


October 02, 2009
Wolves Kill Bear Dogs Near Idaho's Elk River
By Dave Hurteau
From the AP via Boise’s Channel 2 News:
A hunter from Worley says four hound dogs were killed by a pack of wolves near Elk River.
Bill Greenlee says he was bear hunting with Joseph Nelson of Elk River last week when their dogs ran into a pack of wolves. Greenlee said three of his Walker hounds and one of Nelson's red bone hounds were killed, the Lewiston Tribune reported.
Comments (10)
Wow... Good thing Idaho doesn't have a wolf problem. lol
It is sad that the dogs got killed but this really isn't THAT bad of a story, The dogs were in the wolves territory and the wolves did what they felt they had to. This a newly introduced danger that people have to get used to/and accept having in our woods. But with fewer/managed numbers this will be less common.
better send idahooutdoors back out there with more wolf tags
Most of the hound hunters I used to run with have all given up, to many dogs killed...not worth the time and money to train good dogs just to have wolves come in and kill them.....no real way to avoid wolf-dog conflicts with wolf packs in every drainage...they come running when they hear hounds....people I guide with were tracking a wounded bear last week after dark, wolves came in and got between them and the dead bear, were actually growling and howling at the hunters from the brush trying to intimidate them away from the bear, the wolves hung around even after they shot into the brush a few times, I guess it was pretty intense....
My heart goes out to those guys. I've got a Walker and they're great dogs. Redbones are too.
I wonder if adding pits or rotties in a scenerio as guard dogs runnin with the packs would help. Maybe Blueticks too. They don't back down too easy.
Just a thought.
No hound is a match for even a lone wolf, much less a pack.
Personally, I suggest training dogs used in the field to be more aggressive and independent. I'm convinced that most breeds of dogs, especially hunting dogs, won't stand a chance when fighting a wolf (one on one or pack vs. pack, pack vs. one is a different story) because they are too domesticated. Does this mean that your lovable hunting dog will no longer be the cuddly, familiar pet your used to and your kids play with? Probably, but a more vicious dog has its advantages in the field.
Then again, there is this Serbian breed of dogs that is supposed to hold its own against wolves. See here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsFmPnRSRT4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TfobW6X0pg&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN8HIe837CA&feature=related
Or you could try this Kurdish/Turkish Kangal Breed to fend off wolves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8WeMpVh5YI
Once upon a time, dogs could hold their own against lions, hyenas, and wolves, etc. As they've become more domesticated over the years, is it possible that they've lost that edge that allows them to survive such tough environs? I think so.
Just a little follow-up...
I've done some reading and apparently the Kangal breed is the right breed to deal with wolves. The Turks use them as livestock guard dogs and, sometimes, as hunting dogs as well. The breed, a form of mastiff, has been documented as having killed wolves. Currently, Turkey is participating in a program where the dogs are sent to Africa to guard the livestock herds from Cheetahs in an effort to give the herders a reason not to hunt/poison the predatory cat.
Hopefully after wolf season opens around Elk River we will not see this problem as often and hopegully not at all.So good luck to all that have a wolf tag and hunt in this area.
been mixing airdales in with the plots in northern wi had a runin with wolves near Highbridge all 5 dogs got outalive but battered
Rhodesian Ridgebacks might work; problem being that the good nasty ones tend to gnaw on anyone that isn't their handler.
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Most of the hound hunters I used to run with have all given up, to many dogs killed...not worth the time and money to train good dogs just to have wolves come in and kill them.....no real way to avoid wolf-dog conflicts with wolf packs in every drainage...they come running when they hear hounds....people I guide with were tracking a wounded bear last week after dark, wolves came in and got between them and the dead bear, were actually growling and howling at the hunters from the brush trying to intimidate them away from the bear, the wolves hung around even after they shot into the brush a few times, I guess it was pretty intense....
better send idahooutdoors back out there with more wolf tags
Personally, I suggest training dogs used in the field to be more aggressive and independent. I'm convinced that most breeds of dogs, especially hunting dogs, won't stand a chance when fighting a wolf (one on one or pack vs. pack, pack vs. one is a different story) because they are too domesticated. Does this mean that your lovable hunting dog will no longer be the cuddly, familiar pet your used to and your kids play with? Probably, but a more vicious dog has its advantages in the field.
Then again, there is this Serbian breed of dogs that is supposed to hold its own against wolves. See here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsFmPnRSRT4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TfobW6X0pg&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN8HIe837CA&feature=related
Or you could try this Kurdish/Turkish Kangal Breed to fend off wolves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8WeMpVh5YI
Once upon a time, dogs could hold their own against lions, hyenas, and wolves, etc. As they've become more domesticated over the years, is it possible that they've lost that edge that allows them to survive such tough environs? I think so.
My heart goes out to those guys. I've got a Walker and they're great dogs. Redbones are too.
I wonder if adding pits or rotties in a scenerio as guard dogs runnin with the packs would help. Maybe Blueticks too. They don't back down too easy.
Just a thought.
No hound is a match for even a lone wolf, much less a pack.
Just a little follow-up...
I've done some reading and apparently the Kangal breed is the right breed to deal with wolves. The Turks use them as livestock guard dogs and, sometimes, as hunting dogs as well. The breed, a form of mastiff, has been documented as having killed wolves. Currently, Turkey is participating in a program where the dogs are sent to Africa to guard the livestock herds from Cheetahs in an effort to give the herders a reason not to hunt/poison the predatory cat.
Hopefully after wolf season opens around Elk River we will not see this problem as often and hopegully not at all.So good luck to all that have a wolf tag and hunt in this area.
been mixing airdales in with the plots in northern wi had a runin with wolves near Highbridge all 5 dogs got outalive but battered
Rhodesian Ridgebacks might work; problem being that the good nasty ones tend to gnaw on anyone that isn't their handler.
Wow... Good thing Idaho doesn't have a wolf problem. lol
It is sad that the dogs got killed but this really isn't THAT bad of a story, The dogs were in the wolves territory and the wolves did what they felt they had to. This a newly introduced danger that people have to get used to/and accept having in our woods. But with fewer/managed numbers this will be less common.
Post a Comment