How to Outsmart a Wolf pack

Intro: Learn how to outfox a wolf pack. A wolf is any of three existing canine species. The gray wolf is the ancestor of all domestic dogs. Wolves once roamed large areas of Russia and Europe as well as North, Central, and South America, but they are now found primarily in remote areas of Canada, Alaska, the Balkans, and Russia. Wolves are very social and intelligent animals. Although they feed on small animals, wolves primary prey animals are deer, moose, and caribou.

Because wolves have killed livestock, they have been hunted to near extinction by farmers and ranchers. A large male gray wolf may be 2.2 meters long and weigh about 85 kilograms; it is the largest living wild canine. Gray wolves live in hierarchical packs whose territories cover over 100 square kilometers and they hunt mostly at night. If you find yourself in wolf territory, here are a few recommendations that may help you survive this experience.

Step 1: Slowly walk away from the wolf pack area toward solid ground. During the winter season, wolves tend to chase their prey into deep snow or onto frozen lakes and slippery surfaces where the hooves of the victim sink or slide. The wolves’ large, padded feet give them a tremendous range-of-movement and advantage in these areas. When you see wolves around you, slowly walk toward solid ground. Do not crouch down, and do not run away because running away will trigger the wolves’ predatory instinct to attack you. Wolves can relentlessly chase their prey over solid, rough, or uneven terrain for many meters without becoming exhausted and are capable of rapid bursts of speed over short distances. You cannot outrun a wolf.

Step 2: Look at the wolves’ posture. A wolf can attack from any angle or position. A wolf with its tail straight up in the air and its ears pricked up are indicators of dominance and often reveal that the wolf is preparing to attack.

Step 3: Identify the leader of the wolf pack before charging the animal. If the leader becomes frighten by your aggressive charge, the other wolves may flee the scene for easier prey. Wolves are generally timid around humans and they are designed with a strong flight or fight instinct. By running violently toward one wolf while yelling loudly, could scare the animal and the other pack members off and prevent the wolf pack from attacking you.

Step 4: Throw violently sticks and rocks if you do not have your weapon. If the wolves continue with an attack, throw sticks and rocks at those closest to you. Wolves tend to attack the lower portions of their victims’ bodies in an attempt to hobble their victim and then bring them to the ground. Kick or hit the wolves as they approach your legs until you scare them off.

Step 5: Finally, be aware that captive wolves are more likely to attack a human than wolves in the wild. Attacks are often a dominance display. Captive wolves may attack before eating a person. Although a wolf pack can inflict more damage more quickly, solitary wolves are generally considered more of an attack threat to humans than a wolf pack. Wild wolves habituated to the presence of humans are more likely to attack, since they have lost their fear of people. Wolves may hunt at any hour of the day or night. The bite pressure of an adult wolf is about 1,500 pounds per square inch. However, the bite pressure of a German shepherd is about 500 pounds per square inch. A wolf pack may have 30 members.

Tips: Never enter a wildlife region where bears and wolves roam without knowledge of the area. Seek out professional wildlife personnel before entering wolf territory. Always travel in groups because dangerous animals tend to avoid large numbers of people.  

Comments (2)

Carl Benjamin said:

	... A very interesting topic. Well done.
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January 29, 2011
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Wildmountainboy said:

... It is a wise idea to find a strong staff(walking stick)to create distance if a predator does approach.Find a staff with a Knot on one end to use as a cudgel.Sharpen the other end like a spear use fire to temper the sharpened end.Use the cudgel end to strike as a wolf attacks to wound your legs. Aim for the head and snout, if the animal is stunned for a moment use the spear end to deliver a fatal blow, aim for vital and sensitive areas ribs&neck

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November 20, 2012
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