by John Starr

A wild animal as elusive as a wolf or as cunning as a coyote are very secretive beings. Their movements are calculated to the lowest risk possible. Coyotes, as we know, are more habituated towards humans than wolves, but they are extremely intelligent survivalists. A light, fresh snowfall is a good chance to get outside to unveil some of the secrecy that is left behind from these enigmatic animals.

First things first: I've been tracking wolves (and other wildlife) for 14 years. I've canoed into the boreal, and have slept under the stars alone, far away from humans. All in pursuit of the elusive and misunderstood wolf. I have never been threatened or felt fearful in the presence of wolves. Every time I have encountered them, their innate instinct is to flee. Wolf attacks on humans are nearly unheard of — but that doesn't mean you should be overzealous and foolish. Respect nature, because she is very unforgiving. Secondly, coywolves have never been documented in Manitoba. they are a hybrid between coyotes and eastern wolves. We do not have eastern wolves in Manitoba. And I can assure you from the many active biologists within the province (of who I am familiar with) will confirm this. Coy-wolves are an extremely rare hybrid that have only been documented in the eastern provinces. Lastly, this information is intended for light tracking while out on a hike. Whether alone or with family or friends – always be prepared, and dress warmly. Do not follow tracks deep into the wild. To anyone reading this: feel free to message me, and I'll try and answer any questions. My Instagram will be linked at the bottom. Now! Are you ready to learn some fun tracking basics!

ABOVE IMAGES: WOLF TRACKS

Wolf, dog, or coyote? To the untrained eye, canid tracks, whether wild or domestic can be deceiving. Firstly, let's talk about size: dog tracks (depending on breed) can be from 1 to 5 inches, but in most cases no larger than 4 inches in length; wolf tracks are between 4.5 and 5.5 inches; and a coyote will leave an imprint of 2.5 to 3.5 inches long.

It's almost impossible to differentiate a wolf track from a print of a large dog. I get messages and texts all the time with a picture of a singular track, asking what made it. And the answer is always the same, "I don't know". This is because wolf, dog, and coyote are very similar species. There are many other factors in play to differentiate these tracks, and you have to be there in person to come to a conclusion.

Wolf tracks are big and wide, and they go in a straight line with purpose; dog tracks are usually found alongside human tracks. And here's a little tip for coyote tracks: a dog track will register splaying between the toes; coyote tracks do not splay and are more narrow, and oval-shaped. Also, be mindful of where you are — a dog won't suddenly change course off a trail and make a b-line into dense forest. There are many variables that come into play when tracking, thusly it is important to rule out any doubts to come to an absolute conclusion.

One of the most tell-tale differences between domestic and wild canines is the trail they leave behind. If you've ever been outside with a pet dog, think about how it moves. They run from this tree to that rock, smelling all the while, run after a squirrel and come back around... you get the idea. This is the trail of an animal that doesn't have to worry about how much energy it expends. It has regular meals and shelter, and a pack of humans to look after its needs.

A wild animal, on the other hand, must be conservative about its movements. They move purposefully, looking for food, shelter, territory, etc. Regardless of its gait (how fast or slow it's moving), a wild canine trail will go in a relatively straight path. They will stop to investigate smells and possible prey or to leave scent mark in open areas with scat or urine (and it's great fun to follow an animal doing this, teasing out the story of its travels). But on the whole, its trail leads you in a fairly straight direction. Domestic dogs are also fairly sloppy with their feet. Their tracks are more likely to look like the wider spaced coyote track above than the compact tracks of wild canines.

As with anything in nature there are no absolutes. I've seen domestic dog tracks that lead in a very straight path for quite a ways, and coyote tracks that are as sloppy and silly as my dog's. Tracking can be an exercise in patience – you may follow an animal for over an hour, just to have its tracks disappear and never really identify it to species. But it is a rewarding exercise, teaching us to look and listen with a focus we don't often have in our day-to-day lives. You don't need to have any special skill or expertise to go out tracking. All you need is time, curiosity and an appreciation for the outdoors.

Follow John Starr on Instagram @johnstarrphoto

Tracks

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