Cook County Law Enforcement received a call at 11:19 a.m. on September 25 from a customer at Trail Center Lodge reporting that a wolf had been seen with its leg caught in a trap in the Gunflint Trail area. Conservation Officer Darin Fagerman was called and was able to locate the wolf. With assistance from a Border Patrol Agent, he was able to release the wolf, which appeared to be unharmed.
CO Fagerman said the wolf was found on the snowmobile trail (G Trail), just south of the Lima Mountain Road. Fagerman said it was a healthylooking wolf, a bit tall and lanky. He was unable to tell how long the wolf had been in the trap and not able to eat.
The wolf was caught in two coil spring traps, but was able to pull out of one trap because it was a “low budget cheap trap.” However, one of the wolf ’s back paws was still stuck. Fagerman said he and the Border Patrol Agent found a stick with a large fork. One man pinned the wolf down and the other released the trap.
Asked how they were able to safely release the wolf, Fagerman explained that it is common for a trapped wolf to just lie there once released. “They might growl and snap a bit as you approach, but once you pin them down they become very docile,” he said.
Fagerman said once in awhile Conservation Officers encounter an alpha wolf and those animals bolt the second they are free, but that is not common.
Fagerman said once released, this wolf “walked off, no worse for the wear.”
Fagerman said people can trap coyotes now, however he didn’t think anyone would be trapping this time of year as fur is not in prime condition. He said the traps might have gotten snowed in last year and just left behind. He said the traps were not tagged so he doesn’t know whom they might belong to. However, he is investigating.
The traps were Duke double-coil spring traps with a cable wrapped around the tree, connected by carabiners. Anyone with information about the traps is asked to contact CO Fagerman at 218-387- 9751.
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