Caliber choise for Wolves

[338weatherby]

Dang! Nice picture of a Black! I have several shots of BLACK coyotes from last year that I should post. Almost unbelievable that they could be pure BLACK in color! Maybe you could get this one and have a nice rug or mount. OR maybe this one is in an area where it doesn't need to be harvested.

No season here and harvesting IS needed.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Never questioned the guy. 200 yards is point blank range for folks on this page and my guess is most are considerably closer than 200. I've made my points very clear, wolves are not hard to kill if you hit them right. If distance wasn't a potential factor I'd use a 204 or a 223. Getting a shot that close is not easy in this country. There is a huge difference in how they behave here. Much much much more human interaction etc. There is a reason why government hunters and trappers are a thing. Gov hunters use a helo and telemetry device. They don't go out making stands and calling in wolves, it's a different ball game. Nonetheless, you do what you want and base your info off of whatever you desire. If it works for you let us know the results and techniques so we can be educated and successful as well. I'd like nothing more than to be hammering wolves in close vs far and using a smaller caliber. Those long range shots require a significant amount of talent to make happen. Over the winter I chase wolves and shoot yotes if the opportunity is there. I killed quite a few 500-800 last winter simply because they were in the area. Headed out saturday to chase wolves actually. Found 2 packs in different locations so my archery elk is delayed now.

Hey There Brent
You shot 500 to 800 wolves and coyotes in a winter? Where do you live or is your hunting area several states? We have short a few - just coyotes -Jill wants a few wolves. I have been with maybe a hundred LIVE WOLVES, but never shot one. Jill and I would love to go on some hunts with you. Can't imagine that many wolves/coyotes in a given area. I see you are from Idaho what's a good time to drive out to your hunting area????

 

[BrentM]

Hey There Brent
You shot 500 to 800 wolves and coyotes in a winter? Where do you live or is your hunting area several states? We have short a few - just coyotes -Jill wants a few wolves. I have been with maybe a hundred LIVE WOLVES, but never shot one. Jill and I would love to go on some hunts with you. Can't imagine that many wolves/coyotes in a given area. I see you are from Idaho what's a good time to drive out to your hunting area????

No that's a misquote. 500-800 yards are the shot ranges. Sorry it was misleading. Jan-March are good times with March-may being easier to get around. Snow really hampers movement unless you have the rigs to get around. I have a snow bike that gets me where I need to go otherwise, it's snow shoes and hiking. If you've never snow shoed this is not the time to try it. ha ha. It's brutal

 

[338weatherby]

No that's a misquote. 500-800 yards are the shot ranges. Sorry it was misleading. Jan-March are good times with March-may being easier to get around. Snow really hampers movement unless you have the rigs to get around. I have a snow bike that gets me where I need to go otherwise, it's snow shoes and hiking. If you've never snow shoed this is not the time to try it. ha ha. It's brutal

Brutal is an understatement! After shoeing, the last thing someone wants to do is try and pick off a yote or wolf at range. I think I'd be outta you know whats to give!

 

[BrentM]

Brutal is an understatement! After shoeing, the last thing someone wants to do is try and pick off a yote or wolf at range. I think I'd be outta you know whats to give!

Yeah, the first time I took the wife was last year, she said it looked fun, was a 4 mile ball buster in deep fresh. Sinking to my thighs breaking trail until I needed a break and she took over. She's a trooper and we traded leads. She now understands my level of exhaustion after a day chasing wolves on shoes and putting in a solid 6-10 miles and whimpering like a whooped pup. This isn't flat country were are in. This is 5000-8000 feet of mountain terrain.

 

[338weatherby]

Yeah, the first time I took the wife was last year, she said it looked fun, was a 4 mile ball buster in deep fresh. Sinking to my thighs breaking trail until I needed a break and she took over. She's a trooper and we traded leads. She now understands my level of exhaustion after a day chasing wolves on shoes and putting in a solid 6-10 miles and whimpering like a whooped pup. This isn't flat country were are in. This is 5000-8000 feet of mountain terrain.

As bad as that sounds, I'm envious of you!

 

[wasskeet]

Yeah, the first time I took the wife was last year, she said it looked fun, was a 4 mile ball buster in deep fresh. Sinking to my thighs breaking trail until I needed a break and she took over. She's a trooper and we traded leads. She now understands my level of exhaustion after a day chasing wolves on shoes and putting in a solid 6-10 miles and whimpering like a whooped pup. This isn't flat country were are in. This is 5000-8000 feet of mountain terrain.

That would equate to how many marathons in difficulty? I'd say you two are in remarkable shape.

 

[BrentM]

That would equate to how many marathons in difficulty? I'd say you two are in remarkable shape.

0. Marathons are awful. Ha ha

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

No that's a misquote. 500-800 yards are the shot ranges. Sorry it was misleading. Jan-March are good times with March-may being easier to get around. Snow really hampers movement unless you have the rigs to get around. I have a snow bike that gets me where I need to go otherwise, it's snow shoes and hiking. If you've never snow shoed this is not the time to try it. ha ha. It's brutal

Brent
Thanks for the update
Hell I climbed Rainer in February and had over 6' of snow in two days at half way up.. No one climbs Rainer until April/May. Snow shoes are my second feet.
Would be great to hunt with you some time! Although Jill says you got to have a snow machine to get to the place, after that she could walk.
Thanks ,much and good hunting.
Be SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[VLD Pilot]

While having zero experience sending a bullet into a large Male wolf, I'd have to make an educated guess from killing dozens of non-predator game animals 3-4 times larger than the wolf that any mid to heavy .244 caliber size bullet will do it. Depending on range would depend on which bullet. Playing it safe and going with a low drag style bullet would probably be a good choice. Any where a hunter could get a 500-700 yards shot, they must be prepared for it and the Partition style bullet isn't in the game at that point. Personally I'd choose a .243/.257 or .264 bullet of LR low drag design. A round I could put in 1/2-3/4 moa at 700 yards and hope the shot is closer.

 

[Travler]

Brent , that's why I have a snow cat , I have seen several wolfs in my game cam's this year but not got one yet , I hope it snows soon

 

[Catahoula]

I have no experience with wolf hunting, but based on what first hand accounts I've read, I'd say you'd be at a huge disadvantage with a .17 cartridge. The bulk of wolf hunting advice I've read suggested a rifle with the ability to make shots at extended ranges. Some suggest a capability of hitting a wolf sized target at 700y or more. Anything in the .17 range wouldn't get you halfway there, and then if you think about their range in the northern Rockies and the wind conditions that you may face, I'd be looking at something with a minimum of a heavy 6mm bullet to mitigate wind and deliver enough energy to reach those extended ranges. There are folks here who have killed piles of wolves, and they might say otherwise. I'd listen to them.

You have no experience but alot of advice????? REALLY

 

[Deleted member 115360]

You have no experience but alot of advice????? REALLY

You just looking for attention fella?

 

[VLD Pilot]

Personally I don't have any experience with the proper rifle for wolves but I could reasonably say that anything from a good .224 cartridge thru the 284s would suffice as great wolf cartridges. The flatter the better as I understand they aren't an animal you'll likely shoot up close.