Iowa, a state of vast agricultural landscapes, occasionally sees the return of wolves. While no established breeding population exists, individual gray wolves venture into Iowa, dispersing from areas with robust populations.
Historical Context of Wolves in Iowa
Historically, Iowa was home to two subspecies of gray wolves: the Great Plains wolf and the gray (or timber) wolf. The Great Plains wolf inhabited the western part of the state, often following bison herds. The gray wolf was more commonly found in the wooded northeastern regions of Iowa.
By the late 1800s, both subspecies were largely extirpated from Iowa due to habitat loss and eradication efforts, including bounties offered for their removal. The last confirmed wolf sighting in Iowa before recent decades was in Butler County during the winter of 1884-1885. A timber wolf was also recorded in Shelby County in 1925, though it was believed to be an escaped captive animal.
Current Wolf Presence and Status
Iowa does not have an established breeding wolf population. Individual gray wolves occasionally disperse into the state, typically from the larger Great Lakes population in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Iowa averages one to five confirmed transient wolves each year.
Confirmed sightings have occurred in various Iowa counties, including Buchanan, Jones, Van Buren, Osceola, and Scott County. Confirmation often involves DNA testing or examination by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). High human population density and limited suitable habitat make it challenging for wolves to establish permanent territories.
Distinguishing Wolves from Other Canids
Distinguishing a wolf from other canids, such as coyotes or domestic dogs, is important. Gray wolves are significantly larger than coyotes. Adult wolves typically weigh 70 to 110 pounds, while coyotes generally weigh 25 to 40 pounds. Wolves also stand taller at the shoulder, ranging from 27 to 33 inches, compared to coyotes at 20 to 22 inches.
Physical features offer further clues. Wolves have broader snouts, larger nose pads, and shorter, more rounded ears than a coyote’s more pointed muzzle and ears. A wolf’s body is typically more muscular with a deep chest and long legs, whereas coyotes appear more slender. A wolf’s tail is usually long and bushy, carried straight out or down, and is not typically curled. Wolf tracks are also notably larger than coyote tracks, averaging 3.5 to 4.5 inches long.
Conservation and Management Efforts
Gray wolves are protected in Iowa; it is illegal to kill them unless they are actively harming livestock. Their legal status has fluctuated, but they are now relisted as an endangered species under federal law, meaning no open hunting season exists.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) monitors these transient animals. The DNR encourages hunters, particularly those targeting coyotes, to be certain of their target due to the wolves’ protected status. If a wolf is encountered, observe it from a distance and report the sighting to the Iowa DNR. State law also prohibits owning a wolf in Iowa without a proper wild animal license.