JACKSON HOLE CONSERVATION ALLIANCE

P.O. Box 2728

Jackson, WY 83001

(307) 733-9417

www.jhalliance.org

1/6/08 Casper Star-Tribune and 1/9/08 Jackson Hole News&Guide

Wolves Have Been Good Neighbors

By Franz Camenzind, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance

While hiking off-trail in Grand Teton National Park recently I had one of those wonderful Wyoming moments that I will cherish the rest of my life. As I broke out of thick timber I noticed movement to my left. Catching sight, I realized that a wolf was walking parallel to me. Then there was another and a third -- all moving in single file into the opening ahead. Completely unexpected, so quiet and perfectly peaceful was this chance encounter that I couldn’t believe it was happening. As I dropped my pack to retrieve my camera I noticed a fourth wolf, about a hundred yards behind the others and about the same distance from me. This one was completely absorbed in watching what I was all about.

I never dreamed when I came to Jackson Hole 37 years ago that I would ever see wolves in this valley. These four wolves were undoubtedly offspring of the 1995-96 reintroductions into Yellowstone National Park. Wolves from that event first moved into Jackson Hole in late fall of 1996 and the first pups were born the next spring. Since that time the population has struggled and fluctuated until now at least five packs claim a part of Jackson Hole as their home.

Remaining low in the sage, I got my camera ready hoping to record even a distant image of these wild animals as they moved so effortlessly through their landscape. I’ve always understood wolves to be creatures of movement, and this pack of four remained true to their nature. As the three lead wolves continued weaving their way through the sage, the last arched around me moving ever closer until it was downwind. I snapped a few pictures as it stopped about 70 yards away. It sat on its haunches for several minutes, took a few steps closer and sat again, head always held high, ears pointed forward picking up every clue as to my identity and purpose. If wolves have expressions, this beautiful gray-tan wolf expressed caution and curiosity. Like a big inquisitive dog it just sat there checking me out, this stranger in its world.

After several minutes it turned and walked about 35 yards and urinated, marking the spot and the event as hers. She soon caught up with the other wolves and together they moved away, over a ridge and out of sight. I guessed this big, furred and beautiful female to be no more than three or four years of age. I’m still reliving those minutes in the sage, re-imaging her face and most of all her presence in this place called Grand Teton National Park. My guess is that she has completely forgotten that chance meeting. For me, it will live on to my end.

I’m fortunate to have had several such encounters, two more in Jackson Hole involving single wolves -- one wolf twice coming to within 10 yards in very thick timber, another just passing ahead on a hillside about 150 yards away. And one unforgettable event in northern Alberta when a pack of 15 or so Mackenzie River wolves glided past me on both sides, some less than 10 yards away. They were focused on a herd of Wood Buffalo. I garnered no more than a pause and passby glance.

No, I never felt in harm’s way, threatened or otherwise concerned. Clearly, if any of the wolves had meant me harm, I would not be here to share these stories. And I meant no harm to the wolves. Unfortunately, there are those in this state who are set on eliminating half of Wyoming’s wolves, just because they are wolves. If they get their way, we could easily lose the wolves in Grand Teton National Park simply because they routinely venture far beyond the park’s protective boundaries. Why should they be at risk? Not because of our wildlife; every elk herd in the region remains above objective, our moose appear to be on the rebound, bison are in excess and our pronghorn antelope population is growing. It’s not because of a problem with livestock -- to the best of my knowledge, no cattle have been taken by the Jackson Hole wolves, and obviously, no one has been harmed. Wolves have been good neighbors. I hope the people of Wyoming can be good neighbors. We are truly blessed to live in Wyoming -- a place that still harbors a remnant of this great nation’s wild heritage, a place big enough to provide moments when chance encounters of the wild kind can be remembered forever. Perhaps next time I will be able to share the moment with my grandchildren.

If you hope to see wolves roaming northwestern Wyoming, please express your concerns about Wyoming’s heavy-handed wolf management plan at this month’s Game and Fish meetings. The first round will be held:

Jan. 21 - Green River, Green River Game and Fish Regional Office, 7 p.m.
Jan. 21 - Laramie, Laramie Game and Fish Regional Office, 7 p.m.
Jan. 22 - Lander, Lander Community Center, 950 Buena Vista, 7 p.m.
Jan. 22 - Pinedale, Pinedale Library, 7 p.m.
Jan. 23 - Jackson, Antler Motel, 50 W. Pearl, 7 p.m.
Jan. 23 - Sheridan, Sheridan Game and Fish Regional Office, 7 p.m.
Jan. 24 - Casper, Casper Game and Fish Regional Office, 7 p.m.
Jan. 24 - Cody, Bighorn Federal Savings & Loan, 7 p.m.

Details including draft language for the chapter changes can be found at the Wyoming Game and Fish website: http://gf.state.wy.us/wildlife/GrayWolvesSurvey/index.asp.

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The Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to responsible land stewardship to ensure that human activities are in harmony with the area’s irreplaceable wildlife, scenic and other natural resources. The organization has 2,000 members from Jackson Hole and across the nation.