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ranchers have dumped the remains of animals over time, locations where the Department of
Transportation dump road killed carcasses, refuse sites such as illegal dump spots along forest roads, gut
piles where a human has field dressed an ungulate, and hunter camps where animals have been field
dressed, hung, or butchered. As part of a field teams research for locations that include a highway, a
phone call to the local Department of Transportation office to learn if there is a roadkill dump location in
the area might be productive.
While not as powerful of an attract, even a small patch of deer hide can be used to draw a nearby wolf in
front of a camera or pause on a trail set to allow for clearer photos to be taken of the animal (Adam
Lieberg, pers. com.)
There are several safety considerations that are important in conjunction with fresh carcasses on the
landscape. While mountain lions and wolves are typically retreating in the presence of humans around
carcasses, black bears and grizzly bears are both attracted to carcasses and can be aggressive in
defending these carcasses from intruders (such as citizen scientists!). Dead animals can be vectors of
human disease. When ever in the field in bear country, especially when carrying attractants or searching
for natural attractants, field teams should carry bear spray in a readily accessible location (e.g. on your
hip) and be trained and prepared to use it. If a carcass is detected, observe the vicinity carefully and
approach the location slowly. A group of people is less likely to be accosted by a bear. Making noise and
keeping at least one person assigned to be a lookout can help reduce the likelihood of surprising or being
surprised by a bear. When inspecting a carcass or setting up a camera trap around a carcass be efficient
and spend as little time in the vicinity as possible.
To reduce the risks of disease transmission from a carcass avoid handling the carcass. If you want to
move a carcass to a better location for your camera trap use gloves and wash your hands immediately
after finishing the task. As with artificial attractants, avoid touching a carcass and then handling your
camera to avoid drawing attention to the camera by attaching scent to it. Have one team member deal
with the carcass while another handles the camera.
Potential Den and Rendezvous Sites
The only time of the year when wolf activity is consistently limited and predictable to some degree is
during pup rearing when adults return consistently to den or rendezvous locations. Research suggests
that in some areas, specific habitat features can help predict where these sites may be situated on the
landscape. This information, in conjunction with putative sighting reports, and knowledge of track and
sign patterns around these locations can help direct scouting activities to identify these locations on the
landscape. Because they have a high density of use during the late spring and early summer, setting
cameras on travel routes coming into these locations could increase the chances of detecting wolves
during this time.
