The morning was crisp and dark. Low clouds kept the near full moon almost invisible. The temp when we left the truck was 17F. Not bad for the walk that was ahead of us.
We made it a good distance while it was dark. As it was getting light, elk were popping up like Jacks In The Box. Everywhere we looked there were small bands of elk. That is all good.
We walked in about two miles. A light snow was falling and the low cloud ceiling was making visibility ever worse as we climb higher and higher.
Finally getting to a good vantage where we could see in all directions, we decided to set up and do some calling. First we glassed to see that nothing obvious was standing near us. Spotted more elk and three moose. Seeing no wolves, Critter told me to start sounding like a dying deer.
I blew the call for about fifteen minutes. The wind has picked up pretty bad, so I doubt anything was close enough to hear it. Critter then did a howling sequence. The dude can howl. And he must sound pretty realistic, as all the elk we had in our view quickly walked to the timber and disappeared. Obviously no wolves were nearby, or they would have replied to that howling sequence.
We sat there for most of another hour, waiting for a reply or hoping a wolf would appear in the fog like clouds passing below and in front of us. The wind was getting worse and the snow thicker. Visibility was now about 500 yards. Not conducive to spot and stalk wolf hunting.
We decided to head lower in hopes the visibility would improve and the wind would die down. We lucked out on both counts. Got to the truck around noon.
On our way out we met two guys I know who were in there hunting from horseback. That would be the best way I can think of to hunt that ground. Not being a horseman, it was boot leather for us.
There were lots of other hunters out today. And it was a Wednesday. We talked to some of them. Many were here scouting for big groups they have coming with snowmobiles on Friday. The wolves will get some serious hunting pressure this weekend. Good to see so many hunters out enjoying our wolf seasons.
Spent most the day looking for fresh tracks and looking at other spots. Late in the afternoon, Critter suggested we pull into this glassing spot where he had seen wolves previously. Sounded good to me.
I was hoping we could find some fresh tracks. My hopes were fulfilled. Tracks so fresh that two wolves were standing in them. How Critter saw them with his naked eyes, is beyond me, but the excitement hit a crescendo in a nanosecond.
I grabbed my binos and ran around the back of the rig to see what Critter was so excited about. At 500 yards stood a very nice grey wolf. Almost silver. Critter was focusing on the other one, more dark than this. Loren saw them before I did and was immediately scrambling to get the tripod and camera in place. Chaos at its finest for the next thirty seconds.
I saw Critter readying his rifle. I decided to man the rangefinder in the event Loren could get the cameras set, balanced, fired up, and focused before the wolves made the ridge they were headed over. I told Critter it was 469 yards, but the wolves were moving away, and fast.
By the time we were organized and the cameras were ready, the wolves had made the ridge and I don't think we got any footage of them. Such is the headache of filming. Nothing we could do about it. Had we not been filming, Critter might have had a shot as they stopped for a second to look at the danger below. A long shot, but still may have been a shot.
That was very exciting. We moved across the small basin and set up in some trees, hoping we could call them back down for a peak of the deer we tried to imitate. Lots of calling and some howling, but they were not taking the bait.
We walked up to the tracks, hoping to see where they went. They were making big time away from us. With light fading, we decided to let them go and come in during dark tomorrow morning and hope to get a bead on them. To find them two days in a row would be a major streak of luck, but given they have been there in the past, and again today, I can think of no better game plan.
I will tell you this. Seeing a wolf, with a tag in my pocket and a rifle in my hand, got my body shaking pretty good. It was very exciting to see them and know a chance, however small of a chance, existed that we might get a shot at one.
No shot fired, but all in all, a very successful day. Tried to post during the day, but there is no coverage in this area. Will have to suffice with daily updates each evening after the hunt.
This is a ton of fun. I hope you all get out and enjoy it when the chance presents itself. I know all my spare time will be spent hunting wolves until the season ends or the quotas fill. Just too much fun when you finally see one.
Hope we have a good pic or two to post tomorrow. Thanks to Critter and Loren for the great fun today.
