This photo is from Mike Laughlin, photo is from Montana

Mike Laughlin
January 2, 2012 · Fallon, NV
If anyone ever wondered the size difference between a Canadian wolf and a mature Montana coyote, take a look at this. This 2 1/2 year old collared male wolf and adult coyote were shot in a sheep pasture near Broadus ,Montana.

Another example of the difference:

BIG difference!

Great picture BCBOBCAT, thanks

Cool pics, bctomcat, are your wolves greys or timbers?

The gray and the timber wolf are the same species, those found in the forest are called timber wolves, but they are still a gray wolf.

I have seen a big coyote and a wolf or two in the same day you can tell the difference. Even from a long distance . The wolf's stride when it runs is what i look for. They are a big critter for sure.

Good examples.

Great example! I’d love to trap a wolf. Incredible animal

Here are a couple pictures of live animals standing in almost exactly the same spot. Granted the wolf is a little bit closer to the camera, maybe by 2-3 feet.

WOLF, the ultimate trappers trophy!!

Especially for people like me that will never have a chance to trap one.

The people that can are so lucky!

Tried posting this once, here we go again. Any thoughts on which this is? You may have to expand, slightly left in the grass.
Osky

I'm not sure,Osky.That one could go either way.At first glance,I thought wolf but would not want to bet.

This thread does a good job of pointing out that there just is no overlap in wolf/coyote body size,track size or stride length.

No wonder wolves can decimate elk herds.

Wow, just wow! That puts it more in perspective! Now I see the need for a trap with a 9 inch jaw spread.

Taximan I thought young wolf first as well. Looking more I still feel the same because the muzzle looks too blocky and not petite enough to be a coyote.
I could be wrong. The wolves for some reason in my area are finally thinning down and coyotes are reappearing. Very quiet they are, but they are back. It's interesting the only trail the two species seem to share is my main 2 mile drive. Maybe because there's less chance the wolves can jump the coyotes on such an open pathway?

Osky

Someone above mentioned understanding the need for a 9" trap given the pad size of wolves. I saw a nice big female wolf firmly held in 1 3/4 coil spring years back. Not common for sure but like all animals some seem to fight a trap more than others.

Osky

Around here a MB650 was a very common wolf trap. People have held them in 550s.

Every wolf I have caught has been in what people call a coyote / cat ,trap. But the trap 9 /times out 10 go in the truck for repairs later.
I think those heavy built traps just stand up better when you catch a wolf. And when you are getting 6 to 8 inches of snow every nite the jaw spread would be a help imo.
So I think Gary is saying he can see why 9s are used,,, not if you can catch one in a smaller trap.
Catching one in a smaller trap imo does not make you a better trapper. (EDIT )
As is the common belief anymore. It's about catching all of them that step in the pattern .