Lakota Wolf Preserve

At Camp Taylor Campground, high up the ridge of the Kittatinny Mountains at the very edge of New Jersey, its always been easy to imagine the days when the most densely populated state in the nation was wilderness. The campground adjoins the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area where bears are relatively common and bobcats and bald eagles are occasionally sighted. But the native wolf is long gone from these hills and, excepting Alaska and Minnesota, most of the United States. Now, at the Lakota Wolf Preserve, you can see wolves here in the East in a natural surrounding for the first time in over a century.

Wildlife photographer Dan Bacon broke a fundamental rule of business when he let his professional relationship with wolves get personal. After he adopted a few wolf pups twenty-five years ago he found himself spending most of his time in transit from his home in Clinton, NJ to Colorado, where he kept his growing pack. When Bacon found out that he could no longer keep the wolves in Colorado, he had fifteen mouths to feed and nowhere to go.

Through fellow New Jersey wildlife photographer Leonard Lee Rue, Bacon made the connection with Clayton Taylor, whose family has a long association both with Dr. Rue and the preservation of wildlife. In the spring of 1997, a mile and a half of chain link fence were delivered to the campground during the height of mud season, beginning the process of building a new home for the wolves, scheduled to arrive in June. Two rows of fence now surround ten acres of Kittatinny woodlands, buried six inches in the ground and topped with three rows of barbless wire cantilever. Supported by 850 poles buried in 3,300 bags of Sakrete, the fence forms four compounds, each the size of a football field. All because Bacon let a professional relationship get personal.

Dan's partner, Jim Stein, has assumed full ownership of the Preserve and continues to manage the day to day business of caring for the wolves and the people that come to see them. After visiting the wolves in Colorado with Bacon, Stein jumped at the chance to be part of this unique venture. The Lakota Wolf Preserve is now home to twenty-one wolves, plus three bobcats, and two foxes.

Ten timbers, five arctics, three tundras, and three young British Columbians currently reside in four separate compounds, one for each pack, with one left for the bobcats, foxes and wolf pups during their weaning and "socialization" period. All these wolves were born and raised in captivity and, while far from domestic, have bonded with humans. If the pups were not introduced to people by regular interaction, they would live most of their lives hidden in the far reaches of their quarters.

Visitors can enjoy a scenic walk back to the Preserve or ride at scheduled intervals. Beyond the double chained locked gates, the observation area lies in the center of the four compounds. Wolf watches are led by owner Jim Stein and Becky Mace, who have raised and cared for all the animals at Lakota Wolf Preserve. Catch a ride on our shuttle bus or enjoy a scenic walk to the Preserve, observing the many forms of local wildlife along the way. Upon arrival you will enter the observation area, in the center of four packs of wolves. During informal talks, you will learn about the social structure of wolf packs, their eating habits, their interaction with man, and many other interesting facts. We will try to educate you about the true behavior of the wolf and will be glad to answer any questions you may have. While in the observation area you will be able to watch the wolves play, interact with each other and maybe even hear them howl! Truly an experience of a lifetime.

Relocating these wolves and caring for them has been an expensive proposition. You can help defray some of the costs for feeding, medicine, and housing the wolves through various levels of sponsorships for the wolf of your choice.

Fees for visiting the wolves within the observation area at the Preserve (Wolf Watch) are $15 adult, $10 child.

Photography sessions

Besides the Preserve’s intentions to help perpetuate Canis lupus through public education and awareness, Lakota was created with photography in mind. It is a camera that brought Dan Bacon his first close encounter with a wolf at a game farm in Montana, an experience that inspired him to create his own outdoor photography studio—only better. Their presence and movement through the forest— expressive, magnificent, personable, unspoiled (and perfectly lit)—is a wildlife photographer’s dream.

The number of pictures Bacon has taken of his wolves numbers probably somewhere well into the hundreds of thousands. He was prolific in the days of film, and when digital photography arrived, Dan was an early adopter. If he had his way, and lots of money, he admits he may have kept it all to himself, a private wilderness wonderland. Thank goodness for the rest of us, Lakota was created to share, in order to preserve, the majesty of the Grey Wolf. Dan's best advice for photographers? “Take as many pictures as you can and never let the camera leave your eye.”

Lakota offers private, guided photography sessions that focus on each group, even separate individuals. Through portal openings in the fencing, you can take unobstructed pictures of the wolves as they go about their business, roaming deep in the woods or almost close enough to touch (please don’t!). You’ll get to know each personality and each pack’s dynamic. Sessions are available at any time during the year. Late fall and winter are special though, when the wolves' fur bulks up and they are most energetic.

Photographers have come from all over America, some even from other countries, for the experience. They range from serious amateurs and professionals to point-and-shooters who just want to be as close as possible to the wolves. Many quickly recoup the cost of admission—the faces of Lakota show up in calendars and catalogs, on greeting and post cards, and on executive office and art gallery walls. All come away with pictures that make them proud, delighted with the additions to their personal portfolios and the one-on-one experience with their subjects.

Call toll free for reservations or more information: 1-877-SEE-WOLF. For current rates go to Lakota Wolf website. Current information is also always available on their Facebook page.

Dan Bacon conducts a wolf watch.