UgashikBob
New member
I live in a remote area of Alaska and also trap the area for wolves and wolverine. Has been very scarce this year because of unusually warm conditions and just saw my first two wolves yesterday. Judging from the lack of reaction to my trap and bait sets I would say the wolf population is not hurting for food this year.
At first light yesterday a spotted a lone wolf and walked on foot about 3/4's of a mile and set up on a ridge line that had been productive before. I walk because I beleive anything within hearing range of your caller is history if you drive a vehicle anywhere near the calling site. The first wolf I saw was an adult but looked on the small side. My bride was watching from the house with the spotting scope and said every time I played the call the wolf would stop turn around and listen for a few seconds then keep going the opposite way. Very strange to explain but there was a line of ice fog and light snow over the area I was calling from and the first wolf was visable to her and not me. While I was calling I was getting occasional responses to the caller but couldn't peg the location because of the ice fog and snow. Later when I returned to the house I saw the 2nd wolf(much lighter color and larger) 3/4's of a mile in the opposite direction from the house than what I was calling circling one of my wolverine sets. I went out and set up for the second wolf with no results but did find his tracks where I think he responded to my calls and may have winded me at about 400 yards because I was set up for the one in the opposite direction.
I used a lone male call because its the only one I've ever had where the wolf would come all the way in. Group howls, multiple wolves, rally calls etc seem to get quicker responses but they just don't come in. This is pure speculation on my part but I think what happened yesterday was the first one my bride watched was a younger animal that didn't relish the thought of getting its butt kicked by a large alpha type that my lone wolf call sounds like to me. The second one that did respond was larger but I think winded me. What I would really like to know is what works or what doesn't work for you. I've been told by someone I trust that has mouth called more wolves than I have seen that a entire pack will never come in as a group to the sound of another wolf. The entire pack will approach to within several hundred yards depending on the cover then the alpha pair at the most will hold the rest of the pack at that point and come in alone. He said he has seen it several times and I believe him.
Would like to know your call selection, duration and frequency, if you use confidence type sounds like ravens etc, and if you emulate the sounds of your local prey. Anyone have any experience as to which groups, pairs, or entire packs are the most prone to respond to calls. The late January, February and early March time frame in my area is the mating season and seems to change all the rules.
At first light yesterday a spotted a lone wolf and walked on foot about 3/4's of a mile and set up on a ridge line that had been productive before. I walk because I beleive anything within hearing range of your caller is history if you drive a vehicle anywhere near the calling site. The first wolf I saw was an adult but looked on the small side. My bride was watching from the house with the spotting scope and said every time I played the call the wolf would stop turn around and listen for a few seconds then keep going the opposite way. Very strange to explain but there was a line of ice fog and light snow over the area I was calling from and the first wolf was visable to her and not me. While I was calling I was getting occasional responses to the caller but couldn't peg the location because of the ice fog and snow. Later when I returned to the house I saw the 2nd wolf(much lighter color and larger) 3/4's of a mile in the opposite direction from the house than what I was calling circling one of my wolverine sets. I went out and set up for the second wolf with no results but did find his tracks where I think he responded to my calls and may have winded me at about 400 yards because I was set up for the one in the opposite direction.
I used a lone male call because its the only one I've ever had where the wolf would come all the way in. Group howls, multiple wolves, rally calls etc seem to get quicker responses but they just don't come in. This is pure speculation on my part but I think what happened yesterday was the first one my bride watched was a younger animal that didn't relish the thought of getting its butt kicked by a large alpha type that my lone wolf call sounds like to me. The second one that did respond was larger but I think winded me. What I would really like to know is what works or what doesn't work for you. I've been told by someone I trust that has mouth called more wolves than I have seen that a entire pack will never come in as a group to the sound of another wolf. The entire pack will approach to within several hundred yards depending on the cover then the alpha pair at the most will hold the rest of the pack at that point and come in alone. He said he has seen it several times and I believe him.
Would like to know your call selection, duration and frequency, if you use confidence type sounds like ravens etc, and if you emulate the sounds of your local prey. Anyone have any experience as to which groups, pairs, or entire packs are the most prone to respond to calls. The late January, February and early March time frame in my area is the mating season and seems to change all the rules.