Travelled on the BC Ferries from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert, an overnite trip of 20 hours. Tundra & Meshach did very well staying in the back of the truck for that length of time. I went down every 2-3 hours when allowed by the crew to give them a walk.
On this date in the morning, I did a wolf presentation for some of the crew & 20-25 passengers. I had arranged this with BC Ferries before I boarded. The crew were quite interested in seeing Tundra as were the passengers. One couple, Henny & Vince, were instrumental in arranging another presentation which I will mention in a later post.
Jan. 24/2011
Arrived at the resort around 11AM & on route saw my first moose. Susan, owner of the resort had done some preliminary work for me by indicating areas where the local residents had recently spotted wolves, so I concentrated my search efforts on these 3 areas. I also met Roy & Linda, and developed a very good friendship with them. They were both wolf admirers & allowed me to go out to Linda's deceased parents farm where the wolves frequented.
Took Tundra & Meshach for a walk in the snow. They had about 2-3 feet & the lake was frozen but we kept off of it. Tundra, instinctively spread her paws & her claws gave her quite good traction. She loved walking on top of the snow as Meshach did. They also both plunged their face into the snow, rolled on it & ate the snow. Needless to say, this is their preferred environment.
Jan. 25/2011
Bright sunny day with temp. around -1C. This is prime wolf country. The altitude is 2,400 - 2,800 feet with lots of moose & deer. It is a high plateau with rolling hills & ringed by large mountains on 3 sides but not the east. Walked up MacDonald Lake Rd. & saw cow moose & ther were lots of moose tracks in the snow. Tundra & Meshach were quite interested in the moose but stayed close to me(they were on leashes but did not pull). In the afternoon, on the Owen East Rd. saw cow moose & this year's calf in the bush alongside the road. Was able to get a picture of them. While walking on the road saw fresh wolf scat & Tundra found some frozen, buried wolf scat in the road, which she vigorously scent rolled in. So, we know they are about in this area.
Jan. 26/2011
Cloudy & quite warm today. Unseasonably. Walked 2-3 km up the Macdonald Lk. Rd in the morning & on the way back to the cabin, saw a wolf out on the frozen lake by Paradise Island where they had been spotted. The wolf was standing & when I stopped the truck & took a picture, it promptly laid down on the lake. It was about 100 yds. offshore & was quite content to lay there. It was colored much like Tundra with a lot of grey. It was quite exciting see my first wolf up there in only the third day up there.
Jan. 27/2011
Bright sunny day & Susan had organized a wolf presentation with Tundra at the resort in the afternoon. Word had travelled fast that there was a wolf staying there so about 20-25 local residents came. This included trappers, guide outfitter & a mother & her 3 children. Tundra was well received by all & I was amazed at the incredible interest there was in seeing her since they lived amongst the wolves. Shows you our incredible connection to this animal.
Jan. 28/2011
Bright sunny day but getting colder at -14C. Went up to the farm & saw 4 moose in a 2-3km area. There is lots of prey up here for wolves, along with the deer. The moose & deer enjoy the clear cut areas where they have logged but the moose are spending more time in the woods because the mountain pine beetle has killed many pine trees allowing the sun to penetrate into the forest where they can feed more.
When we were walking on the road back to the farm, we could hear the wolves howling in the distance. Tundra & Meshach listened but did not respond. They were very interested in what was up the hill to the east but there was no movement but you knew they were up there.
Had lovely dinner with Roy, Linda & 3 other guests. They told me of their local wolf stories. Delightful evening.
Jan. 29/2011
Quite cold this morning at -18C. Went for our morning walk up Macdonald Lk. Rd. which is quite icy with the trucks driving on it. On our way back, about 50 yds. up on our left were 2 moose. Tundra & Meshach were quite alert & when the 2 moose came onto the road & ran down the road, well they were off to chase them. I was trying to hold them back with absolutely no success. I was trying desperately not to fall on this very icy road. I had spikes on the bottom of my shoes which was the only thing keeping me vertical. I finally after 100 yds got over to the left & into the snowbank & I got Meshach under control but Tundra was still pulling on the leash real hard. We ran another 100 -150 yds down the road & by this time the moose ran into the bush to the right. Eventually, Tundra stopped pulling & I got my upper body workout, cardio workout & my agility training all in less than 5 minutes. It must have looked really funny seeing this spectacle. Tundra was so enthralled with this chase that I had absolutely no effect upon her. I was very grateful that neither her collar or leash broke because a face to face confrontation with a moose could be very fatal.
Jan. 30/2011
Was -20C last nite & day started off bright & sunny but the clouds did roll in later in the day. Went out the Owen East & saw 2 moose.
Jan. 31/2011
Somewhat warmer this morning. Remember Henny & Vince? Well they organized a presentation on wolves with Tundra at an elementary school in Houston. Did the presentation in the afternoon for 200 students, teachers & 12 sets of parents. They all enjoyed meeting Tundra & I have received many emails from the students & parents thanking me & Tundra for the show. We had a great time & the local newspaper is doing an article on Tundra.
While travelling into Houston saw another wolf on the left side of the road. As usual it was 100 yds. away & when you get up to that spot, it is long gone into the forest. Lots of moose in that particular area & one of the locals told me a few days late they saw a black wolf out on the lake right where I saw this wolf but it was lighter in color. That is 2 wolves I have seen now.
Feb. 1/2011
On our early morning walk before breakfast, we heard wolves howl to the west of us & the pack across the lake to the south, responded for about 3-5 minutes. Tundra & Meshach listened intently & then a most exciting thing occured. Tundra who seldom howls as she is very quiet, let out a howl for 8-10 seconds. It was a very deep howl & after 5 seconds of silence, she howled again for 8-10 seconds. It was so incredible to see her respond to her wild cousins & it showed me the real wolf in her. The pack across the lake responded with some noise but it was not a howl. They must of been thinking, who is this new, strange wolf. It was an incredible moment.
Later in the morning, Linda & Roy phoned to say there was a wolf on the bay just outside their property. I drove the 2km to their place & the wolf was out on the ice heading back towards the resort. I got back into the truck & drove back 1km & saw the wolf out on the ice about 100yds. out. I got a picture & followed it with my binoculars. It was walking back towards the resort & I followed on foot but the wolf kept the 100yds. distance between it & me. It came up the bank, crossed the road & went into the woods where we walk early in the morning. Quite a successful wolf day! But it was not finished. Friends gave me a dead fawn they found on their farm which had apparently starved, so Tundra & Meshach got deer legs.
Feb. 3/2011
Lightly snowing today. Had a beautiful 6km walk up Macdonald Lk. Rd. it was so inspiring to be out in the wilderness all alone & just enjoying its beauty. No wolves today.
Feb. 4/2011
Cloudy today & on our early morning walk we encountered 3 moose but thankfully Tundra & Meshach did not pull. Just enjoyed this beautiful country by hiking in its presence again.
Feb. 5/2011
Got colder again as it dropped to -12C. Had 2 local residents to come & see Tundra again to get pictures. Don & Karen took pictures & marvelled at her beauty. In afternoon, went out to Maureen's farm where she has seen wolves but they do not harm her livestock of sheep, goats, pigs, cows, llamas, as she has many dogs which keep the wolves honest. She says she shows the other farmers & ranchers that she can co-exist with the wolves but many of the local ranchers just shoot the wolves if they see them on or near their property.
Feb. 6/2011
Well it was the day I had to depart. It had been snowing since the previous evening & we were supposed to get 15-20cm. It would have been great fun hiking in this weather because I would have been able to see fresh tracks. I had a great time enjoying this country & its residents. Tundra has left an incredible impression on them & I look forward to going back next year to continue our search.
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