Hi,

Fascinating story, and thanks for sharing.

I believe your wolf story, but I have never heard of that type of "wolf attack" against a human before--unless they were trying to protect their pups. It would be interesting to learn if pups were in a nearby den or elsewhere.

David in FL

That is a distinct possibility, but there is also the fact that wolves are becoming habituated to Humans as well, and habituation of a predator equals less fear and greater likelihood of attack. Back in the thread, there's a link someone posted and I reposted showing the connection between habituation and aggressive behavior as a result of long term protected status and the adaptability of wolf behaviors.

Sorry to hear about the knee Tom! As for the wolves, I hear good things about silver bullets. Haul a couple cases of Coors w/ you next time and hit them on snouts w/ them.

Coors? Coors? I thought better of you J! I drink beer you can't see through!:p http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/8230/dorstig6wi.gif

my kind of beer.... can't see through it your if you do you see red

Yeppers! Red Hook out of the NW, Belgian Ales, German Bocks, and Guinness!:D

None of that panther pee for me!

That doesn't sound like a defensive action by wolves. That sounds like canine hunting tactics 101. Defensive tactics tend to be frontal, or diversionary, not encirclement. That's more of the shy and retiring wolf would only attack if it were defending it's pups line of reasoning. Well that would certainly be a good reason to confront a human, but I would need more info. Needing to feed is a pretty good reason also, it's another way they preserve their pups lives.

A lot of animals don't necesarilly intend to attack or eat you, but they will probe you. Caught a lot of fish that way, they have no idea what that fly is, but they will give it a yank just to learn a little more about it. In spraying them, as in this case, Tom may have possibly saved the lives of a few other wolves who will learn their place. treating them like fuzzy cuddlies ultimately will go badly for one of us or one of them.

The bear spray I have is sold to flatten blackies (rarely as large as 700 pounds, not sure how agile at that weight, but often enough 300). I don't think the manufacturer is going to be too surprised that it stopped a wolf.

not big on guinness but the rest of it is good... a good bock.. perfect.. and a nice red for dessert

Wow! Those pictures are fantastic. I am so glad you brought the pepper spray for the bears. As it turns out it works on canines as well thank heavens!

The behavior you describe sounds like predacious behavior. When in the Adirondacks of NY State I always have my bear spray and my trusty Mod.27 357. When animals come forward in a steady unafraid manner it is predacious believe me. Make yourself big and make lots of noise in a threat display. Step two is to use spray if necessary and 3) I would hate to have to but I would use the pistol.

Tom, you were smart not to run as that triggers the chase response in predators. Wolves are quite adept at taking down prey a lot faster and bigger than people. The jaw pressures created by a wolf can snap bones like twigs.

Meeting a "character" living in the woods is also cool beyond description! You certainly have the beginnings of an adventure book here!

The Coors is for purely defensive purposes. To wash down wolf steaks, I'd suggest Bass Ale (my fave).

MMMM, that would mellow out the taste of Bear Spray!:beer:

domestically i prefer killiens.. or a good micro brew red for steaks...

Tom, don't look now, but I think you are being followed by a Wolf and he appears to be a pretty tuff one too!

Wow, great ending to a great report. My grandmother always used to claim that her father was stalked by wolves in Minnesota in the 1870's and 1 story sounded remarkably like yours, however, he had an ax, not spray.:eek:

Maybe you'll believe Gramma now?:p

Can we call you "Wolf Man" from now on? :D

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/ind...lled_in_1.html

http://wapedia.mobi/en/Kenton_Joel_Carnegie

http://outside.away.com/outside/cult...attacks-1.html

Be careful out there!

but did you go back and get your food from the tree that's what i want to know.
man your one cool dude i would have freeked .

You can't freak out or run you're dead for sure. You gotta try something, since you'll be eaten anyway, you might as well try something. I'm glad it ended this way and yup, I'm getting bear spray too :)

If you don't mind Tom, how was the kid's trailer for touring? I'm looking at used Yaks for $200-250 or kids trailers that sometimes go for $30-50 and can be modified. How does it handle? How's the ride? Do you have any experience with dedicated touring/cargo trailers, such as Yak, to relate to? Thanks!

Adam

Right, organized camp grounds. I've heard the wolves refer to those as feedlots... Around here people have been chased by wolfotees right in the metro are, and those guys are big. I was chased by a fox last fall which seemed kinda cheeky.

This is the second report of a wolf attack in Michigan on this board, from what I recall.

Pepper spray is all we would be allowed to carry up here, if that. But it does make the case for guns also. The noise of the first shot might scatter all, and the rate at which one can move from target to target is faster, and there is essentially a bottomless can. One can also engage at far greater distance if there is a legitimate reason to do so. The noise may draw help. But pepper spray is what we have.

heh, three year old thread brought to life. Good read though.

I've been looking at getting some bear spray and have no idea what brand to get. Lots of choices.

I remeber reading this the first time. Does not seem like three years already. Probably my favorite story on Bike Forums.

Also from an earlier thread, my favorite bear warning sign.

that's brilliant gave me a great laugh.