text: Part of this story runs counter to many of my own experiences in wilderness areas of Alaska.  I had a number of close encounters with wolves, both during summer backpacking trips and while traveling by dog team in the winters.  Wolves are naturally curious and will sometimes follow a person or even a dog team with no indication of aggressive intent.  While observing a female wolf with pups I had an adult male walk up behind me within three feet.  I did not detect its presence until I happened to turn around and found myself looking into a pair of yellow rimmed eyes.  The wolf simply turned and walked back into the willows.  I know of only one documented fatal attack by wolves on a human in Alaska.  Far more people are attacked and seriously injured or killed by moose or bears.  You are much more at risk of being attacked by a dog than you are by a wolf.