Sam search update #2, 9 Jul 01

Thanks, Jim.

Your plane idea is great. I will check on it. Haven't found him yet, though
Laila and I covered a lot of ground on Sat and Sun. Saturday we covered
about 70 miles between us. I left from the Three Forks Trailhead north of
Platoro, while Laila left from the Bear Lake TH south of Platoro. We met at
Glacier Lake after side trips along the way--I covered the Continental
Divide and even peered down (and yelled down) the Navaho River Drainage
leading into the huge Spanish Land Grant Tierra Amarilla (very remote
isolated area where the last grizzly was shot in CO in 1979). Sunday was not
as successful in area covered--one TH we had been planning on using was now
closed by private property so we left from the same TH-- Ruybalid Lake TH.
Beyond Ruybalid Lake the trail was a mess--trails not marked on map, missing
sign posts, overgrown trail, no trail (!). I had to just use my GPS and
march through the woods quite a bit, Laila only had map and compass. Even
when were in good contact with FRS radios we could not find each other. We
had to abort around 2 P.M. when thunderstorms moved in and just met at the
truck. We only made it as far as Alverjones Lake and No Name Lake, when we
had intended on going to Green Lake again and returning by the South Fork
Trail.

I posted posters at the trailheads and campgrounds, talked to several
outfitters and guides on Friday afternoon. Talked with lodge owners and
personnel in Platoro and elsewhere. Called the sheriff, forest ranger (who
faxed the poster to surrounding forest rangers including NM), and Humane
Society (Sam is licensed, so they will call me if he is located).

I searched the area he was lost in pretty extensively in the two days after
he was lost. This last weekend we searched large areas north and south of
where he was lost, but with only two of us it was like looking for the
proverbial needle in a haystack--and worse, that needle can move quite
quickly. The voice only carries so far... I believe he would have chewed his
leash off if that hung him up (it has a lifetime guarantee, but with his
wolf incisors he would make rapid work of it), and he has strong hunting
skills. I stumbled on many "easy prey" possibilities just looking for him,
not to mention, as you suggest, sheep or young calves. (I did not see any
sheep being tendered in the wilderness, though there was much cattle).

I am going to try to get off work to go back down again maybe Wednesday
through Sunday, lightweight backpack with minimal tarp, light bag, bars and
gu, and see if I can find him. I can cover 50 miles a day in the
backcountry. Include a morning with the airplane overhead.

One guide I talked with said he lost a dog twice in one summer in the
Wilderness. Both times after searching for seven days he was found by a
local cowboy or outfitter on the eighth day. I had a brief moment of
optimism last night after I got home with a message on my answering machine
saying Sam was at the Mixed Lake Campground with the host, but it turned out
to be a Malamute that had wandered off from the Lodge at Platoro.

Thanks,

Steve

----- Original Message -----
From: <panache426@hotmail.com>
To: <nolans14@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2001 9:15 AM
Subject: [nolans14] Re: Sam the Wolfdog is lost in the South San Juan
Wilderness

> Steve:
>
> If Sam is above treeline or in sparsely wooded areas, renting a small
> plane may be helpful. An air spotter can see more in minutes than
> you'll see in days. You could be on the ground in radio contact with
> the pilot, ready to move when Sam is spotted. There's a small airport
> just north of Durango with gliders, tow planes and private aircraft.
> Dogs can survive on their own in the wilderness for quite a while -
> there's water and animal carcasses. Post notices at every trailhead,
> access road and local restaurant, notify the forest service, local
> newspapers and multiply your efforts. There's also sheepherders in
> the area (they range sheep above treeline) and sheep are an easy
> meal/target for dogs so check with them. Check with the local
> ranchers and horse packers. I've had the same problem with dogs and
> livestock but they always have returned safe even after weeks. One
> possibilty to keep in mind is if Sam is on his leash he may be hung
> up on it, so he may be close to where you last saw him. Best of luck,
>
> Jim Nolan