Hunting with Wolves?

[Cathntr]

Two weeks ago buddies of mine had there dogs get chased by two wolves. This is a area we have hunted for years. Yes we have seen sign in there before, but this is the first time we no of this has happened. Over the years the sign of them has gone down. It is always in early spring when we see sign. But summer goes on , no sign of them. This weekend friday night we called to them and had them howl back. We still turned out the next morning hoping they didnt go into that canyon. The bears dont go that way often. Later that morning we had wolf tracks on top of my fourwheeler tracks. Not sure what to think. Would you hounds guys be nervous. Like I said they only saw two that day.

[Mikes Hero]

I would be very nervous. The reason you are seeing two tracks is becuase the wolves are denning/raising pups this time of year. They are very aggressive towards other canines all year, and more so this time of year. SS&S

They will kill your hounds the first time they have a chance.

[cougarhound]

read my post !

[Cathntr]

That was what we where thinking, that they might have pups in there. They really have not gone far from where the two chased his hounds. I dont no how them dogs got away.

[Cathntr]

read my post !

How do I find your post

[STUNTMAN]

Cat what part of Idaho you bear hnting in just interested? I was reading they were having wolf/dog problem in some country in Eroupe and the men there staked a dog out and surounded him with leg holds, neat idea if you know what i mean.

[dhostetler]

I never turn loose in an area that I know that wolves currently are, even doing that I still lost a dog last winter to wolves.

On a side note if those 2 wolves are hanging around there I would look for there den and then......

There is no mistake what a wolf den is when you find it. They dig a hole into a bank big enough for a small man to crawl in. Good place to look for dens is on old closed logging roads, the road banks are perfect for wolves to dig there dens into. I figure the pups are probably big enough by now that they have probably left the den but might still be in the vicinity.

[plottblooded]

I have lost 2 dogs in idaho due to wolves in the trinities and been surrounded by them in carey idaho. My one blue dog never ran another animal again after our incounter in carey. She did not have a mark on her and no dog did. I was right on top of the dogs when it happened. My 2 old dogs kept coming back and I was turning them back because I saw the bobcat track. To make a long story really short everyone in the bottom of the cannon heard the wolves I did not. If the dogs dont want to go or come back load up and go somewhere else. The 2 dogs that were killed the following year were young and were screwing off. They were way behind the race. I think the only reason I had problems is because they were so far away from the other dogs. I only hunt where other houndsmen hunt after my problems. So far knock on wood no problems. Keep up with your dogs and if you see the wolves shoot because they are not afraid of you and they will challenge you. That is my experience. Also I run a few meat baits and if a wolf is in the area he will hit it and shit on it. Look for deer hair in a pile of dog shit.

[gkckak]

I have hunted before with wolves in Arizona with the Mexican gray wolves, but the ones here are much different than the ones up north. Ones here are more shy and smaller at around 50-80lbs and will only kill a dog if they come near pups. Even than a big hound dog has a fightin chance to get away. Oddly though a forest ranger told me a pack of 3 wolves killed a 800lb bull elk.