Wolves Making a Comeback?

gravy boat · 03-29-2009, 04:37 PM

Good afternoon,

A good friend of ours lives out in Gilmanton. He recently ( in the last 2 weeks) took a walk out on the ridge near his house after hearing the barking/yelps of a pack of what assumed were coy dogs or coyotes. At a certain point he stopped to listen for a few minutes and was almost run down by three deer darting down the hill and within a few feet of him. A minute later almost a dozen deer came bounding over and down, spread out and running from something. He waited quietly and watched and then saw what he said was a wolf. Definitely not a coyote or any hybrid of coyote or domestic. Said it was very healthy and absolutely beautiful. He made some noise so it knew he was there and wouldn't come any closer. It looked at him for a few seconds and then went back the way it came.

Has anybody else seen wolves in the area? I've seen coyotes all around the state, but never a wolf.

GB

Dave R · 03-29-2009, 04:48 PM

Two different "neighbors" of mine have told me that they saw a wolf last year here in Raymond. They don't know each other, so it seems more likely to me that neither was wrong. I have never seen one but I do hear packs of canines often roaming in the woods at night. I assumed they were coyotes, but maybe not...

mg2107 · 03-29-2009, 05:40 PM

How about a hybrid mix?

Irish mist · 03-29-2009, 09:29 PM

Through recent genetic studies it has been shown that the eastern coyote is part wolf. The western coyote is a much smaller animal, It's likely that he seen this wolf/coyote hybrid.
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jmen24 · 03-30-2009, 09:47 AM

My parents live in the Pittsfield/Gilmanton corner of Loudon and my father has seen for himself and as have a few neighbors seen exactly the same thing (prob the same animal). After talking to the CO, F&G they first pushed it off as being a large coyote or hybrid. After the CO had the opp to see first hand and document with photos, it was determined that this animal in fact appears to be a North American Wolf, but unless someone shoots it and allows F&G to test it is open still for debate. Sceptics will run wild with this because they do not want to believe it, but it has been seen in the fields at the top of RT 129 by 5 people that my family knows (that at least recognize what a coyote looks like).

Irish mist · 03-30-2009, 05:40 PM

It could be a lone wolf, but they are by nature pack animals so one would not expect to see a single animal. If it is a wolf it's possible somone released it in the area as opposed to it having shown up here on its own.
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Lakesrider · 03-30-2009, 08:16 PM

If it was a Gray Wolf and someone shoots it they are screwed if they tell anyone seeing as it is a federally protected animal.

There is a group of wolves in Quebec so not that far from us.

SIKSUKR · 03-31-2009, 10:39 AM

I had a grey wolf on my property in southern NH 6 years ago while a large construction project was underway. Never saw one before and we went right to the internet to see what this animal was. It was watching my cat and when my cat saw it she climbed up a tree. I thought that was a good move and I went out to watch the animal. I then learned that the grey wolf was one of a few if maybe the only in the canine family with the ability to climb trees.

gravy boat · 03-31-2009, 12:50 PM

Thank you all. I had heard in the last few years that the wolf was moving further south from Canada into the northeastern US.

I believe this is the sign of a health eco system/food chain.

carole · 03-31-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

I had a grey wolf on my property in southern NH 6 years ago while a large construction project was underway.Never saw one before and we went right to the internet to see what this animal was.It was watching my cat and when my cat saw it she climbed up a tree.I thought that was a good move and I went out to watch the animal.I then learned that the grey wolf was one of a few if maybe the only in the canine family with the ability to climb trees.

I think you may be confusing this with a grey fox - they climb trees, not wolves.

Newbiesaukee · 03-31-2009, 03:01 PM

There is always the exception that proves the rules (I never quite understood what that means) but some wolves can climb trees.

http://kiza.kcore.de/wolfpaper-archive/2001-07-21

Nonetheless, as with anything on the internet, take with a grain of "Photoshop."

SIKSUKR · 04-01-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carole

I think you may be confusing this with a grey fox - they climb trees, not wolves.

After looking at the grey fox again, you are correct but here's one link I Googled:

The WeuUkoo Wolves - About the Grey WolvesThe WeuUkoo Wolves are a pack of grey wolves, belonging to a rare ... What makes the WeuUkoo different from other wolves is their ability to climb trees. ... but as the WeuUkoo Wolves have supporting counselors, they can also have only ...
www.weuukoo.com/01fweuukoo.htm - 4k - Cached - Similar pages

Newbiesaukee · 04-01-2009, 12:21 PM

That's the problem with the internet. I found the same link, but I THINK that this is really a role playing game and not a real Wolf Pack. I am too old for this new technology.

SAMIAM · 04-02-2009, 10:54 AM

Sorry, but I've got to see some proof before I believe we have wolves....always been rumors of mountain lions but never any proof. I'm not saying they're wrong, just know that the eye can be deceiving.

SIKSUKR · 04-03-2009, 09:03 AM

I definately saw a mountain lion last spring while heading to my ski house.As soon as I exited 93/Parkway at Cannon Mt,the cat scooted right in front of my car.It was dusk so the markings were not clear but there was no mistake on the size of this cat.I talked with John Harrigan who writes for the Union Leader about wildlife.He was not suprized at all.I didn't know there had ever been sightings of big cats in NH.

Belkin · 04-03-2009, 09:38 AM

I have also seen a mountain lion in NH. I was driving to the dump in Merrimack NH during broad daylight and the cat walked in front of my pickup and it was no more than 50 feet in front of me. This was nearly 20 years ago. It was in January, but there had been a lot of rain that turned the snow into a very hard crust after it froze, so there was no chance of any foot prints. The mountain lion was a charcoal gray in color, with no other distinctive markings. My wife was also in the car. It was about 2.5 feet high at the shoulders with a long thick tail. The body was long and muscular and very different from a dogs. We really confirmed our sighting at the Boston Museum of Science. They have a stuffed one there and the one that we saw was virtually identical, except for the coloration. We did not report the sighting to anyone but our friends.

We had one person indicate that mountain lions occasionally come down from Canada.

Many years later, I was talking to a co-worker who also lived in Merrimack and she relayed a similar experience during about the same time frame. Except that in her case it was actually on her deck. So, she got a very good look at it.

Grant · 04-03-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

I definately saw a mountain lion last spring while heading to my ski house.As soon as I exited 93/Parkway at Cannon Mt,the cat scooted right in front of my car.It was dusk so the markings were not clear but there was no mistake on the size of this cat.I talked with John Harrigan who writes for the Union Leader about wildlife.He was not suprized at all.I didn't know there had ever been sightings of big cats in NH.

I've been very interested in the topic of Mtn. Lions in NH & ME for years -- since hearing of a sighting in the Ossipees many years ago. I've done a bit of spelunking on the Interwebz in recent years and found a rash of sightings.

Here are a couple of sites with some accounts.

The one things that's still missing: a dead cat. If they are crossing so many roads, and being seen by folks, eventually one will get hit by a car or shot by a hunter. Then again, how many get hit in Western states with verified populations and many more cars & drivers?

There was bona fide Puma scat found in the Ossipees a few years ago, although they say it could have been from an animal that was released into the wild. But what are the odds of this?

Flylady · 04-03-2009, 05:59 PM

We have a few "families" of cougars in the mountains to our West. In the 20 years I have lived in this area, I have never heard of a 'Cat" being hit by a car. We do however hear of their demise when they are found dead (usually poisoning) or lately by males killing other cubs. Because ofthe more dense population here the few that have survived have radio collars and their movement always monitors in case they decide to start picking of local pets or live stock for dinner.

Argie's Wife · 04-03-2009, 11:35 PM

There are mountain lions in NH - don't doubt it - and a sighting here in Alton not too long ago by our neighbor. We have a stream that runs down Route 140 and borders several home-owners' property lines in our area. It sorta pools up behind my neighbors' house (Cats In The Cradle Soap) and they get a plethora of wildlife back there - beavers, bears, and mountain lions!

And bears are out now - I hear one "oof!"ing (that whispery-bark they do) the other night when I took the dog out... couldn't get back in the house fast enough thankyouverymuch!

03-29-2009, 04:37 PM	#1
gravy boat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gilford year round, West Alton summers Posts: 596 Thanks: 601 Thanked 203 Times in 102 Posts	Wolves Making a Comeback? Good afternoon, A good friend of ours lives out in Gilmanton. He recently ( in the last 2 weeks) took a walk out on the ridge near his house after hearing the barking/yelps of a pack of what assumed were coy dogs or coyotes. At a certain point he stopped to listen for a few minutes and was almost run down by three deer darting down the hill and within a few feet of him. A minute later almost a dozen deer came bounding over and down, spread out and running from something. He waited quietly and watched and then saw what he said was a wolf. Definitely not a coyote or any hybrid of coyote or domestic. Said it was very healthy and absolutely beautiful. He made some noise so it knew he was there and wouldn't come any closer. It looked at him for a few seconds and then went back the way it came. Has anybody else seen wolves in the area? I've seen coyotes all around the state, but never a wolf. GB

03-29-2009, 09:29 PM	#4
Irish mist Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 686 Thanks: 128 Thanked 85 Times in 49 Posts	Through recent genetic studies it has been shown that the eastern coyote is part wolf. The western coyote is a much smaller animal, It's likely that he seen this wolf/coyote hybrid. ________ Vaporizer.Org Last edited by Irish mist; 02-27-2011 at 11:45 PM.

03-30-2009, 05:40 PM	#6
Irish mist Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 686 Thanks: 128 Thanked 85 Times in 49 Posts	It could be a lone wolf, but they are by nature pack animals so one would not expect to see a single animal. If it is a wolf it's possible somone released it in the area as opposed to it having shown up here on its own. ________ EASY VAPE VAPORIZER Last edited by Irish mist; 02-27-2011 at 11:45 PM.

03-31-2009, 10:39 AM	#8
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	I had a grey wolf on my property in southern NH 6 years ago while a large construction project was underway. Never saw one before and we went right to the internet to see what this animal was. It was watching my cat and when my cat saw it she climbed up a tree. I thought that was a good move and I went out to watch the animal. I then learned that the grey wolf was one of a few if maybe the only in the canine family with the ability to climb trees. __________________ SIKSUKR

03-31-2009, 12:50 PM	#9
gravy boat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gilford year round, West Alton summers Posts: 596 Thanks: 601 Thanked 203 Times in 102 Posts	wolves Thank you all. I had heard in the last few years that the wolf was moving further south from Canada into the northeastern US. I believe this is the sign of a health eco system/food chain.

03-29-2009, 04:48 PM	#2
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 246 Thanked 744 Times in 444 Posts	Two different "neighbors" of mine have told me that they saw a wolf last year here in Raymond. They don't know each other, so it seems more likely to me that neither was wrong. I have never seen one but I do hear packs of canines often roaming in the woods at night. I assumed they were coyotes, but maybe not...

03-29-2009, 05:40 PM	#3
mg2107 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 169 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	How about a hybrid mix?

03-30-2009, 09:47 AM	#5
jmen24 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,139 Thanks: 223 Thanked 319 Times in 181 Posts	My parents live in the Pittsfield/Gilmanton corner of Loudon and my father has seen for himself and as have a few neighbors seen exactly the same thing (prob the same animal). After talking to the CO, F&G they first pushed it off as being a large coyote or hybrid. After the CO had the opp to see first hand and document with photos, it was determined that this animal in fact appears to be a North American Wolf, but unless someone shoots it and allows F&G to test it is open still for debate. Sceptics will run wild with this because they do not want to believe it, but it has been seen in the fields at the top of RT 129 by 5 people that my family knows (that at least recognize what a coyote looks like).

03-30-2009, 08:16 PM	#7
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	If it was a Gray Wolf and someone shoots it they are screwed if they tell anyone seeing as it is a federally protected animal. There is a group of wolves in Quebec so not that far from us.

03-31-2009, 03:01 PM	#11
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,363 Thanks: 960 Thanked 575 Times in 300 Posts	There is always the exception that proves the rules (I never quite understood what that means) but some wolves can climb trees. http://kiza.kcore.de/wolfpaper-archive/2001-07-21 Nonetheless, as with anything on the internet, take with a grain of "Photoshop."

04-01-2009, 12:21 PM	#13
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,363 Thanks: 960 Thanked 575 Times in 300 Posts	That's the problem with the internet. I found the same link, but I THINK that this is really a role playing game and not a real Wolf Pack. I am too old for this new technology.

04-02-2009, 10:54 AM	#14
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,922 Thanks: 349 Thanked 1,693 Times in 595 Posts	Sorry, but I've got to see some proof before I believe we have wolves....always been rumors of mountain lions but never any proof. I'm not saying they're wrong, just know that the eye can be deceiving.

04-03-2009, 09:03 AM	#15
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	I definately saw a mountain lion last spring while heading to my ski house.As soon as I exited 93/Parkway at Cannon Mt,the cat scooted right in front of my car.It was dusk so the markings were not clear but there was no mistake on the size of this cat.I talked with John Harrigan who writes for the Union Leader about wildlife.He was not suprized at all.I didn't know there had ever been sightings of big cats in NH. __________________ SIKSUKR

04-03-2009, 09:38 AM	#16
Belkin Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Have also seen a mountain lion in NH I have also seen a mountain lion in NH. I was driving to the dump in Merrimack NH during broad daylight and the cat walked in front of my pickup and it was no more than 50 feet in front of me. This was nearly 20 years ago. It was in January, but there had been a lot of rain that turned the snow into a very hard crust after it froze, so there was no chance of any foot prints. The mountain lion was a charcoal gray in color, with no other distinctive markings. My wife was also in the car. It was about 2.5 feet high at the shoulders with a long thick tail. The body was long and muscular and very different from a dogs. We really confirmed our sighting at the Boston Museum of Science. They have a stuffed one there and the one that we saw was virtually identical, except for the coloration. We did not report the sighting to anyone but our friends. We had one person indicate that mountain lions occasionally come down from Canada. Many years later, I was talking to a co-worker who also lived in Merrimack and she relayed a similar experience during about the same time frame. Except that in her case it was actually on her deck. So, she got a very good look at it.

04-03-2009, 05:59 PM	#18
Flylady Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: So. California & Lakes Region Posts: 256 Thanks: 225 Thanked 106 Times in 61 Posts	Big cats in So. Cal. We have a few "families" of cougars in the mountains to our West. In the 20 years I have lived in this area, I have never heard of a 'Cat" being hit by a car. We do however hear of their demise when they are found dead (usually poisoning) or lately by males killing other cubs. Because ofthe more dense population here the few that have survived have radio collars and their movement always monitors in case they decide to start picking of local pets or live stock for dinner.

04-03-2009, 11:35 PM	#19
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	There are mountain lions in NH - don't doubt it - and a sighting here in Alton not too long ago by our neighbor. We have a stream that runs down Route 140 and borders several home-owners' property lines in our area. It sorta pools up behind my neighbors' house (Cats In The Cradle Soap) and they get a plethora of wildlife back there - beavers, bears, and mountain lions! And bears are out now - I hear one "oof!"ing (that whispery-bark they do) the other night when I took the dog out... couldn't get back in the house fast enough thankyouverymuch!