How to camp in wolf country?
I, too, like to sleep in a bivy sack under the stars. And while during the summer I am not too concerned about wolves (in spite of locals reporting attacked horses and cattle), the winter scares me. Recently, along with one more person, we slept for 3 nights in the snow, and on the night of the fourth day we saw a pack of wolves.
We got scared and immediately headed for the civilization. However, I would hate it to never again have the courage to sleep in the snow.
Are there any precautions that can be taken against wolves, especially during the winter, to make sleeping safe?
We hike on marked trails. There are no marked campsites.
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Wolf attacks are incredibly rare whereas bear attacks are more common. Typically wolves are afraid of humans and will actively avoid contact. Humans are the predator typically in wolf encounters so they are much more afraid of us than we of them.
That said wolves have been known to attack humans, normally when driven by hunger or disease (rabies). When they attack humans they will generally only attempt to attack children under the age of 18.
A worldwide 2002 study by the Norwegian Institute of Nature Research showed that 90% of victims of predatory attacks were children under the age of 18
A fully grown adult should have nothing to fear from wolves.
Are there any precautions that can be taken against wolves, especially during the winter, to make sleeping safe?
It's very very unlikely that a wolf will wander into your camp, rip though your tent and attack you. Your biggest chance of encountering a wolf is for you to (inadvertantley) go to it. A wolf will stay well clear of a human camp. If on the very low chance that a wolf is driven by hunger into your camp it will want to eat what scraps it can and get away. You could mitigate this risk by keeping food in sealed containers.
especially during the winter
Winter is actually the safest time, wolves are actually more likely to attack in the summer, when they have hungry pups to feed and food pressure is much greater.
PS I'm very jealous that you saw a wild pack of wolves. Wolves were (unfortunately I think) killed off in the UK a long long time ago.
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I've spoken to trappers. Wolves are a non-starter. Even in a trap, they try to get away, not attack. One trapper said that the only time he's been bitten by a wild animal it was a muskrat.
While wolf attacks are rare there ahve been several attacks by cougar/mountain lion of late. In each case the person was alone.
All the bear incidents I've read about have been with groups of 4 or less. Bears in winter, are uncommon.
In winter I keep a fire going all night, not for wildlife, but because I get up in the night to pee or get a drink, and will sit by the fire for a bit to ease my back. Winter nights are always too long. (Central Alberta. Dec 21 sun time is 8:45 to 4:30, add an hour of twilight.)
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You should have some deterrents, such as bear spray or air-horn. Wolves will generally not harm you though they can often approach you (at least here in BC) and in this instance, the recommended advice is to make them believe that you are a threat to them, by shouting, banging, etc.. Bear spray can be used as a last resort.
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