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Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared
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| General Discussion | Triathlon Talk » Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared | Rss Feed  |
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 2009-06-29 2:55 PM |
Extreme Veteran  832    Podunk County, MN |  Subject: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scaredI run alone most of the time, especially for my long runs. I go early in the morning and run along a state trail that goes many miles into the woods. It's a great run - I love it - and I don't often see many people on it. So first off, I've never really been too worried about running alone, running in the dark, whatever. I take precautions, I live in a small town and while this may seem foreign to those of you in bigger/metro type areas, I've never felt uncomfortable with it. Last Wednesday as I was on my way back in on a 6 mile out and back, I came around a corner on the trail (1 mile from the trailhead) and saw a gray timber wolf. It was alone, and it jogged a bit down the trail, then stopped and looked at me. I took a couple of steps, and it ran a bit further, and we did that all over again a couple more times and then it ran off into the woods. So here's the deal... I'm a little bit scared now. I've asked several people what they thought and gotten completely different opinions on how many precautions I should take, varying from "don't go running back there by yourself, ever" to "no big deal, don't even think twice about it". This is also where I take my kids berry picking, we bike ride back there... I've got a call in to my local DNR to ask them what they think, but I wanted to see if anybody had any ideas for me to consider. And yes, I'm thinking about altering my route, but I really loved running out there. It was a big part of my incentive to get out on my long runs, and running around in town won't be nearly as inticing. This picture is from a bridge that's about 4.5 miles in... so peaceful. Edited by kanders 2009-06-29 2:58 PM (4975_93712088303_557833303_1864911_3832943_n.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 4975_93712088303_557833303_1864911_3832943_n.jpg (36KB - 13 downloads) |
| 2009-06-29 2:59 PM in reply to: #2251046 |
Cycling Guru 15134 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared Rabid = issue. Normal = not a concern at all. From what I know (Discovery channel) there have not been any recorded attacks from non-rabid wolves - ever. But that is just rumor/speculation for all intents and purposes. If it were me? I'd not change anything but call the DNR like you have and mentioned it to them. |
| 2009-06-29 3:04 PM in reply to: #2251046 |
Champion 8766  Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared Think about it from this perspective...how long have you been running there? And you've only seen one wolf? If you've been running there a long time and only seen one...big woods theory--not enough to worry about. |
| 2009-06-29 3:07 PM in reply to: #2251046 |
| 569 | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared If it makes you feel any better get same mace! That should help you feel more comfortable. Trust me the Wolf is probally think if he should ever go to that trail again. Probally posting his friend right now. Wonder if he thinks you are "Rabid.".. Sorry I just could not stop myself!!! |
| 2009-06-29 3:12 PM in reply to: #2251046 |
Expert 1006 Kansas City, MO | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared i would at a minimum look for something like this to carry with you, it is for dogs but may work for wolves.... http://www.safetygearhq.com/canine-mace.htm 99% of the time i would say daremo is correct, but you will never know if the wolf is rabid or not.... |
| 2009-06-29 3:14 PM in reply to: #2251046 |
Master 1517 Raleigh | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared being an avid outdoors enthusiast and experienced in the backcountry....REI or the likes carry "bear bells" that are like little jingle bells that snap on with a nylon loop...u can use them for your dogs and backpacks when traveling in wilderness areas. The non-nature sound scares the wildlife away (while being highly annoying to yourself- lol) if its a great concern, report the wolf sighting and seek artificial sound in the remote areas...singing outloud and such can also attribute to a encounterless event good luck! |
| 2009-06-29 3:15 PM in reply to: #2251046 |
Expert 721 Chenequa WI | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared Actually that's very cool. I ran across a wolf once while hiking and really remember its eyes - intense. I'd like to see another sometime. I remember reading about wolf encounters in some backpacking magazines years back and, from what I recall, attacks from a wolf would be an extremely rare thing and most attacks occur because a hiker had a dog with them or you stumbled on their den or over a fresh kill. I don't think you should worry too much about wolves when running the trails and I think you did the right thing by running at it to scare it away. Yelling also works well and if you really want to be prepared, I understand pepper spray is good. |
| 2009-06-29 3:19 PM in reply to: #2251046 |
Expert 1006 Kansas City, MO | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared they specifically make canine spray b/c dogs do not have tear ducts according to the site, i don't know about wolves. but i would at least make sure whatever spray you have could be a little effective... |
| 2009-06-29 3:20 PM in reply to: #2251123 |
Master 1517 Raleigh | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared Gritty - 2009-06-29 4:15 AM Actually that's very cool. I ran across a wolf once while hiking and really remember its eyes - intense. I'd like to see another sometime. +1 i saw a wolf in Denali and that thing looked SO COOL...but i'd mos def hate to be on the receiving end of that or any creature's snout </threadjack> |
 2009-06-29 3:24 PM in reply to: #2251046 |
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| 2009-06-29 3:27 PM in reply to: #2251046 |
| New user 219 | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared It probably won't really worry me. I see coyotes a lot, but I imagine a wolf is a bit bigger. The coyotes always run away. I'd be more afraid to run into a skunk or a snake! |
| 2009-06-29 3:27 PM in reply to: #2251141 |
| Extreme Veteran 832 Podunk County, MN | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared Yeah, it was sooo cool - kind of surreal. It took me what felt like an eternity of seconds to go through the mental "is this really a wolf?" checklist.... small ears? check. bushy tail? check. Taller than the average Husky? check. Holy crap, it's really a wolf - now what? Thanks for all the advice everyone. I've been thinking about running with mace for a while and I think this seals the deal. And Jen, you're totally right -I've run back there a thousand times and seen a wolf once. |
| 2009-06-29 3:29 PM in reply to: #2251154 |
| Cycling Guru 15134 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared So, my memory of TV is wrong, there you go ^^^^^. |
| 2009-06-29 8:13 PM in reply to: #2251046 |
| New Haven, CT | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared Call me a sissy but.... NO FW I'd ever go near those woods again. Reason number 10,001 I am happy to be living in a city. Stupid dogs are the worst thing I run into. Edited by jsklarz 2009-06-29 8:15 PM |
| 2009-06-29 10:02 PM in reply to: #2251119 |
| Regular 69 Spokane WA | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared halfpint - 2009-06-29 1:14 PM being an avid outdoors enthusiast and experienced in the backcountry....REI or the likes carry "bear bells" that are like little jingle bells that snap on with a nylon loop...u can use them for your dogs and backpacks when traveling in wilderness areas. In northwestern Montana those are known as 'dinner bells'. :) For the OP, I would count that an awesome story and continue to run there. Pepper spray wouldn't be a bad idea, if it makes you feel better. There are lots of critters that could prove problematic on a run. I carry a big canister of it when I am in bear country, I've never run into a bear so it must work, right? :) The only critters that I regularly run into, are raccoons and marmots. I'm jealous of your wolf encounter. Edited by photonic 2009-06-29 10:13 PM |
| 2009-06-29 10:15 PM in reply to: #2251046 |
| Pro 3932 Irvine, California | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared Hehe, reminds me of the hiker joke... Q: What's the difference between black bear scat and grizzly scat? A: Black bear scat is smaller, and contains berries and leaves. Grizzly scat is bigger, and contains little bells and smells like pepper spray.  But seriously, I wouldn't worry too much about seeing a lone wolf once in a while -- though if it were me, I probably would carry some pepper spray just in case. |
| 2009-06-29 10:29 PM in reply to: #2251046 |
| Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared Damn all I got tonight was 3 deer, looking at me. They were wondering what that dumb human was doing running in the pouring rain. I would run there again. I would be vigilant when the kids are there. |
| 2009-06-29 10:36 PM in reply to: #2252137 |
| Regular 69 Spokane WA | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared Tripolar - 2009-06-29 8:15 PM Hehe, reminds me of the hiker joke... Q: What's the difference between black bear scat and grizzly scat? A: Black bear scat is smaller, and contains berries and leaves. Grizzly scat is bigger, and contains little bells and smells like pepper spray. But seriously, I wouldn't worry too much about seeing a lone wolf once in a while -- though if it were me, I probably would carry some pepper spray just in case. Q: How do you tell the difference between a black bear and a grizzly? A: Climb a tree. If the bear climbs up the tree and eats you, its a black bear. If it knocks the tree down and eats you, its a grizzly!  Sorry for the hijack! |
| 2009-06-30 10:28 AM in reply to: #2251046 |
| Pro 5011 Twin Cities | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared Where are you? I'm assuming up north a bit...? I guess I've never been really afraid of wolves--we do hear them when we're in the BWCA, and sometime sthey are damn close, but I really wouldn't worry about them. Bears, maybe, moose, definitely, but wolves don't really unnerve me all that much. I'd say keep a wide berth, be "big", be assertive, and don't run from them, and you'll be fine. |
| 2009-06-30 10:35 AM in reply to: #2251119 |
Master 4119 Toronto Bronze member | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared halfpint - 2009-06-29 4:14 PM being an avid outdoors enthusiast and experienced in the backcountry....REI or the likes carry "bear bells" that are like little jingle bells that snap on with a nylon loop...u can use them for your dogs and backpacks when traveling in wilderness areas. The non-nature sound scares the wildlife away (while being highly annoying to yourself- lol) if its a great concern, report the wolf sighting and seek artificial sound in the remote areas...singing outloud and such can also attribute to a encounterless event good luck! This is the kind of thing I would think is best. I would definitely be spooked but making noise on the trail is usually a good way to keep most critters away. Is weird that I would start singing or something or generally talking to the wolf? Here's hoping I never really have to find out! |
| 2009-06-30 10:48 AM in reply to: #2251046 |
| Pro 4675 Wisconsin near the Twin Cities metro | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared I'm a professional wildlife biologist. If this were a situation with a mountain lion (out west obviously), I'd definitely be wary of that trail. Not for a wolf though. However, I wouldn't run with your dog (if you have one) loose on that trail. More than a few bird dogs have been attacked by wolves while they're out running around hunting - territorial canine issue. I wouldn't worry about it at all...in fact...I'm jealous cuz I've never seen one in the wild...tracks in the Northwest Territories is as close as I've come. We supposedly have a small pack 20 miles north of us but haven't tried going out howling at night to hear them. |
| 2009-06-30 11:02 AM in reply to: #2251046 |
| Lethbridge, Alberta Bronze member | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared When I was in grade school, we once covered a book called "Never Cry Wolf" by a canadian author, Farley Mowat. I just googled it to make sure I was remembering the name right, and found that there was some controversy about the book, but the essential facts were correct in that wolves are very shy and non-aggressive animals. I think you could safely ignore the encounter, keep running as you were, and just count yourself lucky to have actually seen the wolf. Edited by Micawber 2009-06-30 11:29 AM |
| 2009-06-30 2:49 PM in reply to: #2251119 |
| Elite 3471 Evergreen, CO | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared halfpint - 2009-06-29 2:14 PM being an avid outdoors enthusiast and experienced in the backcountry....REI or the likes carry "bear bells" that are like little jingle bells that snap on with a nylon loop...u can use them for your dogs and backpacks when traveling in wilderness areas. The non-nature sound scares the wildlife away (while being highly annoying to yourself- lol) if its a great concern, report the wolf sighting and seek artificial sound in the remote areas...singing outloud and such can also attribute to a encounterless event good luck! Ha -- I thought those were called dinner bells |
| 2009-06-30 3:47 PM in reply to: #2251862 |
| Elite 4048 Gilbert, Az. | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared jsklarz - 2009-06-29 6:13 PM Call me a sissy but.... NO FW I'd ever go near those woods again. Reason number 10,001 I am happy to be living in a city. Stupid dogs are the worst thing I run into. Sissy. I'd take a wolf encounter over a city dog encounter any day of the week. A wolf is going to be just as skittish of you as you are of it. A dog in the city is accustomed to humans and doesn't have the same fear. Also, you never know if some idiot hasn't brutalized the dog to make him a mean guard dog, or if it's a feral run wild in the streets dog, etc. Give me wildlife any day over the animals (two and four legged) in the city any day of the week. John |
| 2009-06-30 4:40 PM in reply to: #2251046 |
| Veteran 559 | Subject: RE: Saw a wolf on my running route... and now I'm a little scared They are normally shy creatures, just count yourself lucky to have seen one. Wild animals will do anything to avoid a confrontation. Here in South Africa, I have sometime given buck such a fright when sneaking up on them with my bike, they just do not hear the bike with the wind in the right direction and you can get real close to them. |
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