When Jim Dutcher was just a teenager, he worked a dream job in Wyoming in the summers as a horse wrangler. One day when he was looking for strayed horses he had an experience that made a huge impact on him and would play a part in his life in the future.
He came across a lone gray wolf that day and the two of them observed each other quietly before the wolf moved on. He noticed that the wolf seemed unafraid and not at all vicious like all the stories had portrayed wolves. He never forgot that day.
Then as an adult, being the nature lover that he was, he became a wildlife film maker. He had a unique style in that he believed that the only way you could really capture the true nature and life of a wild animal on film was to live among that animal. He would set up camp in a tent very close to the animal that he was filming.
He filmed all different types of wildlife. But once again during this time, he had another silent encounter with a wild wolf one day and it was then that he knew that he had to find out what the wolves were really all about. At that time there were only about 50 wild wolves left in the U.S. as several million had been exterminated by the government by the 1940's.
So in 1990, the Wolf Project was born and it soon became a labor of love for Jim Dutcher as he worked to show to the world on film that the wolf is none of the scary stereotypes often portrayed. During this time he lived in a tent for 6 years studying and filming the wolf pack that he had put together in the wilds of Idaho. This fascinating story also had tale of love between Jim and fellow wildlife lover, Jamie.
They would eventually marry and continue to work together with the wolves that became known as the Sawtooth Pack. Over the 6 years, many changes happened in the wolf pack, and the Dutchers were thrilled to learn that the wolves were actually a very close knit family unit that loved and cared for each other. They also followed a very strict hierarchy to maintain order and loyalty in the pack. Many of what they learned about the wolves was unknown up to this time.
The story of the Dutchers and the Sawtooth wolf pack is a very heartwarming and informative film that will hold your interest to the end. It is a must see for wolf and wildlife lovers especially during this time of great fabrication by anti-wolf groups in the same parts of the western U.S. where the Dutchers did their study. The wolves are once again under great threat by humans so it is wonderful to be able to see them as they really are and not as they are so ruthlessly portrayed.
He came across a lone gray wolf that day and the two of them observed each other quietly before the wolf moved on. He noticed that the wolf seemed unafraid and not at all vicious like all the stories had portrayed wolves. He never forgot that day.
Then as an adult, being the nature lover that he was, he became a wildlife film maker. He had a unique style in that he believed that the only way you could really capture the true nature and life of a wild animal on film was to live among that animal. He would set up camp in a tent very close to the animal that he was filming.
He filmed all different types of wildlife. But once again during this time, he had another silent encounter with a wild wolf one day and it was then that he knew that he had to find out what the wolves were really all about. At that time there were only about 50 wild wolves left in the U.S. as several million had been exterminated by the government by the 1940's.
So in 1990, the Wolf Project was born and it soon became a labor of love for Jim Dutcher as he worked to show to the world on film that the wolf is none of the scary stereotypes often portrayed. During this time he lived in a tent for 6 years studying and filming the wolf pack that he had put together in the wilds of Idaho. This fascinating story also had tale of love between Jim and fellow wildlife lover, Jamie.
They would eventually marry and continue to work together with the wolves that became known as the Sawtooth Pack. Over the 6 years, many changes happened in the wolf pack, and the Dutchers were thrilled to learn that the wolves were actually a very close knit family unit that loved and cared for each other. They also followed a very strict hierarchy to maintain order and loyalty in the pack. Many of what they learned about the wolves was unknown up to this time.
The story of the Dutchers and the Sawtooth wolf pack is a very heartwarming and informative film that will hold your interest to the end. It is a must see for wolf and wildlife lovers especially during this time of great fabrication by anti-wolf groups in the same parts of the western U.S. where the Dutchers did their study. The wolves are once again under great threat by humans so it is wonderful to be able to see them as they really are and not as they are so ruthlessly portrayed.
I LOVE this video about 2 humans getting along peacefully with wolves!!! :) <3 <3 <3
It is fantastic to see that they were accepted by the wolves and lived in harmony. Just so long as the wolves dont think all humans will be so caring.
It would be great to see this whole film. :)
So so moved
Thank you Jim and Jamie Dutcher for you have share the most wonderful video I ever seen I love you both and your video . and im a wolf lover so thank you again <3 <3 <3 /Annemarie G Wouda
Man can't live with man but with the wild.
Love this film. I know you both had the best experience of a Lifetime. Awesome!!
Please send me info as to where I can purchase this dvd just love it suvanto_g@hotmail.com
Thank you for the beautiful and moving video. Wolves are my favorite and its wonderful to see others respecting such a majestic and beautiful animal. You have done what I could only dream about. and leaving rolled tears down my cheeks. What a gift to have been a part of the wolf world. Thank you for sharing. Judy Miller
What a wonderful video. This made me cry at the end. These Wolves are so Beautiful I just wish people would take the time to really Understand how they live. Thank you so much Jamie & Jim Dutcher for your HARD WORK and your Devoted Love to our wonderful world of wild life. Thanks to you all who have watched this will have a better insight on our wild life, and how important they are to all of us .This is a must see for all. God Bless you both and your wolf pack.********************
A priceless gift! Thank you!
thank you so much for sharing...what an experience you all have had...such a moving and touching film....such a happy and sad ending at the same time...<3
Fantastinen elämys
Touching...being around them myself, brings that filling of wildness but compasion to share between wolk and man
Beautiful..The wild, living..... Loved watching this. Your work is amazing!!. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. The sounds, The views. Beautiful.......
What a touching, and heart warming story!
thanks I enjoyed your vido on the wolves beautiful I love the wolfs
this is really great to watch
You two have had the good fortune to live out a dream I've had for so long now...makes me wonder how, in the world, *anyone* can hold a different view of these magnificent animals (who are, in many respects, equal in intelligence -- if not more so -- than us mere humans)!!
Thank you Jim and Jamie for sharing your gentle and beautiful approach beeing a part of the wolf-pack. This film touched me deeply. I see a true devotion in you and the wolfes, its really rare to see friendship and love like this. Thank you and the pack for living and sharing many years toghether and letting me take part in your journey through life. For the hard work, passion for the wild and the slow approach - like life itself, unfolding truths by time and season. Blessings to you, your work and the wolves.
great documentary!I fell in love with the wolf-pack!thank you Jamie and Jim!!!
I have watched this documentary on PBS it is GREAT!! I loved every minute. reminds me of my years when I was younger. Listening to the wolves in Northern MN. They are few now since the DNR and Government opened hunting season almost the same day the wolves came off the endangered species list. It breaks my heart to hear and see it. The DNR and Government have no idea the pain and heartache they cause the wolf families. I just hope they protect them before it's too late. My wilderness in mn has been silenced. So sad man has destroyed so many of Gods creatures!
What a gentle and beautiful film about a wolf pack. The brutalities humans are imposing on the wolves is a truly sad thing. There is no wilderness without wolves in it.
Positively the best wolf film I have ever watched. Jim, Jamie and the rest of the film crew must commended. Also thank you must be said for the Nez Perz (I hope I spelled that right) for stepping up and helping to reintroduce the wolf to that region and the wild in general. As they are also doing for the natural fish population in the Snake river as well as other rivers in the Northwest.
This film made me smile, cry, feel loving and loved. I had my own small experience just for 1day.... I could only imagine the feeling for all these years. Wolfs are adorable animals.... I wish I could live it again!!!!! This is an amazing film. Thank you Jim and Jamie for sharing it with us!!!!
That was very cool becuas eim doing a project about liveing wiht wovles thank you for the story
That was very cool becuas eim doing a project about liveing wiht wovles thank you for the story