Things You'll Need
- Permit
- Fully-fenced natural habitat
- Male wolf
- Female wolf
Instructions
Obtain a Permit
Contact your local Fish and Wildlife department and ask for an application to possess live game. Sometimes predators, like wolves, require additional documentation.
Complete all required documentation and return it to the Fish and Wildlife office. The amount of time you may have to wait for approval can vary. It can also require a home visit by officials to ensure an adequate habitat.
When you receive the permit, keep it with other important documentation, or display it near the habitat.
Establish a Habitat
You will need to obtain enough property for at least two adult wolves. A minimum of one acre per animal is recommended.
Fully fence the entire habitat. The fence will need to be chain-link or other strong mesh material. Wood or plastic is not recommended because wolves can chew through it. It will need to be at least six feet high with a minimum of twelve inches buried below the surface to prevent digging out. Eighteen to twenty-four inches below ground level is even better.
Provide as much natural vegetation for spaces to run and hide as possible. Large trees and underbrush are recommended. The trees will provide shelter and places to mark territory, while the the underbrush will allow for nesting.
Obtain a Breeding Pair
Locate a reputable wild game dealer. This can be done through the Fish and Wildlife office. You can also check with wolf rescue facilities or wildlife reserves for recommendations.
Confirm that the male and female are a mated pair. A reputable game dealer will know. It would also be prudent to request any and all documentation, including medical records, involving the wolves you purchase.
Purchase wolves and safely transport them to the new habitat. The safest way to transport wolves is by crate. It should not be necessary to sedate them, unless the trip is going to be through unusually traumatic circumstances; like a busy freeway or by airplane. Make sure to inform the Fish and Wildlife office that the wolves have been purchased and relocated.
Breeding
Allow your wolves the entire fall and winter to adjust the new habitat. This will put them at ease with their new environment and allow them time to consider the territory their own.
During late winter and early spring, allow the wolves as much privacy as possible. These are prime mating months.
Make sure that food and water are plentiful for optimum health and contentment. This helps to remove stress and gives the wolves more free time to mate.