ADFG Shutting Down Prince Of Wales Island Unit Wolf Sightings’ Website

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Unit 2 Wolf Sightings Website Closing

May 16, 2025 – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) previously collected wolf observations from Game Management Unit 2 (Unit 2) to document wolf distribution. This allowed members of the public to share their observations with the department to help determine how widespread wolves are in Unit 2. The department will discontinue collecting wolf observations through the online reporting website as the observations collected by the public have provided sufficient information for wolf distribution throughout Unit 2.

ADF&G previously recorded wolf observations annually across Unit 2 to track observations through time. The department was interested in collecting general occupancy and distribution information about when and where Unit 2 residents were seeing wolves. Information collected included the date and time of observation, the number of wolves observed, and any notes about the observations. The department is now closing the website, as we have determined wolves to be well-distributed across Unit 2 among years (from 2016 to 2024) based on the information provided by observers.

In 2024, 14 people submitted 23 reports for a total of 49 wolves observed. Most people observed 1-2 wolves, but some people reported up to 5 wolves. People noted that they generally saw wolves while driving, and included notes about coat color, number of pups versus adults, and more. People were also able to share their wolf pictures through the website.

Over the course of the wolf reporting website’s operation from 2016 to 2024, people reported 227 observations through various means including observation, howls, tracks, scat, predation sites, or trail camera photos. Observers reported detecting an average of 58 wolves per year. From 2016 to 2024, people reported a total of 132 sighting observations, 33 trail cam observations, and 29 track observations. The highest number of wolves in a single report was 12 wolves, which were documented on a trail camera. Reported sightings were spread out from Point Baker to southern Dall Island (107 miles north to south), and from Kitkun Bay to Baker Island (60 miles east to west). Wolves were reported on 11 islands (other than Prince of Wales) in Unit 2 and Unit 3. There were 33 photos and 23 videos submitted with observation reports.

The department appreciates all those who participated by reporting wolf sightings through the website. If you have any questions, please contact the Ketchikan Area Office at 907-225-2475.