Chasing Wolves: Day One

by
posted on February 24, 2015
gunclub2015_fs.jpg (7)

undefinedFeb. 23—I'm in Gibbonsville, Idaho, hunting wolves with outfitter/guide Caleb Davis of Continental Divide Outfitters. I set up this hunt by chance with NRA Outdoors; Caleb is hooking up with our booking service.

It's tough out here.  Just take a look at the scenery. This morning it was 6 degrees when we set out from the house, which sits at 4,200 feet. We unloaded a Polaris and a Yamaha snowmobile and climbed 2,800 feet up a switchback. Caleb says it's actually a logging road. I can't believe truckers drive 18-wheelers loaded with timber down that road. Some places, I didn't want to look down.



Then we saddled up and hiked down a finger to glass and listen. It was quiet as a church out there. The lack of wind was nice not only for listening—though we heard no howls—but also for us. It was easy to keep warm even though I sweated up pretty good during the hike. My clothing system consisted of a super-thin, second skin-like layer of polypro beneath a layer of Cabela's Instinct merino wool long johns topped with an outer layer of King of the Mountain wool. Of course I also had a pair of snow gloves, some lighter gloves and a watch cap. While riding I kept the breeze at bay with a layer of Cabela's Dry-Plus. The whole system worked wonderfully.

The hike out was tough. It took us 1.5 hours to go 3 miles. Somehow it felt like the route was uphill both ways. This is big country. Think West Virginia on steroids. The landscape images enclosed here were taken at 6,828 feet. Caleb is 6-6. Keeping up with him felt like walking behind Dad as a kid. No way was I keeping up with him.



Anyway, no wolves today. Not even a sighting or a howling. This despite seeing some fresh tracks above a week-old kill.

Tomorrow we'll wake at 2:30 to snowmobile up another mountain to check out another drainage. Caleb wants to get up there in the dark to look for tracks made during the night, and to listen for howls before dawn. That's our best chance, he says, to get on 'em if we want to make a plan that ends with a wolf in my scope. Luckily, it's supposed to stay warm overnight and stay calm tomorrow. Still, I know the sight of these peaks awaits me at sunrise.Stay tuned.

Latest

NRAAM 2025
NRAAM 2025

MidwayUSA Named Official Sponsor of the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings

Glock, Inc. is the Presenting Sponsor of the Freedom Experience on Saturday, April 26th

First Look: Montana Rifle Company Marshall Hunting Rifle

Montana Rifle Company (MRC) has announced its Marshall Hunting Rifle—a rifle the company bills as being 10,000 rounds in the making.

Spring Gobbler Gear Roundup

Mike Roux lays out his winter's turkey gear discoveries, just in time for spring gobbler season.

National 4-H Shooting Sports Signs on as Official +ONE Partner

The National 4-H Shooting Sports program has joined the +ONE Movement, a national mentorship initiative led by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) that encourages peer-to-peer mentorship in the hunting and shooting sports.

#SundayGunday: Wilson Combat NULA Model 20

On this week's #SunsdayGunday, we take a look at the Wilson Combat NULA Model 20. A descendant of the New Ultralight Arms rifles designed by Melvin Forbes, the Model 20 carries on Melvin's legacy of lightweight accuracy in a way only Wilson Combat can. For more information, check out this exclusive video.

New for 2025: Gritr 47-Inch Hard Rifle Case

Gritr has launched its 47-inch Hard Rifle Case, for shooters looking for portable security and protection for their firearm. 

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.