Hunting Wolves

flygirrl · #1 10-19-2016, 03:48 PM

This winter I'm gonna get out and hunt wolves. Seeing lots of sign around where I usually hunt and I havnT been out this year, just scouting. Any tips or tricks.
Stand hunt and call. I've been saying for the past few years I'm gonna do it but I've never targeted wolves and I hunt mostly alone so what's my best option.
Using a Tika 3 , 7MM08 also have a Tika 243. Best option?

58thecat · #2 10-19-2016, 03:54 PM

Both rifle cartridge combination are adequate. Bait, calling etc but really watch your wind and set ups, they are smart. Search it on the forum as there was a fella keeping us all up to date on his wolf hunts last year.
Good luck!

Redfrog · #3 10-19-2016, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rio56

there's the problem ... get a bigger round .. it maybe a chance of a lifetime to see a wolf ...use enuf gun ... you need a 300 mag at least and the the T3 Tikka would be better served if replaced with the Browning X Bolt ....

What?????

Calling works well. I use handcalls, howlers and distress sounds. I call coyotes and other predators as well. Calling wolves is new game and requires different tactics.

Baits work too, but it can get boring sitting in -20 day after day.

CBintheNorth · #4 10-19-2016, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rio56

there's the problem ... get a bigger round .. it maybe a chance of a lifetime to see a wolf ...use enuf gun ... you need a 300 mag at least and the the T3 Tikka would be better served if replaced with the Browning X Bolt ....

300 mag? Seriously?
No where near enough gun.
I wouldn't leave the house without a .378 Weatherby or bigger. If you can handle it, I'd even go with a .50 BMG.
Wolves can weigh up to 120 lbs after all.....that's over half of a whitetail doe for God's sake!

Grizzly Adams · #5 10-19-2016, 04:16 PM

Baits work too, but it can get boring sitting in -20 day after day.

Lest we forget, wolves travel long distances and have large territories. Doesn't matter what you chose to do, it'll likely take patience.

Grizz

CBintheNorth · #6 10-19-2016, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rio56

I know ... thanks for being aware ... the other problem is planning to hunt them with a Tikka T3 and not a Browning X bolt .... think about it ... a 243 or 7-08 is way to small and has limited yardage to shoot them ...

Both of which would be deadly out to 300 yards, which is further than most will ever see a wolf at.

CBintheNorth · #7 10-19-2016, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rio56

repeat ... not a good choice ... wolves can be 400 lbs .. use enuf gun

I think you've watched Twilight one too many times...

58thecat · #8 10-19-2016, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rio56

repeat ... not a good choice ... wolves can be 400 lbs .. use enuf gun

flygirrl · #9 10-19-2016, 05:59 PM

I feel very comfortable with both rifles. Yes will up the size of the bullet to a heavier load. Some people use way to much gun for what they are hunting IMHO.

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Solohunt · #10 10-19-2016, 06:26 PM

Most reading I have done on wolf hunting , the .243 seems to be the cartridge most often mentioned

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ant12hony · #11 10-19-2016, 06:47 PM

Not sure what some of you are talk about! My grandpa killed a bear with a .22 so Iam pretty sure a .243 would kill a wolf. LOL

357xp · #12 10-19-2016, 07:26 PM

.243 is perfect, I've taken moose with it. Most of my wolf encounters have been while moose hunting.

elkdump · #13 10-19-2016, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ant12hony

Not sure what some of you are talk about! My grandpa killed a bear with a .22 so Iam pretty sure a .243 would kill a wolf. LOL

Just a couple of days ago,, I killed a mature cow elk with one shot from a .243 Win , 95 gr soft point bullet ,

Lung shot at about 120 yards , the elk took about 3 staggering steps and fell dead,about 10 yards from where the shot hit it,
the lead core soft point bullet stopped at the far side just against the skin , still weighed 55 gr , and had expanded perfectly to about a 40 caliber perfect mushroom,,
The 4 quarters dressed out at the cooler at 395 lbs, the live elk probably was 700 live wieght,,

But a I doubt a .243 would be good for a 125 - 200 pound wolf,, duh

birdee · #14 10-19-2016, 07:32 PM

the trolls out in full force keep to the script boys or go to a different thread were someone is asking a stupid question like using a ford or dodge to road hunt.

To op depends what you want to do with the hide tan and make a rug with it would be my choice. I wouldn't hesitate to use either caliber with the right load development causing minimal hide damage.

guywiththemule · #15 10-19-2016, 08:00 PM

243 is lots for a wolf. 22-250 is also a good choice.

catnthehat · #16 10-19-2016, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rio56

repeat ... not a good choice ... wolves can be 400 lbs .. use enuf gun

Rio have you been using paint thinner again without a respirator??!!

Cat

Flight01 · #17 10-19-2016, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flygirrl

This winter I'm gonna get out and hunt wolves. Seeing lots of sign around where I usually hunt and I havnT been out this year, just scouting. Any tips or tricks.
Stand hunt and call. I've been saying for the past few years I'm gonna do it but I've never targeted wolves and I hunt mostly alone so what's my best option.
Using a Tika 3 , 7MM08 also have a Tika 243. Best option?

Patience is a virtue. Will be many days with no action. Baiting is good but a lot of people are calling in Wolves. Worth a try.

Which ever gun shoots the best is what I'd take . If both shoot eaqually well I'd take the 243 personaly. Won't be too big a hole to sew.

Good luck

Grizzly Adams · #18 10-19-2016, 08:33 PM

Won't be too big a hole to sew.

If you manage to put him down.

They have a well deserved reputation for being tough. Seen a couple, with healed injuries, that would have incapacitated one of us.

Grizz

Rio56 · #19 10-19-2016, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catnthehat

Rio have you been using paint thinner again without a respirator??!!

Cat

LOL .. ok will ya take 125 lbs ...I guess I was just reading the Big Bad Wolf Story book to the grand kids .... but seriously the ones I've shot were near the 400 lbs .... trust me

flygirrl · #20 10-19-2016, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flight01

Patience is a virtue. Will be many days with no action. Baiting is good but a lot of people are calling in Wolves. Worth a try.

Which ever gun shoots the best is what I'd take . If both shoot eaqually well I'd take the 243 personaly. Won't be too big a hole to sew.

Good luck

Couldn't help myself

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Speckle55 · #21 10-19-2016, 10:57 PM

I hunt alone too

if you have Elk in your area do like these post

if Moose switch to a cow moose hand calling or calf but distress call

Canis Lupus 2 out of 3 is not bad

Couple Wolves today (part deux)

if you have more questions just pm me will try to answer

remember when calling you could get any predator

good luck

David

ps fresh tracks set up and call but wait 15 minutes to settle your area

here is one than I howled in just came in the next morning and same came in next morning on howl ...my truck /trailer and howling to lake shore

Quote:

Originally Posted by flygirrl

This winter I'm gonna get out and hunt wolves. Seeing lots of sign around where I usually hunt and I havnT been out this year, just scouting. Any tips or tricks.
Stand hunt and call. I've been saying for the past few years I'm gonna do it but I've never targeted wolves and I hunt mostly alone so what's my best option.
Using a Tika 3 , 7MM08 also have a Tika 243. Best option?

flygirrl · #22 10-19-2016, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speckle55

I hunt alone too

if you have Elk in your area do like these post

if Moose switch to a cow moose hand calling or calf but distress call

Canis Lupus 2 out of 3 is not bad

Couple Wolves today (part deux)

if you have more questions just pm me will try to answer

remember when calling you could get any predator

good luck

David

ps fresh tracks set up and call but wait 15 minutes to settle your area

here is one than I howled in just came in the next morning and same came in next morning on howl ...my truck /trailer and howling to lake shore

No Elk, deer, rabbits and I'm noticing more moose activity than I've seen in a while. Have a black Wolf and a grey Wolf hanging around. Have seen both. No rifle just on my way to work. And yes I know calls will call in predators, called a cougar in two years ago with a buck grunt and doe bleat. Was pretty cool.

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Speckle55 · #23 10-19-2016, 11:26 PM

practice your howling at home then try in set up

make sure you can see the down wind area

and wait a long time they can hear a long ways

check the next day for sign then try again in different spot but close

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op7fRsvWowA

David

flygirrl · #24 10-20-2016, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speckle55

practice your howling at home then try in set up

make sure you can see the down wind area

and wait a long time they can hear a long ways

check the next day for sign then try again in different spot but close

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op7fRsvWowA

David

Lol. Would be better practicing at work. All the machinery going no one would hear lol.
My poor lab would have a heart attack home as well as the neighbors

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bigskinner · #25 10-20-2016, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flygirrl

This winter I'm gonna get out and hunt wolves. Seeing lots of sign around where I usually hunt and I havnT been out this year, just scouting. Any tips or tricks.
Stand hunt and call. I've been saying for the past few years I'm gonna do it but I've never targeted wolves and I hunt mostly alone so what's my best option.
Using a Tika 3 , 7MM08 also have a Tika 243. Best option?

Find Elk , you,ll find wolves

CBintheNorth · #26 10-20-2016, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flygirrl

Couldn't help myself

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Umm, is that her husband's left-handed gun?

Sorry, had to.

I'm not sure I could wait over a wolf bait. The action isn't like bear baiting. Calling would be more interesting in my opinion.
Having said that, search Popcan's wolf baiting threads, very entertaining from the warmth of your home!

Hawkhills · #27 10-20-2016, 06:45 AM

Cow man Bob care to chime in.I believe you have set the bar,when it comes to shooting wolves

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eric2381 · #28 10-20-2016, 06:52 AM

She's holding a pellet gun in that picture.

hoyt hntr · #29 10-20-2016, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rio56

LOL .. ok will ya take 125 lbs ...I guess I was just reading the Big Bad Wolf Story book to the grand kids .... but seriously the ones I've shot were near the 400 lbs .... trust me

wow! I guess all the ones I have killed must be mini wolves. I think your scale might need some calibrating

albertadeer · #30 10-20-2016, 08:38 AM

Find fresh sign, wolves have a huge range. Find a place with a good view down wind and cross wind.

Learn to howl, it's super easy and has a very high success rate. If you get a response there's an extreamly good chance one or more wolves will be moving on to check you out. If they lose interest or you don't get a response, use a rabbit or fawn in distress call. It's loud and abrupt, it gets any predators attention even if they've never seen one.