In the last 2 weeks not much has changed among the most visible wolf packs on the northern Range.

The Agate Creek Pack has become more visible. Today they were on top of Junction Butte, presumably with a kill nearby.

A couple days ago the Slough Creek Pack and the Druids had a chase when the Druids moved into Slough Creek territory.

Ranger Rick McIntyre said he learned from photographer Bob Landis that eleven members of the Slough Creek Pack chased 12 of the Druids in the lower Slough Creek area. Five of the Druids, mostly the adults, had crossed out of Slough Creek territory, but some of the younger Druids were behind and got in a chase . . . no evidence of injuries. After the incident the Druids regrouped and both packs howled at each other for about an hour.

302M's unnamed pack continues to be seen often in the Tower Junction area, especially Pleasant Valley and Elk Creek. They also enter the lower Hellroaring area which could put them in conflict with the Geode Creek Pack.

Pleasant Valley early June 2002. Copyright © Ralph Maughan

With the movement of the Agate Pack into the Tower Junction area for the winter, there are a lot of wolves between Lamar Valley on the east and the boundary between the Geode Pack and the Leopold Pack on the west.

There was an unconfirmed report that the Agate Pack was on a dead bison about a week ago.

McIntrye says the 3 adult wolves that were limping two weeks ago are still limping, although perhaps a bit less -- Druid 253M, the Druid "half black" female, and Slough Creek alpha male 261M. Druid 253M, the famous wolf who went to Utah, was of course injured 2 winters ago when the Nez Perce Pack made an incursion onto the Northern Range and he sustained a permanent limp from the conflict. So he is sort of on 2 legs.

The first phase of the annual winter study is well underway, and there ought to be some new information soon.

Last update 11-19-2003.