I took my dog for a walk on Hot Springs Road just outside of Mountain Home, Idaho on January 5th, 2012. We parked west-southwest of Teapot Dome and began walking southeast on Hot Springs Road. While this road was recently graded, the edges were quite soft and muddy. I clearly saw the track of what I thought was an extremely large dog and cattle prints.
My car keys are there for a comparison of how big the wolf prints really are.
Hunting the Wolves of Idaho’s Teapot Dome
After walking about 4/5th of a mile, a quad driven by two gentleman stopped to inform me 3 wolves had been spotted chasing cows along the road and on the evening of January 4th, one cow had been killed by these wolves over in what I suspect is Teapot Basin. Those 2 guys had wolf tags and were ready to bag a couple.
Dogs and Wolves Playing Together?
I was told I should be careful as wolves have been known to harass or even kill dogs out in the wilds of Idaho. So for the rest of the walk on Hot Springs Road, I kept an eye out for movement in the grass and what little sagebrush there is in this area. I never saw the wolves on this walk. I wonder if they saw me and Addie?
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| From Wolf Track near Mountain Home Idaho amd Teapot Dome area. |
Oregon Trail and Bennett Mountain Wolves?
I seem to remember there was and apparently still is a Bennett Mountain wolf pack. Guess badgers aren’t the only think I have to think about when I take my crazy and foolish dog out for a walk. I also wonder how the old pioneers coming out west dealt with wolves. Considering this area is smack dab in the middle of the old Oregon Trail, I’m sure they had some unpleasant experiences with wolves.
Wolf Hunt 2011-2012
As of January 5th, 2012 the most current stats for the Idaho Wolf Hunt showed hunters have taken 197 177 wolves during this season that ends March 31, 2012. Read more about this subject on the Idaho Fish and Game website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/wildlife/wolves/
See a few more pictures of the wolf tracks at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/tim.bondy/WolfTrackNearMountainHomeIdahoAmdTeapotDomeArea?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Got More Information?
Do you have more information about the wolves around Teapot Dome and Mountain Home, Idaho? Leave a comment or e-mail me. I’d like to hear more about this rumored incident.
Thanks,
