Wolves in Blackfoot Provincial Area?

[siftr]

Went riding horses in the Blackfoot, near Edmonton. Huge tracks in the mud. Any chance they are wolf? Or just giant dog?

[Dacotensis]

Yep, for sure!
And they are East in 242 as well.
Have been for awhile.
Saw a big gray wolf about 20 years ago near chipman.
I had pictures of tracks sent to me a few months ago from a guy I know who farms near the ross creek flea market.
They walk amongst us.

[craig_temple]

I'm pretty sure it's dog tracks you saw. There are tons of people that go in there with their dogs. I live within a km of the blackfoot and I'm pretty sure there aren't any wolves in there. TONS of coyotes though!

[Pikebreath]

Cannot discount that it could be a wolf, but in all likelihood it could be just a big dog as well.

That said, cougars are now documented to be resident within Elk Island park, and they have been seen, reported and photographed elsewhere through the area as well. Most of those sightings are likely sporadic movements of animals moving through the area, rather than permanent residents.

Same can be said for black bears through the Elk Island / Beaver hills region.

So it's not improbable that an occasional wolf would pass through the area as well, but are they living here year round? That's likely not the case at this point in time.

[siftr]

Would never have just jumped to guess wolf. Did see lots of smaller tracks.

Two things suggested wolf. One, the trail is washed clean with rain. Only other tracks on the trail were a couple ladies who rode through ahead of us. They went out a few hours earlier, came back past us. So a set a few hours old, a fresh set, and those giant paw prints. The ladies had no dogs.

Second, those paw prints were massive. Did see a place with three great pyrenees right close by and wondered if it'd be them. If it weren't for the first observation, that's what I'd have guessed.

[Buckhunter123]

I've seen wolves east of red deer on the east side of the red deer river a few times.

[Alberta Bigbore]

There are wolves. ...cougars... and black bears in wmu936/blackfoot... just call and get some info from the park wardens. They got a picture of a nice bear too right on the roadside by the office that you get your permits from. :-)

[sven_68]

hunted in blackffot for elk last fall. The warden at the info session tells hunters directly that there are wolves in blackfoot grazing reserve, as well 1 or 2 cougars. That info is right from the wardens mouth.

[ganderblaster]

It makes my back ache just reading the word Blackfoot in the title.

[snowman160]

We heard em howling within a mile while walking the north fence in Blackfoot last yr.they were in the park side though.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by ganderblaster

It makes my back ache just reading the word Blackfoot in the title.

Hahahah! Makes me kinda glad that I haven't connected on anything larger than a grouse in there... Yet...

I saw a black bear in Elk Island park a few years back, by the Tawayik (sp?) lake picnic area.

[Stop Staring at my Rack]

There are wolves in Blackfoot, and just outside too. Somewhere I have pics of two in a farmers field just two miles away from there. I have also seen a good sized black bear in Blackfoot and a lynx.

[6mm rem]

Maybe some wolves have passed through,but I have hunted ,trapped and hiked every corner and know people who spend hours and hours on horse back and they haven't seen any. Huskies look kinda like wolves too

[sven_68]

Originally Posted by ganderblaster

It makes my back ache just reading the word Blackfoot in the title.

LOL my back still aches from last fall as well... but well worth the effort.

[Alberta Bigbore]

Originally Posted by 6mm rem

Maybe some wolves have passed through,but I have hunted ,trapped and hiked every corner and know people who spend hours and hours on horse back and they haven't seen any. Huskies look kinda like wolves too

[mudbug]

You betcha there are wolves there

[siftr]

Have ridden YaHa Tinda, Banff Park, and near Nordeg. Saw lots of wolf track there too. Seemed to be a close match.

Anyway, sort of fun. Found a big bull moose out there too.

[6mm rem]

There has also been hippos in the bow river.

[nice butt]

A few years back the wife and I were watching two bull elk squaring off all of a sudden the elk took off and 4 grey colored wolves took their spot took pictures but cant find them . this was in elk island park on the north side of 16 along the east fence

[singleshotom]

For the non believers about the wolves in the Blackfoot just search up the Tofield Mercury on the internet and you can read a little about what's happening in the reserve.
I believe that F&W released a few 2 or 3 yrs ago, is how they started in order to control the elk numbers.
I've seen them twice now following the east fence once was 3 and the last time was 7 just trotting along. And I do know what a wolf is I've shot a couple few in my life in the Grande Cache and Gr Prairie areas.
sst

[wildside2014]

I have personally seen a bear, couple of cats and a couple of wolves in WMU 232 in the last 3 years. Even that far east they pop up. I wouldn't put any doubt they are in there.

[wildside2014]

Originally Posted by 6mm rem

Maybe some wolves have passed through,but I have hunted ,trapped and hiked every corner and know people who spend hours and hours on horse back and they haven't seen any. Huskies look kinda like wolves too

Then you would of seen wolves, elk, the odd bear and plenty of cats.....

[nsherman72]

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...t=Cooking+lake

there are some pics from an eariler thread.

[Alberta Bigbore]

Oh there is wolves....!!!!!

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

Oh there is wolves....!!!!!

Yep! Heard 'em last Saturday when I was in there.

[Alberta Bigbore]

Ya tracks everywhere.. and howling like crazy.

[waterninja]

Saw my first wolf in the wild last fall at 936. Saw 4 more in Debolt area later.

[6mm rem]

Originally Posted by wildside2014

Then you would of seen wolves, elk, the odd bear and plenty of cats.....

Thanks tips! read the date on my post its close to a year and a half old. What was the date that they became full time residents ? Likely came from elk island. I havent been in blackfoot much in the last ten years not a lot of game in there compared to the farmland and too many city hunters for me.

[wildside2014]

Originally Posted by 6mm rem

Thanks tips! read the date on my post its close to a year and a half old. What was the date that they became full time residents ? Likely came from elk island. I havent been in blackfoot much in the last ten years not a lot of game in there compared to the farmland and too many city hunters for me.

nah sorry didn't notice the date. Either way, they've been in there for much more than a year and a half. Is it just too hard to admit youre incorrect?

[AppleJax]

Originally Posted by 6mm rem

Thanks tips! read the date on my post its close to a year and a half old. What was the date that they became full time residents ? Likely came from elk island. I havent been in blackfoot much in the last ten years not a lot of game in there compared to the farmland and too many city hunters for me.

Emphasized it for ya...