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wolves in ny state ???
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Posted by lynnenychemung (My Page) on Sat, Mar 4, 06 at 10:36
Was wondering about the sightings of wolves in New York State. Just recently two of my friends have spotted what they say was a wolf.
(We live in a very rural area.....forested and with a huge
deer population in Chemung County which sits on top of the
PA border.)
FRIEND # 1...last year.... She lives on an 125 acre farm surrounded by forests on a dirt road ...not many houses on her road and not many cars go by all day long. That type of thing....REMOTE.
She insists she saw a large, gray wolf cross her treeline
while looking out her big kitchen window one morning last year. Almost noontime...clear day. She has seen all kinds of wildlife having lived on her land for almost 45 years.
She has seen several coyotes and bobcats ....but insists this was a WOLF and not a dog. She did not get a photo.
FRIEND # 2....lives about 25 miles north of Friend # 1....
on a high hill...her home has about 20 acres and is surrounded by state forest land.
She just emailed me last month about this large gray wolf that was visible on their property . She said it was definetly a wolf....not a coyote..and stayed on her land for almost an hour. Her husband took video of it.
I am in Florida now...so have not seen the video...but she
was quite excited about the whole thing !!
HAS anyone else heard of wolves in New York ?
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| There has been an occasional wolf-sighting report, usually unsubstantiated. The rumors that wolves have been introduced by the DEC have started up again. These are as bogus as the reports that the DEC has secretly been reintorducing mountain lions. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| I live in Schoharie county, a couple years ago (maybe 8) there was a wolf in a field just outside town. It was in all the papers, I'll have to see if I can find the article. We have also had bald eagle, moose, bobcat and black bear in the area. I am not that far out of town and live on a dead end road with 11 houses. My neighbor thought my black lab got loose in his yard, it turned out to be a black bear. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| Yes there are wolves in NY state!! I'm a native to the Adirondack Mts 42 yrs now and have seen only 2 untill recently. We live on an old farm on a dead end rd with several near by neighbors. We have just recently been prey to 4 or 5 different wolves. We had 12 geese then 10 then 8 and all the way down to 4 . There was no sign of a fight no feathers no nothing. Then I started sitting in my van with a shotgun and they knew. My wife and I have both seen them but have not been quick enough to get a picture of them. At first I thought it was a mt lion that has been seen around here on a regular basis for quite a few years now that was taking our geese. I don't believe that DEC or any other agency has released them but they are here and they are very much so predators. These animals-the wolves- are so smart that there next to impossible to get a picture or even a quick sighting of befor they vanish into the woods. It wont be long and there will be a problem with them. The mt lions that arent here well their worse but not quite as sneeky about things at least we can hear when their around. Its what you don't hear and don't see that I worry about !! |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| There are wolves up north in Jefferson County near my in-laws farm outside of Adams. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| Today in the parking lot of my job, in amherst NY rite along the I90 I saw a wolf running, It was indeed a wolf! I work in a suburben area right near buffalo airport, it was crazy. Not to long after that, people noticed on the side of the road, next to my job a dead dear that was obviously eaten. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| How very disturbing. This post started out normally and honestly enough and then the goofy ideas started leaking in. Some of these posts are encouraging, the thought that perhaps there really are some wolves in NY. You couldn't be luckier than to have them join you. But then, I start to see the same ideas seeping in from yesteryear, the ones that detroyed the wolf population to begin with. The idea that wolves are somehow stealing geese. First off, I cannot imagine why you wouldn't lock up your geese at night. Even if there weren't wolves and mountain lions, there are still fox and coyote and about 40 other species willing and able to kill a goose for a free meal. The worst thing is, you open your big mouth without KNOWING, and other people believe you and your BS. Having studied wolves for over 30 years I am able to tell you in all honesty, goose owner, that it is 'not' wolves killing your geese. At least not wild wolves, perhaps wolf- dog hybrids or someones pet wolf or even someone's German Shepherd. Then I hear someone spouting off about a wolf running along a major Interstate. Highly doubtful a wild wolf would do something like that. In fact 'highly doubtful' would be a generous term. Sounds like dog behavior to me. And then hearing about a 'dear' kill.. or maybe that was 'deer'? Whichever, since the person didn't elaborate on what signs made it a wolf kill rather than any other predators kill, I have to assume they don't know their *** from a hole in the ground. And if, as suggested, the deer was near the aforementioned Interstate, chances are a car hit the deer and something (BIRDS MAYBE) came along and nibbled on the carcass. Living in Minnesota, with by far the largest wolf population in the lower 48, and studying wolves my entire life, I can tell you without any conviction that it would be a blessing to have wolves in your beautiful state. It would not be a nuisance, it very rarely is here. It's a real shame there are such negative attitudes toward wolves, bred from ignorance and the fear of the unknown. If you are truly lucky, one day you will be able to hear the call of the wolf echoing across New York State. That will be all most New Yorkers would ever know of them because of the shy, elusive creatures they are. If you would be interested in knowing more about the TRUE behavior of wolves, I would suggest any of David Mech's works, or visiting the International Wolf Center on the web at www.wolf.org. Happy learning. |
Here is a link that might be useful: International Wolf Center
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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In 2000 a man was hunting coyotes in the Adirondacks. He called in what to him were two vary large coyotes. He shot the bigger of the two. The other ran off.The coloring was that of a coyote but the animals were large. He went to DEC who said " Wolf, coyote whats the difference".Why this DEC person has a job in conservation I can't figure. In 2002 The hunter took the hide to the Fish and Wildlife dept.They did DNA testing and confirmed that it was indeed a Gray Wolf.Gray Wolf come in a wide range of color.This one was colored just like a coyote.I talked with a woman who owns a shop in Old Forge. She has a picture of what appears to be a beautiful wolf. She claims that it is a wolf that lives near her home. For fear of her young child who like the Big doggy she called DEC. The person she talk to told her that if she knew someone that hunted coyote to have them SHOOT it.She contacted A higher up at DEC and told them what she was told.She learned later that that person was reprimanded for their remarks.She says DEC came and trapped the animal and took it some place else. Her claim is the animal found its way back to her area.
Heres the odd thing. Gray Wolves are not native to NY.Our only native wolf has been the Eastern Wolf. These wolves have been found to NOT be a sub species or cross of gray and Red wolf. New test show they are their own species.DEC claim is they would never introduce a non native animal to NY.With coyotes and coyote\ red wolf crosses living in NY there is no reason to introduce an animal non native to control the deer herd.Could these gray wolves come down from Canada? Possible . Are they feral grays? Again possible. Is DEC lying and they have released a non native animal??????Regardless they are here.If you see what you think is a gray wolf or any wolf. Enjoy the sight. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| The gray wolf's early range extended as far dow nas virginia on the easter coast. Gray wolf, Timber wolf, eastern wolf... They are one and the same. Prarie wolves are much smaller because an animal with that much mass has a much higher surface area than a larger one, dispersing heat fater. Northern Canadian wolves are larger to help conserve heat, by the same principle. (this is probably irrelevant info, but it sort of means what i want...) the Grey wolf did once live throughout new york. But, the natural, pure stock of wolves has been shot, poisoned, and trapped out of the state. Its been proven, however, that a majority of "coyotes" have a traceable amount of Wolf DNA within them, resulting in a thinning line between wolf and coyote. this is where stories of "wolves" in new york come from. They are not 100% pure wolf, nor pure coyote. they are somewhere in the middle, leaning more toward wolf because of breeding. The northeastern "coyote" is much, much larger than a western coyote. Often by twice as much.This is because over the years, coyotes and wolves have been breeding because of lack of a viable wolf population. Wolf DNA has been passing down through the generations, and the more widespread the breeding goes, the more chances that the coyote population will evolve/devolve back into the natural grey wolf. It is more commmon now to find a coyote wiht wolf dna than without. They are not quite either, but the same at once. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| The question i find myself asking is this, if coyotes are surviving just fine in the Bronx, Central park, and now from what i hear Long Island, why couldnt wolves have migrated back to New York state? They are one of the most adaptable animals in the world and the most intelligent. They started out living all over the continent, so for their sake I hope they go back to that existence. I say bring on the wolves, I welcome them. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| Dear Lynnenychemung: I saw your writing on the New York State Forum page stating that you may have seen a wolf in your area. I am very interested in any information that you can provide, photos, videos or tracks would be of help. Please feel free to contact me at anytime. Wishing you all the best in both life & work, Joseph S. Butera, President & Co-founder The Northeast Ecological Recovery Society P.O.Box 764 Floral Park, New York 11004 Website: www.adirondackwolf.org E-Mail: lorjoewolf@juno.com |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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Ryan9
I agree with you whole-heartedly. I believe they are back in the northeast, but being killed by coyote hunters and others. Joe Butera (NERS) www.adirondackwolf.org E-mail: lorjoewolf@juno.com |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| I know there are wolves in NY state! I used to live in Saratoga county and my husband and I were driving home along the northway (87) in two cars. I was talking to him via a walkie talkie when he said "watch out for that wolf!" I looked to the left and HUGE dog was running across the road and I had to quickly swerve to the right lane to avoid hitting it. I looked in my rear view mirror and saw my husband who was already in the right lane swerving and this thing saw my husbands car and jumped to avoid being hit and cleared his car! There were 2 other vehicles behind us who witnessed this and all the cars involved pulled over at the next rest area. Combined with the people in the other cars there were 7 people who saw this and confirmed it was a wolf. I tell very view people this story because the people I have told think I was mistaken, but I know what I saw! They also found a carcass in Warran county I think it was, near the Sacandaga. The DEC said it was someones exotic pet. Although I have been told the DEC says that about any exotic animal (mountain lions) because if it was confirmed people would start hunting them. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| I am in northern Franklin county. Once I saw a VERY large wolf-like dog near our treeline. It was too big and too wolf-like for me to think it was anything else. The other incident occurred last night. I was sleeping outside. There was a lot of canid activity: various packs of coy-dogs or coyotes on all sides of me, waking me up. Twice, though I heard an eerie low-toned howl. It was NOT a coy dog, NOT a coyote. All I know is that every hair stood straight up on the back of my neck, the sound was indescribable, and I was indoors faster than you can say CANE LUPO! |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| Hi everyone, I did a little research on the wolf issue. It turns out that coyotes in the eastern half of the country are generally larger than there western cousins. There also a lot of coyote wolf mixes which from a distance are impossible to tell from a wolf. I believe this was all stated before. It is however possible to tell a wolf from close up but unless your an expert it might be kind of hard. I'm not saying it's an impossibility but it seems unlikely that there are true wolves in NY. One other thing i'd like to say about mountain lions. THERE ARE MOUNTAIN LIONS IN NY. mountain lions travel very far. ex. a mountain lion from the genetic population in Utah turned up in chicago. a couple weeks ago there was a confirmed report of a mountain lion in Bergen county NJ it is believed that mountain lions never were extinct in the adirondacks and there have been many sightings of them in the park. Lately there were several confirmed sightings of mountain lion in the park and other places around upstate NY. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| Confirmed, documented sightings have been quite rare. When I attended Cornell University from 1968-1972, my fraternity brothers and I rented an old farmhouse near Ludlowville, off Route 34. Our landlord, one of the local farmers, shot a timberwolf one winter evening. The wolf had been bothering the livestock in one of his barns. This particular animal, IIRC a large female, measured some 6 feet in length [from nose to tail]. It was the first wolf seen in the area since 1938, according to reports that appeared the next day in the local newspaper. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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If moose can make it to Broome/Tioga County I see no reason why a wolf couldn't either.
For years folks were laughed at for claiming to see bear in the area. Now they are seen regularly thru out both counties.There's a whole lot of wooded area and abandoned farms in NYS. I have no doubts at all they any animal that once roamed these areas in abundance would have any problems at all re establishing itself and keeping itself hidden from the general human population. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| We saw a wolf in our backyard in Ballston Lake NY (Saratoga County.) We live about one mile from I-87. It was daytime and it appeared to be in pursuit of something as it had it's tail straight down and it's long nose sniffing the ground. It was about 90-100 lbs. and it was gray with some brownish coloring. All our research say it was a wolf by all counts. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| saw what at first I figured to be a fox near county road 14 and salt point turnpike in northern dutchess county, when I saw an identical figure about 100 yards north of the first I almost froze, both loaping through a cow pasture with kills in their mouths and both showing no signs of timidity, figure they had to be wolves, they were gray and sized like medium to large dogs, the fact that I saw two makes me figure they had to be wolves, first time I ever saw or even heard of any wolves around here, can it be true?, as anyone else seen them this far south?, I know a moose was involved in a motorcycle accident just north on the Taconic in 08, so anything is possible, but wolves? |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| Well, I'm not entirely sure if there are wolves in New York, but I'm willing to believe anything is possible. Even my parents and I seen a creature that looked like a wolf on the way back to Andover, NY from seeing my grandfather sometime in 2007-2008. Now I know what a coyote looks like and my parents do too, but this animal was bigger than a coyote and it was Smokey Grey in color. We've never seen a animal in NY that looked like this, it was standing in field by a small tree about maybe 50 ft. from the rode. This sighting was about one or two miles out of Dalton, NY. To this day I still don't know what is and as far as I know there hasn't been anymore sightings. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| Hi, After reading here by several people who have seen wolves in NYS I now live in Va, but was born and raised in upstate NY, and all my children still live up there North of Tioga, and Potter Co's. In 2001 my oldest son who has hunted for yrs, and knows the diff between a coyote, and a wolf told me he had been returning through the woods in back of the house from bow hunting, and got chased up a tree by a pk of wolves! He said in his hurry to get up the tree he dropped the bow, and of all days not to have his cell phone with him! He said he had to stay up the tree with them down below him for quite awhile before they finally left, and he was able to get out of the tree, and get up to the house! I also would like to make a statement to those pondering if there really could be Mt Lions, or cougars, or what you care to call them? I personally saw 3 big cats running fast as if they were chasing one another, or something, across the Rd from my yrd! It was on a hill overlooking Elmira where I was, and a visitor and I were saying good by in the driveway when we both saw the 3 big cats. The cats were 2 all black, and the other one was tawney or orange brown coloring. Looked all 3 to be 150 + lbs each. They had long tails, and they ran up and behind the old barn there, and up into the woods back there. Both of us just looked at each other and couldn't believe what we had just seen! She wanted to go right up there to see if we could see tracks, etc, and yes there were all kind of big cat track there in the mud and dirt. Believe you me if I thought there would ever be such controversy today over them existing for real in upstate NY I'd of taken pictures of at least the tracks!!! I thought it was fairly common knowledge for people those parts to know the cats to be there as fact many yrs ago! Other neighbors there at times also saw one! One neighbor hunting in winter up in back saw something he thought at first was someones black dog, but as he looked closer at it he said it was a big black cat and it loped along thru the high snow there, and he said it had a long tail just as I'd told him I saw a yr or two prior! He became a believer. The people that lived in the house across the stree from me and who's land I'd seen those big cats, not too long after got to see the big tawney color one digging something up halfway between their pond and that barn I'd seen them by. They nolonger were disbelievers either! My brother in law had also one night been up visiting with us and had left to drive back down into the city to home. He called us as soon as he had got home pretty anxious and wanting to know what we had living up there on that hill? He said just down the Rd from our house he had seen a big light brown cat cross the Rd infront of his headlights, and he said as he slowed down to almost a stop to get a better look at there by the side of the Rd it snarled at him and went down into the woods there on our land. He kept on going and called us about it. He said it had a long tail and sure looked like a very big cat to him! Since it had just snowed earlier that eve, and had stopped snowing by the time he saw the cat my husband and I went up to the spot where he said he'd seen it the next morning! I took a ruler along to measure tracks, and right were he said he'd seen the cat there were big cat tracks in the snow. You could even see the marks between the paw tracks where it's tail had dragged in the snow! The tracks measured 5" across the pad, and they were clean,fresh track from the night before. That's a neighbor that saw a BBC also, and BIL that saw the light brown on at diff times, and yrs! I also my self heard one of them scream on 2 diff occ up there! My daughter also got a good up close look at the black one! Coming home on her 10 speed from visiting her friend up the Rd she said a big black cat with green eyes was just sitting there side the Rd not 50 yrds from our driveway. She said it just looked at her as she passed by it; she looked back over her shoulder at it, not believing what she had just saw, and she said it was just walking off into the tall grass there by the Rd. So, from my own experiences and my family, and others there who I trust to tell the truth, and didn't exagerate what seen I can tell you most deff there are BC's up there those areas, as well as gray wolf! I guess if you have never seen one you might not believe they are there, but once you do see one you know exactly what it is you saw! People still see big cats up in those counties; Chemung, tioga, steubin,Broome, so they very much are breeding, and a live and well. There were other sightings by me when I was younger I saw a tawney color one with a long tail getting a drink at the pond edge just down the Rd from my house then in Big Flats, just before dark. Another time back in the 1950's I was with my Dad and we went to where several men had a big black cat treed just before dark about 10 miles from our house! I don't know what happened with that cat as my dad and I left and went back home after we saw it up the tree! Another time not to many mi from that area I and my brother saw a big black one with a rabbit in it's mouth in a field. It saw us coming and dropped the rabbit and ran off. We found the dead rabbit there and the teeth marks fresh in it! So skeptics, or debunkers can say till the cows come home that NYS has no Big cats black or tawney, and I will tell them they do not know what they are talking about because I myself saw black ones, tawney ones, and know what exactly it was I did see, and it was not a domestic cat, nor a bob cat, nor a fisher, nor a jaguardi!!! Wake up folks, they are in Ny many yrs already!!!!! I just hope nobody winds up dead by one like in California or other areas this country. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| I dont see why people dont think there are wolves in Ny state. A coyote is not the size of a german shepard of bigger then that, they dont have longer hair or what some people call a main around their head. That is a timber wolf. I have seen wolves myself. So has my father on the land he hunts on here in Windsor. I highly doubt u will find a Coyote that is anywhere from 75lbs to 150lbs. It just dont happen, Timber Wolves have a distinct coloring something like a Husky or Alaskin Malamute, or they can be solid white or solid black. They are in new york state also. It is actually Illegal 2 shoot Timber Wolves in any state, they are a protected animal. |
RE: wolves in ny state ???
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| If any of you know where the Bethlehem Central High School it is in delmar, NY in albany county. While I was watching the field hockey game there a wolf-like creature came out of the woods bordering the field. A lot of people saw it probably around 50. It had medium to long gray hair with a mixture of black. It had a broad face unlike the coyote which has a pointed face. I definately think this was a gray wolf. There are wolves in NY state. Dr. Ward Stone told me so in person. |
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