I thought that this post was about hare populations. But if we're going to change it to wolf populations, so be it.
Here some good reading
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum ... p?t=479719
I find it very interesting on so many experts, that don't live with them. The above wolf is part of a pack west of me, that is responsible for killing ( I believe ) 4 dogs, on different occasions. All were in their yards, some let to roam free in the yard, one was in an enclosure. Individuals from this pack have been through the edge of town, down my street, behind neighbor houses.
I talked with a friend, her husband saw 2 in a yard early in the morning in Wakefield (near WI line), they let him stop and take pictures.
Anytime you run up here, anywhere, you're rolling the dice, no matter the "Tactics" you use. You are not going to prevent a wolf taking your beagle anywhere in it's run. Not on the run that takes your hound 1/4 mile out or even 60 yards from you.
Family friends of ours had wolves coming right into the barn yard, and nabbing goats, sometimes with the wife in pursuit.
I agree, if you're running, run 'small' spots (only thing small in the UP is the towns)
Hare pops. I'm not sure, I would imagine it's about average. From what I saw late last winter, there were plenty of breeding stock. But we did have a rainy cool spring and summer. Which isn't good for young hare, found a few at the club dead from exposure.
Good luck