Idaho wolf hunting

[bergie]

I have a lead on a couple places to go call this winter. I have night vision to hike into the area with, a handheld thermal scanner and quality thermal to mount on a AR15 in 6mm ARC. My youngest killed a muley at 150 yards with the 6 ARC so I figure it should be enough for a wolf at night.

I tagged a black one last week with my 6.5 PRC at 550 yds with a 147 ELD-M MV of about 2700fps. Double lung shot, bullet was a full pass through. He made it 10 yards before piling up. After skinning him out I am convinced that no gun is too small for a wolf. Granted the one I shot was a younger male, but I was amazed the slender build of the carcass once the hide is removed.

 

[mtnbound]

I tagged a black one last week with my 6.5 PRC at 550 yds with a 147 ELD-M MV of about 2700fps. Double lung shot, bullet was a full pass through. He made it 10 yards before piling up. After skinning him out I am convinced that no gun is too small for a wolf. Granted the one I shot was a younger male, but I was amazed the slender build of the carcass once the hide is removed.

I have gotten two, one with a 223 and one with a 308; both died very quickly, and there was no difficulty recovering them. I get a kick out of the guys who say you have to have a 300RUM to kill a wolf because they are tough.

 

[.204smokechaser]

I would disagree; locating them is easier than getting one in the crosshairs.

I agree with you here. Seems when they’re 550 plus out is when I have the most shots at one and don’t feel comfortable shooting that far unless I have one of my dedicated predator/varmint guns with me.

Seems that when I see them closer and they’re not in one of your footholds, you have about 10 seconds to pop a shot off. They don’t like staying still, especially on roads.

 

[mtnbound]

I agree with you here. Seems when they’re 550 plus out is when I have the most shots at one and don’t feel comfortable shooting that far unless I have one of my dedicated predator/varmint guns with me.

Seems that when I see them closer and they’re not in one of your footholds, you have about 10 seconds to pop a shot off. They don’t like staying still, especially on roads.

I agree they disappear fast. The only reason I have gotten the ones so far has been mostly luck and being fast on the trigger. I have had dozens of quick encounters with no time to even shoulder my rifle.

 

[.204smokechaser]

I agree they disappear fast. The only reason I have gotten the ones so far has been mostly luck and being fast on the trigger. I have had dozens of quick encounters with no time to even shoulder my rifle.

Had one run out in front of me yesterday morning and take off like a bat out of hell. Wasn’t really expecting him to be where he was. Seems I get one reasonable shot at one a year. I can’t justify trapping where I start to see most of mine at with it being 130 miles round trip, especially since the current trapping restrictions were put in effect and I’m not living out there this time of year.

 

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

Had one run out in front of me yesterday morning and take off like a bat out of hell. Wasn’t really expecting him to be where he was. Seems I get one reasonable shot at one a year. I can’t justify trapping where I start to see most of mine at with it being 130 miles round trip, especially since the current trapping restrictions were put in effect and I’m not living out there this time of year.

I had one last weekend cross a road in front of me near Priest Lake while I was using Onx, rifle slung over my shoulder. It would of been almost impossible to get a shot off though, up 1 side, crossed the road, poof gone in seconds.

Crazy thing... That's the 3rd time that exact same thing has happened to me in a few years...

 

[Beendare]

I've got some ridges I want to get up on and start calling only problem with night time is and I'm not gonna lie, I'm a big sissy in the mountains at night by myself haha. My mind gets to me pretty easy.

When you think about it....You are safer in the woods at night than driving on the freeway in traffic.

Mind over matter...you just have to get out there and do it....it's a good mental exercise.

I spent 8 days in the backcountry solo this year....it's cathartic.

 

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

How would you go about that? Calling in the dark that is. Would you drive a snow machine up to a good ridge, shut it off and after 30-45 mins just call from the road at your machine, or would you want to hike out a ways and call?

Let's assume you shut the machine off after seeing tracks crossing the road.

 

[weekender7]

Crazy thing... That's the 3rd time that exact same thing has happened to me in a few years...

I just upped my membership to elite so when I use ONX I will have a better chance some will run by me lololololol.

 

[sneaky]

Those of you in Northern Idaho would be wise to come to the wolfer summit that F4WM has put on the past two summers. Right outside of CDA. Hotter than hades but you'll get tips from some of the best wolf hunters and trappers in the lower 48, Canada, and AK.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[mtnbound]

How would you go about that? Calling in the dark that is. Would you drive a snow machine up to a good ridge, shut it off and after 30-45 mins just call from the road at your machine, or would you want to hike out a ways and call?

Let's assume you shut the machine off after seeing tracks crossing the road.

I do both, but I usually wait about 20 minutes before I call. If there are fresh tracks in the snow, I will follow that trail for a bit and then howl. I also really look at the terrain and the direction of travel and often look to get in front of them or gain some ground on them via a road or trail before I make any calls.