Facing This Wolf
John thought that this day would be like all the others that he spends in the wilderness. When he approached his coyote trap, he didn’t realize how unusual this day would end up being. He didn’t find a coyote there, but a big timber wolf instead. The wolf was desperately trying to free itself.
Facing This Wolf
Drawing Up a Plan
Knowing that this was a bad situation, John decided he couldn’t leave the animal there. He knew that the wolf would end up in bad shape due to exposure and that it could be fatal. The trap didn’t have teeth but it was similar to a handcuff, so there was no simple way for the wolf to get free without any help.
Drawing Up A Plan
This Dangerous Creature
Although wolves and coyotes couldn’t get hurt by the trap, that doesn’t mean that they won’t be vicious when freed. Lone wolves don’t usually attack people, but that’s not the case for wolves that have been trapped for untold amounts of time. Even if John helped the wolf, the wolf could still get aggressive.
This Dangerous Creature
Illegal to Hurt the Animal
Timber wolves are officially listed as endangered animals by the federal government. It is illegal to kill a timber wolf in Wisconsin. John was fully aware of this fact. However, he wasn’t even really sure if this was in fact a timber wolf.
Illegal To Hurt The Animal
Wolf or Coyote
While it might be difficult to tell the difference between a wolf and a coyote, the wolves are bigger. One of John’s friend told him that fact, so he wondered if he could properly identify the animal. The friends began to argue, but ultimately John felt pretty confident that he could tell it was a timber wolf due to its markings and size.
Wolf Or Coyote
Magnificent Timber Wolf
While he was glad to identify the creature, he wasn’t so thrilled that he was facing a wolf in the flesh. That meant that now he had to figure out what to do. His friends told him to just move on, but he knew he couldn’t just leave the wolf there.
Magnificent Timber Wolf
Wolves and Men
It’s not that uncommon for humans and wolves to come into contact. Wolves often make their way to farms, and many times end up snatching farm animals for some food. However, they rarely attack humans, only when they feel that they’re in danger or if they are rabid. Usually wolves are actually just afraid of people and try to avoid them.
Wolves And Men
The Risky Situation
Once John realized he wasn’t dealing with a coyote after all, he not only became worried, but also quite nervous and even scared. His heart began to pound as he tried to muster up his courage and figure out just what to do.
The Risky Situation
Dad’s Help
John’s father was there along with his friend. His dad agreed that they couldn’t just leave the wolf there, so he went to their truck to get plywood. They also brought a gun, not with the intention of using it for ill, but just in case they needed it, which they hoped they didn’t.
Dad’s Help
Waiting for His Dad
Luckily, the wolf seemed to be calm as the two gathered their supplies. John carefully trudged over to get a better look. This was really not the time for any mistakes or rash movements.
Waiting For His Dad
Think It Through
Although not much time had passed since they saw the wolf, it felt as though an eternity had gone by. He was so worried about what they needed to do, and he found it difficult to stay calm. This was certainly not one of the typical hunting problems they run into. The group knew that this was no simple feat.
Think It Through
The Plan in Motion
When John’s dad came back from the car, it was time to get the plan started. He took the plywood and used it as a makeshift shield. His friend decided to film the whole process. His dad was ready to go with their firearm in case things got out of hand. They were ready to begin, but had no idea what was going to take place.
The Plan In Motion
All Up to Him
John didn’t really feel better even though his dad had the rifle and he was aware of the fact that once the wolf was free, he could still very quickly attack. On the other hand, the wolf could also just run away. It was impossible to predict what was going to happen, but they knew that this was it.
All Up To Him
Plan Into Action
John’s dad tried to help and reassure him and said that if the animal made its way to John, the rifle was ready. There was nothing left to be done but act, and John’s friend also offered some moral support. The time to act had come.
Plan Into Action
Different Sides
The piece of plywood had a notch on it, which they planned to try to use it to lower the wood onto the wolf’s paw. Luckily, the notch fit his paw perfectly. However, they were concerned because the wolf began to bite the wood
Different Sides
A Veteran Hunter
John was no stranger to hunting, as he had been on many trips before, so dealing with wild animals wasn’t new to him. He felt a bit protected by the piece of plywood. He still wondered what the wolf would do once it was finally freed.
A Veteran Hunter
What He Then Found
On other trips he had taken, John faced a lot of incredible creatures. He even saw a Canadian Lynx that seriously intimidated him because of its sheer size.
What He Then Found
Lynx and Bobcat
John has faced a lynx but also a bobcat, two animals that are rather similar. Bobcats usually avoid humans unless they have become sick or rabid. These animals usually eat smaller animals that they hunt down.
Lynx And Bobcat
To Tell Them Apart
At the same time, bobcats are very shy and timid as compared to lynxes, which is probably why so many people confuse them. Lynxes are very furry with long tufts of hair, while bobcats have shorter coats. This is probably the easiest way to tell the difference between them.
To Tell Them Apart
Hungry Animals
It’s very easy to move around small animals like raccoons and even coyotes, but the bigger the animals get, the harder moving them becomes. Timber wolves can weigh up to 150 pounds, not to mention the fact that if they attack a person, it can quickly become lethal.
Hungry Animals
Meeting the Wolf
It’s important not to assume that a wolf you encounter is going to run away if it sees you. The best thing to do is to stay still and wait for the wolf to turn away. Don’t turn your back to the wolf and try not to make direct eye contact with it. You can throw rocks, wave, and yell in order to scare it away.
Meeting The Wolf
Releasing This Wolf
John knew that the moment to release the wolf had finally arrived, and he actually now felt ready. He was about to find out just what the wolf would do, and there was merely a piece of plywood separating him from his fate. It was clear the wolf didn’t like the plywood on its paw, so John knew he had to tread carefully.
Releasing This Wolf
Finally Free
John was able to successfully free the wolf from the trap. In just a fleeting moment, the wolf spun around and ran away. The men were so happy that the wolf was free and they were all safe as well. They sighed a breath of relief and congratulated John on a good job done.
Finally Free
The Last Look
John’s friend filmed the whole encounter, so they watched the video to find out exactly what the wolf had done. Before the wolf fled, it looked at John for a brief moment and then ran. Perhaps this was his way of showing his gratitude. John knew that they had done the right thing.
The Last Look
True Feelings
As John ket the wolf out, he felt an appreciation for all living things. Even though wolves can attack livestock, it’s just because it’s in their nature. John knew that he was in the wolf’s territory, so he felt that he had to respect it.
True Feelings
Very Smart
The reason why it’s so difficult to keep these animals outside of farms is for multiple reasons. Fences are not enough to keep them out because they can jump over it and also dig under it. Wolves can jump up to 6 feet in the air!
Very Smart
Trapping Animals
John uses animal traps in order to attract and bait them. For coyotes, food and urine work well, especially meat or dog food. Wolves can also smells the bait from miles away, and so they can become attracted to the traps as well.
Trapping Animals
Other Animals
John’s goal with the trap was to catch coyotes that are were harming local farms and pets. Occasionally, the traps catch other animals other than coyotes. He even caught a red fox once, and he used the same plywood method to free the fox.
Other Animals
Badgers Come Too
John had caught a lot of different animals as a trapper. He found that often the smaller animals were actually even more aggressive than the larger ones. When he caught an American badger, he knew that he had to be very careful because they are fearless and can be dangerous. They even fight black bears!
Badgers Come Too
The True Pest
Badgers are dangerous to pets, farm animals, and the farms themselves too. Their sharp teeth and claws make them so ferocious. They are pretty common in Wisconsin, so John is well aware of their aggressive nature. There are special badger traps that trappers use to keep the population under control.
The True Pest
Trapping Tips
If you find that there are creatures that are ruining your property and are thinking of using traps, be warned because you can’t trap animals without a hunting license. Even with one, you need to be very careful, because it’s easy to get a foot or a hand caught in one.
Trapping Tips
The Fur Trading Industry
Trading real fur is much less common, and faux fur has become a lot more popular in fashion. So why is there still a trapping industry? Well, the fact remains that the animals are used in many ways. Their carcasses are used as bait or compost as well.
The Fur Trading Industry
Trapping History
The trapping and fur trading industries date back to the 1700s. Trappers would take their wares to the East in order to sell them and make a profit. Back then, there was a big demand for furs, and the West was really overrun with animals.
Trapping History
The Double Whammy
A lot of trappers see strange things throughout their careers. One time, another trapped saw two little piglets trapped in one trap, a double whammy. These animals were destroying gardens and crops, so they needed to be controlled.
The Double Whammy
Bear Trapping
Small animals can cause a lot of damage, but so can the big ones. A particularly violent bear was trapped in a coyote trap. The trappers knew that they had to free the bear, and they found themselves in a situation similar to John and his friends.
Bear Trapping
Smelly Traps
Skunks are well known for their unpleasant odor, which is emitted when they are scared or trapped. Trappers usually can detect the animals because their smell can become evident from miles away. Skunks are also dangerous because of their sharp teeth and claws.
Smelly Traps
Something Odd
Once time, a hiker found a bald eagle in a coyote trap in the woods of Alaska. She decided to take a photo and then to try to release it. She actually then got fined $500 for tampering with the trap. However, the judge let her off for her bravery and heroics.
Something Odd
A Poor Deer
Eagles are quite aggressive too, like this one that surprised this sika seer. The deer was utterly helpless, and despite the fact that it is the larger animal, it succumbed to the eagle in the end.
A Poor Deer
Raccoon and Hog
Night vision cameras can help a lot, like this landowner discovered. He wanted to figure out what was emptying out his feeder. He found out that a wild hog accompanied by a raccoon was sneaking onto his land and eating all the corn.
Raccoon And Hog
Deer and Squirrel
An unsuspecting deer suddenly found itself being attacked by a flying squirrel. It’s really hard to know what the squirrel was planning, but the deer was clearly ambushed.
Deer And Squirrel