Figure 12.—Each radio collar had a different frequency tuned to special receivers, which allowed each wolf to be identified. (Photo courtesy of D. L. Breneman.)
For tracking radio-equipped wolves, a directional yagi antenna ([fig. 13]) was attached to each of the wing struts of an aircraft and connected inside to a portable receiver. The usual tracking technique was to fly at 1,500 to 3,000 feet elevation to the last known location of the wolf being sought ([fig. 14]). If a signal was not obtained at that point, the aircraft spiraled upward until the signal was found or until 10,000 feet altitude had been reached. If the signal still was not heard, a search pattern was flown at 10,000 feet. The range of the signal from this altitude was 15 to 35 miles; at 3,000 feet it was 10 to 15 miles. Collars with antennas molded fully inside gave only about two-thirds the range of those protruding partly, but could be expected to last longer because the antennas could not break off. It is unknown whether any protruding antennas did break during the study, but on January 5, 1970, one wolf was recaptured, and its antenna had broken.
Figure 13.—Directional yagi antennas fastened to the wing struts of the aircraft were necessary to "home in" on the wolves. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife.)
Figure 14.—The tracking aircraft was usually flown at altitudes of 1,500 to 3,000 feet. (Photo courtesy of Dick Shank.)