MN Wolves and other meat eaters on the trail cam

Doesn't get any closer than that!

I saw on social media the Ely FS plane flew over a pack of 9 that was on a small pond feeding on a moose.

Enjoyed that, thanks! Never have seen a hawk on a trail cam before. Pretty cool.

Neat video, thanks for posting!

I had an interesting twenty minute encounter with a wolf while skiing with my dog near home. Very casual. She paralleled us from about twenty yards away for the length of a large bay. I got the impression that she and the dog were already acquainted and I was the questionable guest at the party.

Brief video

Worst brain fart on my part was that I had a very good camera in my pack and never thought to pull it out.

I have seen a wolf or two on occasion. I've always felt privileged when I see one.

Banksiana: "I had an interesting twenty minute encounter with a wolf while skiing with my dog near home. Very casual. She paralleled us from about twenty yards away for the length of a large bay. I got the impression that she and the dog were already acquainted and I was the questionable guest at the party."

While I don't ever want to fearmonger for wolves (People have nothing to worry about, except in extreme circumstances. Most wolves want nothing to do with people), I do want to caution you and anyone else out with a dog. Wolves see dogs as competition, just as they do foxes, coyotes, and other wolves. They will readily attack a dog, no matter the breed, no matter the proximity to people. It's hardwired in them. Be incredibly careful.

Banksiana: "I had an interesting twenty minute encounter with a wolf while skiing with my dog near home. Very casual. She paralleled us from about twenty yards away for the length of a large bay. I got the impression that she and the dog were already acquainted and I was the questionable guest at the party.


Brief video


Worst brain fart on my part was that I had a very good camera in my pack and never thought to pull it out."

So beautiful! And looks just like my dogs stretching, lol. How fun.

Buddy bought a farm to hunt on near willow river.mn.
Caught these on trail cam
Just south of Cloquet.

Kermit: "

Banksiana: "I had an interesting twenty minute encounter with a wolf while skiing with my dog near home. Very casual. She paralleled us from about twenty yards away for the length of a large bay. I got the impression that she and the dog were already acquainted and I was the questionable guest at the party."

While I don't ever want to fearmonger for wolves (People have nothing to worry about, except in extreme circumstances. Most wolves want nothing to do with people), I do want to caution you and anyone else out with a dog. Wolves see dogs as competition, just as they do foxes, coyotes, and other wolves. They will readily attack a dog, no matter the breed, no matter the proximity to people. It's hardwired in them. Be incredibly careful."

I've lived outside Ely since the mid-eighties. I spend a great deal of time alone or accompanied only by a dog in the woods. I've had many encounters with wolves. I am very cautious with my dogs due to the presence of wolves. It is a disservice to the very nature of wolves (and of dogs for that matter, since the difference between the two is basically insignificant) to believe that their behavior is regimented to the degree you suggest. They are individuals, with varying levels of aggression, curiosity, playfulness, coordination, humor and reaction to humans and to dogs. This wolf was calm and curious- interested in what we were doing and maybe why; she simply wanted to watch and follow along. Neither she, nor my dog, seemed particularly surprised or disturbed or distressed by our meeting. I believe she is a member of a small pack of three that has splintered off a large group that is centered around the Echo Trail up above Burntside, near the Passi Hill. There was a kill just off the lake that I was aware of before she emerged to watch us. The other two stayed on the kill (probably the mated pair that form the center of the pack). I have often heard this group howl from my house- I've only ever heard three voices.

You’re absolutely right. These animals are all individuals and each situation is incredibly nuanced. As it happens, I study wolves in the Superior National Forest, so I have a fair bit of experience with them as well. I always advise dog owners to be incredibly cautious in areas where wolves live. What we may interpret as curiosity on the part of the wolf very well may be, but once they realize what they’re seeing is a dog they can very easily overpower it. While many encounters could be perfectly benign, it only takes once to have a dead dog and, having experienced that, I don’t ever wish it on anyone.