As the pics show, it was a cold morning in the wolf woods. Got out of the truck and started on the trail in the dark. Pretty much like all the other mornings - Hike a couple miles, then call, then do all you can to stay warm.
Today was no different. Other than we did not see any wolf tracks on our way in today. Saw three moose and a lot of elk right at daylight. Then the fog set in. The inversion lasted for almost two hours. Really nothing to see or glass, so I decided it was time to start a fire. No complaints from Critter or Loren.
Critter called in another hunter with his howling. A very nice guy, Chris. A school teacher who was out hoping to fill his wolf tag. His third straight Saturday doing so, and got very close a couple weeks earlier.
Plenty of snowmobilers, some guys on horseback, and plenty of Hunt Talkers. Not much shooting by any of us.
After finally getting warmed up, we continued to glass until just afternoon. Knowing nothing would be moving, we set out to look for some fresh sign and check out an elk kill that happened last night. The ravens were headed that way, so we decided to check it out.
We drove up the drainage to see the carnage. Carnage probably doesn't even describe it. Doesn't take too many glances at a wolf killed elk to see that it would be a very painful way to die. Looks like they chased her and finally got here on the ice of the creek. Once there, she would have no chance.
We had been to this spot the day before, so we know it happened last night. There were a lot of wolf tracks up in this part of the drainage and they were fresh. Lots of tracks in the show and on the ice where the cow took her last breath, probably as they were part way through eating her.
Not sure if they were interrupted in their meal, or if they just planned to come back later. Either way, the only thing eaten was the rear end, the one backstrap, and the organs. Neither the hind or front quarters had really been touched. The birds were making quick work of the ribs and anything else they could get to.
After that, we spent the day shooting TV stuff and set up within site of this kill for the evening. But, nothing came in. Will be back near there in the morning. Still a lot of groceries on that carcass to feed the hungry. With any luck, they will be loafing nearby, trying to digest their midnight snack, allowing us to put a bullet in one of them, come daylight.
Still a ton of fun. Every day is a learning experience, having never hunted wolves before. Feel so clueless that I know if we do kill one it will be the result of hard work and luck, no skill or knowledge contributing to the cause.
Tomorrow is the last day. Wish us luck.
Some pics of the wolf killed elk.
Left his mark.
Ugly and bloody.
Suspect she was trying to climb that bank, but came up a little bit short.
Still have the front and hind quarters left in tact.
