As I wend my way through the book, Early Maine Wildlife – Historical Accounts of Canada lynx, Moose, Mountain Lion, White-Tailed Deer, Wolverine, Wolves, and Woodland Caribou, 1603 – 1930 – by William B. Krohn and Christopher L. Hoving, I found some rather bizarre, yet fascinating writings that I would sooner categorize as tall tales and damned lies, than I would give much credence to actual historic events. However, I am willing to keep an open mind.

The original recordings were done in 1674 by a John Josselyn, found in Colonial Traveler: A Critical Edition of Two Voyages to New England. The authors of this book, Early Maine Wildlife, point out that Josselyn may have been confused by his use of terminology of the creatures he witnessed. For example, in the very first paragraph, Josselyn describes what he believes to be a “Jaccal” (jackal), which according to earlier European accounts and those of the American Indian, a jackal was commonly referred to as a coyote. So, this “Creature much like a Fox, but smaller”, we might only guess – wolverine?, muskrat?, bobcat?

The authors also warn their readers that Josselyn’s “terminology sometimes is misleading and his descriptions frequently fantastic”; or a kind way of saying the guy was mostly a damned liar and wild storyteller, as you will see in the below account.

Which brings us to his accounting of wolves he dealt with in his travels throughout Maine and probably parts of New England. As you will see, as you begin to read, the spelling is atrocious, the sentence structure abysmal and it all makes it difficult to comprehend and follow, but enough to realize how outlandish his story is. I did the best I could to present it exactly as it was presented in the book.

I’d call it tall tales and damned lies and laugh exceedingly over it as great entertainment.

~~~~~

Jaccals there be abundance, which is a Creature much like a Fox, but smaller, they are very frequent in Palestina, or the Holy-land.

The Wolf seeketh to his mate and goes clicketing at the same season with Foxes, and bring forth their whelps as they do, but their kennels are under thick bushes by great Trees in remote places by the swamps, he is to be hunted as the Fox from Holy-rood day till the Annunciation. But there they have a quicker way to destroy them. See New England’s rarities [footnote omitted]. They commonly go in routs, a rout of Wolves is 12 or more, sometimes by couples. In 1664, we found a Wolf asleep in a small dry swamp under an Oake, a great mastiff which we had with us seized upon him, and held him until we had a rope about his neck, by which we brought him home, and tying him to a stake we bated him with smaller Doggs, and had excellent sport; but his hinder legg being broken, they knockt out his brains. Sometime before this we had an excellent course after a single Wolf upon the hard sands of the Sea-side at low water for a mile or two, at last we lost our doggs, it being (as the Lancashire people phrase it) twilight, that is almost dark, and went beyond them, for the mastiff-bitch had seized upon the Wolf being gotten into the Sea, and there held him until one went in and led him out, the bitch keeping her hold until they had tied his leggs, and so carried him home like a Calf upon a staff between two men; being brought into the house they unbound him and set him upon his leggs, he not offering in the lease to bite, or so much as to shew his teeth, but clapping his stern betwixt his leggs, and leering towards the door would willingly have had his liberty, but they served him as they did the other, knockt his brains out, for our doggs were not then in the condition to bait him; their eyes shine by night as a Lanthorn: the Fangs of a Wolf hung about children’s necks keep them from frighting, and a very good to rub their gums with when they are breeding of Teeth, the gall of a Wolf is soveraign for swelling of the sinews; the fiants or dung of a Wolf drunk with white wine helpeth the Collick.

The Space and Science Research Corporation (SSRC) announces today the publication of a compelling new book on climate change. Cold Sun, authored by SSRC President, John L. Casey has been three years in the making and has already achieved worldwide acclaim from scientists and other experts.

A former White House space program policy advisor, NASA Headquarters consultant, and space shuttle engineer, Mr. Casey comments on the acceptance of his book by prominent scientists by saying, “I am truly humbled by the endorsements extended to this book by so many respected researchers. Some of them have spent their entire careers studying the Sun and its impacts on the Earth, including its climate, earthquakes and volcanic activity. For too long now the general public has not been told the full story about the natural causes of climate change. Hopefully this book will provide them with the information necessary to understand climate change better and most importantly, prepare for what is coming.”

Relying heavily on the research of experts globally, as well as his own original research that correctly predicted the change in the Sun’s behavior, Mr. Casey has spelled out a convincing case that a new cold era has arrived. In Cold Sun, Mr. Casey presents the evidence showing:

1. Global warming ended years ago.
2. The Sun has entered an ominous state of ‘hibernation.’
3. The Earth’s ocean and atmospheric temperatures are dropping rapidly and are now on a long term decline for the next thirty years.
4. Glacial ice worldwide is growing again and the threat of rising sea levels is over.
5. Why we should be preparing now for the coming cold and its ill-effects including record earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions as well as global agricultural devastation.

Here is a sampling of some of the praise Cold Sun is receiving from experts around the world:

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From Japan, Dr. Fumio Tsunoda – “The air is filled with lectures and rumors that our Earth is getting warm. The author of Cold Sun, John Casey has found evidence to the contrary. His work is quite a revelation that marks a step toward a new scientific civilization. This book adds a brilliant page to the history of science!”
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From Australia, Dr. Dong Choi – “This is an Earth-shattering book! …The Sun has surely entered the hibernation stage and we are going to have challenging decades ahead.”
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From Bulgaria, Dr. Boris Komitov – “These problems brought on by this next climate change that Casey ably discusses in Cold Sun, are more important than ever before. We are facing once again food and energy shortages with a population close to 7 billion…For these reasons I recommend the book Cold Sun as being both timely and necessary.”
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From Norway, Dr. Ole Humlum – “This book represents a fascinating read and the potential consequences outlined are no less than far ranging.”
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From India, Dr. Natarajan Venkatanathan – “Cold Sun is simply a great work! It throws new light into the climatic patterns of the Earth.”
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From Italy, Dr. Giovanni Gregori – “John Casey approaches problems like a true scientist, who follows Leonardo da Vinci, and he also knows how to explain concepts in a form that anyone can understand….John Casey stands against conventional climate change dogma and gives us an important and objective view of why the Earth’s climate varies.”
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From the US, Dr. Rich Swier – “John Casey is both an expert and visionary on the causes and effects of global climate change. His seminal work Cold Sun connects the dots and proves that our national policies and scientific community have gotten it very wrong. Cold Sun is a must read for government leaders at every level and all Americans.”
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From the US, Carole Hemingway – “Cold Sun is a spellbinding look into our future; dark sweeping, and written with grace and eloquence…Casey is remarkable!

I am just getting around to reading a book I bought a few weeks ago – Early Maine Wildlife – Historical Accounts of Canada lynx, Moose, Mountain Lion, White-Tailed Deer, Wolverine, Wolves, and Woodland Caribou, 1603 – 1930 – by William B. Krohn and Christopher L. Hoving.

The book appears to be a great research tool because the authors have done much of the legwork for those interested in research of the subjects listed, and the geographical region. The majority make up of the book contains excerpts from writings, logs, and journals that date back as early as 1603. These excerpts are provided the reader in chronological order.

Below are fragments of the whole entries given by the authors about wolves. Although the parts I have selected are only portions of the log provided by the authors, the pieces are not taken out of context. Also, bear in mind that the age of writings can present some challenges with spellings and use of words. I have presented them exactly as found in this book.

This particular presentation I have chosen, comes from work done by a W. Wood in 1977, New England Prospect. The writings were dated 1634. I believe the 1634 author was a Thomas Cotes of London.

~~~~~

They [deer] desire to be near the sea, so that they may swim to the island when they are chased by the wolves. It is not to be thought into what great multitudes they would increase were it not for the common devourer, the wolf.

These be killed daily in some place or other, either by the English or Indian, who have a certain rate for every head. Yet is there little hope of their utter distruction, the country being so spacious and they so numerous, traveling in the swamps by kennels. Sometimes ten or twelve are of a company. Late at night and early in the morning they set up their howlings and call their companies together – at night to hunt, at morning to sleep. In a word they be the greatest inconveniency the country hath, both for the matter of damage to private men in particular, and the whole country in general.

~~~~~

If I may point out a few things that should help people to understand wolves, their habits and their ability to adjust their behavior to their surrounding circumstances.

The first paragraph should be analogous to accounts we are hearing on a daily basis in areas where wolves are prevalent in the U.S.. In this case, in 1634 Maine, the “deer” are being driven to the sea (Southern coast of Maine) and that these “deer” swim onto the islands to escape the wolves.

I have put “deer” in quotes in order to point out that in this writing, the author describes three kinds of deer – whitetail deer, moose and caribou, and these three species are generally referred to as “deer”. Therefore, in the context of the entry, the description of the “deer” moving to the sea and onto the islands, we can assume means all three species.

In the second paragraph, take notice that the author describes the wolves he finds in Maine to be different from those he’s familiar with in other countries. We know not specifically what “other countries” the author is speaking, but he notes that, to his knowledge, he knows of no incidences in Maine were any human has been attacked by wolves.

It may be reasonable to conclude that the author acknowledges there are wolf attacks on humans in other countries and probably numerous enough that it would give him reason to take notice of the differences.

Also described is the prey wolves seem to be more interested in at that time; swine, goats, calves, deer, etc., and yet points out they are not bothering the horses or cows. Again, can we conclude that the author assumes, from his own experiences that wolves regularly attack and kill horses and cows, “in other countries”?

What are the differences in the wolves that the author is noticing a distinct behavioral pattern from wolves of his past experiences? Size? Availability of prey? Availability of desired prey? From this entry we really can’t answer that question.

In the final paragraph, the author describes the wolves as being “killed daily” and having a bounty of some amount as well, but points out there is little danger of their “utter destruction”. Of interest to me was when the author tells that the wolves “be the greatest inconveniency the country hath, to private men in particular, and the whole country in general.” Also notice the author asks the question; “what great multitudes they [deer] would increase were it not for the common devourer, the wolf.”

In another portion of this book, a different writer describes Maine’s wolves as being timid and leery of humans. This should not come as a surprise, as history has taught us that any wild animal that is harassed by humans becomes more distrustful of them, making them quick to escape and more difficult for humans to spot. From that same history, we have learned that when people have no means of protection, i.e not allowed to have guns, and the animals are protected, large predators such as wolves soon learn there is little to fear from humans. This habituation can present serious problems for humans especially when wolf numbers continue to increase and the prey base vanishes. Hungry wolves need to eat.

As I continue through the book, over 500 pages, I hope to find other interesting pieces of discoveries to share.

Tom Remington

Hoffer’s book is a collection of thoughts on the different influences that mold a “True Believer”. There is one thing that becomes abundantly clear early in the book and that is the fact that the only way a person can become a member or participant in a “movement” or a group, regardless of the nature of that group, is to lose one’s own identity or perhaps better specified as, to run from their independence and individualism.

The real safety and the ultimate realization of one’s liberty is complete independence, physically, spiritually, and mentally. Most people who choose to abandon their identities and give up freedom are dissatisfied with it and themselves and thus believe that the security they can find in sharing beliefs with others in a group setting will create the change they desire in order to move them further from themselves.

There are countless hours of debate that I have been witness to over the years about endangered species, animal protection, gray wolves and countless others, all involving animal protection over the needs of humans. I have even heard some repeatedly promote the reduction of human population of the planet to favor animals and even plants.

If Hoffer’s observations and theories are correct that a person must abandon their individualism and cede independent freedom of thought in order to become part of a movement of people wanting to save animals, even at the expense of humans, then it would seem logical to conclude that to retain those individuals as members of the mass movement, efforts need to be put forth to prohibit independent thinking.

Hoffer often refers to the abandonment of independent thought as “individual incompleteness”. As one who might be a leader or head of a mass movement, to ensure the loyalty of your “true believers”, you must perpetuate this “individual incompleteness”.

Hoffer puts it this way: “It is of interest to note the means by which a mass movement accentuates and perpetuates the individual incompleteness of its adherents. By elevating dogma above reason, the individual’s intelligence is prevented from becoming self-reliant.”

A pounding and repetitious echoing of the dogma stunts the “true believer”‘s individuality that can threaten the cause. Combine that with methods to keep the same person economically and/or emotionally dependent and it forces loyalty.

Elevated dogma is the cause and effect of what we witness as unreasonable behavior.

Tom Remington

“I’ll be at the Marlboro fly-fishing show all three days – Jan. 15th, 16th and 17th signing my new novel, “North of Easie” and book of essays, “Shadows in the Stream”, both about fly fishing in western Maine. I’ll be at the Angling Bookstore all three days and folks can stop by and say hi, talk about fishing in western Maine.”

So, if you’re planning to attend the show, make sure to stop by and visit Bob and pick up one of his books.

Tom Remington

In Jefferson’s writings he spells out exactly the things he would look for while visiting a country. One of the first things he would do would be to climb into the steeple of a town church and look over the town from that perspective. He often would forgo an immediate visit with state dignitaries in order that he call upon the common folks, the workers, if you will, to find out how they were treated by their employers and whether or not they were taxed too much or paid too much for their rent.

I discovered something quite interesting that Jefferson wrote about concerning what he thought of people, in this case the courts of certain countries, who placed animals at par or of higher esteem than the humans.

To be seen as you would see the tower of London or menagerie of Versailles with ‘ their lions, tigers, hyenas, and other beast of prey, standing in the same relation to their fellows. A slight acquaintance with them will suffice to show you that, under the most imposing exterior, they are the
weakest and worst part of mankind. Their manners, could you ape them, would not make you beloved in your own country, nor would they improve it could you introduce them there to the exclusion of that honest simplicity now prevailing in America, and worthy of being cherished.

Well over two hundred years ago, Thomas Jefferson, and you could assume others of his time, realized that for those who considered animals as having a place in common with man, “they are the weakest and worst part of mankind”. Jefferson understood then the makeup of someone who thought that way and realized they would not make for good treaty.

I wonder if today other countries look at the United States in similar fashion and realize that because we are becoming a society that revels in the protection of animals, even to the extreme of affording those creatures the same or higher rights than that of humans, we are no longer the strongest of nations on earth but “the weakest and worst part of mankind”?

Of course the progressives, which often are the same as those who cherish animals above man, would say that over two hundred years ago, Jefferson and others had a completely different perspective of animals than today, that perhaps their ignorance and uneducated ways barred them from seeing that animals are living creatures that deserve the same treatment as man, and as such miss Jefferson’s point completely.

It’s not so much as to how animals are to be treated. It is that he sees the character of the kind of people he would have to deal with who thought this way. The future of our country depended very much on Jefferson’s success in finding viable trade partners. Dealing with “the worst part of mankind” offered little toward our future.

If you further investigate into Jefferson’s life, at his home in Monticello, he cherished his animals. He loved his horses and he even tended to and cared for deer there. He wrote often of how visitors were treated to feeding the wild deer by hand and yet, Jefferson also spent time hunting for sport and also as a necessary part of providing food for his family.

It appears to me that Jefferson had a solid and balanced understanding of the role God’s creatures played in our lives. Being one of the most educated and extremely intelligent human beings of that era, Jefferson was a good judge of character and could plainly see the troubles that awaited those who sought to do business with “the weakest and worst part of mankind”.

Tom Remington

Since posting the review of Graves’ book, I’ve been sent another account translated from Italian called, “Living With Death in the 1700s“. This work also recounts wolf attacks occurring in portions of Italy during the 15th through the 19th centuries. The regions studied were Lombardy, Eastern Piedmont and Italian Switzerland.

The document is about 10 pages in length and includes maps and index with footnotes and resources.

Tom Remington

Wolves in Russia is an extraordinary piece of work. It became obvious to me only a few pages into this book that the author, Will N. Graves, did an incredible amount of research. Having said that, I would like to say that before I read this book, I thought I had a pretty good grasp and understanding of wolves, their habits and their affect on man. I’ve been subjected to a huge learning curve.

I have to admit also that when I first learned of Wolves in Russia, my initial question became, “Why would I care about wolves in Russia?” I’ve learned that wolves are wolves no matter where they are. What might make them act differently are circumstances. These circumstances are vital to a complete and proper understanding of this creature.

There’s no better place to go to learn about wolves than Russia. After all, they do have the history of wolves. Circumstances, although different from ours, are essential if we are to learn about North American wolves as their population grows and expands outward into more regions of North America. It has only been until recently, after the fall of communism, that we have been able to retrieve documented wolf activities in Russia. This is much of the work Will Graves has done in this book.

Wolves in Russia educates the reader with spine-tingling, real life tragedies of wolf attacks on humans, numbering into the thousands, as well as pets, livestock and wild animals. Graves shares the seemingly unending accounts of poor and unprotected Russian peasants being subjected to attacks by wolves and terrified in the knowledge that wolves carry disease, such as rabies, of which years ago there was no cure.

The documented accounts should help us all gain a better understanding of wolves, a different respect for the vicious predator and just as importantly, give us a base of knowledge to learn how not to repeat the tragedies of what transpired in Russia and Eastern Europe here in the West.

Wolves in Russia also helps dispel the many myths associated with wolves. The more common myths are that wolves prey only on the sick and old. Evidence provided here shows that not to be the case at all. As a matter of fact, there is evidence to suggest that wolves, being the intelligent and adaptable creatures that they are, can actually recognize the healthier animals and choose to attack them.

Another myth that gets busted is the one that wolves only kill what they need to eat. Graves tells us of one account of two adult wolves killing 96 sheep inside an enclosure, in one hour’s time. Account after account shows us that wolves kill for more reasons than simply the need to eat.

The idea that only rabid wolves attack people is unfounded and proven false. In the documented accounts shared by Graves, it is clear that a large percentage of wolf attacks on humans are from sick wolves, evidence suggests that over 30% come from very healthy wolves proving that it is not just the sick wolves that attack humans.

One thing that becomes clear in studying this book is that it is easy to see that as populations of wolves rise and fall, so too do attacks on humans, incidents of disease and wild ungulate populations.

There are many things we in North America need to learn from the history of wolves in Russia. The main questions might become, what is so different between the people of Russia and the people of North America? Are there that many more wolves in Russia than in North American and how does this compare with human populations? Why aren’t people here in the West being attacked by wolves?

Those questions are all answered in this book but there is one thing that became abundantly clear to me. Managing wolves is an extremely difficult task. Merely hunting and trapping them may not get the job done. Controlling population numbers and growth has to be an ongoing effort and as is shown to us in Wolves in Russia, any lapse in that effort has dire consequences.

The effort of Will Graves should be commended. Hopefully this book will open up better and more complete research into our studies and understanding of the wolf as we press into a future that is bent on being shared with wolves and preserved by those determined to let the wolf grow and expand unchecked, unmanaged.

You can order your own copy of this book by visiting Wolves in Russia website.

Tom Remington