America’s iconic landscapes are filled with endless opportunities to recreate and are also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including gray wolves. As you lace up your boots or strap on your sandals to explore our spectacular public lands this summer, it’s important to understand how to respect wildlife, their habitats and their neighbors.
No matter how you enjoy spending time outside, here are five tips to help you recreate in these shared landscapes.
Tip 1: How to identify a wolf
It’s hard not to question every dog track you see when you are recreating in an area with wolves. It can be tricky to tell wolves apart from more common canines, like coyotes and domestic dogs, but there are some key characteristics you can use to identify wolves and the marks they leave on the land.
The two most common marks wolves leave are their prints and poop. Canines’ hind tracks are slightly smaller than their front tracks because their front legs support more weight. They also almost always have symmetrical toes and evident claws, unlike most felines, such as mountain lions, bobcats and domestic cats.
Wolves’ prints in particular are double the size of coyotes’ and about two inches larger than your average husky print. That said, there are certainly large dog breeds with paws rivaling the size of a wolf’s! The path wolf prints leave is another big hint, since wolves generally take a very direct and purposeful route, whereas domestic dogs wander around more erratically.
If you happen to see a canine cross your path and you aren’t sure what it is, keep a safe distance!
Wolves are typically pack animals who live and hunt with two to 12 others. A lone wolf, however, is not uncommon. Some dog breeds look similar to wolves, so look for clues like name tags, harnesses or a curly tail.
Wolves also rarely bark or get very close to people. When in doubt, take a picture and mark your location to report it to the local ranger.
Tip 2: How to be safe around all wildlife while recreating
Of all the wildlife you may see on the trail, you generally don’t have to worry about being approached by a wolf. Gray wolves are very wary of humans, not aggressive by nature and typically flee to escape potential threats. That said, they are still wild animals who deserve to be treated with respect and space.
Wolves and other wild animals may potentially perceive domestic dogs as a threat. Make sure to keep your pets on a leash to keep everyone, domestic and wild, safe.
When you arrive at a new park or natural area, check in with the rangers, visitor centers or signage to learn what wildlife to expect, when they are most active and if you need to take any special precautions. It’s always best to travel with a buddy or in groups. And make sure you stay alert – eyes and ears open - while exploring.
Tip 3: What to do if you see a wolf
Even though wolves are rare to spot in the wild, always be prepared for the wildlife you might encounter when exploring the outdoors.
If you see a wolf in the wild, remember to:
- Stay calm, do not run or turn away.
- Slowly back away and maintain visual contact.
- Do not block the animal’s escape path.
- Appear as big as possible and make loud noises.
- Keep pets leashed and out of way.
If you are visiting wolf habitat, there are probably bears there too! Check out this blog next to be more bear aware before you go exploring.
Tip 4: What to do if you see a large dog loose on the trail
Ranchers often graze on or near public lands, so you may see some conflict prevention measures at work. One proactive approach is to use livestock guardian dogs, or dogs who are specially bred to live with, bond with and protect their herd.
Sometimes, well-meaning hikers will spot these dogs on the trail, assume they’re lost and try to bring them to a shelter. This leaves the dog confused, the rancher frustrated and the livestock vulnerable.
If you see a large dog like this while recreating:
- Do not approach!
- If the dog is with livestock, do not walk through their herd.
- Leash your pet and keep them close as you pass the livestock protection dog.
- Take note of your location and a picture of the dog to tell a ranger or park staff if you are not sure.
Tip 5: What to do if you find equipment on the trail
You may see gadgets and gizmos we use to deter wolves from livestock while walking along the trail. Leave them be!
From trail cameras to fladry, these measures are a big part of Defenders of Wildlife’s work with ranchers to protect and restore gray wolves to their historical range and reduce wolf-livestock conflict. If you notice damaged equipment or if it seems out of place, take a photo and note your location to report it to the local ranger.
Just because you see these items does not necessarily mean wolves are nearby. Respecting signage and private property is an important role of recreating on shared landscapes.
In fact, when it comes to recreating in wolf habitat, there’s not all that much we need to change from how we respect any other kind of wildlife. The biggest thing to remember is to keep wild animals, our pets and ourselves safe in nature is largely dependent on how we prepare, behave and react.
Just by reading this you’ve already taken a wonderful step towards a safer journey. Now, apply what you’ve learned and enjoy the outdoors!
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