BOUNDARY WATERS – I’ve seen some wild things in the woods, but this one tops them all.
Last week, while fishing on a lake that sits on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a pack of wolves attacked a calf moose near the shoreline. The mother, or cow moose, attempted to defend the calf. The wolves were too much to overcome, and the calf was quickly killed by the predators.
Just moments before, I’d dropped anchor to hold my solo canoe in place. The walleye were biting that night, and I’d only been on the lake for about 10 minutes before the wolf pack and two moose came crashing through the brush and timber. It was a terribly violent scene. The sounds are what stand out the most, including the last cries of the calf as the wolves took it down. The cow also landed some thundering kicks to at least one of the wolves, the predator yelping out in a pained response.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Wolf Management Plan, which guides the state’s management of wolves through 2032, wolf predation is the leading cause of death for moose calves during their first 30-50 days of life. The incident that took place last week is part of a natural cycle, however challenging it is to process or bear witness to.
Some paddlers are fortunate enough to see a moose during a trip to the Boundary Waters. Far fewer will ever see a wolf. Seeing both species during a single event is essentially unheard of for most people who live near or visit the Boundary Waters.
Video of the incident can be found at paddleandportage.com or on the Paddle and Portage Facebook and Instagram pages. (Viewer discretion is advised.)
