How To Hunt Wolves

Do you want to hunt wolves? Hunting a wolf is very challenging as this predator is elusive and difficult to see. Wolf hunting takes a lot of time and dedication. In this article, we discuss how to hunt wolves to help you be more successful in hunting wolves.

How To Hunt Wolves

1. Scout

Scouting wolves requires careful observation and understanding of their behavior and habitat. Wolves are elusive and intelligent predators, often inhabiting remote areas with dense vegetation or rugged terrain.

To effectively scout wolves, one must look for signs of their presence, such as tracks, scat, and kill sites. Paying attention to vocalizations, including howls and barks, can also indicate their proximity. Additionally, scouting should focus on identifying their preferred prey species and hunting patterns.

Utilizing trail cameras and remote sensing technologies can be valuable tools for monitoring wolf activity in remote areas. However, scouting wolves demands patience, persistence, and a deep understanding of their elusive nature and natural habitat.

2. Predator Calls

Using predator calls when hunting wolves can be an effective strategy to attract them within shooting range. Wolves are highly territorial animals and will respond to the calls of rival packs or distressed prey.

Common predator calls used for hunting wolves include howls, barks, and distress calls of injured animals like rabbits or deer. These calls mimic the sounds that wolves are naturally inclined to investigate, drawing them closer to the hunter’s location.

However, successfully calling in wolves requires skill and discretion, as they are intelligent animals and can quickly detect unnatural or suspicious sounds. Additionally, hunters must exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings when using predator calls, as attracting wolves may also attract other predators or wildlife. We did a review of the best predator calls on the market.

3. Bait

Using bait when hunting wolves can be a controversial and challenging tactic. Typically, baiting involves leaving out food sources such as carcasses or other animal attractants to lure wolves into a specific area for easier targeting.

This method requires careful planning and consideration of local regulations, as baiting laws vary widely depending on the location and species. While baiting can increase the likelihood of encountering wolves, it also presents ethical concerns and may not always result in a successful harvest.

Moreover, baiting requires regular maintenance and monitoring to ensure its effectiveness and prevent unintended consequences such as habituation or dependency on human-provided food sources. Overall, hunters must weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of using bait and adhere to ethical and legal guidelines when employing this strategy in wolf-hunting endeavors.

4. The Elk Factor

When hunting for wolves, look for elks in the area. If you can find a herd of elk, especially one that is about a mile or a little more from a road, then there is a good chance that wolves will come around. Wolves are serious predators of elks and they track down herds of elks.

Where there are elks, and other hooved animals, almost certainly you will find wolves lurking around. Use a spotting scope to search an area for wolves. We reviewed the best spotting scopes on the market today that you can read from this link.

5. Trail Cameras

Using trail cameras can be a valuable tool for hunters when scouting and monitoring wolf activity. These cameras are strategically placed in areas known to have wolf presence, such as game trails, watering holes, or feeding sites.

Trail cameras provide hunters with valuable insights into wolf behavior, movement patterns, and preferred habitats, helping them identify potential hunting locations and plan their strategies accordingly.

Additionally, trail cameras allow hunters to survey wolf populations without physically disturbing the area, minimizing their impact on the ecosystem. By capturing images or videos of wolves in their natural habitat, trail cameras provide valuable intelligence that enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of wolf hunting endeavors.

With the information you collect from trail cameras, you can pattern a pack of wolves to hunt them. If you are interested in trail cameras, we did a review of the best trail cameras on the market today.

6. Hire An Outfitter

Hiring an outfitter can greatly enhance the experience and success of hunting wolves. Outfitters often possess extensive knowledge of wolf behavior, habitats, and hunting techniques, providing valuable guidance and support to hunters. They typically have access to prime hunting areas with abundant wolf populations, increasing the likelihood of a successful hunt.

Additionally, outfitters may provide specialized equipment, such as high-quality calls or decoys, to attract wolves effectively. Their expertise in tracking and scouting wolves can save hunters time and effort, ensuring a more productive hunting expedition.

Moreover, outfitters prioritize safety protocols and legal compliance, ensuring that hunters operate within the bounds of local regulations and ethical hunting practices. Overall, hiring an outfitter streamlines the hunting process and maximizes the chances of a rewarding wolf hunting experience.

7. Talk To Landowners

Talking to landowners in the area where you plan to hunt wolves can be invaluable for gathering crucial information about wolf activity. Landowners often have firsthand knowledge of wolf sightings, behavior patterns, and recent activity on their property, as they may directly witness the impact of wolves on livestock or wildlife populations.

Engaging with landowners can provide hunters with insights into wolf movement corridors, denning sites, and preferred hunting grounds, enabling them to strategize their hunt more effectively. Additionally, establishing positive relationships with landowners can foster goodwill within the community and potentially lead to access to private lands for hunting purposes. By respecting landowners’ perspectives and concerns, hunters can gain valuable allies in their quest to hunt wolves responsibly and ethically.

8. Wind Direction

Understanding wind direction is paramount when hunting wolves due to their keen sense of smell. Wolves rely heavily on scent to detect potential threats or prey, making them extremely sensitive to changes in wind direction.

By aligning their position with the prevailing wind, hunters can minimize the risk of their scent being detected by wolves, increasing their chances of a successful hunt. Hunting with the wind at your back allows you to approach wolves stealthily, reducing the likelihood of alerting them to your presence.

Additionally, being aware of wind patterns enables hunters to strategically position themselves downwind of areas where wolves are likely to travel or congregate, maximizing their opportunities for a close encounter.

Overall, mastering wind direction is essential for hunters seeking to outsmart the acute olfactory senses of wolves and improve their hunting success. Also, consider the wind direction when setting up your treestand. You can read a review of the best climbing treestands on the market today.

9. Weapons For Hunting Wolves

Hunters pursuing wolves typically employ a range of weapons suitable for the task. Firearms are the most common choice, with rifles chambered in calibers like .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, and .30-06 Springfield being popular options due to their power and accuracy at longer ranges.

Bolt-action rifles are favored for their reliability and precision, allowing hunters to make precise shots on wary and fast-moving targets like wolves. Additionally, some hunters opt for semi-automatic rifles for faster follow-up shots.

Shotguns loaded with buckshot or slugs are also used in areas where shots are expected to be taken at closer ranges or in dense cover. Both rifles and shotguns are typically equipped with scopes or sights to enhance accuracy.

In some regions where regulations permit, hunters may also employ archery equipment such as compound bows or crossbows for a more challenging and thrilling hunting experience. Each weapon choice comes with its advantages and considerations, but all are capable of effectively harvesting wolves when wielded by skilled marksmen.

10. Bird Signs

When hunting wolves, keeping an eye out for bird signs can provide valuable clues about the presence of prey or predator activity in the area. Observing birds such as vultures, gray jays, and ravens circling over an area can indicate the presence of a carcass or a kill made by wolves.

Vultures are scavengers known for congregating around carrion, so spotting them circling overhead may suggest the presence of a recent kill. Similarly, gray jays and ravens are opportunistic feeders that are attracted to the scent of a carcass and may gather in large numbers near wolf kills to scavenge for scraps.

Therefore, hunters can use the behavior of these birds as indicators to locate potential hunting grounds where wolves may be active, allowing them to strategize their approach and increase their chances of a successful hunt.

11. Hunting Partner

Hunting wolves, like any other predator, can pose certain risks, and having a hunting partner can significantly enhance safety during the expedition. The wilderness can be unpredictable, and encountering large carnivores such as wolves may present potential dangers.

Having a hunting partner provides an extra layer of security as you navigate through unfamiliar terrain and potentially confront challenging situations. In the event of an unexpected encounter with a wolf or other wildlife, having someone by your side ensures that there is immediate assistance available if needed.

Additionally, a hunting partner can help watch your back and provide support in case of emergencies, such as injuries or getting lost in the wilderness. Moreover, collaboration between hunting partners can enhance the effectiveness of the hunt by strategizing approaches, sharing observations, and coordinating movements to optimize the hunting experience.

Overall, hunting wolves with a partner not only enhances safety but also fosters camaraderie and teamwork, making the hunting expedition more enjoyable and rewarding.

12. Hunting Wolves With Dogs

Hunting wolves with dogs is a centuries-old practice that involves specially trained canines working alongside hunters to track, locate, and sometimes even engage with wolves. These dogs often breed like hounds or wolfhounds and possess keen senses and instincts that make them valuable assets in the pursuit of wolves.

They are trained to follow scent trails, detect wolf presence through behavior cues, and corner or tree wolves until hunters arrive. The use of dogs adds an element of excitement and strategy to the hunt, as they work tirelessly to flush out elusive prey.

However, hunting wolves with dogs requires careful training and management to ensure the safety of both the dogs and the hunters. It also demands a deep understanding of wolf behavior and habitat to effectively utilize the skills of the hunting dogs.

Overall, hunting wolves with dogs can be a challenging yet rewarding experience that strengthens the bond between human and canine companions while contributing to wildlife management efforts.

13. Howling

Using wolf howling to your advantage when hunting them can be a strategic approach to locating and potentially luring wolves into your hunting area. By mimicking the distinctive howls of wolves, hunters can communicate with them in their own language, potentially attracting curious or territorial individuals.

This method relies on the natural social behavior of wolves, who may respond to perceived intruders or potential mates by vocalizing in return. Skilled hunters can use a variety of tools, such as electronic wolf howler devices or manual imitations, to mimic wolf howls effectively.

By listening for responses and gauging the direction and intensity of the calls, hunters can gain valuable insights into the presence and movements of wolf packs in the area. However, it’s essential to approach this technique with caution and respect for wildlife, as improper or excessive howling can disrupt natural behaviors and potentially lead to unintended consequences for both wolves and other wildlife species.

Wolf Hunting Tips

1. Scout an area for wolves by looking for wolf tracks, scat, and their howlings.

2. Wolves are predators of hoofed animals like elks and deer. Find where elks and deer are and there will be wolves there tracking down these animals.

3. Set up trail cameras to collect information on wolf movements and patterns.

4. Use a spotting scope to scan the area and find wolves.

5. Wolves are big, powerful, and smart predators.

6. Watch roads, trails, small meadows, and frozen lakes as wolves like to travel the easy routes.

7. Practice long-distance shooting to improve your accuracy.

8. You can hire an outfitter if you don’t have a lot of experience hunting wolves.

9. Always have hunting partners when hunting wolves.

10. Talk to private landowners about wolf activity on their properties. Ask their permission to hunt wolves on their lands.

11. Talk to rural mail carriers, loggers, and ranchers about wolf activities in their areas.

12. Keep your eyes open for kill sites. Notice birds, vultures, ravens, magpies, and gray jays that are circling an area. Look for any fresh kill in that area and set up a tree stand or ground blind not far away from the kill zone.

13. Use distressed coyote calls, bull elk bugle, cow, moose, and challenge howl calls.

14. Wolves are very territorial. If you make howlings, wolves will come to investigate the wolf that is in their territory.

15. After killing a wolf, remain in your spot and ready to shoot again as other wolves in the pack will return to the spot allowing you or your hunting partners to fill their tags.

16. You can use bait to lure wolves in the opening but it is not allowed in some states.

17. Set up a ground blind about a mile away from your bait site and use the trees and forest to conceal the ground blind. We reviewed the best hunting ground blinds on the market today.

18. Set up a treestand to position yourself when hunting wolves.

19. Use hound dogs to track down wolves as you hunt them. Some states don’t allow hound hunting of wolves.

20. Be patient when hunting wolves as they are very cautious and can easily sense when you are setting them up.

21. Wolves have a very good sense of smell and good eyesight. Always set up downwind of the area you want to hunt a pack of wolves.

22. Howling works when you are locating wolves in an area.

The Bottom Line

Hunting wolves is very challenging as they are very smart, cautious, big, and tough. They also have a very good sense of smell and good eyesight which help them evade hunters. Hunting them requires a lot of patience, time, and dedication.

In this article, we discussed how to hunt wolves to help you be more successful in hunting them. If you are interested in hunting foxes, you can read how to hunt fox. You can also read how to hunt bobcats, how to hunt red fox, and how to hunt cougars.