Exploring

Lots of time on the snowshoes this winter have lead to some interesting sights. We started at the Grettum/Hickerson intersection and have been working our way north. The nice thing about snowshoeing is the walk out is much easier than the way in. During my wandering on Thursday I came upon what looked like a bear den however the flashlight was in the truck so I couldn't see into it. My first thought was I'll never find this spot again in a million years and started home since it was after 4 PM. Shortly after leaving the site there were fresh snowshoe tracks to follow out to the truck. Imagine my surprise 15 minutes later when I was back at the bear den. It was time to break out the compass.
Dale

Three Dog Trail

The Upper Phantom Ski Trail is being groomed this year for the first time in my memory. It is in excellent condition and a great hour loop. Sandi and I skied it last week and were greeted by a wolf scent post within a 100 yards of starting the trail. The wolf was making it's rounds, soon it was joined by coyote tracks. Later a fox used the trail. The wind was brutal until we got into the trees where we found a porcupine nest of pellets at the base of a tree. Most would not think of taking a nap on droppings however there is a theory that porcupines stay warm this way since the droppings are almost exclusively wood chips at this time of the year. The three dog trail was followed by a three dog night with the temp dropping to minus 34 degrees at the cabin. This prompted me to wonder where the animals sleep. The birds have it worst, perched in the wind. This red fox has a nice warm shelter.
Dale

Top Dog

The Crex wolf pack is busy patrolling the roads again this winter. There are four members in the pack and they make miles wandering in search of food. I would expect them to settle in close to a deer yard soon. This pack had 7 members in October and now has only 4. Pack size is based on biologic efficiency. A wolf can eat almost a quarter of its body weight (about 100#) at a sitting, deer weigh about 100+ pounds therefore a pack size of 4-5 animals ensures all get enough to eat at each deer kill. The entire deer is consumed with the marrow being the most nutritious for its fat content.

In addition to this pack there may be a pair of wolves in the Buggert Lake area. I hope it stops snowing for awhile so the tracks can be patterned and common routes identified. There are a pair of wolves on Fish Lake that I would like to camera trap.
Dale

Tracks and more tracks

Over 40 people attended the track training class held last Saturday at Crex led by Steve Hoffman and Bob Hanson of the WDNR. The morning was spent in classroom instruction and the afternoon was spent out in the Meadows doing field work. Upon completion of this class you are eligible to assist with the WDNR's winter carnivore tracking study. It's not as easy at it seems so anyone is welcome to go out with Steve and Bob for more hands on training.

Steve Hoffman identifying tracks. 

 Bob Hanson showing this group a set of Fisher tracks. 

We were able to see and try to identify fox, weasel. coyote, fisher and wolf tracks.

Kathy J.

Happy New Year!

We share a number of traits with animals, fortunately most of the shared traits are not a requirement for our survival. I am sure this deer could smell something that reminded it of food and was not just curious about the little box on the tree. Over the years our curiosity can be blunted or even lie dormant. On the other hand it can be a trait the makes the world alive each day. May your curiosity be rekindled in 2011.
Dale