On the wintering range

[Buster]

Went on another wolf patrol today, and came close, but no shots fired. On the way in I cut tracks that were only a few hours old, so I knew they were in the area. I went in a little further, and set up with the distress call. After the first sequence, the distant howls started. Within 5 minutes, 3 different packs were singing along.

The closest pack was only a few hundred yards away, but the wind was wrong. I moved locations to a higher point that offered a small shooting lane, and started squealing again. They immediately started up again. They were only about 300 yards out in the trees, but after half an hour, they would not commit. To try and close the distance to them would be tough with the terrain between us. I switched to howling, which got them going stronger than ever, but still they never showed themselves.

Another gentleman had heard the howling and made the hike in to see if he could catch up to one. When he made his way to me, I told him the scenario, then wished him luck, as family commitments had me short on time.

As I hiked away, I stopped about 1000 yards out and glassed back in time to see a fat salt and pepper walk out into the clearing I had been watching. I left 10 minutes too early. No shots rang out, so I am not sure what the other hunter had decided to do after I left. I will be back up there again as soon as time allows. If I can figure out how, I'll also post a short video of the non-stop howling action.

 

[Buster]

http://vimeo.com/84928243

Hope this works. Videoed the wolves howling in the trees below me. If it does, listen closely. Although it sounds faint, they were less than 300 yards away and it was pretty loud in person.

 

[Ross]

Good luck Buster!.....is this up in the cda river area?

 

[Buster]

Good luck Buster!.....is this up in the cda river area?

Thanks. Was the howling audible? Between the ones that were below me, and the ones in the distance, it was non-stop for over an hour and a half. Can't believe I didn't manage to get a shot off. If I would have had time, I would have stayed with them.

I was in the Fording valley, which is a tributary of the Elk river.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

I could hear the howling but just barely.

 

[Stew]

Buster I would think it was just one pack spread out not 3 different packs. Wolves are very social and make various sounds don't just stick to howling. If you can ever find an active kill and get close at night to hear the different noises they make it will help a lot. If you have every been around a bunch of dogs(pets) playing around and one gets hurt and yipes and see how all the rest run over to investigate you have to try and mimick those sounds or that of dogs/coyotes fighting over food, you maybe surprised how this will bring them out. If you can also follow there tracks and jump them and split them up or get between them then call.
Good luck

 

[Buster]

Stew, you're probably right about it being one pack, as different packs tend to not be tolerant of each other. They were spread over 3 different slopes, but it is one big wintering area.

I went up there today, just to do some glassing, and cut more fresh tracks. I'll have to commit a full day to it next days off.

I also saw Buster, he's still holding on to that chipped up horn.

 

[Buster]

Short trip out today, but found another good ram and a couple good elk. Got some digiscoped pics to share.

 

[mtnkid85]

Great pictures. And keep after those wolves!

 

[Buster]

Some sacrifices have to be made in life. As much as I have wanted to get out in the last month, the need for money and banked time (work now, get time off later, ie in September and October) have had me working long days and extra days. I did manage to get out for a short one today to check on my old friends. Buster is still alive, although he has separated himself from the rest of the rams. -30 temps and higher than average snowfalls are taking its toll, and the critters still have a solid month to go before they are out of the woods.

I watched the rest of the rams for an hour, and the next biggest ram, Tic Tac (he's a 9 year old), is looking noticeably thinner. The forecast is for another 10-12 inches of slushy snow in the next few days. Gonna be a tense week, as the wintering slopes are already snow loaded.

 

[RedStag]

Wish I could get out there to help with the wolves, thanks for the pics.here's hoping they all make it through the winter. Seems to be letting up a bit in the okanagan, heading out to winter Cali range this sunday to see how the boys are

 

[yama49]

Good to see him still surviving.....

 

[Buster]

Had a good opportunity to photograph Tic Tac today. He's dangerously thin, but he has moved down low to some manageable area for himself.

Notice his hip bones are showing. He still has a few more weeks to be out of the woods.

 

[bbrown]

Awesome pics - really enjoy the updates and kind of jealous at the same time...

 

[Buster]

Awesome pics - really enjoy the updates and kind of jealous at the same time...

Thanks BBrown, I feel very fortunate to have these sorts of opportunities close to home. I'll keep you guys updated.

 

[robby denning]

Great thread Buster

 

[orionthehunter1]

Nice pics, thanks for sharing them

 

[Duckhunterbrad]

Thanks for sharing!!

 

[Buster]

Morning hike. No wolves or even fresh wolf sign.

Second time out with the gun bearer. It is becoming much more comfortable (after some adjustments) and will likely be my preferred method. Not sure if I can totally ditch the sling yet, however. All the bulls ate still holding their headsets, and so is Buster.

 

[RedStag]

Lots of mulies round here still packing as well.
Hope you can get a pickup on those bulls when they drop. Any signs of sheep cough round there??