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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Clay Hayes on June 19, 2013, 01:35:00 PM

Title: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Clay Hayes on June 19, 2013, 01:35:00 PM
I was out bear/morel hunting a few weeks ago and happened to catch some pretty interesting elk behavior on film.  You can check it out at the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=257632731044333&l=6865250330338066805
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Sixby on June 19, 2013, 01:42:00 PM
Those two young bulls probasbly have never seen a wolf and were curious. then when he ran they ran after him. Play behavior with them but the wolf was taking no chances.
What I noticed is just how really big a wolf is. When he is past the elk in the pics he still looks really large. Like large enough to kill an elk by himself without the help of a pack. Really neat film and I bet you are glad to get it. Thanks for sharing.

God bless, Steve
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: durp on June 19, 2013, 03:37:00 PM
whole different story had it been two wolves and one elk...

i for one will never believe that those two bull had never seen wolves before !!!
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Kyle Lancaster on June 19, 2013, 03:49:00 PM
Not to highjack this thread but I just read the book "Wolfer". It was written by the guy that headed up the wolf introduction to the mountain west. It was a great read. I'd loan it to anyone interested.

Kyle
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Kamm1004 on June 19, 2013, 04:15:00 PM
I don't believe those elk hadn't ever seen a wolf before either. I think they knew exactly what they were doing. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense, maybe they were taking that angle? Who knows.
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: njloco on June 19, 2013, 05:17:00 PM
Coming elk hunting in Idaho this season, my friend told me to bring a side piece because of the wolves, just what I needed, biggest thing I've had to worry about were coyotes.
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Kamm1004 on June 19, 2013, 05:23:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by njloco:
Coming elk hunting in Idaho this season, my friend told me to bring a side piece because of the wolves, just what I needed, biggest thing I've had to worry about were coyotes.
lol but all the experts say wolves would never attack humans and that there are no recorded wolf attacks on humans. I personally beg to differ from stories from people I trust in alaska who live with wolves but hey, you never know.
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: VictoryHunter on June 19, 2013, 07:23:00 PM
This is cool! I wouldn't to much about wolves there has only been one recorded wolf/human fatality.
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: jmrsyrs on June 19, 2013, 07:39:00 PM
Good stuff. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: JamesKerr on June 19, 2013, 07:40:00 PM
Cool footage! If it were me hunting in an area that had wolves in it you can bet I would be packing a side arm. Saying a wolf won't attack a human is like saying a shark won't bite you either. Both are rare occurrences but you don't want it to happen to you.
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Stickbow on June 19, 2013, 08:14:00 PM
I wouldn't worry about the wolves.......you just dont want to miss a chance
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Daz on June 19, 2013, 09:45:00 PM
Great footage.
Mule deer does will gang up on single coyotes and run them and stomp 'em, and i had a quarter horse who had three confirmed coyote kills under his saddle (three different occasions).

He HATED coyotes. After stomping them, he would be pleased as all get out.
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Sam McMichael on June 19, 2013, 09:48:00 PM
Are those elk just a little dumb or just plain damn stupid?
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: njloco on June 19, 2013, 09:51:00 PM
Victoryhunter, if you hear of a hunter who got eaten by wolves this September, you'll know who it was, probably me, just kidding, I ain't gonna miss out on hunting elk for the first time because of some dogs !
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Arkansas Osage on June 19, 2013, 10:31:00 PM
Wolf could have been trying to lead one into an ambush as well.
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Clay Hayes on June 19, 2013, 10:35:00 PM
Hey guys, thanks for the comments.  I'll be uploading stuff like this to the page every so often, so check that little like button if you want to stay in the loop.  I hunt in north Idaho, which is kinda wolf central.  I've never felt unsafe, even though I've been within 10 yards of wolves while bowhunting. I don't carry a side arm, or spray.  IMHO, the talk about wolves attacking people is propaganda. Not wanting to start a debate, just saying.

The film was captured in a large meadow complex where wolves are frequently seen.  These elk have seen wolves before, no doubt.  This time of year, it's not uncommon to see a single wolf out in the meadow searching for elk calves and deer fawns.  These bulls were just doing what comes natural, pestering a predator when they had the advantage.
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Killdeer on June 19, 2013, 11:06:00 PM
I think the wolves would take a look at Kenny and bring him something to eat. He has no fat. Then again, he just might outrun them.

Killdeer   :wavey:
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Bjorn on June 19, 2013, 11:35:00 PM
Someone needs to tell the big bad elk that the wolves have the protection of the federales!
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Hummer3T on June 19, 2013, 11:40:00 PM
Cool video, I have seen this with elk, deer and antelope, loan and small groups of bulls can be aggressive at this time of year, even chasing off humans just trying to take pictures (from experience).
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: VictoryHunter on June 19, 2013, 11:53:00 PM
Haha lets hope not! Notice I said "recorded" so you can't hold it against me    :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: LKH on June 20, 2013, 12:53:00 AM
In MT one year I watched 3 antelope does take a coyote across an 80.  When he hit the fence they stopped and he continued toward me (on the road), saw me and went back.  They picked him up and took him for about 200 yards when he just gave up and stopped.  They just sort of surrounded him until he slowly walked off.
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Thumper Dunker on June 20, 2013, 02:53:00 AM
Cool stuff. Seen a doe make hamburger of a coyote before . Once over on the coast range and once in the sierras. Im sure those elk could of took that (lone) wolf.
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: mbugland on June 20, 2013, 07:33:00 AM
Great Video, thanks for the Share.  I remember feeling like that wolf when a cow cornered me on the creek while I was fishing. She stood there a rod tip a way from me while her calf ran back across the field. Really is not a settling feeling.
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Clay Hayes on June 20, 2013, 08:52:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Thumper Dunker:
Cool stuff. Seen a doe make hamburger of a coyote before . Once over on the coast range and once in the sierras. Im sure those elk could of took that (lone) wolf.
Yea, a few years back, I watched a yote run hell bent for a group of mullie does.  The little dog picked out a yearling and gave chase.  The deer ran at first, untill two old does figured out what was going on and chased the yote back into the sagebrush with his tail tucked.  Got that one on film to.  I'll have to see if I can dig that up...
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: WindWalker-AK on June 20, 2013, 11:58:00 PM
I believe we have two documented cases of Wolf attacks on humans, here in Alaska.
One just a few years ago.
Best Wishes
Title: Re: wolves & elk - the roles reversed
Post by: Hud on June 21, 2013, 01:25:00 AM
I agree. There may have been other wolves waiting behind the trees, but the elk sensed trouble when the wolve doubled back, expecting the elk to follow. Predators are smart and know how to set up their prey.  Coyotes will do that with a dog, sometimes fatal for the dog.