Any advices for wolf hunting?

Arnak · #1 10-04-2016, 03:04 PM

I just got back from a week of camping/hunting. Seems like I setup my wall tent in wolf land. In fact, a group of them visited us every night, and we stumbled upon a few while walking at night. I also found a few trails they use.

So now I'm thinking why not give wolf hunting a try.

I have a cotton tail call I could use but otherwise I know nothing about hunting wolf.

Are there any advice you can share to help me get started?
I have a 30-06.. are there any good rounds available that are suitable for wolf or is it just too big of a gun?

Thank you.

Stinky Buffalo · #2 10-04-2016, 03:19 PM

If you do call, bear in mind that wolves might not be the only predators that respond.

kujoseto · #3 10-04-2016, 03:34 PM

Popcan and speckle 55 probably have the most advice on shooting wolves. They're wolf whisperers on here

300magman · #4 10-04-2016, 03:44 PM

I'll add redfrog to that list....probably the most experienced caller on here for sure. And Cowman bob is the ultimate wolf slayer, lol.

OP, I've had the best success after it snows finding biting hot, fresh tracks then trying from there as opposed to blind calling. But, my experience is limited as opposed to the guys that have already been mentioned in this thread. And if your worried about pelt damage, a 25-06 or 243 might be a better option.

Flight01 · #5 10-04-2016, 04:09 PM

Also, if your 30-06 is all you have then it will be fine. There is no such thing as too big a gun for wolf

You can stitch up holes. Good luck.

Arnak · #6 10-04-2016, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300magman

And if your worried about pelt damage, a 25-06 or 243 might be a better option.

I am worry about pelt damage, yes. I might just pass on this wolf hunt idea if I can't find 30-06 ammunition suitable for this.

Okotokian · #7 10-04-2016, 04:51 PM

Yeah, don't film and put it on Youtube. Thank you.

Other than that, good luck.

Rockman · #8 10-04-2016, 06:16 PM

This ^^

H380 · #9 10-04-2016, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300magman

I'll add redfrog to that list....probably the most experienced caller on here for sure. And Cowman bob is the ultimate wolf slayer, lol.

OP, I've had the best success after it snows finding biting hot, fresh tracks then trying from there as opposed to blind calling. But, my experience is limited as opposed to the guys that have already been mentioned in this thread. And if your worried about pelt damage, a 25-06 or 243 might be a better option.

Amen to all of the above . ^^^^^. But don't worry about the 06, it can be sewn up . My buddy shot a big wolf 2 years ago with a 338 and exit hole was only loonie size, however its best to stay away from large bones such as a shoulder blade .

Arnak · #10 10-04-2016, 06:46 PM

Thanks for the advises.

Tomorrow night I'll go setup a couple trail cams to help figure how often they visit the area.

Meanwhile I have to practice with that cottontail call I got from Duel. So far I can easily reproduce a sound that's pretty close to the sound on that video but I'm nowhere near the sound they make on that other video using the same call I have.

LKILR · #11 10-04-2016, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kujoseto

Popcan and speckle 55 probably have the most advice on shooting wolves. They're wolf whisperers on here

You should add CowmanBob. He seems to have the wolves number.

Barry D · #12 10-04-2016, 07:44 PM

I thinkt he best bet is to wait till the dead of winter and go out on a real cold day, then try calling with a fox pro caller in, deer or fawn in distress call. If that doesn't work, then do the wolf howl in the same conditions. Oh, and get a long way from your motorized machine too, like two three Km. I did that last Jan and i had a nice black one come in. The 270 broad side didn't make much of a hole at all.

Talking moose · #13 10-04-2016, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kujoseto

Popcan and speckle 55 probably have the most advice on shooting wolves. They're wolf whisperers on here

Cowmanbob wins that title...

Arnak · #14 10-06-2016, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry D

I thinkt he best bet is to wait till the dead of winter and go out on a real cold day, then try calling with a fox pro caller in, deer or fawn in distress call. If that doesn't work, then do the wolf howl in the same conditions. Oh, and get a long way from your motorized machine too, like two three Km. I did that last Jan and i had a nice black one come in. The 270 broad side didn't make much of a hole at all.

Hi Barry D
I'm curious to know why you prefer real cold days

SamSteele · #15 10-06-2016, 08:54 AM

I'm not Barry D, but my experience has shown that calls can be heard at greater distance on colder days.

SS

Stuckatwork · #16 10-31-2016, 10:01 PM

Above^^^.

Coiloil37 · #17 10-31-2016, 10:31 PM

A full belly also helps keep warm.

Grizzly Adams · #18 11-01-2016, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamSteele

I'm not Barry D, but my experience has shown that calls can be heard at greater distance on colder days.

SS

Works the other way as well, you can hear sounds better,especially if it's calm.

Grizz

gsxrkiller · #19 11-01-2016, 09:35 AM

Bait and play the wind

matathonman · #20 11-04-2016, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flight01

Also, if your 30-06 is all you have then it will be fine. There is no such thing as too big a gun for wolf

You can stitch up holes. Good luck.

The 2!last year didn't like a . 223 55 Gr v-max.
I missed the other 2 with the 300 win mag...lolthat was shooter error though.the one before that though was 120 yard free hand after I stalked them! The 300 hit the ark then! Got that one rugged cause of the story. Who gets to staulk a pack of wolves in their bedroom?!!

Ranch11 · #21 11-04-2016, 05:37 AM

We've called in wolves in the past. Anytime we've gone out for em, we look for fresh tracks. When we find em, we head in to find a clearing and set up and call. Set up just like calling coyotes. We've called and killed quite a few this way. Dang near every time we've had em come in, we had a lot of bird activity, lots of Ravens show up.
I shoot a 338 federal and buddy shoots a 308 when we go after em.

-JR- · #22 11-04-2016, 05:57 AM

If two or more come in and you drop one only . Wait a good 20 mins . As one of them will return to look for the missing one. Has happened twice already for me.

st99 · #23 11-04-2016, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -JR-

If two or more come in and you drop one only . Wait a good 20 mins . As one of them will return to look for the missing one. Has happened twice already for me.

x2

a few yrs ago, after I shot the alfa female, I got surrounded by the pack while I was getting ready to skin it, they stayed a few yds in the bush and barked at me for over 15 minutes, they were not happy

Grizzly Adams · #24 11-04-2016, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -JR-

If two or more come in and you drop one only . Wait a good 20 mins . As one of them will return to look for the missing one. Has happened twice already for me.

I wounded one, who took off. Followed up on him, by his howling to his buddies. Don't think they were interested in coming back.

Grizz

Ranch11 · #25 11-05-2016, 06:53 AM

I rolled up on a pack of 6 one time and unloaded the gun on em twice. Ended up with two. I sat till way after dark, and listened to them howl at each other for about an hour. They didn't seem too interested in coming over to see their fallen comrades. But ya never know...

densa44 · #26 11-05-2016, 08:51 AM

If this helps, my first one I shot with the only rifle I had, a 30-06 and the lightest bullet I could find at the time was I think an 80 gr. HP. I saw the thief with my last brown hen in his mouth trotting down the dead furrow, BANG, he just disappeared. When I got to him he still had my dead chicken I didn't see the entry wound but you could put a grapefruit in the hole between his shoulders.

The best round I ever used on a yote was a steel jacketed 7.62 rimmed russian out of a Nagant. I hit him in the ear. No damage.

I now shoot a 55 gr. bullet out of a .243.