Man claims to shoot off wolf pack

A Troy man’s harrowing tale of shooting his way out of potential harm after being surrounded by a pack of wolves has Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials scratching their heads.

Robert Sprauge, 54, was at his home near Keeler Rattle Creek when his black Labrador, Jake, returned from a walk outside with the hair on his back standing straight up. Figuring he would find a moose, Sprague went outside to explore.

Walking down a clearing in the woods near his home, Sprague stopped when Jake abruptly laid down on the ground and covered his face with his ears.

“It was an instant sign of submitting to dominance,” Sprague said. “I looked up and saw a big female.”

According to Sprague, that wolf was approximately 30 yards in front of him.

“When an animal is staring at you, I know not to take my eyes off it,” Sprague said. “But I saw through my peripheral vision that another wolf was trying to flank me to the right.”

Feeling hunted, Sprague reached for the Taurus .357 Magnum he never leaves home without. He said his first shot struck the female wolf with which he locked eyes.

“I hit her in the chest,” Sprague said. “It took the air right out of her.”

Sprague then turned and fired at a wolf behind him. He says he also shot that wolf. A third shot to his right missed, as did two more shots to his left. Sprague said his sixth and final bullet into the woods struck a third wolf.

“And I’ve been torn up about it ever since,” Sprague said. “I didn’t have to shoot. They were running off at that point. The wolf screamed like a little girl, and I felt like someone kicked me in the chest.”

Despite Sprague’s detailed account, Libby Game Warden Tamie Laverdure, who investigated Sprague’s report along with three detectives, has no reason to believe the claim.

“We found no evidence of injured wolves,” Laverdure said. “We found no blood, no hair, no tracks and no wolves. We searched an area of about 1,500 yards in every direction.”

Laverdure said Sprague called about 3:30 p.m. April 18. When Sprague said the incident happened the previous morning, Laverdure asked why he waited to report the incident. Sprague said he did not expect FWP to do anything.

While Laverdure was unable to uncover any evidence of wolves, she did pick up the six spent .357 magnum shell casings Sprague said he fired. She also said rain that fell during the 45 minutes it took her to respond to the call could have possibly washed away any blood trails.

“I have no doubt that wolves could be in the area, but this is the first case with a claim such as this,” Laverdure said. “We take all calls to Fish & Game seriously and we will always investigate.”

A man who abandoned hunting 20 years ago because he felt it unnecessary because he could buy food at the store, Sprague seems like an unusual man to fabricate a wolf story. During a tour through his house, Sprague proudly pointed to the four wolf drawings he hangs in his basement. He said he enjoys watching wildlife and grew up admiring wolves.

Calls to Wolf Management Specialist Kent Laudon were directed to a voicemail message saying he is likely out in the field during a busy season. Sprague said he spoke with Laudon.

“He told me wolves don’t act like that,” Sprague said. “I told him, ‘Kid, I’ve been living out here my entire life. You don’t know what you are talking about.’”

After recounting his story, Sprague said his message is simple.

“I tear up thinking what would have happened if it had been a child out there playing,” Sprague said. “If I had no pistol out there, I’d have been gone. I would have been food.”

Sprague said it is possible the wolves were following the scent of an elk he believes they killed in his woods. After discovering the kill, Sprague said he put the head and rack in a tree. He said it could be that the wolves were revisiting the kill and he and Jake were simply out at the wrong time.

“After my sixth shot, I reached for more rounds that I didn’t have,” Sprague said. “I grabbed a stick and made it back to my porch. When I did, my legs gave out from the adrenaline. Jake hasn’t been the same since, either.”