Convince me to hunt Wolves

[RockAndSage]

There is not much else that a hunter can do to help the animal populations that we like to eat, except predator hunting.

Wolves are not easy to hunt and will test you more than you will believe.

Hunting predators definitely makes you a better hunter, especially when they're smart and hard to hunt. And, well, it's time hunting...

 

[Wrench]

Just remember that for the direct damages like @Ross posted there are far more indirect damages. Wolves run the herds and they will suffer deaths in the following days/weeks due to the stress.....and hydatid.

The indirect damages are the real menace.

 

[North of 60]

It seems the better question is, if you can, why not hunt wolves decimating elk and deer?

 

[Silveroddo]

I don't know about the mountain west, but it seems to have already been eluded to and I've noticed it here in MN. If you see packs that large, you're in a game rich area, once they reduce the prey population to where it doesn't sustain that large of a pack, they disperse into smaller groups, or move on to better areas. We had packs of 6-7 with multiple packs within 10 miles of each other a few years ago, we had a great deer herd at that point. As time went on our Deer numbers keep going down, it was groups of 2-3, to this year its lone wolves and our hunting is at a low point. Guys 100 miles away are seeing these bigger groups in units where you can harvest/get tags for 2-3 deer. Our doe tag draw went from 2000 to 1000 last year. This is all anecdotal, but if I was seeing that many and could legally harvest some of them, I would do so without hesitation. Trapping would be a far more effective way to put together numbers, but if you think you can get them with a rifle, have at it.

 

[N.ID7803]

Predators need managed just like deer, elk, moose, etc. Go get you one! Join F4WM (Foundation for Wildlife Management) if you want to passively help management as well.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Where is the best place in western Montana to hunt wolves?

PM if you think that’s best. I expect to be based out of Great Falls and heading west from there.

 

[43.6N]

Reasons to hunt wolves from two different perspectives:
Perspective 1: Pro biodiversity:
Wolves, like coyotes are too wiley to be hunted to extinction. Trapping or poisoning? Different. But hunting won’t drop their population low enough to kill off a pack.

They reproduce too quickly, and will exceed the carrying capacity of their range without external pressure.

So hunting them actually leads to healthier pack sizes.

It also maintains an aversion to human contact that lessens their likelihood for livestock conflict. Less conflict is overall good for pack health.

Perspective 2: Pro Elk and Deer survival:
Wolf packs chase deer and elk 365.
Winter range kills, especially on pregnant females has the biggest impact on overall deer and elk herd size and health year over year. It is the most vulnerable time of year for these prey animals, and human hunting is limited during this time because it is not considered “fair chase.” Wolves have no such concept, and will kill at the easiest opportunity available to further their own survival. Winter pressure of any kind has the biggest negative impact on deer and elk herd survival and health. Wolf predation during these months is especially harmful to overall deer and elk herd survival.

This is also the easiest time to hunt coyotes and wolves since their food source is consolidated and conglomerated in known winter ranges.