Possibly going Wolf hunting in Idaho

[D360]

I have a lot of friends here at school who are from Idaho and the possibility of going wolf hunting has came up for me. anyone have any pointers or words of wisdom? one question I have is what caliber rifle should I use? Thanks for all your advise!

Dustin

[Emptyhanded]

If I was going for wolves I would most likely take my .243 or my .25-06. No doubt in my mind that either wouldn't smash a wolf. Take what whatever gun you're most comfortable with and smoke a pack of 'em! Good luck man. I hope you guys get a few!

[blindpig]

Im going in December   

[ShirtGuy77]

I'll be there in a few weeks...Dumping a lot of cash this year going for deer, elk, and woof.  I would really like to mount one, but I don't want to also take my .243.  So my .300RUM might do a little damage to the pelt 

I saw a couple a few years ago, but outside of that have only seen lots of sign...

Good Luck!

[jackelope]

They've killed wolves in Idaho with .223's this year. That guy that shot 2 called them in then shot the pair with his .223.  My point is that anything you're going to use for deer would work....just depends on how much damage you want to do to the hide as Shirtguy mentioned.

[Huntboy]

good luck if you end up going.

[dlaw]

If you want to know of an area to go let me know.  Was out there during archery season and can put you on some that are not afraid to respond.
When they howl, make sure you howl back at them they will come investigate.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I thought about heading over this winter- once the hides are prime.  I'll be packing my 22-250 with 55 gr hornadys.  Thats always killed coyotes clean and left almost no damage. 

[bearpaw]

If I was going for wolves I would most likely take my .243 or my .25-06. No doubt in my mind that either wouldn't smash a wolf. Take what whatever gun you're most comfortable with and smoke a pack of 'em! Good luck man. I hope you guys get a few!

 

[724wd]

got a friend from AK moving down to idaho in a couple of days.  he want to go out in february!      HELL YEAH!  I'm in!

if we end up going, i'll be out there with either my 22-250 (55 gr VMax) or .300 win mag. (130 Sierras)  i wouldn't worry too much about pelt damage.  taxidermists can fix about anything!     i want that sucker DEAD!

[Machias]

I have thought about this subject quite a bit, I'm not sure coyote rounds are adequate.  They can be every bit as big or bigger than your average whitetail deer.  Can you kill them with it, I'm certain you can, but I think the shots would have to be optimal.  I'm thinking .270 - .30-06.,  min .243....what do you think, am I overgunning them?

[firefighter4607]

  If I go in early 2012 I was thinking of leaving the 22-250 at home and pack my 270wsm. I think just like you.

[jackmaster]

They've killed wolves in Idaho with .223's this year. That guy that shot 2 called them in then shot the pair with his .223.  My point is that anything you're going to use for deer would work....just depends on how much damage you want to do to the hide as Shirtguy mentioned.

oh and a word of wisdom....... make sure you kill one.  good luck to ya sir

[724wd]

pretty hard to be overgunned!   

[Mulieman]

I am also hoping to get over there soon.

What is the best way to hunt these things? Would you hunt them like yotes with calls or is there other methods that work better? I think I saw where ID does not allow electronic callers, so mouth calls are it I guess???

[jackmaster]

I am also hoping to get over there soon.

What is the best way to hunt these things? Would you hunt them like yotes with calls or is there other methods that work better? I think I saw where ID does not allow electronic callers, so mouth calls are it I guess???

well since i have never hunted idaho i would go straight to the local tavern and ask someone to show me where they are, as much as the idahoans hate the wolves they will be glad to show you where they are, i know i would... good luck to ya sir

[Machias]

I am also hoping to get over there soon.

What is the best way to hunt these things? Would you hunt them like yotes with calls or is there other methods that work better? I think I saw where ID does not allow electronic callers, so mouth calls are it I guess???

Not so, from the ID Fish and Game site:

Electronic calls: Electronic calls may be used to attract wolves for the purpose of harvest.

[Mulieman]

 
Not so, from the ID Fish and Game site:

Electronic calls: Electronic calls may be used to attract wolves for the purpose of harvest.
[/quote]

Thanks, I must have missed that. That opens a lot of doors to calling them.

[Machias]

 

[D360]

Thanks everyone. So other than calling is there any other tactic I could use or is it best to just treat them like coyotes? I might get to go this weekend, depending on how things unfold. Hopefully save some Deer and Elk.

[Ranger91298]

Piece of advice to all that are going to go hunting for Wolves...take a sidearm with you!!! In 2009 when I ran into a pack of 8 wolves that surrounded me (5-10 yards) I shot twice with my .338 Ultra Mag before they left. This gun is loud as all h*#& and the first shot didn't scare them away; it took the second shot to leave but they were not scared. I had one shot left in my rifle and that was it. I did not have a sidearm at the time but I sure bought one after the season and pack it with me at all times now. 

[grundy53]

I will be hunting them in ID over Thanksgiving week.

[D360]

Piece of advice to all that are going to go hunting for Wolves...take a sidearm with you!!! In 2009 when I ran into a pack of 8 wolves that surrounded me (5-10 yards) I shot twice with my .338 Ultra Mag before they left. This gun is loud as all h*#& and the first shot didn't scare them away; it took the second shot to leave but they were not scared. I had one shot left in my rifle and that was it. I did not have a sidearm at the time but I sure bought one after the season and pack it with me at all times now. 

Thats crazy man, I usually carry my sidearm whenever I'm out hunting anyways but will be sure to bring it to Idaho.

[ShirtGuy77]

Talking to the locals is a great idea.  I know the small town we hunt around has more than enough people willing to share information.  I have heard that even cow calls work.  As long as you can pinpoint where they have been seen, and find fresh track, calling should attrack something.

But as was mentioned, definitely be ready.  My brother and I jumped two large dogs two years ago.  When we went to investigate there was a whole heck of a lot more than just two.  My brother (had a tag) took off to find them.  Me (no tag, no gun, and a pocket knife) stood there waiting for him.  Talk about an eery feeling for sure.  Lesson learned.  Always have a sidearm now.

Have fun!  It's an interesting feeling hunting something that you aren't used to hunting.

[D360]

Has anyone ever tried Wolf meat? Or is that just a bad idea I should stay away from? I'd feel bad letting the meat go to waste.

[firefighter4607]

I was wondering the same thing!! I would think some summer sauage would be good

[Maximus4252626]

Has anyone ever tried Wolf meat? Or is that just a bad idea I should stay away from? I'd feel bad letting the meat go to waste.

It tastes like chicken 

[Bean Counter]

 

[mebco09]

Has anyone ever tried Wolf meat? Or is that just a bad idea I should stay away from? I'd feel bad letting the meat go to waste.

If this is a serious question:

I would be worried about Hyatid (sp?) Disease.  Don't know much about it, but I guess it causes cysts in humans (and other mammals) that can be fatal.  Evidently all wolves in Idaho have it.  Somewhere I read that you should wear a mask and gloves when you skin them.   

Skin them if the pelt is good and if you want it, if not, throw it in a dumpster and go shoot another one....

[firefighter4607]

During Vilhjalmur Stefansson's Arctic expedition in 1913, George H. Wilkins sampled cooked wolf meat and commented that it was "fine eating" and noted a resemblance to chicken. Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_hunting

Yes, some members of adventure sports organisations such as the Canadian Adventure Expedition (CAE) in Canada do eat wolf meat for their survival and to provide them the sustenance to bear the harsh and bitterly cold weather in the winter. Like most meat, it is rich in protein, and people eat wolf meat because it can provide their bodies with both heat and nourishment.

Wolf meat is considered to be a bizarre delicacy and hence it is very valuable and expensive. It tastes like chicken, and even gives the same nutritional value as chicken, especially to people like Eskimos that live in countries that have extremely cold climates. Eating wolf meat may be an unpleasant idea at first, as is the case with most delicacies in the fine dining culture. Wolf meat, of course, is not a common item for sale in the open market, except in the pockets of the world where it is eaten.
This is all I can find online other than a whole bunch of World of Warcraft stuff......

[huntnphool]

oh and a word of wisdom....... make sure you kill one

 And if you can't kill one, make sure you severely wound a dozen........Did I just say that out loud?

[D360]

Didn't see any this trip, just some big rutting bulls. talked to some more locals and got a better idea of where the pack normally is, hopefully get one or two sometime soon. Still on the fence about eating the meat though..

[3nails]

Didn't see any this trip, just some big rutting bulls. talked to some more locals and got a better idea of where the pack normally is, hopefully get one or two sometime soon. Still on the fence about eating the meat though..

[saylean]

Oh..it feels so good to have this in my hands! Ps...Good luck!

[mulehunter]

  please two wolves. Not just One.  We are cheering for ya.

Mulehunter.