Post by: vandeman17 on November 26, 2021, 08:59:24 PM
Now with a wolf tag and deer tag in my pocket, I decided to head back into my number one spot for a morning sit to see if I could get lucky and find a buck chasing a doe. On my way in, climbing up the hill, I ran into two cows coming out of the timber. I watched them disappear over the little bench above me and continued to creep up the hill. The area I normally sit has two spots where I like to post up, one above and one below, depending on the wind. This particular morning I decided to sit high so I made my way up to find a good tree to sit against. Once I found the tree of choice I got out my warm layers and prepared myself to sit for a couple hours. I had just settled in, no more than a minute or two when I caught movement below me. My first thought was it was a coyote given the grayish color. When it cleared a couple trees and turned slightly towards me, I could see it’s head through my scope and knew it was a wolf. I couldn’t believe it and my heart started pounding while I tracked him with my crosshairs. He continued moving and turned up hill a bit and back the way he had come from. Once he cleared the couple trees I squeezed the trigger and I could see him bite at his shoulder twice then pile up. I sat their in disbelief for a few seconds until I felt my phone buzz and was snapped back to reality.
After letting the group know that I had just killed a wolf, I stripped back down out of my insulation layers and headed down to look. The closer I got, the bigger he started to look. I called my old man on the radio and asked him to bring in the pack frame while I hiked down to meet him above the gated road we hike in on. After I met up with him, we headed back up with just the pack frame and my rifle. When we got back to him, we took some pictures and formulated a plan on how to get him out. This is made more difficult by how dang smelly wolves are. Normally I field dress all my animals in the field but being this could be my one and only wolf in my life, we decided to pack it out whole so my buddy with much more skinning experience could help. After we got him on the frame and moved it around so I could crawl under it, I really didn’t think there would be any way I could walk it down the steep hill to get to the access road. It took my dad lifting and pulling just so I could stand up but once up, I knew it was doable but would be pretty miserable. Slow and steady with a handful of stops to rest tired legs and back got us to the truck, dripping with sweat.
I wish we had a scale but the 3 of us all guessed he was between 125-140 lbs and mature. Now I am deciding what route to go with him for the house. The old lady really wants a full body mount…
Post by: vandeman17 on November 26, 2021, 09:00:46 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on November 26, 2021, 09:03:02 PM
Post by: Stein on November 26, 2021, 09:04:56 PM
Post by: X-Force on November 26, 2021, 09:05:28 PM
Post by: full choke on November 26, 2021, 09:06:13 PM
Nice looking wolf!
Post by: Mulie87 on November 26, 2021, 09:06:54 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on November 26, 2021, 09:07:19 PM
Man, nice looking wolf there. What are you doing with the pelt?
Undecided right now. We caped it thinking most likely just a rug but the old lady is trying to convince me to do a full body wall hanging mount. Talked to my taxi this afternoon and bringing it by tomorrow so he can look at it. Not sure how well it will turn out given we skinned it up the belly
Post by: Harbor_hunter on November 26, 2021, 09:09:24 PM
Post by: Duckslayer89 on November 26, 2021, 09:11:46 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on November 26, 2021, 09:13:07 PM
Congrats! I hope to get a wolf someday
I never thought I would ever kill one. This is the first one I have seen in the wild, let alone in gun range during hunting season. Just dumb luck
Post by: Duckslayer89 on November 26, 2021, 09:14:04 PM
Man, nice looking wolf there. What are you doing with the pelt?
Undecided right now. We caped it thinking most likely just a rug but the old lady is trying to convince me to do a full body wall hanging mount. Talked to my taxi this afternoon and bringing it by tomorrow so he can look at it. Not sure how well it will turn out given we skinned it up the belly
I always thought just a nice soft tanned hide was nice if I ever got a wolf. Like how they do fox fur. My buddy has two he shot in the frank like that hanging. I like how they turned out! But I don’t think you can go wrong with anything you decide :tup:
Post by: vandeman17 on November 26, 2021, 09:16:21 PM
Man, nice looking wolf there. What are you doing with the pelt?
Undecided right now. We caped it thinking most likely just a rug but the old lady is trying to convince me to do a full body wall hanging mount. Talked to my taxi this afternoon and bringing it by tomorrow so he can look at it. Not sure how well it will turn out given we skinned it up the belly
I always thought just a nice soft tanned hide was nice if I ever got a wolf. Like how they do fox fur. My buddy has two he shot in the frank like that hanging. I like how they turned out! But I don’t think you can go wrong with anything you decide :tup:
Yes I agree. My spring bear I just had tanned and it’s pretty cool just hanging over our spare bedroom log bed frame.
Post by: Dan-o on November 26, 2021, 09:17:18 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on November 26, 2021, 09:20:41 PM
Post by: fowl smacker on November 26, 2021, 09:25:13 PM
Post by: Duckslayer89 on November 26, 2021, 09:28:10 PM
Man, nice looking wolf there. What are you doing with the pelt?
Undecided right now. We caped it thinking most likely just a rug but the old lady is trying to convince me to do a full body wall hanging mount. Talked to my taxi this afternoon and bringing it by tomorrow so he can look at it. Not sure how well it will turn out given we skinned it up the belly
I always thought just a nice soft tanned hide was nice if I ever got a wolf. Like how they do fox fur. My buddy has two he shot in the frank like that hanging. I like how they turned out! But I don’t think you can go wrong with anything you decide :tup:
Yes I agree. My spring bear I just had tanned and it’s pretty cool just hanging over our spare bedroom log bed frame.
That would be sweet hanging side by side! Bad ass. Do a frame out of stained cedar fence boards and hang them or stretch them on it... I’ll send you a PM with a pic of what I did don’t wanna derail.
Post by: builtfordtough on November 26, 2021, 09:52:49 PM
Post by: actionshooter on November 26, 2021, 10:16:40 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on November 26, 2021, 11:10:07 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on November 27, 2021, 04:57:05 AM
Wife says full mount! Mount that wolf!!! Congrats!!! What a cool experience i hope 1 day to enjoy.
That is the way I am leaning at this point. May never get a chance to kill another
Post by: JeepWrangler on November 27, 2021, 04:58:04 AM
Post by: Sutherland on November 27, 2021, 05:26:51 AM
Post by: jasnt on November 27, 2021, 05:38:32 AM
Post by: MADMAX on November 27, 2021, 05:42:49 AM
congrats
Post by: Jingles on November 27, 2021, 05:46:27 AM
Post by: hunter399 on November 27, 2021, 05:55:05 AM
Post by: headshot5 on November 27, 2021, 06:19:23 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on November 27, 2021, 06:43:29 AM
Nice job. Was it a male or female? What rifle/caliber did you use?
Mature male, about 130 lbs we guessed. Shot with my .270 and 130 gr bullet. Didn’t go two steps
Post by: bearpaw on November 27, 2021, 07:37:56 AM
Post by: go4steelhd on November 27, 2021, 07:39:35 AM
Thanks for helping out our game population’s!
Post by: vandeman17 on November 27, 2021, 07:44:11 AM
Now this is cool!!!
Thanks for helping out our game population’s!
Had a few locals stop by while we were boning out deer and when we showed them, they thanked me multiple times and said to make sure to come back and kill more. :chuckle:
Post by: grundy53 on November 27, 2021, 07:45:45 AM
Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on November 27, 2021, 07:49:42 AM
Post by: bearpaw on November 27, 2021, 08:08:49 AM
Now this is cool!!!
Thanks for helping out our game population’s!
Had a few locals stop by while we were boning out deer and when we showed them, they thanked me multiple times and said to make sure to come back and kill more. :chuckle:
You would probably get offered free drinks at the nearest bar... :chuckle:
Post by: boneaddict on November 27, 2021, 08:12:19 AM
Post by: jackelope on November 27, 2021, 08:20:10 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on November 27, 2021, 08:36:51 AM
Congrats again, dude. So cool!!
Thanks. It sure was quite the surprise and far from anything I went into the hunt even remotely expecting to happen.
Post by: huntingfool7 on November 27, 2021, 08:38:39 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on November 27, 2021, 08:40:24 AM
Post by: idaho guy on November 27, 2021, 08:57:32 AM
Post by: KFhunter on November 27, 2021, 10:06:01 AM
Post by: dvolmer on November 27, 2021, 11:04:20 AM
Post by: sjhgraysage on November 27, 2021, 02:08:12 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on November 27, 2021, 02:47:34 PM
Post by: Taco280AI on November 27, 2021, 03:10:21 PM
Post by: bearhunter99 on November 27, 2021, 03:17:09 PM
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Post by: ShaneTyTrey on November 27, 2021, 06:44:34 PM
Post by: gasman on November 27, 2021, 06:56:29 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on November 28, 2021, 04:29:07 PM
Great looking Wolf! One of those at the top of the bucket list.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It was up there for me too but not sure I would ever target them specifically. Now my buddy and I are talking about going back this winter to look for another :chuckle:
Post by: metlhead on November 28, 2021, 05:12:38 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on November 28, 2021, 05:32:13 PM
Fine, I'll ask the dumb question. What about the meat? Gotta be at least 40lbs of it. Anyone ever eat the things? Wondered if pepperoni could be made. Even the roasts.
We joked about eating it but did not. From what I have read, you actually don’t even have to take any part of the wolf from the woods. They just ask that you report it and if you plan to take it home, you have to get the pelt sealed by fwp.
Post by: KFhunter on November 28, 2021, 05:40:46 PM
Tbey all got worms and parasites, hytdad
Post by: vandeman17 on November 28, 2021, 05:45:29 PM
If its anything like coyote :puke:
Tbey all got worms and parasites, hytdad
:yeah: I listened to Randy newberg talk about trying the wolf he killed. Said it was terrible and only half the people would even try a bite.
Post by: idaho guy on November 28, 2021, 08:24:51 PM
If its anything like coyote :puke:
Tbey all got worms and parasites, hytdad
:yeah: I listened to Randy newberg talk about trying the wolf he killed. Said it was terrible and only half the people would even try a bite.
I took a tiny bite of a back strap off one we got a long time ago. It’s unbelievably disgusting. Then I took the wolf trapping class and the fish and game instructors said don’t even gut one they have a parasite I can’t spell that’s transferred to humans that can kill ya. Leave the entire carcass in the woods became my new motto from then on.
Nice job again on the wolf 👍
Post by: timberfaller on November 28, 2021, 08:35:32 PM
Post by: huntnphool on November 28, 2021, 09:22:02 PM
Post by: NOCK NOCK on November 29, 2021, 07:26:45 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on November 29, 2021, 08:19:34 AM
Crazy how big it looks on your back. Cool looking wolf, Awesome job!!!
When we were going back up with the frame, my thought was to drape it over the shelf and carry it that way. As soon as we put the frame under we knew that wasn't going to work at all so decided to go with that way you see it. When we were flipping it over and around so I could get under it, I had serious doubts that I would be able to get it down to the truck so backup plan was to just slide the frame down to the upper road then try to carry it from there. With the help of my old man, I was able to stand up and was happy to get the feeling it would be doable, but miserable for sure. The worst part, besides having to get up each time after taking breaks, was the smell of the dang thing right behind my head. :o
Post by: Yakirack on November 29, 2021, 10:28:31 AM
Post by: OutHouse on November 29, 2021, 10:52:44 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on December 28, 2021, 06:05:19 AM
Post by: Timberstalker on December 28, 2021, 06:07:10 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on December 28, 2021, 06:17:26 AM
That looks great. What a powerful animal.
On his right side he has healed over bone damage under his eye socket. My guess is he got kicked at some point in his life
Post by: emac on December 28, 2021, 08:15:29 AM
Got the skull done on the wolf. Pretty darn bigI was able to see this last week at the taxi. The skull is really big. Congrats cant wait to see the mount.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Post by: WALLEYEGUY on December 28, 2021, 10:37:54 AM
Post by: dvolmer on December 28, 2021, 02:40:46 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on December 28, 2021, 02:55:52 PM
Skull looks great! What are you going to do with the hide? Should be cool!
I was talked into doing a life sized wall mount. Looking at forms with the taxi, all the ones available were too small so he is going to have to do some extra work. Big ol dog
Post by: teanawayslayer on December 28, 2021, 04:06:07 PM
Post by: dvolmer on December 29, 2021, 06:38:53 PM
That will look so cool V-Man!!!Skull looks great! What are you going to do with the hide? Should be cool!
I was talked into doing a life sized wall mount. Looking at forms with the taxi, all the ones available were too small so he is going to have to do some extra work. Big ol dog
Post by: D-Rock425 on January 04, 2022, 08:59:30 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on August 08, 2023, 10:50:17 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on August 08, 2023, 10:59:42 AM
Post by: hunter399 on August 08, 2023, 11:29:11 AM
Full mount like that is worth every penny.
Super jealous man.
Just awesome 👍
Post by: huntnphool on August 08, 2023, 12:07:18 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on August 08, 2023, 01:28:24 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on August 08, 2023, 02:21:28 PM
Post by: OutHouse on August 08, 2023, 02:42:52 PM
Post by: NOCK NOCK on August 08, 2023, 07:44:47 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on August 08, 2023, 07:50:59 PM
That looks AWESOME Adam!!! I wanna shoot one so bad.
Me too, but could careless about a mount.🤣
Post by: Machias on August 09, 2023, 11:54:04 AM
Post by: Stein on August 09, 2023, 12:03:52 PM
I've ran into them several times but where I hunt they don't seem to be in the same area year to year.
Post by: highside74 on August 09, 2023, 12:28:18 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 09, 2023, 01:00:07 PM
Post by: mburrows on August 09, 2023, 02:56:27 PM