Hunting for wolves

I work on Ft Richardson in Alaska and I see a wolf about once every couple of years. There is a whole pack on post but you don't see them very often, I don't go out looking for them I usually see them when I'm driving around early in the morning.

sparker1 wrote in post #9179403
Whoa! 40 below and it doesn't matter which scale you use.

No it doesn't because 40 below is the same in celcius and in farenheit. It's the temperature where they both meet

Tom Reichner wrote in post #9253742
1. Calling. I think the most effective call would be a CD recording of wolf vocalizations. Perhaps a combination of both howling and a wolf in distress. Or a coyote, dog, fox, etc in distress. These CDs are generally available thru hunting supply shops and mail order houses.

2. Lure. The proper scent will not only appeal to the wolves, but may also help to mask your human scent somewhat.

I can't say that's an entirely responsible piece of advice. As someone else has mentioned, the animals will be expending VALUABLE energy to inspect the call/lure which should be best spent hunting for their food.
I wouldn't recommend calling/luring just to "get the shot" so one's ego is inflated. You're putting the lives of these animals at risk for, essentially, vanity..

JaredLloyd wrote in post #9267483
I use to live and work as a wildlife guide in the area and Lamar valley is where its at.

Uh . . . unfortuntately, the entire Druid Peak pack now has the mange. All the pups that were born to this pack have already died, and the remaining wolves in this pack are expected to die before this winter comes to an end. Maybe the Lamar is not the best wolf spot this year. This news has certainly tempered my interest in returning to Yellowstone yet again this winter. There is a pack in the Mammoth area, but they are not observed nearly as regularly as the Druid Peak pack in the Lamar. If you have some real $ to spend, then you can get deeper into the park via snowcoach or snowmobile and work on the Canyon pack - they are rather habituated and somewhat approachable.

Wait until the Spring when all things are good and food is plentiful so you may have a chance.

halitime wrote in post #9288072
Wait until the Spring when all things are good and food is plentiful so you may have a chance.

Well, in winter you actually have a better chance of seeing them. Mainly because the foliage doesn't obscure them as much if they're in an area of few evergreens and also because they have to range more to hunt.
I think in Spring though, if you can track down their prey, you might stand a better chance because their prey will be busy with other things, like looking after their young.

1000arms wrote in post #9289547
80% of Yellowstone NP is forested, and 80% of that is lodgepole pine, but Lamar Valley allows one to see long distances. Many elk and bison spend the winter in Lamar Valley. The presence of prey and the viewing distances makes this a good wolf watching spot. The only road open to driving in the winter is from the north entrance to the northeast entrance. Other roads are open to snowmobile, but a guide is required. Other wolves will likely move into Lamar Valley. It is a matter of time due to the food resources available.

Thanks for the info. It's good to know that the other roads are still possible to traverse. I wonder how much hiring a guide would cost... hmmmmm...

It never ceases to amaze me, the width and depth of knowledge that this website has. I just learned more about the wolves in that valley and the place itself than I had ever seen on TV. I have watched those shows whenever possible.

Thanks guys, If I am ever lucky enough to go to yellowstone in winter I want you two right there too!!

I have used the 1200mm ! And I was not impressed. One of these days I will dig up the slides of my experience with it and show you guys. Wolves and other carnivores are a subject I think many photographers would love to photograph. But I think it takes real (as opposed to book lernt) field craft to be successful.

I did not know about the mange issue of those wolves, and with their need of a strong coat, that could easily bring about death from exposure. You would think that the humans in the area charged with their care would address this, but then again in order for something to be 'natural" maybe not.

I hope our amigo from the NWT gets his wolf shots without becoming wolf kibble... I always think about that lion video of the idiot with a movie camera. I guess the lioness just did not want her pictures shot that day...

WARNING VERY GRAPHIC
http://www.metacafe.co​m …015142/lion_eat​ing_a_man/

that is GRUESOME.. wow

Tom, I was out there May, June, and July of this year and things were still going good for the several packs in Lamar. I left to head back to NC by August however. This is the first I had heard about this.

On another note, Jackson Hole is a good area for wolves as well. Timber island holds quite a few elk during the day and I believe the Antelope Flats pack will shoot across the Snake to hunt the sagebrush between there and windy point on a pretty regular basis. Ive seen them around that area feeding on an elk several times.

The buffalo pack is also quite visible as well there on the northern end of the valley by Elk Ranch. I hiked out to watch those pups at least once a week the three months I was based out of Jackson this summer.

If you want wolves in the winter though and are looking for a guide check out either Paul or Jared (not me) at Wildlife Expeditions. Both are top notch biologists.

Jared

Just letting y'all know...ran into a pack. I think I'll read up a bit more and talk to the parks around here before going to look for them. @$*! they're incredible animals, though. Only saw them for a few seconds but the sheer power and speed. I was pretty gung ho and brave till I heard those howls so close, but the real freaky thing was how fast it got quiet. Dead silent. Could've heard a pin drop in the snow from a kilometer away

Same night as this
http://www.synergystud​iosphotography.com …and-sleepless-nights.html

No clue what kind though

Did they eat you Karl?

Of course, duh.

I wonder what I would taste like...hmm...deep thoughts this new year's night. I'm still wanting to photograph at least one, cause this is the second time this year and still no shots

Oh no!

I recommend rolling around in some elk meat. I feel this may attract a few wolves.

Karl Johnston wrote in post #9294009
Just letting y'all know...ran into a pack. I think I'll read up a bit more and talk to the parks around here before going to look for them. @$*! they're incredible animals, though. Only saw them for a few seconds but the sheer power and speed. I was pretty gung ho and brave till I heard those howls so close, but the real freaky thing was how fast it got quiet. Dead silent. Could've heard a pin drop in the snow from a kilometer away

Same night as this
http://www.synergystud​iosphotography.com …and-sleepless-nights.html

No clue what kind though

oh fantastic for you! you're very lucky
they're my favourite animals