Another Yellowstone Update. The Soda Butte Pack did visit Jackson Hole. Where are they Now?
12-12-97 (minor addition 12-15)
Both Jackson, Wyoming, newspapers (the "News" and the "Guide") had front page stories Wednesday, Dec. 11, on the Soda Butte Pack coming to Jackson Hole. The pack was radio tracked and observed by a number of people while it was on Mount Randolph and in the Buffalo River Valley near Moran, Wyoming. Some observers were thrilled and others were not, with ranchers on both sides. Folks were speculating about what would happen when the wolves found the ten or twelve-thousand elk on the National Elk Refuge just north of the small city of Jackson.
The eight-member pack came right out of the wilderness -- south from Yellostone through remote Wolverine Creek, through the upper reaches of Pacific Creek, and emerged out onto Mt. Randolph which is on the southern boundary of the Teton Wilderness Area.
Oddly, aerial flights over Jackson Hole today, Dec. 12, failed to locate the pack. The flight covered Jackson Hole, the south boundary of Yellowstone and even the SW corner of Yellowstone, the "Bechler Area", rich wildlife habitat that has been little visited by wolves so far. There will be more flights on the 13th.
Flights were also made for the rest of the Yellowstone wolves. Here are the results.
Druid Peak Pack was in their regular place -- the east side of Lamar Valley.
Rose Creek Pack was in Hellroaring Creek, a major tributary of the Yellowstone River in the backcountry near the Park's north boundary.
The Leopold Pack was on Swan Lake Flat. If they keep this up, they will be a roadside attraction next summer.
The Crystal Creek Pack was in their normal spot -- the Pelican Valley.
The Thorofare Pack was in the Thorofare.
Chief Joseph no. 1 was not found.
Chief Joseph no. 2, which appears to really be just no. 16F and her pup no. 111F, were on the Blacktail Deer Plateau.
The Washakie Pack was in the DuNoir as usual. I haven't heard any more about the new uncollared wolves in the DuNoir, but then I haven't made the appropriate phone calls.
Now lone wolf, no. 29M, his mate killed by the ADC, was in Nez Perce Creek. His pup and the two Sawtooth yearlings are still in the Nez Perce pen.
The Druid Peak white wolf, no. 39F was not located, and she seems to have gone off on her own again. I don't know if no. 41F has been allowed back into the Druid Peak Pack. Turns out she is still in the North Absaorka Wilderness in the vicinity of Sunlight Basin.
The late no. 27's pup, now 1 3/4 years old, no. 48F was not located. She was last located in the Thorofare. The only living free-roaming Sawtooth yearling, no. 65F was not located.
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