30 year quest for a wolf

[weekender7]

I say 30 years. I am not sure exactly when it started but it's been at least that long, probably longer. I first saw one while bear hunting with a bow. I had a white wolf at 15 yards for 15 minutes but could not get a shot. Another white one 20 yards but made a noise when I had to turn to my right to shoot and spooked it. I was 0-3 on wolf hunts including one with Redfrog. I have been friends with an outfitter in Alberta since the early 90's. My wife took the first bear for his operation, we were his first clients. He is not a wolf guide but has plenty in his area. I ask him as a huge favor to do a wolf hunt for me. I didn't think through what I was asking cause this guy gives 100% always no matter what he does. He collected bait for 3 months. Built me a special insulated blind, 6" thick floor and roof. Silent windows and seat, camo'ed to the max and then found the perfect place to put it. I have a really bad leg with poor circulation and he knew I couldn't stand Alberta's cold. The blind was so well built, just the pilot light on the buddy heater kept me warm with temps in the F teens.







He started baiting a month before I got there and had dozens of videos with lots of wolves in the daylight. Singles, pairs, a pack of 4 regular, a pack of 6. My hunt was to start on Jan 1. On Dec 23 wolf activity stopped as if flipping the switch. When I got there, no wolves on cam for 8 days. View from the bait to the blind.







On the evening of day 1, my guide heard two packs. He was waiting on me 2 miles away and one pack was in my direction. My hearing is gone and even with hearing aids I couldn't hear them. He walked in to get me instead of bringing the quad. He could hear them from my blind but as hard as I tried I couldn't. He is honest as a man gets and I knew he was excited, they were back. Next morning I went in before daylight and set till dark. I could tell by the way the bait was scattered from the look on day 1 they had been there that night. No wolves seen, just ravens. Even though I didn't see them, I believed they were close and it could happen anytime. Day 3 plan was the same as day 2, before daylight to dark. At 9:02 AM, a 71# female come sneaking across the ice. She circled in on my side of the bait and stopped broadside 88 yds away. The .243 barked and she collapsed, just a couple twitches of the tail was all she had left. I was as happy as I have ever been in the wild. I called the guide and he said he would be there in 45 minutes. At about 55 minutes, a 110# male approached from the same direction as the female had. I was so afraid the guide was going to spook him driving the quad in before I could get a shot. The male had his eyes on the dead female and stopped broadside at 104 yds. The first shot put him in the spin mode and the second shot ended it. My guide arrived 2 minutes later.

Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug. I guess I have been both.







The male







male's teeth







It was one of the best hunts I have ever been on. I owe my guide big time. I leave his name out because he is not interested in doing more wolf hunts.

It is he that done all the WORK, I just pulled the trigger.

[fishnguy]

Congrats! Pure awesome. Quite the dogs and quite the teeth!

Edit: gave it a second read, lol. Just great stuff!

[Twisted Canuck]

Congrats on not one, but TWO fine wolves. Great to finally check off bucket list stuff, I know.

[wbl170]

A big congrats!

[Smokinyotes]

Very well done. Congrats

[Big Lou]

Excellent job! I’m really enjoying seeing people getting out after wolves. I’ll be making my own foray here later in the winter. You are all an inspiration. Thank you for posting.

[Grizzly Adams1]

Congrats, took me about as long, then I got three more, I attribute it to the population increase over time. I'd be saving the skulls, they make an impressive display.

[ghfalls]

Sounds like it was a great hunt and two less wolves is a good thing for any area.

[300magman]

Great write up and congrats sir!

[whitetail Junkie]

My goodness the teeth on that guy are lethal.

[waldedw]

Great wolves and to stroke something off the bucket list is a bonus

[alder]

Awesome blind he built

[1899b]

Congrats to you!! Great post!!

[58thecat]

Wow, great memorable hunt, maybe of a lifetime

[Phil McCracken]

Good for you sir!

Thanx for sharing a great story and excellent pics!...

[Dean2]

Nice right up, great hunt. Thank you for taking the time to post it.

[H380]

Well done and worth the wait..congrats

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[Smoky buck]

Congrats

[bagwan]

Great stuff. Congrats.

[calgarychef]

A quest accomplished! What area of the province were you in?

[2 Tollers]

Congratulations. Great write up and pictures.

[alpineguy]

Fantastic job....Congrats and thanks for posting!!

[Bigwoodsman]

Great story and pictures. Congrats on the harvest!

BW

[Savage Bacon]

Awesome job. I've been waiting for you to update us. I'm glad your trip worked out. Big congrats and thanks for sharing.

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[Stinky Buffalo]

Congratulations! Great work, and enjoyed the read/pictures. That's a memory that you'll cherish for a lifetime!

Sure is great to have a friend/guide like that. I am blessed to know people like that as well.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Well done, the elk and moose will owe you one.

[Demonical]

Sweet!

[sns2]

Wow, thanks for sharing. What a great adventure that ended with peak excitement. Massive congrats.

[weekender7]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams1

Congrats, took me about as long, then I got three more, I attribute it to the population increase over time. I'd be saving the skulls, they make an impressive display.

They are being processed (beetle cleaned) for transport home to US.

[KGB]

Oh man I got exited just reading this and looking at pics! It’s better than porn….