Wolf hunt

[Rhino Hunter]

So I've decided to go to Idaho this fall to try my luck on getting a wolf. My question was about what caliber might be best, I have many to choose from from 6mm-06 up to 300 RUM but looking for opinions. I want to put it down but not wanting to blow it up as I would like to have it mounted. Thanks for your help

Shoot 'em...shoot 'em all! Good luck.

 

[Rum Man]

This thread has me fired up again to get out there ! I had Pneumonia and now I'm just finishing up with the Flu . Been a tough couple of weeks for sure . Sunday here in North Western Montana looks like a perfect day to try again !
I have my trusty call and my favorite rifle the 338 Edge and 300 gr.bergers ready !!
I'm not to worried about tearing up the pelt I just want him down ! Oh and i dont eat Wolf meat either !

Rum Man

 

[JWM]

Wolves carry echinococcus granulosis, although we don't know how far south that parasite can survive. So use gloves and a mask if you handle one. Predator control guys in our area, southwest Idaho, use disposable gloves, I think the addition of a mask is a good safety measure.

 

[Nickie.01]

If there are coyotes in the area wolves will go out of their way to kill them. Take at least one coyote call with you too. Good luck!

 

[freddiej]

Yote Hit MAn, One Hole stole my thunder. I was going to suggest the 25-06, 6.5-06, and the 270 win as the trio I would choose from. I would also use Barnes slugs, they are the only company that carries a solid called "pelt saver".

 

[sp6x6]

Look at some of Sterlin Extreme outdoors vids.Think hes at 17 wolfs,both he and son shoot wolfs this season ,his boy 12 I think.Hes here in MT.Right now is a perfect time because game is yarded up.Hes shot the majority of his with 180 gr-300 rum,thats his main go too for game also. Finds tracks,find a kill if you can,watch for crows.Howling and predator call.I was out 11 days lately,but crashed my ride. Had them howling and close. One main area I was at earlier I heard from cat hunter friend,they took 20 wolfs out of,the other spot I met trapper that had taken 4,had one pull out,and another break the drag. Buddy of mine shot one with 300wsm and another 300wm, just sew the hole.One he tubed

 

[WYMIKE]

Custom 6.5 PRC pushing 147 ELD-M's seems to work really good. Defiance Action, Trigger Tech trigger and Proof barrel. Very lethal and accurate combinations. Light weight rifle is easy to pack. Give it a try if you want.

 

[Rum Man]

Custom 6.5 PRC pushing 147 ELD-M's seems to work really good. Defiance Action, Trigger Tech trigger and Proof barrel. Very lethal and accurate combinations. Light weight rifle is easy to pack. Give it a try if you want.

I have a buddy putting a 6.5 Prc together right now . Cant wait to hear his results .
Big Congrads on the Wolf !!

Rum Man

 

[ted7]

So I've decided to go to Idaho this fall to try my luck on getting a wolf. My question was about what caliber might be best, I have many to choose from from 6mm-06 up to 300 RUM but looking for opinions. I want to put it down but not wanting to blow it up as I would like to have it mounted. Thanks for your help

In my younger days in Alaska I hunted caribou to feed my family with a 243 and shot many wolves with it. I also trapped wolves and shot them with a 22 pistol. Alaska wolves are much larger than Idaho wolves. Your 6mm/06 would do just fine. Wolves are not hard to kill as some would advise. You do not want to needlessly blow a big hole in your trophy's beautiful hide. Use a monolithic bullet to minimize damage.

 

[Yotehitman]

I think the ideal wolf gun depends heavily on what type of country your hunting. In open areas where you can set up and see a long ways I would think something like a 25-06, 257 or 270 would be ideal. I don't think there's any reason to go bigger. In the dense woods of panhandle where I live I think you start with .223 and go up from there if want but you don't need to. I think a light, fast .223 or .243 autoloader would be ideal. I have only seen momentary patches of wolves up here - never one standing broadside un-obstructed.

As Westernhuntr mentioned the vast majority of wolves killed are trapped. A few are shot incidentely by deer and elk hunters but there a few guys out there that are successful in killing them with a gun. The few guys I know that have killed more than one with a gun work really hard and call them. They put a lot of miles on their snowmobile looking for deer, elk and wolf tracks. If you can find an area where a bunch of deer and/or elk are wintering you will probably find wolf sign. Don't expect to stumble in on them. Wolves move a lot but if you find an area holding deer and elk setup on it for several days and they will probably be back. If you find a fresh kill backoff downwind and sit on it. Wolf calls and fawn and calf distress calls are popular. I know one guys that trys to mimmic pet dogs. Be careful - you may well bring in a lion! For calling in thick cover bring the shotgun and buckshot.

I tell most young hunters I meet to focus on hunting and not the weapon. Depending on your setup your coyote weapon(s) may be just fine. Good luck!

Thank you for the advise

 

[Yotehitman]

That's to bad. What month you planning on coming?

idcwby

Thinking early December

 

[Yotehitman]

Yote Hit MAn, One Hole stole my thunder. I was going to suggest the 25-06, 6.5-06, and the 270 win as the trio I would choose from. I would also use Barnes slugs, they are the only company that carries a solid called "pelt saver".

Yeah I was leaning towards a 257b, but just built a 22 creedmoor that I'm really starting to like shooting 75 grain. Just getting opinions

 

[David Emerson]

From the 243 to a 7mag. Use deer bullets. If I used a varmint bullet and it blew on a shoulder and didn,t get inside it would be a bad moment.

 

[Rhino Hunter]

Yeah I was leaning towards a 257b, but just built a 22 creedmoor that I'm really starting to like shooting 75 grain. Just getting opinions

I think a .257 Wby would be a PERFECT caliber for wolf. If I were ever to go I would choose mine without hesitation. My 2nd choice would be my 6.5 CM.

Good luck and keep us posted.