Unit 245 (Chiwawa) wolf

[nwalpineguide]

I'm certainly no expert, and can't tell a coyote from a man-hole cover, but the canid in the attached video doesn't look like a coyote to me.

Perhaps "it" will head to Leavenworth, WA for Octoberfest and join the cougars and bears. Heck, citizens might need to start wearing medieval chain mail or armor just to go jogging.

Brave New World!

[Sutherland]

Im not surprised. They are starting to take over up in the Chiwawa area and again this year deer numbers are down again from last year. Very sad to see the predators taking over the deer herds that used to be so great.

[jrebel]

Yup, that’s a wolf.  Been in there for some time now.  Sucks for sure. 

[PacificNWhunter]

Man that’s a bummer. You’ll still do that tag justice. Good luck!

[The scout]

I had the quality tag a few years ago and seen a pair of them up on Tyee

[nwalpineguide]

Man that’s a bummer. You’ll still do that tag justice. Good luck!

Thanks PNWh! Am grateful for the encouragement.

It will be challenging to say the least. But I accept that! Nothing worthwhile doing or achieving is ever really easy. That's life.

If last week was any indication... it may be tougher than usual though. My cameras have been soaking in the woods since late August when I was finally forced to quit hiking, scouting and checking units because I couldn't breathe. The Bolt, Irving/White River and Minnow Ridge fire smoke just did me in. Perhaps the deer as well. The deer numbers are waaaaaaay down this year on my units as compared to previous years. Yeah, I always capture images of bear, cougar, bobcat, coyote etc., but that damn wolf. Hm.

I don't know deer behavior well enough to speculate on why so few deer.  Maybe they moved out of the areas I hike and hunt because of the wildfire smoke...? I really don't know. It's probably a multitude of factors; little to no precipitation since July, smoke, predators. I'm just speculating.

The "sea change" has occurred with respect to the weather however. Much more normal since last weekend. Snow above 4,500 feet and serious cooling. It was 25F the other morning near Plain, Wa. Probably warmer at higher elevation due to inversion.

But..... no deer seen in 5 days of hiking, scouting and replenishing camera units with new cards and batteries. NONE! As in ZERO. NADA, NYET! Maybe it's just me. I tend to blame the guy looking at me in the mirror before assigning blame elsewhere. Perhaps I don't spend enough time afield in the right places.

Did I mention WOLF?

Please forgive my cynicism and sarcasm. One just has to laugh off the overall situation here in Washington State. It's really quite amusing and entertaining. To. Me.

In spite of the current situation I'm gonna stay focused, hunt hard and not be distracted. That wolf I caught on camera can't be everywhere chasing migrating bucks down every ridge I'm familiar with.
 

[RockChuck]

I was up there last year opening weekend of general deer and saw a bunch of wolf tracks in the snow, some were made minutes behind me in my tracks. saw zero deer on that trip.

[nwalpineguide]

Man that’s a bummer. You’ll still do that tag justice. Good luck!

Thanks PNWh! Am grateful for the encouragement.

It will be challenging to say the least. But I accept that! Nothing worthwhile doing or achieving is ever really easy. That's life.

If last week was any indication... it may be tougher than usual though. My cameras have been soaking in the woods since late August when I was finally forced to quit hiking, scouting and checking units because I couldn't breathe. The Bolt, Irving/White River and Minnow Ridge fire smoke just did me in. Perhaps the deer as well. The deer numbers are waaaaaaay down this year on my units as compared to previous years. Yeah, I always capture images of bear, cougar, bobcat, coyote etc., but that damn wolf. Hm.

I don't know deer behavior well enough to speculate on why so few deer.  Maybe they moved out of the areas I hike and hunt because of the wildfire smoke...? I really don't know. It's probably a multitude of factors; little to no precipitation since July, smoke, predators. I'm just speculating.

The "sea change" has occurred with respect to the weather however. Much more normal since last weekend. Snow above 4,500 feet and serious cooling. It was 25F the other morning near Plain, Wa. Probably warmer at higher elevation due to inversion.

But..... no deer seen in 5 days of hiking, scouting and replenishing camera units with new cards and batteries. NONE! As in ZERO. NADA, NYET! Maybe it's just me. I tend to blame the guy looking at me in the mirror before assigning blame elsewhere. Perhaps I don't spend enough time afield in the right places.

Did I mention WOLF?

Please forgive my cynicism and sarcasm. One just has to laugh off the overall situation here in Washington State. It's really quite amusing and entertaining. To. Me.

In spite of the current situation I'm gonna stay focused, hunt hard and not be distracted. That wolf I caught on camera can't be everywhere chasing migrating bucks down every ridge I'm familiar with.

UPDATE: "looks like a "sea change" in deer movement. Found this PIG roaming the other day looking for does. So... just bad timing on my part. However, I think the light switch has been switched to the on position regarding buck movement. Single minded focus and dedication, bordering on obsession ... I suppose there are worse addictions.

I apologize for the horrible image quality. Struggling to find my cell phone, juggling the damn thing and shaking from excitement are not ingredients for fine images. That tanker was only gonna stand around a few more seconds before he realized I'm NOT what he wants to consort with. Guess those wolves didn't get this one!

[7mmfan]

Dandy buck. Wide!

[PacificNWhunter]

Oh yeah!

[Skyvalhunter]

Mike, I hope your able to score on your permit hunt. It's just not the same in the Chiwawa unit like it used to be. Here's to a successful hunt and be safe out there.

[nwalpineguide]

Mike, I hope your able to score on your permit hunt. It's just not the same in the Chiwawa unit like it used to be. Here's to a successful hunt and be safe out there.

Thank you Sir!

Will wear plenty of blaze orange and give this hunt my best efforts. Shouldn't see another soul but...?

Was pretty concerned when I captured the image of the wolf last week and called you. But seeing the toad muley at 30 yards the other day buoyed my expectations. His body seemed bigger than the buck I killed last year that weighed slightly over 300lbs. These things must just sit out spring, summer and early fall without traveling much and simply gain weight. In the spring they look like skeletons with skin draped over them. Quite a transformation.

 I'll hunt all 20 days of the permit if that's what it takes. Hopefully the other 18 permit holders do well in spite of wolves and wolf sign.

[Angry Perch]

Man that’s a bummer. You’ll still do that tag justice. Good luck!

Thanks PNWh! Am grateful for the encouragement.

It will be challenging to say the least. But I accept that! Nothing worthwhile doing or achieving is ever really easy. That's life.

If last week was any indication... it may be tougher than usual though. My cameras have been soaking in the woods since late August when I was finally forced to quit hiking, scouting and checking units because I couldn't breathe. The Bolt, Irving/White River and Minnow Ridge fire smoke just did me in. Perhaps the deer as well. The deer numbers are waaaaaaay down this year on my units as compared to previous years. Yeah, I always capture images of bear, cougar, bobcat, coyote etc., but that damn wolf. Hm.

I don't know deer behavior well enough to speculate on why so few deer.  Maybe they moved out of the areas I hike and hunt because of the wildfire smoke...? I really don't know. It's probably a multitude of factors; little to no precipitation since July, smoke, predators. I'm just speculating.

The "sea change" has occurred with respect to the weather however. Much more normal since last weekend. Snow above 4,500 feet and serious cooling. It was 25F the other morning near Plain, Wa. Probably warmer at higher elevation due to inversion.

But..... no deer seen in 5 days of hiking, scouting and replenishing camera units with new cards and batteries. NONE! As in ZERO. NADA, NYET! Maybe it's just me. I tend to blame the guy looking at me in the mirror before assigning blame elsewhere. Perhaps I don't spend enough time afield in the right places.

Did I mention WOLF?

Please forgive my cynicism and sarcasm. One just has to laugh off the overall situation here in Washington State. It's really quite amusing and entertaining. To. Me.

In spite of the current situation I'm gonna stay focused, hunt hard and not be distracted. That wolf I caught on camera can't be everywhere chasing migrating bucks down every ridge I'm familiar with.

That made me laugh. Assuming things haven't changed much, I don't think you can be accused of not spending enough time afield, Mike!

[Ironhead]

Dang that's a big body on that son of a gun. I hope you have a great hunt!

[7mmfan]

I'm sure Mike's behind is firmly planted in a treestand this morning. Listening for the first click of a twig breaking under a hoof. Good luck Mike!