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| | Winter
Wolf Retreats for 2011
DATES
TBA
Tentative
Itinerary
DAY
1:
Rendezvous
with Nathan and Linda at
Gallatin
Field
Airport
(BZN) at Bozeman,
Montana, between NOON and 1 PM. All
paperwork, waivers & releases, will need to be signed and received at or
before this time. Lunch will be
provided prior to departure to the park. Our first stop will be in
Paradise
Valley
for an overview of wolf conservation outside of
Yellowstone
National Park, and briefs on wildlife projects in the valley.
On the way to the park we will watch for mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and
bighorn sheep. Once in the park we will drive to the Buffalo Ranch in Lamar
Valley to get settled into our cabins.
Following a brief orientation to the facilities by a ranch volunteer, we
will briefly discuss the history of the ranch, wildlife watching, and
preparations for the coming days.
Day
2:
We
will rise early for a full breakfast then depart for the field shortly after
first light. Early morning is the
best time to catch the wolves while active.
The incredible Lamar
Valley
will be the backdrop for sightings of bison, elk, and coyotes while searching
for wolves in 2-3 wolf pack territories. We
will return to the ranch mid- to late-morning for lectures each day.
After lunch, group members have the option to take a snowshoe hike.
Time allowing, we will return to the field each day for dusk
observations. Wine, beer, nuts, and
cheeses will proceed a gourmet dinner served by our caterer.
We will be treated to an evening presentation by one of our lecturers (TBA).
Day
3:
The
following days will follow a similar outline to the first full day at the ranch
with a hot breakfast served prior to our early morning departure.
We will return for a late morning presentation by one of our guest
lecturers. After lunch, we will
again have the option for a snowshoe adventure.
Destinations include the historic
Rose
Creek
acclimation pen where wolves were first released into
Yellowstone, a previously used wolf den, or if available, a carcass site of a wolf-killed
elk or bison.
Day
4:
Another
hearty breakfast provided by the caterer will precede our next outing in the
field. Experience dictates that by
the third morning there will have been ample opportunity to watch wolves but
additional sightings will be "topping it off" with more activity,
different packs, different behaviors, etc. The
daily schedule will mirror the previous days’ schedules.
Another guest speaker (TBA)
will be arrive for a late morning or evening talk.
Day
5:
Our
last morning will require early departures to the airport to catch flights.
The drive is 3+ hours long, so PLEASE plan to arrive at the Bozeman
airport no earlier than 11 AM to make flights no earlier than NOON.
Past
Guest Speakers
at Winter Wolf Retreats:
 | Dr.
Douglas W. Smith, author of the acclaimed book Decade
of the Wolf, will give a presentation on his work as the supervisor and
head biologist of the Yellowstone Wolf Recovery Project.
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| Daniel
Stahler, wolf biologist whose work includes nearly 10 years with the
Yellowstone Wolf Recovery Project has studied predator-prey and
wolf-scavenger relationships, as well as, most recently embarked on a PhD
dissertation at UCLA using genetics and behavior data to look at individual
wolves and their contributions to population recovery.
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Your
Hosts:
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Linda Thurston
has worked on wolf
conservation and research over a decade in
Montana,
Idaho,
Wyoming, and Alberta. Her work includes research on
predator-prey relationships and innovative projects with local ranchers
aimed to prevent wolf-livestock conflicts.
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| Dr.
Nathan Varley will talk about his recently completed PhD research at the
University
of
Alberta
on wolves and elk in
Yellowstone. This research led to the
discovery of distinct hunting grounds where wolves tend to be successful
hunting elk, a pattern that influenced territoriality and ultimately wolf
population growth. Predation
effects have trickled down to whole communities in the park where wolves
influence vegetation and a diverse assemblage of species that rely on it.
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NOTE:
Best-laid plans are always subject to change pending weather, guest
speakers’ schedules, wildlife sighting opportunities, and/or any unforeseen
circumstances. Please bear
with us and remain flexible to better enjoy the Yellowstone Winter Wolf
Retreat. If you have any questions
concerning the itinerary, do not hesitate to contact us!
Cost ($TBA/person/double occupancy; $300 single supplement) includes transportation to/from Bozeman, MT,
airport (BZN), all transportation, food, lodging, guiding, snowshoes,
and presentations. A $500 deposit is due at time of booking,
remainder due 60 days prior to the trip.
Contact
Nathan Varley for reservations at
nathan@wolftracker.com, or phone 406 223 2152.
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Policies:
Deposit: A deposit of $500
per person reserves a space. The balance is due 60 days prior to the
trip.
Reservations:
Full payment for trips is due at time of booking.
We accept personal and/or cashier's checks and credit
cards.
Cancellation Penalties:
A full refund minus $45 processing fee will be given for all
cancellations more than 45 days before the trip.
For cancellations less than 45 days prior to departure, the
deposit is non-refundable.
Health and Safety: The trip requires good
physical fitness and mobility. The
trip is suitable for people of all ages, though children below the age
of 14 must receive prior approval. If you have health questions, consult
your doctor for more information. The tour leaders must be advised in
advance of any special health needs. Weather conditions can change
without notice and it is the responsibility of the traveler to have
proper clothing and equipment. We will provide a list for the clothing
and gear recommended for the trip.
Responsibilities and Conditions: We act only in
the capacity of agent in all matters of transportation and tour
operation. We are not responsible for delays, inconveniences, accidents,
expense or mishap of any kind whatsoever resulting entirely, or in part,
from the negligence of others or from causes beyond our control. We can
accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay
or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war,
quarantine, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be
borne by the participant, as tour rates provide for arrangements only
for the time stated. The right is reserved to substitute accommodations
or modes of transportation and to make any changes in the itinerary
where deemed necessary or caused by changes in transportation schedules.
We take no responsibility for special arrangements or problems incurred
by persons physically unable to participate in the planned activities.
No refund can be made for absence from the tour unless arrangements are
made at the time of the booking. The right is reserved to decline, to
accept or to retain any person as a tour member for any reason which
affects the operation of the tour or the rights and welfare or enjoyment
of the other tour members. We will not discriminate against any
individual because of race, sex, creed or nationality.
Cancelled Trips: We reserve the right to cancel
any trip if conditions arise that are beyond our control and adversely
affects the well-being of the trip members. In such a case, a full
refund of the trip cost is given, but we are not responsible for
additional expenses incurred by members in preparing for the trip
including flights and other travel expenses.
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For reservations, phone:
406~223~2152
or email
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