Wolf or Coyote
#1
Wolf or Coyote
Just curious if anyone has seen a wolf in N. IL, or any midwest state. My friend says he saw a pair of them. I told him they had to be coyotes. There are no wolves in Illinois. I have seen a coyote that would go at least 45-50 lbs.
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 608
If your friend knows what a wolf looks like, he may be correct. Wolves have really been increasing their territory. Chances are if you ask the local wildlife agent, they will say they are 'big coyotes'. These same wildlife agents like to claim a reported mountain lion sighting as a 'big tomcat'. See what the agent's reaction is that if they are just big coyotes, the next time you see them they will be shot.
#3
Do some google searches. There was a wolf killed last year in the Rockford area and one caught on trail cam in the Peoria area.
http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/...t_in_illinois/
http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/...t_in_illinois/
#6
Fork Horn
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 320
They found a collared wolf from WI in Missouri a couple of years ago, so it's not out of the question. AFAIK there aren't many (any?) established packs south of WI but occasionally young wolves will get kicked from the packs up north and they go wandering about.
#9
If your friend knows what a wolf looks like, he may be correct. Wolves have really been increasing their territory. Chances are if you ask the local wildlife agent, they will say they are 'big coyotes'. These same wildlife agents like to claim a reported mountain lion sighting as a 'big tomcat'. See what the agent's reaction is that if they are just big coyotes, the next time you see them they will be shot.
But they aren't here.
#10
Spike
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 33
Yes there are wolves in Illinois, along with mountain lions. But I still wonder how many people are seeing coyotes and mistaking them for wolves.
If the IL DNR is saying that there are wolves in Illinois, then there must be. It's gotten to the point where they can't deny it anymore.
If the IL DNR is saying that there are wolves in Illinois, then there must be. It's gotten to the point where they can't deny it anymore.