I was in Toronto at the end of last week on business and decided to stay in the area for 4-5 days and just see southern Ontario. I was about 140 miles North and a bit west of Toronto today, driving the country roads and a lone wolf crossed the road in front of me. He walked across the road about 50 yards and just turned and stared at me as I did him. He was a beautiful animal in his winter coat and there was about 12" of snow on the ground and snowing. By the time I drug out my camera he had disappeared into the brush. Would have made a great Pic!
The country was farm land mixed with woodland, north of the Cold River community, not far off highway 12. The sighting took me by surprise in this setting. Not exactly wilderness.

EZ

Hello eezridr;

Welcome to our land!

140 miles north of Toronto IS real wilderness!

We live about 90 miles to the north-east of Toronto, in the Kawartha Lakes area. It's quite common these days to spot wolf (and coyote) in our area and I'd expect the same that far north and west of Toronto.

I hunt both in our area and also an hours drive to the north of us. Saw two wolf in the area where I hunt bear on Crown Land last March. In fact they were a bit too friendly as I was in my van.

Have seen two very large wolf on separate occasions, and different seasons and locations, while driving to Peterborough late summer. It crossed within 50 yards and was a beautiful specimen. The other was south of here in January at 3am, and I nearly hit it. It was huge.

Anyway, glad that you had that experience... I know how disappointing it is to have the camera tucked away when I really needed it!

Hope you enjoyed your stay. The weather in the area you have described... and to the south and west have really been hit hard with snow off of Georgian Bay (Lake Huron)in the past week or so. In fact it's still continuing as I type this. Further to the east we have some (about 3 to 5 inches) But to the west of Toronto, the London area has had OVER a meter (100+ centimeters) = 3 ft+. It's beginning to look like a looong winter!

Edited to add: during deer season to the north on Crown Land, we heard wolf and coyote every day, and wolf tracks were abundant. I expect to hunt them in that area come January through March. In fact, they have decimated the deer population in that region.

Best regards,

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

Don't even have to go to Canada just come to northern Wis I see many wolves each year.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
Don't even have to go to Canada just come to northern Wis I see many wolves each year.

But WE are further South than N. Wis. It's warmer! Plus, those are CANADIAN wolves that you smuggled across the border, they might be illegal to hunt!

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

EZ,

If I may add that you were probably referring to Coldwater, just to the northwest of Orillia? I don't believe there's a "Cold River" in Ontario.

Anyway, such being the case you were not far from one of the largest (perhaps, largest) gun emporium in Canada! Just a few miles to the north of Orillia on hwy # 11. That's where I purchased my CZ 550 in .458 WM, and where I do most of my shopping these days for handloading supplies. It's about a 1 hour drive from here. In other words, depending on whether you went up hwy 12 or the 400, you were at most 1 hr from here, and at closest, 1/2 hr from my home.

The store is Epps Sporting Goods. www.ellwoodepps.com

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

458,

You are correct, it was Coldwater. I just got home this evening. I was actually staying at a little ski resort (Horseshoe something or another), about 10 miles west of Barrie. It snowed the entire time I was there. saturday through this morning. Probably 14". I flew out of Toronto this morning and it was clear and dry. I was watching the weather about London and Lucas. Hard to believe 50-60 miles south of Toronto and almost 4 feet of snow when Toronto was dry.
I enjoyed my daily drives. I do not always know where I am going; just turn on the buggy and drive.
Next time I am up that way I may drop you a note and we can visit a bit. I did not realize how close I was to lake Huron.

EZ

Hey, 458, if you are wolf hunt'n in ontario, i'll sell you a wolf tag cheap. I did not get to fill mine this year.LOL.