Idaho Panhandle Wolves

[Dustin the wind]

For those that wolf hunt in the panhandle, specifically Unit 1. Is it basically a requirement to have a snow machine to get into the best areas and be successful? Is anyone snow shoeing into spots or is that a fools errand? I really want to get out this winter and try my hand at thinning out the wolf population up here.

Thanks,

 

[skierhs]

You can snowshoe for sure but if your not in the relative area the pack is you’d have to do a ton of hiking. You may want to think of trying to do it earlier in the fall if you don’t have access to a snow machine or anything like that.

 

[Ross]

An extremelyyyyyy difficult task without a snow machine........you can try up lightning creek or check the stucknrut crew up Bonner’s for specific questions on packs as they have pegged many times the trappers I know who are successful have extremely long days on either tracks or snowmobiles good luck

 

[Dustin the wind]

You can snowshoe for sure but if your not in the relative area the pack is you’d have to do a ton of hiking. You may want to think of trying to do it earlier in the fall if you don’t have access to a snow machine or anything like that.

I was definitely planning on fall as well. It would be nice to get into them during Jan and Feb when everyone is basically stuck at home dreaming of next season. I kinda figured it would be tons of arduous hiking going the snow shoe route. I'm guessing they are down low from what I hear in those months. A cattle ranch about 500yards down the road from us says he sees them from time to time when his cows are calfing. We are only at about 2400ft.

 

[Dustin the wind]

An extremelyyyyyy difficult task without a snow machine........you can try up lightning creek or check the stucknrut crew up Bonner’s for specific questions on packs as they have pegged many times the trappers I know who are successful have extremely long days on either tracks or snowmobiles good luck

Yup, I know of those guys. I'm in Bonner's as well. Probably won't be able to swing a snowmobile until next year. I sort of figured it was next to impossible just on foot as I'm thinking I'd want to cover a lot of ground trying to cut fresh tracks, and then track them down. Thanks for the good info, going to see if I can get a hold of one of those fellows.

 

[nidaho]

I would try calling. Tracking the down will be next to impossible they cover lots of ground in a night.

 

[kiddogy]

if you call them, they will come!

 

[bowhunter95]

I would try calling. Tracking the down will be next to impossible they cover lots of ground in a night.

I agree with that.. wolves average traveling speed is around 7 mph so tracking don't rely seem worth it.. I've talked to some of the guys around Bonners that trap them and they say that wolves up here have a range of 40-50 miles or more..

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[BAKPAKR]

My brother has taken two panhandle wolves by sneaking in on howling packs in October and November. His first wolf was taken on a dedicated wolf hunt after wolves had been heard and/or seen in the area the day before. The second wolf was taken when he heard wolves while elk hunting.

 

[Dustin the wind]

Thank you all. I think I'm going to try some calling before the big snows hit and see what I can get into. Just need to find some spots up where I can be heard well.

 

[Dustin the wind]

My brother has taken two panhandle wolves by sneaking in on howling packs in October and November. His first wolf was taken on a dedicated wolf hunt after wolves had been heard and/or seen in the area the day before. The second wolf was taken when he heard wolves while elk hunting.

Awesome, Do you know about what elevation they were taken at?

 

[BAKPAKR]

The first was at around 4800’. Although I am not sure of the elevation of the other one, I think it was significantly lower.