Alright folks time for an update. I set some traps near Dent bridge, but no luck. Lots of deer and elk in the area, but no wolves. Took a long hike out Charlie Creek area near Emida, ID. Again a lot of deer and elk sign, but no wolves. Took a break and did some fishing and other things. I got some info that wolves had been seen around the power lines south of Clarkia. I got in the area and cut one track so I put some trap sets there for a while, but no luck. A friend invited me to run some gas through his snowmobiles with him so we went to the hills. Got into an area of unit 8A that borders unit 6 and got into some big wolf tracks following a moose at around 4300ft in elevation. Studying the maps, you could come in from Clarkia if the roads where open like I thought they may be since I saw log trucks coming out of that area when I setup near the power lines. Well the area of the tracks was farther back than I could get close to with the snow being deep still and I actually ended up getting my truck stuck. So I decided to take another break since the weather was starting to warm up and some snow melt would occur.
So I went back out this week and got another ½ mile or so with the truck. This is all I needed to feel I could effectively hike the rest of the way every 72 hours to check traps. So I loaded the sled with the trapping gear, grabbed my pack with enough gear for a couple days if I get into any issues, slung the rifle, strapped on the snowshoes and went for it. Hiked just under two miles and 750 ft in elevation and then cut a fresh set of tracks! Needless to say I was excited!! I followed the fresh tracks for a ¼ mile or so before they went back into thick timber. So I made a set where they went into the woods, another where one had stopped to pee/mark, and one just along the path they traveled. Unfortunately no pictures since my phone was dead.
I went back today for the first check of this promising area. On the way in I came across tracks in the mud about a ½ mile from where I park the truck. (See Picture).
As I hiked in I got excited about half way in as wolf tracks followed mine from a few days earlier for a about a ¼ mile. Turning into the woods toward the area of the traps. As I got to within a ¼ mile of the traps I cut fresh tracks again. I also came across a tracked four wheeler tracks that I later met the rider who was there with his parents trying to fill a wolf tag.
So nothing in the traps yet, but I am really on fresh sign and I know it will happen before the 31st.
Pictures, Just for reference my hand is right around 8" long.
