Yesterday was one of those days that almost didnt happen for predator hunting. Sun wasn't due to be up before 9:45 and when I stuck my head outside to check for weather conditions, I was greeted with a frosty chill that was working with a slight wind. My original plan included a 30 mile journey down the local pipeline road via my quad. When I went out to the garage to load her up, the back left tire was flat and no hopes of a return. I put my thinking cap on and decided to hit the refuge that contained a series of lakes. This area would provide lots of open space for filming.
On my way to my first stand, the ice gave way and my left foot broke through the ice. My left boot filled with quickly with the refreshing crystal clear Alaskan water. Not a good start at all. Suffer and be strong! I worked my way to an area that provided a good shooting lane. I ran the FoxPro 50 yards out. I stayed on this stand for 30 minutes. No takers.
After amking my way back to the truck and drying my left boot out, I decided to hit a series of lakes I knew well from bear hunting. I stopped at the end of a three tier lake. If it was summer, you could canoe from one end to the other totally about 2.5 miles total distance. A long distance to call? Absolutely!
I setup at the end of the third lake and I put the FoxPro Prarie Blaster out 60 yards directly in front of me. I started the decoy in motion and began the sound sequence for about 5 minutes. I was in an area that I had seen several lynx tracks in so I was hoping for a cat to show itself. At the 10 minute mark, I had several crows and one bald eagle dancing 40 yards up above the FoxPro. Time passed quickly and I happened to look at my remote and it read 20 minutes of play time.
A few seconds later, I looked to my right and I saw movement coming from the break area between the second and third lake. It was dark, heavy, and moving with direct intent. I began powering the down the volume on the FoxPro. Yes, my dream of calling an Alaskan wolf had finally come true. As he broke towards the FoxPro, I fired up the video camera(yes, this was a one man show). The wolf quickly looked up and eyed the crows and eagle still playing above the caller. His run continued, but from the looks of him, I believed he had been coming from a long distance. As he got closer to the FoxPro I readied my gun while still trying to move the camera. When he got 25 yards from the Prarie Blaster I decided it was "go time". I let go of the camera and focused on the wolf. I had a hard time slowing him down for a shot. I hit my hand squeeker I had on the front end of my gun stock. Four shots range out from my .223. He never flinched or jerked. Quickly, he faded into the trees on the opposite side of the lake.
I sat there for a minute and gathered myself. I knew I saw a solid target in my mind and I played back the events that had just unfolded. Why didnt he go down I asked myself. I shut the camera down, reloaded my gun and headed across the lake. Once I broke into the tree line, I found the answer I was looking for, blood! He went about 35 yards up into the trees where I found him. He was a large pup wolf that weighed 90 pounds.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/reeseoutdoors/wolfpicture4.jpg)
The video fo this hunt will be included on the DVD "On the Edge: Predators in Alaska". Hopefully, with a few more bears, coyote, and hopefully a lynx, it will be released this coming Fall.
Thanks for reading.
Loren Reese
Loren,
That has GOT to make you a happy camper - wet foot and all. Just don't let the "wolfies" as they are known around Yellowstone know that you have shot one or you will be on their naughty list.
Jerry
Dang.......You dont even look tired.... :laf:
:congrats: :congrats: :congrats: :congrats: :congrats: :congrats: :congrats: :congrats: :congrats:
Cant wait to see the DVD :yoyo: :yoyo: :yoyo:
Great story. I felt like I was there.
Way to go!
That's a fine looking critter & Congratulations on your 1st Wolf!! :yoyo: :yoyo:
That is fabulous!!! He is HUGE!! VERY NICE!!! :highclap: :congrats:
BTW, what is that little call carrier you have on the front of you. Looks like it's for shotgun shells, but that looks like a call is in it. Am I wrong?
That would be a dream! Very cool Loren, I'm a bit jealous! Great write up too! :yoyo:
That is just too sweet. Worth showing off :highclap:
Nice play by play.
Bop,
I think it is his new call harness.
http://www.reeselanyards.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=120&category_id=16&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
Jerry
Quote from: Hawks Feather on December 29, 2009, 04:35:06 PM
Bop,
I think it is his new call harness.
http://www.reeselanyards.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=120&category_id=16&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
Jerry
I gotta get me one of those. Excellent idea!! The thing I hated about a lanyard was my calls clanging around against each, my gun, whatever.
Very nice.
BTW, my birthday is in February. :innocentwhistle:
Nice wolf Loren. :congrats: :congrats: Must be on Christmas Break huh? :sneer:
Thanks for the comments guys. It was one of those hunts I will remember for the rest of my life. The harness around my neck and chest is my new "Desert Dog Call Harness". It holds 8 hand calls and an e-remote. Love my lanyards, but I got to say that this thing is awesome. I am on break Todd. I have 4 more days of calling left. Heading out again tomorrow morning for lynx. I will keep you all posted.
Loren
Loren, :congrats: on the wolf, nice!!! :highclap:
Wow! That is reeeaaallll nice!! :congrats:
Congratulations on the wolf. :congrats: :congrats: Great story, thanks.
Pat
Very Nice! Congrats on your first wolf. Enjoyed the story very much also, thanks for sharing it ... :congrats:
VERY cool Loren !! :yoyo:
Congratulations !! :congrats:
Awesome wolf Loren...I can't wait to see the pictures of your lynx when you get it too. You going after a wolverine after that? Way to go man!
Loren, congratulations on a nice wolf.
John
Wow! Great story and photo! Thanks for sharing!
Jim
Congratulations on your wolf. The story was a great read. Looking forward to reading about your next hunt.
John
Very Good story and way cool. I would like to do that someday. :highclap: Steve
Loren didnt tell us that Lance Homan from Predator Trapper and Caller magazine did an article on his wolf hunt and had it put in the Winter Issue of Predator Hunter :sneer:
Too cool, Loren. Great story, great pictures. That wolf pup sure gives you a good idea of how big papa must be. Keep up the good work. :congrats: :congrats:
cool