87
habitat and putative sightings. While exploring these area, search for tracks, scats, and other signs of
wolf presence (see below). Areas with a concentration of sign would help narrow down where to locate a
camera trap. If no sign is detected, scouting will allow the team to view a variety of options for setting
camera traps before selecting the best option.
While scouting the area, consider various locations and how you would set your camera there, keeping
in mind the various methods (covered below) for setting a camera trap. For trail sets, along with tracks
and sign, look for locations that funnel activity in an area, such as were a road or trail goes through a
pass or saddle, or where vegetation around the road or trail funnel wildlife travel onto the trail. Along
travel routes consider where you would apply a scent lure and how you would set your camera on it.
Inspect trail junctions for signs of scent marking (scats and scratch marks). Look for carcasses of
ungulates that may attract attention from wolves (these may be visited even a month or more after the
carcass has been on the ground). In areas with human use, consider how you would set a camera in a
way that would not likely be detected by people and how you will secure the camera.
Most teams have two cameras at their disposal. Once you have scouted your entire area, select the two
most promising locations, ideally situated to monitor as broad a cross section of your area as possible.
Camera Trap Set Types
There are several methods for designing a remote camera trap for wolves. The basic tool for all of these
traps is the remote camera itself. The other components of a camera trap set are: the microhabitat
selected for the set, potentially the addition of one or more attractants (scent lures) to the field of view of
the camera. Various camera trap sets attempt to take advantage of different behaviors of wolves (Long et
al 2008). These include:
a. General travel: non-baited trail sets
b. Intra and inter-species communication: trail sets on existing scats, scent marking, use of
artificial scent lures
c. Foraging behavior: sets on carcasses, bait, and food-item related scent lures.
d. Pup-rearing behavior: sets on or near potential rendezvous locations.
Understanding the specific behavior which is the focus of the camera trap set is an important part of
selecting the specific location for the set and the design of where to set the camera and whether and how
to add an attractant.
