Hints for Photographing Wolves

Wolves are the emblematic symbols of the North Country. The presence of these “top of the pyramid” predators defines a properly functioning ecosystem. However, wolves are shy and difficult to spot making the species a challenging subject for the wildlife photographer. For the past few years, I have been concentrating on building my wolf portfolio and have developed a few helpful hints to pass on.

Of course, the first step in photographing wolves is to put yourself in position to catch a glimpse of the elusive quarry. The state of Minnesota is a great place to start your search for wolves. The gray wolf (or timber wolf) is found throughout northern Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Resources estimates a healthy population of approximately 2,500. In fact, Minnesota is the only state in the “lower 48” to harbor gray wolves after they had vanished throughout the rest of the country. The one million acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) running along the Minnesota/Canada border is a primary reason for the long-term success of the wolf in Minnesota. Over the past century, this remote and isolated wilderness area served as a buffer-zone allowing for a continuous dispersion of wolves from Canada into Minnesota. Today, the BWCAW remains prime real estate for observing and photographing wild wolves.

To increase the chance of capturing the image of a wolf a good understanding of wolf behavior is necessary. Wolves are territorial and are almost always on the move. In northern Minnesota, territories typically encompass 50 to 120 square miles of dense boreal forest. For a wolf, travel means survival – a wolf may travel 50 miles or more each day in search of food.

Without a doubt, the best time to see and photograph wolves is during the winter months. In winter, wolves become more diurnal; whereas, in summer months wolves are almost completely nocturnal. In addition, you are more likely to see wolves out in the open as they take advantage of “easier” travel over  frozen windswept lakes. Winter also gives the photographer the advantage of studying tracks and patterns of movement.

Hints:

• Be prepared to put on the miles in order to look for signs of wolves. In winter, focus on frozen lakes. The greatest concentration of signs will be near the shoreline. Learn to tell the difference between fresh and old tracks. High traffic areas will also have a high density of “scent-marking” (yellow snow). Occasionally, you can find “choke-points” or areas that will funnel wolves in a certain direction.
• While I'm moving, my camera is generally packed away – any wolf in the area will likely see you first. For instance, once while taking some pictures of a wolf from my blind on the south side of an island, two dogsleds crossed nearby on the north side of the island. The wolf remained still and the dogsledders were unaware of the wolf's presence. Your best chance of capturing an image is from a well positioned blind.
• Look for ravens; especially a steady stream of ravens heading in a common direction. Ravens will often lead you to a wolf kill.
• Set-up a portable blind near a fresh wolf kill. Once a wolf kill is spotted you have to be prepared to set-up quickly and quietly. I have seen a family of three wolves totally consume a deer (hair, bones and all) in less than eight hours.
• Keep your distance and use your longest telephoto lens. Pay careful attention to the prevailing wind direction and set-up downwind from the kill. Be prepared to spend long hours in the blind as wolves may visit at anytime of the day.
• Traveling solo in the BWCAW in winter can be dangerous. Weather conditions can change quickly and temperatures can plummet to bone chilling temperatures. To be safe in this environment, even when you are out on day trip, it's best to carry a wide assortment of gear, including extra clothing such as a down parka, wool pants, pack boots, expedition mittens. Warm gear, means staying in the field longer, which increases your chances of getting that great shot.

Above all – follow the principles of good ethical field practice (such as the principles promoted by the North American Nature Photography Association). Winter is a stressful time of the year for all animals.

Good luck!!