Sounds of a wolf barking - Close encounter

Would be interesting to interpret the bark "language" ... Maybe a biologist in this field would be able to shed light.

Background - Walking back to my truck on a closed gated Forest Service road from my last bear hunt 05/31. breezy conditions, recent rain. A large sized wolf - not scrawny in the least, came from the low side of the hill onto the road roughly 7 yards ahead and quickly identified me. We both stopped in our tracks and starred at each other. A couple seconds later (felt much longer) s/he began a slow trot down the road. Stopped a couple times and looked back at me. I tried to stall him/her with soft whistle and clicking noises as I attempted to get my phone camera out. About 40 yards down the road, s/he made way uphill off the other side of the road. I continued back and was able to record the sounds. A bit of, "Little Red Riding-hood" came to mind! Haha!

[video=youtube_share;irIZ9v296WM]https://youtu.be/irIZ9v296WM[/video]

S/he must have known MT wolf season ended 15 days prior... Haha! I did have my handgun out along with my phone and all the way back checked my 6... Never have I ever been remotely close to a wolf! Closest I've ever been had to be a couple hundred yards away... This was a, "holy shnitz!" moment. It stopped barking and I am pretty sure it was following me parallel to my position as I made my way to the truck.

Are there more than one sounding off? I think the bark is interpreted as, "everyone hurry over here, I found another one of those slow-easy to catch two legged critters."

Awesome brother.

fishing4sanity said:

Are there more than one sounding off? I think the bark is interpreted as, "everyone hurry over here, I found another one of those slow-easy to catch two legged critters."

Click to expand...

I had the impression the later half that there was a tad different sounding quick set of short barks at the end of the main barking... Though it may have been the same. I have my initial video as soon as I was able to get the phone out... Everything went into slow motion off the bat and it is interesting listening to my initial thouggts. Figured the portion shared fit best as the wolf didn't begin barking until a short while after.

Heh, there was a part where I said something to the effect, "Screw the bolt action!" As I drew my handgun. Haha!

I'm waiting to hear back from the fwp wolf specialist. Its a once in a lifetime experience to be that close in the wild by accident. I want to learn as much as possible. I don't think either of us felt threatened. Think we were both flat out curious... Though shortly after my handgun was out... Haha!

In the meantime, a friend sent me this link to a wolf barking in Yellowstone. Sure seems to match and makes sense considering our surprised curiosity off the bat and having to continue along his direction down the road. He was quiet until I passed where he turned up off the road.

[video=youtube_share;icDObrsrNr4]https://youtu.be/icDObrsrNr4[/video]

I know nothing about wolf behavior, but that's a cool video. Thanks for sharing.