Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Wolves => Topic started by: bearpaw on May 30, 2023, 07:25:32 AM
-
Wolf hunting is one of those things a lot of hunters want to try but many don't know where to start. We have been experimenting with wolf hunting and wolf trapping for some time and we are making an effort to become more proficient at it so we can offer wolf hunts in Idaho. But more importantly is the simple fact that wolves must be harvested in order for states like Montana and Idaho to get herds back in areas where wolves have heavily impacted the herds. To that end, I thought I would put together some advice and steps to help novices get started and hopefully more wolves are taken to further help the herds.
1. Decide on a state and area to hunt. If you don't know where to go, I would recommend looking at areas with known wolf packs and look at the state harvest records for an area/unit with a history of wolf harvest. There are units you could go and there may not be many wolves, so pick an area that is known to have more wolves.
Idaho & Montana Units With Heaviest Wolf Impacts: https://f4wm.org/reimbursement/
2. Choose a good wolf gun to use that fits you and the area you plan to hunt. In my opinion you will want a gun that's not too heavy in case you need to cover country fast on foot. You want a gun you can maneuver well, get on the target quickly even at close range, and shoots well at longer ranges if needed. I don't think caliber is that important, any caliber that will bring down deer should be effective. How well you can shoot and handle the rifle is the most important thing. The type of country you will be hunting is probably the next major consideration for which gun to take. Open country may require longer range shots, thick vegetation may require a quicker handling rifle and potentially a lower power on your scope. Look at the rifles other guys are using in the videos.
3. Practice shooting, not just on a bench, practice using a tree for a rest, a shooting stick, sitting down, and laying prone on the ground. Practice shooting in positions you will have to use when hunting. Shooting off a bench at a gun range is not nearly effective as practicing up in the mountains in different real hunting type positions.
4. Learn about wolf hunting, watch different hunting tactics in videos and read information, get an idea what to do when you get to the wolf hunting area. I think you can learn something new from every video you watch and everything you read.
5. Before you leave for your hunt consider joining https://f4wm.org/, this organization pays out reimbursements for wolves taken in Idaho and Montana. There are details for how that works on their web page. This organization has already saved thousands of elk, deer, and moose in Idaho and Montana.
GOOD LUCK HUNTING!
Wolf hunting videos:
-
Wolf hunting is one of those things a lot of hunters want to try but many don't know where to start. We have been experimenting with wolf hunting and wolf trapping for some time and we are making an effort to become more proficient at it so we can offer wolf hunts in Idaho. But more importantly is the simple fact that wolves must be harvested in order for states like Montana and Idaho to get herds back in areas where wolves have heavily impacted the herds. To that end, I thought I would put together some advice and steps to help novices get started and hopefully more wolves are taken to further help the herds.
1. Decide on a state and area to hunt. If you don't know where to go, I would recommend looking at areas with known wolf packs and look at the state harvest records for an area/unit with a history of wolf harvest. There are units you could go and there may not be many wolves, so pick an area that is known to have more wolves.
Idaho & Montana Units With Heaviest Wolf Impacts: https://f4wm.org/reimbursement/
2. Choose a good wolf gun to use that fits you and the area you plan to hunt. In my opinion you will want a gun that's not too heavy in case you need to cover country fast on foot. You want a gun you can maneuver well, get on the target quickly even at close range, and shoots well at longer ranges if needed. I don't think caliber is that important, any caliber that will bring down deer should be effective. How well you can shoot and handle the rifle is the most important thing. The type of country you will be hunting is probably the next major consideration for which gun to take. Open country may require longer range shots, thick vegetation may require a quicker handling rifle and potentially a lower power on your scope. Look at the rifles other guys are using in the videos.
3. Practice shooting, not just on a bench, practice using a tree for a rest, a shooting stick, sitting down, and laying prone on the ground. Practice shooting in positions you will have to use when hunting. Shooting off a bench at a gun range is not nearly effective as practicing up in the mountains in different real hunting type positions.
4. Learn about wolf hunting, watch different hunting tactics in videos and read information, get an idea what to do when you get to the wolf hunting area. I think you can learn something new from every video you watch and everything you read.
5. Before you leave for your hunt consider joining https://f4wm.org/, this organization pays out reimbursements for wolves taken in Idaho and Montana. There are details for how that works on their web page. This organization has already saved thousands of elk, deer, and moose in Idaho and Montana.
GOOD LUCK HUNTING!
Wolf hunting videos:
This is great thanks for sharing. I went out several times this year and never could turn up a wolf. Found some sign but never got a response or saw a wolf. Set a trail camera up a couple weeks ago and two days later a wolf come by.
Seems like they really like to use roads to get around even more so than other critters. Have you seen that as well Dale? I think this winter Ill focus my efforts on logging/forest service roads with known wolf packs, look for sign, then go from there. Have you guys had better luck with howling or predator calls?
-
There was a guy from Ohio that was hunting our area predator calling every day for one month every year for several years, I think he educated the wolves to predator calling, bowhunters are still calling in wolves every season with cow calls, so I think a guy could go to a different area that hasn't had as much predator calling and do better, the videos show predator calling working pretty well. We have been experimenting with it.
I think hunting on roads that are remote is a good idea (especially closed roads) for the visibility they provide in heavily forested country, but from what we've seen, wolves move away from traveled roads to more remote areas. Some of the guys getting wolves are going after them when they hear howling instead of waiting for the wolves to come to them, I like that strategy.
-
The Foundation for Wildlife Management is putting on a northern Idaho campout July 14-16 to teach hunters and trappers successful methods. You have to be a member and there is a small charge to attend. I want to do it if I can fit it in my busy summer schedule.
June 14th-16th, 2023
This is a 3-day F4WM campout event with wolfer instruction and demos every couple of hours over the long weekend!
More information coming as the date approaches! Stay tuned!
https://f4wm.org/events/1st-annual-wolfer-summit/
-
Thanks Bearpaw, that is June 14-16 if there is any confusion!!! Hunt the border units for a local benefit
-
Making wolf sounds is effective. Wolves are very territorial
-
Very cool videos.
-
My neighbor up by Naples just tied his yippy little ankle biter to a tree in the backyard, sat on the porch with the ole 0’6 and waited
Worked every time