Keep your pets close and carry a big stick – CPW has advice for Living with Wolves

December 4, 2023 Shannon Lukens

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By Shannon Lukens.

“Living with Wolves and How to avoid Wildlife Conflicts” is the name of the flyer (below) released by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Wolves are scheduled to be reintroduced to Colorado this month, using wolves captured and relocated from Oregon.

The flyer says wolves avoid humans and are unlikely to approach people or homes. But it also has a list of what you should do if you do see a wolf near your house or in the backcountry.

Make lots of noise if you come and go during the times when wolves are most active—dusk to dawn.
Don’t feed wolves or any other wildlife.
Keep pets close to your home at all times of day, and bring them in at night. Don’t feed pets outside. Store all garbage securely.
Place livestock in enclosed sheds or barns at night when available/appropriate. Close doors to all outbuildings so wildlife cannot get inside.
Please see CPW’s Wolf Resource Guide for more cpw.info/Wolf-Resource-Guide information about protecting livestock.

If you’re in the backcountry, be alert and aware of your surroundings.

Look around — scan the sides of hills, forests or open meadows.
Make noise so you don’t surprise wildlife.
Hike with a sturdy walking stick or bear spray.
Keep pet dogs on a leash or close to you with voice control at all times.

What to do if you encounter a wolf

CPW says, “Aggressive behavior from wild wolves towards humans is very rare. Encounters with wolves are an interaction—you should follow these guidelines and assess how the wolf responds to your action so you can choose what to do next. Each situation is unique.

Do not approach a wolf, especially one that is feeding or with pups, or if you have a dog with you. Most wolves will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
Maintain visual contact with the wolf so you can see what it is doing and where it is. Talk calmly yet firmly to it and make enough eye contact so that it knows you have seen it. Most wolves will run away.
If you have a dog with you, keep the dog away from the wolf. Dogs can aggravate wolves, and the situation can escalate if dogs are acting aggressively toward wolves.
If there is shelter or a vehicle nearby, face the wolf and stand upright while backing away slowly. Running may stimulate a predatory instinct to chase and attack.
If you cannot retreat, stand your ground, face the wolf and try to appear larger. For example, raise your arms, stand on a stump or a rock or open your jacket. Place obstacles you may have, like a bike, between you and the wolf.
If the wolf behaves more aggressively (eyes locked on you, ears forward or backwards), yell loudly, clap and wave your walking stick in front of you. An air horn may also be effective.
If the wolf gets even more aggressive (ears lowered, growling/snarling, baring teeth), be ready to fight back or deploy bear spray at an approaching wolf.
In the very unlikely event that a wolf attacks you, fight back. Remain standing, and try to get back up if you are knocked down. A wolf ’s underbelly and face, including its eyes, can be sensitive areas to target with fingers or sharp objects if you have to strike back.

CPW also asks that you report a wolf sighting if you ever see one. A QR code for that is below, on the brochure. Or call your local CPW Regional Field Office. In Steamboat Springs, that number is 970-870-3333.

Link to brochure