When I was in grade school. Eddie Jokela shot a huge timber wolf. If I recall the story correctly Roxanne and Rhonda told their Dad that a big dog was following them when they got off the school bus. Eddie took care of that Timber Wolf. I saw it all stretched out in a pick up box..and it was huge. Back then..word travelled fast…especially of a wolf following children.
Recently a grouse hunter shot a wolf over by Huntersville in Wadena County. The wolf was chasing the hunters dog. It is legal in Minnesota to shoot a wolf if it is threatening you, your livestock or your pets.
Wolf Season begins in early November. 24,000 applications were sent in, 6,000 licenses were issued through a lottery type drawing.
Years ago Far Guy and I saw a Timber Wolf..it crossed the road in front of us and then stood off in the brush..glaring at us. Talk about an eerie feeling. His stare went right through us.
I ran across this old photo.
This photo was taken in 1961 at the Skelly Station in Park Rapids.
Loren Bruce, Ray Larson and Marvin Henderson ( Far Guy’s Dad).
Far Guy’s Dad wrote all the details on the back of the photo. This little bit of history is intact..we have who, when, what occasion and a bit of a story.
If only all old photos were marked like this one! :)
Very interesting story and photo.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good day, Connie.
Hello...Always makes me sad that the wolf gets the bad wrap...they are God's creatures to...Wolves are a close knit family such as us...they mourn like us when one is gone....just had to say my peace...someone has to stick up for them....Thanks...Blessings Francine.
ReplyDeleteI remember the passage in the Sand County Almanac where Leopold talked about shooting a wolf when he was a young man and how sorry he was. I have never felt the same about wolves ever since.
ReplyDeleteInteresting story. Wolves are a magnificent animal!
ReplyDeleteI love the info on the back, it is so much more than just statistics. Such controversy you put up on your blog sometimes, my oh my.
ReplyDeleteI too wish all old photos were marked with details. The photo you found is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThat is the first I have heard of timber wolf season - - - just know deer and birds. Very interesting. My goal before I die is to label all my photos.
ReplyDeleteWolves were re-introduced to Yellowstone Natl. Park several years ago and have multiplied more than expected. Of course, environmentalists thought the wolves would stay within the Park's boundaries. Now, the packs are moving into areas and killing livestock. Wyoming was granted permission by the Feds to issue a limited number of hunting licenses in certain areas.
ReplyDeleteWolves are the only predator that does not have a natural enemy so they multiply quickly. Hunting is the only way to keep them under control.
The information on the back of your photo reveals what strong animals wolves are. Just reading that it had to be shot 13 times before it gave up tells me that Eddie saved the lives of a lot of children that day.
Thankfully he did mark the photo...I try very hard to keep abreast of my photos just for that reason...trying to figure out who is what 50 years or longer later is well sometimes impossible.
ReplyDeleteLinda
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I've never seen a gray wolf in the wild. I hope there are a few left so I still have a chance...:(
ReplyDeleteDo they actually attack humans when there is other easier prey? Or do they tend to go after humans when there is less available, such as in winter time?
ReplyDeleteI remember being the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere on my Grandparents farm, alone in the woods with the dog, it was only coyotes surrounding us, but it was scary enough. Couldn't imagine going up against wolves...of any number.
It's a harsh world for them out there, especially if they make a mistake and get to close to a human.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
I think it is such an eery feeling because wolves look somewhat like dogs, and many of us have positive feelings toward dogs. But they are definitely wild creatures, and they operate under vastly different conditions than we'd assume for domesticated animals. I can imagine that wild stare bore a hole right through you. Chilling.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young, some family friends vacationing in Canada found a litter by the side of the road whose mother had been struck by a car. They brought the pups home. The assumption was that they were half-dog, half-wolf. I don't know how true that was, but we got to raise one of those puppies. Let me tell you, there were times when we had to be very cautious around that animal, though at other times he seemed just like any dog of that size. Who knows--perhaps that is untrue about half dog/half wolf, but that was sure one animal that seemed to revert to a call of the wild at moments.
When is see the stuffed wolf at Gooseberry Falls visitor centers, I am always amazed at the size of them. That wolf was a big guy. It is an amazing photo and the details on the back are wonderful. Get well, Far Guy!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was on our hobby farm as a kid , I was way in the back 40 playing in the woods and heard a strange sound turned around and there was a wolf about 6 feet away from me I don't know who was more scared me or that wolf well thankfully he just ran off ! I have always loved wolves . It is true about the half dog half wolf as I had what they call a hybrid dog/wolf cross many years ago and she was a beautiful pet ! The wolves would breed with farm dogs that roamed the farm lands . I knew a guy that raised a few wolf pups he was native Indian as there was no mother in site , they were beautiful . There was one pup that was all grey and he named her Tundra but not to be fooled he always said they still are and always will have the call of the wild in their blood ! Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know there was a wolf season. I have always loved wolves. But if they were attacking people or my pets or my livestock, I can see defending yourself then.
ReplyDeleteThat was a big wolf who was determined not to give up!
Well I know times have changed, and it makes me feel a bit sad, and I'm having a hard time believing that wolf was 7' or is that 7 1/2'? Maybe those guys are about 8' tall.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it took 13 shots because none of them hit in the right spot. Now I feel even sadder:(
That was scary "There was a dog following us home" and it was a wolf? eeks.
ReplyDeleteI am all in favor of bringing back wolves, because they are belong - but unfortunately, it just doesn't seem to be working out. In Eastern Washington, the wolves are thriving and threatening livestock and the people who live in those tiny towns. It's a tough debate.
yeah... where I live there seems to be a lot of concern. There is a pack here up in the mountains and I sure would like to have a "see"
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