In the Exploratory Phase of their movements, from March 25 to May 7,
wolves No. 11, 12, and 13 covered a 1,631-square-mile (4,224 km^2) area
from the town of Atlantic Mine on the Keweenaw Peninsula to the north to
a point about 64 miles (103.0 km) south, near Gibbs City (Fig. 18). In
the opposite dimension, they ranged from Keweenaw Bay on the east to 9
miles (14.5 km) south of Ontonagon, 42 miles (67.6 km) west of there.
This phase was characterized by long movements, considerable
zigzagging, and revisiting of certain general regions such as the base
of the Keweenaw Peninsula and areas east and north of Kenton (Fig. 18).
An interesting social change also occurred during this phase: No. 13
split from the pack sometime after April 26 when the pack had reached
its westernmost location, south of Ontonagon. Whereas No. 11 and 12
returned east-northeastward toward Otter Lake, where they had been in
late March, No. 13 headed west-northwestward to the Porcupine Mountains,
18 miles (30.0 km) west of where the pack had last been located together
(Fig. 18). Thus on May 2, Wolf No. 13 was 51 miles (82.0 km) west of No.
11 and No. 12. Nevertheless, 5 days later all the wolves were found near
Gibbs City, 62 miles (99.8 km) southwest of the Porcupine Mountains, and
45 miles (72.4 km) south of Otter Lake; No. 13 was only 6 miles (9.7 km)
from his packmates. The next time an attempt could be made to locate the
wolves, on May 16, they had reunited.