LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
A local hunter is warning people in Fort Simpson and small communities across the Deh Cho to take extra care when outside the municipality due to the presence of wolves.

Bob Norwegian shot this wolf on the iced-over Mackenzie River off Fort Simpson's boat launch. The wolf was one of two spotted the evening of Feb. 23. - photo courtesy of Bob Norwegian

Bob Norwegian shot a wolf on the Mackenzie River the evening of Feb. 23 after a walk across the river with his wife. The carcass of the animal, one of two spotted that evening, was brought to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which has a walk-in freezer.

"There were two of the (wolves) so we turned around, came back to Fort Simpson and I jumped on my Ski-Doo," he said.

The plan was to return home, get his gun and shoot the wolves.

He could not locate them, he said, before going to the boat launch for a better view of the frozen river.

"Here they were, hiding among the jagged ice. It just seemed like they were in hot pursuit," Norwegian said.

Norwegian speculates the one he shot - a big male whose weight he estimated at 100 pounds - could have been the pack sire, because when he went out to collect the remains the following morning, four more wolves were nearby.

"Wolves are usually shy animals. You don't see them too often," Norwegian said.

"This behaviour is pretty unnatural from what I've seen."

Carl Lafferty, the department's regional superintendent and renewable resources officer Marti Lys said there are usually a few dogs each year taken by wolves but none have been reported so far this year.

Additionally, the wolves have not been coming into the community, aside from one found scavenging for food behind the Northern store two months ago.

Lafferty said he has received complaints from Acho Dene Koe as well about wolf activity near the community but said current levels in Fort Simpson are not too far out of the ordinary.

Lafferty advises people to keep their dogs on a leash, not to trek across the river alone and to keep their garbage secure, all of which can deter wolves from following and potentially attacking.

He also said the department will be setting up some wolf snares in the bush across the river and hopes to put up signs to warn people once the snares are set.

As for wolf behaviour, Lafferty said there could be a number of reasons behind it - including climate change or the fact municipalities often offer an easier food source.

"There isn't too much research being done on wolf populations," he said. Currently, there are three wolves in the Deh Cho with monitoring collars on.

Lafferty said the main value in snaring wolves comes from taxidermy. A full wolf pelt, with lips and footpads still attached, can fetch a trapper an advance payment of $400. If the pelt is good enough to warrant a prime fur bonus, that total can come out to $750.

The wolf trapping season runs from Aug. 15 to May 31.

Trappers concerned about the notorious smell created by skinning wolves are welcome to use the department's walk-in freezer, Lafferty said, which comes equipped with a hoist.

As for wolves spotted around the community, Lafferty said people can call the department during regular business hours to report sightings or concerns.

Meanwhile, Norwegian says he wants to give a heads-up to cross-country skiers, snowhill-sliding children and people who spend time on the land to be careful.

"Oldtimers used to say, 'Wolves have their own way of doing business,' " he said.

"Their habits are changing."

Calls to Acho Dene Koe were not returned.