Wolves Stalked, Surrounded, and Attacked Stevens County Hunter

[bearpaw]

This is his account of what happened as told to me by the hunter himself:

Wolves Stalked, Surrounded, and Attacked Stevens County Hunter

Myself, dad, and three other family members were elk hunting near Smackout Pass in GMU 111 Aladdin on the morning of Oct 30. Dad and I separated a hundred yards or so and hunted down a ridge and planned to meet the other family members at the bottom of the ridge.

There was heavy cover and sight distance was limited. As I went through a small opening I spotted a black wolf that was watching me and paralleling me on my left at about 15 yards. I hollered at the wolf and it just kept watching me, and paralleling me, I hollered and waved my arms but it didn't retreat, next I shot over it's head and it finally disappeared. Then another wolf came up from behind on my left and disappeared behind the first wolf. Then I heard something on my right and saw a couple more wolves appear from behind me on the right, I reloaded and backed up 10-15 steps, suddenly I heard another noise behind me and thought it must be dad approaching, I turned around and was faced by another black wolf that was charging straight at me with it's ears laid back, I instinctively pulled up and shot, I hit the wolf hard at about 15 yards and it rolled about 20 feet snarling and biting at it's shoulder, then disappeared into the brush.

I called my other family members with the hand radio I was carrying and warned them about the wolves and that I would meet them in the bottom. As I continued down the ridge I could hear the wolves moving with me about 50 yards away. I met my other family members and as I told them what had happened the wolves all started howling in the brush below us not far away.

I was raised in Idaho and have lived around wolves but this scared the **** out of me worse than anything that has ever happened to me, I have never been that terrified. These wolves had the wind in their face as they approached me from behind, they could smell me and were obviously tracking me as they approached me, I was being hunted by these wolves, they were intent on eating me. Even after shooting at one wolf the other wolf attacked, I am just lucky I heard it coming as it charged.

I called WDFW and reported what happened. At about 11 am the next day several wardens and biologists went with me to the location where the attack occurred. They looked around a bit and found a piece of hide and meat, but a little searching did not produce the wolf and they quit searching.

I guarantee that the situation in Stevens County is far worse than I've seen in Idaho. The elk and moose are disappearing from many areas I hunt, normally I see at least 15 moose every fall, this fall I have not seen a single live moose and the elk numbers are way down too. Something must be done about these wolves soon before somebody gets hurt, the situation in Stevens County and northeast Washington is out of control.

(the hunter wants people to know that these wolves will hunt and attack people but wishes to remain anonymous to avoid harassment by wolf supporters)

[Jonathan_S]

Wow,
I am glad nobody got killed...yet.

Thank heavens the guy had fast reflex.

[fastdam]

I just cant understand why he didnt shoot more of the wolves when they were all around him. They were clearly aggressive.  He was armed. Why not shoot them all till they were out of sight. Glad he's ok.       Too many people letting wolves walk in my opinion.

[bearpaw]

The hunter followed the law, he only shot the wolf that actually attacked.

[fastdam]

When a persons life is in danger the law becomes secondary.

[bearpaw]

The attacking wolf was the last wolf that he saw. After that the wolves stayed approx. 50 yards away, out of sight, moving with him until he met his other family members.

[Skyvalhunter]

It was no surprise to see the bias on the news last night when Larry Chittum reported on that Stampede wolf that was shot

[jasnt]

Story's like this will continue to pop up.  I'm very glad he wasn't hurt. I hunt that area too.

[Skyvalhunter]

Sorry it was Gary Chittum here is the story
http://www.king5.com/videos/tech/science/environment/2014/11/06/15997490/

[Bango skank]

Well obviously this hunter must have been old, sick or injured.  The wolves sensed this and were just doing their job.  Who does he think he is, shooting that noble creature that was only attempting to eat him to restore the balance?  These beautiful wolves are ENDANGERED! 

[stickman999]

 

[pianoman9701]

C'mon guys, you all know that wolves never attack humans.  I'm glad this didn't turn out worse.

[Griiz]

It is sad, but I bet things will change faster when the wolves encounter an unarmed person.....your imagination can finish that thought. There is a reason our forefathers removed them.

[Bango skank]

It is sad, but I bet things will change faster when the wolves encounter an unarmed person.....your imagination can finish that thought. There is a reason our forefathers removed them.

Even if there were 5 separate incidents of wolves killing people in the next month, in different areas with different packs involved, the majority of wolf supporters would flat out deny, argue, make excuses etc.  They would continue to defend the wolves.  These people are irrational beyond belief.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

It is sad, but I bet things will change faster when the wolves encounter an unarmed person.....your imagination can finish that thought. There is a reason our forefathers removed them.