn.

 

[notawolffan]

Does anybody know if there are any politicians who are taking a stand against the wolves? Any organizations other than the Cattlemens Association working on this?  I am determined to do whatever I can to change the current law, it is ignorance at its worst. 

[KFhunter]

[notellumcreek]

 

 You need something to protect the neck too or else that vest is pointless. 
On a side note, anyone think there would be a type of dog that could maybe at least hold its ground for a bit against a wolf/wolves? I know if a dog is out numbered they are screwed from the start, but after all this wolf talk, with me going into the woods all the time, and a dog in the near future, I think I will be getting something big... we use to have a 180Lb great pyrenees that was a tank, use to take firework mortars to the face because he would stick his nose down the tube... and he would attack any other fireworks we lit for him  one of the best dogs I have ever known.

[GrousePointer]

 You need something to protect the neck too or else that vest is pointless. 
On a side note, anyone think there would be a type of dog that could maybe at least hold its ground for a bit against a wolf/wolves? I know if a dog is out numbered they are screwed from the start, but after all this wolf talk, with me going into the woods all the time, and a dog in the near future, I think I will be getting something big... we use to have a 180Lb great pyrenees that was a tank, use to take firework mortars to the face because he would stick his nose down the tube... and he would attack any other fireworks we lit for him  one of the best dogs I have ever known.

Great Danes and Irish Wolf hounds were once bred to handle wolves.

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[BIGINNER]

my wife's brother has a 190 lb and a a 170lb presa canario (spelling)  they're fefinately not as fast as a wolf, but i think they would be able to stand their ground,.. maybe take a couple down      scary dogs.

[GrousePointer]

Until the law changes your best defense is to learn where they occur and stay out of those areas, particularly in denning season. I have no sympathy for hikers walking dogs in the woods during the quiet season when hunting dogs are not allowed.

It's up for debate, but in the Midwest the recommendation is to make sure your dog has beeper and/or bell on in the woods so as to give predators (wolves in particular) some warning something is in the woods. Nothing pisses a predator off more than being surprised, especially by a dog. Of course, some would say you're just ringing the dinner bell doing that I guess.



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[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

 You need something to protect the neck too or else that vest is pointless. 
On a side note, anyone think there would be a type of dog that could maybe at least hold its ground for a bit against a wolf/wolves? I know if a dog is out numbered they are screwed from the start, but after all this wolf talk, with me going into the woods all the time, and a dog in the near future, I think I will be getting something big... we use to have a 180Lb great pyrenees that was a tank, use to take firework mortars to the face because he would stick his nose down the tube... and he would attack any other fireworks we lit for him  one of the best dogs I have ever known.

I'm sure some of the larger breeds could hold their own for a bit, but with a pack a 12 ga semi auto with buck shot is your best bet ; )

[huntinguy]

but in the Midwest the recommendation is to make sure your dog has beeper and/or bell on in the woods so as to give predators (wolves in particular) some warning something is in the woods. Nothing pisses a predator off more than being surprised, especially by a dog. Of course, some would say you're just ringing the dinner bell doing that I guess.

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So, when I take my dog with me I have to rig him to scare off half of creation!
What is the point of walking in the woods then? 

I think I will stick with my paint ball gun.

[Ridgeratt]

but in the Midwest the recommendation is to make sure your dog has beeper and/or bell on in the woods so as to give predators (wolves in particular) some warning something is in the woods. Nothing pisses a predator off more than being surprised, especially by a dog. Of course, some would say you're just ringing the dinner bell doing that I guess.

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So, when I take my dog with me I have to rig him to scare off half of creation!
What is the point of walking in the woods then? 

I think I will stick with my paint ball gun.

The start of this topic was the fact the peoples dog's are getting attacked in the woods.
I can hear it now!
Well Officer the wolf will be easy to Identify. It's got a Blue paint mark on it's side. 

[GrousePointer]

but in the Midwest the recommendation is to make sure your dog has beeper and/or bell on in the woods so as to give predators (wolves in particular) some warning something is in the woods. Nothing pisses a predator off more than being surprised, especially by a dog. Of course, some would say you're just ringing the dinner bell doing that I guess.

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So, when I take my dog with me I have to rig him to scare off half of creation!
What is the point of walking in the woods then? 

I think I will stick with my paint ball gun.

Suit yourself. I've been hunting with pointing dogs for some time now and I can tell you they always have a beeper or bell on them. We even come home with birds in the bag.

What separates me from most people hiking in the woods is I accept that by going in there, or in a field, I'm putting my dog at risk by virtue of their "occupation" as gun dogs.

Gun dogs die from all manner of things every year and wolves are at the very bottom of the list of dangers. But I'm not a Pollyanna who thinks the woods are, or should be, my safe playground. Nor do I think I shouldn't do what I can to prevent an encounter.

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