Current Wolf observations in the Northern Range.
Nov. 16, 2005
California biology teacher and very careful wolf observer Kathie Lynch was in Yellowstone quite recently and she emailed me an update that will interest those who watch the northern range wolves and follow them closely. I want to think her for sharing her notes with us.
YNP WOLF Field Notes (Kathie Lynch), 11/05:
The Northern Range in November is virtually deserted as far as wolf watchers go, but rich in wildlife! Huge herds of hundreds of elk have magically reappeared after their absence all summer, bison wander the roads freely, and the wolves seem to be enjoying the cool (OK, cold: 23 degrees F!) weather and early snows.I had a "three pack" visit, as I got to see the Slough Creek pack, the Agate Creek pack, and (drum roll!) the Swan Lake splinter group! I was especially excited to see the three Swan Lake wolves because I had never before seen any wolves from that pack. This remnant of the once large pack includes former Agate wolf 295M (black) and two grays. One afternoon, 295M appeared close to the road near the Rescue Creek bridge (between Gardiner and Mammoth) and howled back and forth to the other two. When I saw them later, all three were bedded near a huge herd of elk in that area.
I also saw four (three grays and one black) of the eight (five adults and three surviving pups) Agate Creek wolves bedded below a ridge west of the Petrified Tree. The group included alpha 472F (whose face and body shape make her the spittin' image of 21M, if you ask me!), but we couldn't be sure if our majestic old friend, alpha [male] 113M, was also there. The pack had probably been visiting a bull elk carcass near the bottom of Blacktail Deer Plateau Drive.
Three days later, I found wolf (and grizzly!) tracks all over in the inch of fresh snow on the road. As I walked along looking at the tracks, I was excited to discover that they led to where wolves had recently bedded on a small rise. There were four perfect ovals of melted snow revealing matted down grass and dirt, each oval exactly the shape of a curled up, sleeping wolf!
The Slough Creek wolves continue to put on quite a show (although a recent day marked the first time since August when they were not seen.) However, I was lucky and got to see all 15 Sloughs at the same time, 13 on a carcass near Crystal Creek, and two (489M and an uncollared gray, possibly "Left Tail") on another carcass (elk) in the Slough Creek flats. Through the spotting scope from Dave's Hill, it was easy to see the uncollared gray's blood-smeared face as he fed. The Sloughs also made an appearance at the opposite end of the Lamar Valley the next day, disappearing into the trees on the flank of Mount Norris near Soda Butte Cone.
Still no word on the Druids, but as far as tales of other recent wolf sightings, I heard that 10 Leopolds were visible on a carcass south of the road from the "Forces of the Northern Range" (the old "Childrens' Fire Trail") parking lot. And, some people who hiked into the Hellroaring area told me that they saw eight wolves on a carcass (perhaps the Leopold splinter group, the Hellroaring group, which replaced the defunct Geode Creek pack.) We were also watching a carcass in Round Prairie, hoping that the Phantom (New) pack might show up, but [Round Prairie] seemed to be controlled by grizzlies. I heard reports of as many as nine [griz] being seen on and off!
And speaking of grizzlies, don't put away your bear spray yet! While I was in the Slough Creek parking lot, a big boar griz walked right around the base of Dave's Hill (maybe 75 yards away) and stopped to investigate the new wooden barrier at the base of the old trail up the hill! He was obviously aware of the few people in the parking lot, but not threatening at all as he crossed the campground road and moved off toward the flats. Considering all the times we find ourselves alone on a hillside watching wolves, this close encounter was a good reminder to always keep your bear spray handy!Kathie Lynch has more excellent notes from Thanksgiving weekend.