Breneman.)

Figure 7.—A. A small hypodermic syringe is loaded with drugs. B. The loaded syringe is used on the end of a pole. (Photos courtesy of D. L. Breneman.)

The fifth wolf (a female), which was captured around the chest by the live-snare, was handled without drugs. A forked stick was used to hold down her head (Kolenosky and Johnston 1967), and she offered no resistance (fig. 8). Evidently she went into shock or some other psychophysiological state of unconsciousness, for after her release she remained on her side and did not move for 1.5 hours, despite our prodding during the first few minutes (fig. 9). Then suddenly she leaped up and ran off.

Figure 8.—Once pinned by the forked stick, the wolf ceased struggling. (Photo courtesy of Richard Bend.)

Figure 9.—After release, the wolf lay still for 1½ hours before jumping up and running off. (Photo courtesy of L. D. Mech.)

Figure 10.—A radio transmitter collar was placed around the neck of each trapped wolf. (Photo courtesy of D. L. Breneman.)

Figure 11.—Each ear of the wolf was tagged with identifying numbers. (Photo courtesy of Richard Bend.)

Each wolf was examined, outfitted with a radio transmitter collar 15 inches inside circumference (fig. 10) and tagged with identification numbers in both ears (fig. 11). Each transmitter was of a different frequency in the 150 MH_z range, emitted a pulsed signal ranging from 75 to 350 pulses per minute, and had a calculated life of at least 300 days (fig. 12). Two types of 12-inch whip antennas were used on the transmitters: one type extended up the side of the collar and then stuck out above for 6 inches; the other was fully attached inside the collar and extended up one side, around the top, and partly down the other side. The transmitter, batteries, and antenna were molded into a collar of acrylic weighing 11 ounces (Mech et al. 1965).[2] All radio equipment functioned flawlessly for at least 5 months, and one transmitter continued operating for at least 9 months.

Figure 12.—Each radio collar had a different frequency tuned to special receivers, which allowed each wolf to be identified. (Photo courtesy of D. L. Breneman.)

For tracking radio-equipped wolves, a directional yagi antenna (fig. 13) was attached to each of the wing struts of an aircraft and connected inside to a portable receiver. The usual tracking technique was to fly at 1,500 to 3,000 feet elevation to the last known location of the wolf being sought (fig. 14). If a signal was not obtained at that point, the aircraft spiraled upward until the signal was found or until 10,000 feet altitude had been reached. If the signal still was not heard, a search pattern was flown at 10,000 feet. The range of the signal from this altitude was 15 to 35 miles; at 3,000 feet it was 10 to 15 miles. Collars with antennas molded fully inside gave only about two-thirds the range of those protruding partly, but could be expected to last longer because the antennas could not break off. It is unknown whether any protruding antennas did break during the study, but on January 5, 1970, one wolf was recaptured, and its antenna had broken.

Figure 13.—Directional yagi antennas fastened to the wing struts of the aircraft were necessary to "home in" on the