Author Topic: Hunters panic when confronted by Wolves (Read 1248 times)

rosewood · « **Reply #30 on:** September 21, 2012, 02:35:18 PM »

Wolves have been know to take down bull elks. There are tons of videos on the internet where you can see this happening. If a hungry pack of wolves is willing to take down an animal far larger, stronger and faster than a human, what makes you think that they will not attack a human if you "act" right. Are we special that they know we are not suppose to be a meal to them? Meat is meat.

The animal at the the top of the food chain is the one with the biggest weapon during an encounter.

FPH · « **Reply #31 on:** September 21, 2012, 02:41:30 PM »

Man does have access to weapons(that makes him top dog)......given what each animal is capable of possessing and using makes man top of the food chain.....don't be silly. I can take a 80 year old .30-.30 and harvest every big game animal Alaska has to offer......or can't I use my opposing thumbs.......your comparison is laughable. That dumb*** with out a weapon did not use the tools he was capable of using ( ever see a Grizz use a rifle?)

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #32 on:** September 21, 2012, 03:36:41 PM »

Quote from: bulletstuffer on September 21, 2012, 10:08:58 AM

The scenario of 5 wolves surrounding the hunters is exactly why I started carrying back up to my deer hunting rifle. I hear wolves a lot while up in the north woods. I was sneaking up a hill by myself looking for grouse and was in the center of two different howling wolf packs. I'm guessing they were within a 1/2 mile maybe closer by the sound of the howls. If you are unarmed in the woods alone with howling wolves close by I guarantee you will think of them differently than you do while sitting in the comfort of your own home

I have also been up north and had the wolves howling so close that I would not come out of my camper as it was so dark that I would not be able to see one right outside the door and would not want to end up like the lady that barely made it into the bathroom.

Without those shots being fired those two guys might not have been so lucky. I also agree that the first warning shot should have been in the head of the closest wolf! Predators will be Predators!

Bulletstuffer

I poo poo'd all the big bad wolf stories for many years. Don't get me wrong I knew they are top of the chain predators and all. I just had zero experience and believed the stories of them being afraid of man.

Till I had an encounter as you described. Walking to a deer stand at 0600 with what sounded like 3 wolves on one side of me and 3-4 on the other. They sounded like they were <200yds away, and I suppose it was more like 350. There is no more haunting sound in the woods. The day before I had seen one from the stand. He saw me and trotted off ( reinforcing that "they are scared" school of thought ). There is no getting that sound out of your head. Unarmed ain't happening in those woods, don't care if it's 1:100000 chance. I carry around the house and that is likely less odds.

rosewood · « **Reply #33 on:** September 21, 2012, 04:12:12 PM »

If you encounter a pack of wolves and you do not have a firearm or other superior weapon on your person and know how to use it, those sharp teeth (weapons) of the wolf pack will win out every time. Now maybe that doesn't make them top dog by some peoples definition, but they still win that fight.

Sourdough · « **Reply #34 on:** September 21, 2012, 06:24:25 PM »

The winner is top dog, be it man or wolf. Without a gun, spear, club, or something like a machete, man stands little chance of winning. Even with those, if the pack is determined and number enough, you are still in big trouble. If a pack can pull down a Bull or even a Cow Moose, little light weight man without a gun is nothing to them. they are intelligent and work as a team.

Shu · « **Reply #35 on:** September 22, 2012, 02:51:43 AM »

Sourdough,
I appreciate the stories, always keeps a man thinking. I have not encountered a wolf they just don't live in the dessert but the coyotes, yes coyotes do get nasty at times. There have been kids bitten etc. No one has been killed and bites are rare. A friend lost his german shepard to a pack. They killed it and were eating it in his back yard. He shot 2 before they jumped the fence and ran off. I can imagine wolves would be much worse being bigger.

First line gear always carried should be a good knife and a handgun. Warning shots should always be fired into the pack leader. A person always needs to be aware of their surroundings. Simple fact is stuff happens and no matter how prepared and how smart we are stuff happens.

It is really difficult to beat 3 to 1 odds in a fight. A good weapon and a cool head can change those odds up drastically.

FPH · « **Reply #36 on:** September 22, 2012, 04:45:07 AM »

Quote from: Sourdough on September 21, 2012, 06:24:25 PM

The winner is top dog, be it man or wolf. Without a gun, spear, club, or something like a machete, man stands little chance of winning. Even with those, if the pack is determined and number enough, you are still in big trouble. If a pack can pull down a Bull or even a Cow Moose, little light weight man without a gun is nothing to them. they are intelligent and work as a team.

Granted, a man's intelligence is he key to survival. If a man isn't carrying a superior weapon he can't compete with a wild animal and deserves to take what comes. But man is intelligent and has developed and can use weapons. If man uses what is at his disposal, he is the superior animal. Heck, with your rational we shouldn't even have cloths or a pickup camper to take refuge in if we a have forgotten a weapon.

Shu · « **Reply #37 on:** September 22, 2012, 08:27:46 AM »

First line gear- 2 different methods of starting a fire, knife, water, water purification means, signalling device handgun and at least 2 complete reloads for it. Some fishing line and hooks if you are someplace with streams or water or you can use the line for snares. A tin cup is nice to add also

Second line gear- 1 days rations, small first aid kit, more water, an axe or machete, rifle or shotgun with 20 rounds, 50 para cord. A small frying pan is a bonus.

Third line gear 10 days rations, larger more complete first aid kit, flashlight with spare batteries, shovel, rifle or shotgun with 100 rounds, tarp sleeping bag and tent.

Most importantly use your head, be familiar with your gear, check those items before you go in the field.

First line is with you, second line can be close by and third line is in your vehicle or very close by you can get to with your first line gear if needed.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #38 on:** September 22, 2012, 09:39:09 AM »

Quote from: Shu on September 22, 2012, 08:27:46 AM

First line gear- 2 different methods of starting a fire, knife, water, water purification means, signalling device handgun and at least 2 complete reloads for it. Some fishing line and hooks if you are someplace with streams or water or you can use the line for snares. A tin cup is nice to add also

Second line gear- 1 days rations, small first aid kit, more water, an axe or machete, rifle or shotgun with 20 rounds, 50 para cord. A small frying pan is a bonus.

Third line gear 10 days rations, larger more complete first aid kit, flashlight with spare batteries, shovel, rifle or shotgun with 100 rounds, tarp sleeping bag and tent.

Most importantly use your head, be familiar with your gear, check those items before you go in the field.

First line is with you, second line can be close by and third line is in your vehicle or very close by you can get to with your first line gear if needed.

I believe I would trade the fishing gear for the First Aid kit. I don't find myself out in the bush outside of hunting season really. Most of the kit is part of the hunt. Even mushroom hunting might find you wanting something to help a badly twisted ankle after a tumble. I have become a fan of ace bandages as of late as they can hold on a dressing or wrap an ankle or knee, one size stretches to fit.

Sourdough · « **Reply #39 on:** September 22, 2012, 04:58:42 PM »

I carry my rifle, pistol, ammo, first aid kit/w/ace bandage, wool blanket, sleeping bag, matches, sterno, extra socks, and a machete. This along with what I am wearing is enough. I've been caught out and spent extra days with nothing but that and had no problems at 35 below. Rabbits, and other small game are easy to find and kill. A cooking fire can be made out on the ice of a stream or lake.

Used the machete to cut and construct a nest to spruce boughs to sleep in at night. On Tundra at night so there was no fire possiable. Used the sterno to warm up the snowmachine so it would start the next morning. Temps dropped down to about 45 below at night, so I needed to warm up the machine so I did not break the starter rope or plastic gears.

Jack Ripper · « **Reply #40 on:** September 22, 2012, 06:12:25 PM »

Quote from: hillbill on September 20, 2012, 01:50:23 PM

thats a crazy story! if it was wolf season and they were legal why didnt they just shoot one? must be a condition like buk fever?maybe their pistols were only 22's? i also would refrain from shooting a wolf with a 22 pistol.

In Alaska I would be packin something larger than a .22.

keith44 · « **Reply #41 on:** September 22, 2012, 06:45:39 PM »

Quote from: Jack Ripper on September 22, 2012, 06:12:25 PM

Quote from: hillbill on September 20, 2012, 01:50:23 PM
thats a crazy story! if it was wolf season and they were legal why didnt they just shoot one? must be a condition like buk fever?maybe their pistols were only 22's? i also would refrain from shooting a wolf with a 22 pistol.
In Alaska I would be packin something larger than a .22.

same here, .44 Mag minimum, more likely .454 casull

FPH · « **Reply #42 on:** September 22, 2012, 06:50:09 PM »

Quote from: keith44 on September 22, 2012, 06:45:39 PM

Quote from: Jack Ripper on September 22, 2012, 06:12:25 PM
Quote from: hillbill on September 20, 2012, 01:50:23 PM
thats a crazy story! if it was wolf season and they were legal why didnt they just shoot one? must be a condition like buk fever?maybe their pistols were only 22's? i also would refrain from shooting a wolf with a 22 pistol.
In Alaska I would be packin something larger than a .22.

same here, .44 Mag minimum, more likely .454 casull

You all are using an unfare advantage........and your heads......Oops, that's two unfare advantages.

keith44 · « **Reply #43 on:** September 22, 2012, 07:10:16 PM »

Quote from: FPH on September 22, 2012, 06:50:09 PM

Quote from: keith44 on September 22, 2012, 06:45:39 PM
Quote from: Jack Ripper on September 22, 2012, 06:12:25 PM
Quote from: hillbill on September 20, 2012, 01:50:23 PM
thats a crazy story! if it was wolf season and they were legal why didnt they just shoot one? must be a condition like buk fever?maybe their pistols were only 22's? i also would refrain from shooting a wolf with a 22 pistol.
In Alaska I would be packin something larger than a .22.

same here, .44 Mag minimum, more likely .454 casull

You all are using an unfare advantage........and your heads......Oops, that's two unfare advantages.

I resemble that

Sourdough · « **Reply #44 on:** September 22, 2012, 07:13:49 PM »

Jack and Keith, Both guys were armed with large caliber pistols. I did not ask his wife today when I saw her what caliber he was carrying. Wolf season was open and threy knew it. Just the encounter got them flustered and they forgot that one point.

I carry a .460 S&W handgun, and usually a .338 Win Mag rifle or a 30-06. During the winter when I am not likely to run into Bears, I carry a 25-06 or .223 for Wolves, Coyotes, and Lynx. Still got the .460 on my hip or in a shoulder holster. Winter Wolf hides will bring from $250.00 to $400.00. Coyote $40.00 to $60.00. Lynx $200.00 to $300.00. Rare Blue or White Wolves brought as much as $1200.00 and $1400.00 last winter. While the fur is good, it is not prime yet. So I am not actively looking hard for Wolves yet, not till it gets colder in November.

FPH · « **Reply #45 on:** September 22, 2012, 07:20:04 PM »

Sounds like you go out prepared and are at the top of the food chain.

FPH · « **Reply #46 on:** September 22, 2012, 07:30:00 PM »

What bullet do you favor pushing out of your .460?

Sourdough · « **Reply #47 on:** September 23, 2012, 05:49:36 AM »

The Cor-Bon 395gr Hunter HC is what I carry when out. For practice I shoot .45LCs with what ever bullet I have handy when I reload them. Most often a Speer 260gr or 300gr.

FPH · « **Reply #48 on:** September 23, 2012, 07:13:42 AM »

Thanks......the Cor-Bon is the bullet which has been recommended to me.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #49 on:** September 23, 2012, 08:26:34 AM »

Quote from: FPH on September 22, 2012, 06:50:09 PM

Quote from: keith44 on September 22, 2012, 06:45:39 PM
Quote from: Jack Ripper on September 22, 2012, 06:12:25 PM
Quote from: hillbill on September 20, 2012, 01:50:23 PM
thats a crazy story! if it was wolf season and they were legal why didnt they just shoot one? must be a condition like buk fever?maybe their pistols were only 22's? i also would refrain from shooting a wolf with a 22 pistol.
In Alaska I would be packin something larger than a .22.

same here, .44 Mag minimum, more likely .454 casull

You all are using an unfare advantage........and your heads......Oops, that's two unfare advantages.

You are over estimating some of the heads, many are not advantages.

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #50 on:** September 23, 2012, 08:26:55 AM »

sourdough - As usual, thanks for the interesting story. Keep them coming.

m-g Willy · « **Reply #51 on:** September 23, 2012, 08:43:53 AM »

Quote from: Sourdough on September 22, 2012, 07:13:49 PM

Rare Blue or White Wolves brought as much as $1200.00 and $1400.00 last winter.

$1200-$ 1400 PER HIDE!!!!!
I'm on my way up with a .223 and jug of hair dye !

Sourdough · « **Reply #52 on:** September 23, 2012, 07:49:33 PM »

m-g I was in shock last year when Al at the Fairbanks Fur Tannery told me about those two pelts. One pure White and the other Blue. Bring something bigger than a .223. I like the 25-06 for Wolves. My friend and Professional Guide Coke Wallace demands his clients bring a minimum 243, preferiably a 25-06. He ends up having to chase down too many when a 22-250 or .223 is used.

FP Cor-Bon is the brand, they load several different weights of bullets for the 460 Smith. I'm partial to the 395 myself. Not just anybody can shoot that cartridge. But it's a stopper.