I have been pursuing my dream of taking a gray wolf with my longbow ever since they were delisted. I have been an avid predator hunter and traditional archer for most of my adult life. It seemed like the ultimate challenge to try and take what is arguably the most elusive apex predator with what is certainly one of the most difficult primitive weapons to master. I have spent hundreds of preseason hours practicing and countless days in the field every archery season in pursuit of wolves but have never (until now) been able to put it all together. Ask any predator caller and they will tell you that the most difficult part of predator hunting is often just locating an area that holds the species they are pursuing. This problem is greatly magnified with wolves when one considers the incredibly transient nature of a pack whose territory can often cover hundreds of square miles.
The 2014 Montana archery season started on a Saturday and by one o'clock in the afternoon I was hiking about 9 miles from the nearest blacktop. I found a pile of still wet wolf scat on the trail so I instantly knew they were close. I set up quickly, my back to a small ridge, with a great view of the facing hillside and shallow valley below. The wind and sun were both in my favor as I began to blow on my predator distress call. Just minutes into my calling sequence I was startled to hear very aggressive barking about 50 yards directly behind me. You guessed it, a pack of 5 wolves had been bedded down on the ridge right behind me and when they responded to my call they got a good whiff of my scent blowing right into their faces. Game over! They seemed quite content to stay just out of sight up in the timber and alternately bark and howl at me for over 30 minutes before they finally drifted out of the valley. Sadly I must admit that I have experienced that same response from wolves on a number of occasions and they all ended the same way, a fun show, and a long walk home, empty handed.
Three days later my work schedule unexpectedly cleared so I decided to take a quick morning trek back into that same area and give it another try. I am well aware that frequent calling in an area will quickly educate a wolf pack and ultimately make them even harder to hunt. However on this day I threw caution to the wind and decided to go for it on the slim chance that they would still be in the area. As I approached the area, I saw no fresh sign at all. I quickly picked a large tree to stand behind that would provide me some concealment but was also situated for a good view of a nearby hillside and the trail running along the base of it. I shed my backpack and nocked an arrow; my Toelke longbow was now ready for action.
I started to blow into the call, doing my best to duplicate the sounds of some small animal dying a horrible death. Less than two minutes into this sequence I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. Unbelievably, an adult wolf was racing straight down the hill towards the sound of my call with an even larger one about 40 yards behind the first. It all happened fast, but as the first wolf got within about 20 yards of me it put on the brakes, hard.
Apparently realizing that something was wrong it was already turning and starting to trot away. As the wolf had come to a stop, the call fell from my lips and I had come to a full draw with my bow. As the wolf started to leave I gave a quick bark which is usually a surefire way to get a canid to stop and look back. The moment the wolf looked back towards me I let the string slip from my fingers and sent the arrow tipped with a Zwickey broadhead on its way. I watched the arrow arc the 28 yards to the wolf as if it were in slow motion and then saw the feather fletches bury in the fur near the last rib of the now quartering away animal. I watched the animal spin and bite at its side before taking off at a dead run straight back up the hillside it had just come down. It disappeared over the hilltop and out of my sight. The other wolf also turned and ran, stopping at the top of the hill to bark at me several times before departing.
In the moments after the shot, archers will frequently replay in their mind the spot that was hit, the reaction of the animal and its direction of travel. I was no different, and while I was very confident in the shots placement I am experienced enough to realize that what looked like a good hit can occasionally result in a long blood trail, or even worse, a lost animal. I picked up my pack, gathered my gear and tried to calmly wait the recommended 30 minutes before following after the wolf. In reality it was taking every ounce of my will power to fight off the urge to rush over that hill and begin my search. I finally reached a compromise with myself and after 20 minutes started to follow the blood trail. As I scaled the small hillside I found a fairly good blood trail with drops close enough that they were no challenge to even my limited tracking skills. When I got to the top I found where it had followed a trail on the spine of the ridge then the blood droplets suddenly stopped. To say that this was starting to look like my worst nightmare would be an understatement and a moment of panic set in. I took off my pack and was going to get out my flagging tape to mark the last known drops of blood. As I unzipped my pack I glanced over and not fifteen feet away was the now lifeless wolf sprawled over a small log. It had travelled less than 100 yards from where it had been shot. I let out a whoop that was probably heard in town 20 miles away.
All of the hours spent both at the range and in the woods had finally paid off. I had just fulfilled an incredibly challenging goal and at the same time I have taken what may be the first modern day wolf killed with a longbow. I sat there on that log just soaking up the sights, sounds and smells. It was an experience that I now shared with the wolf hunters throughout history and it was one that I wanted to savor as long as I possibly could!
The details; The wolf was examined by a biologist and then a game warden at which time a DNA sample was taken as part of the states management plan. It was an adult female in excellent condition (other than the fact that she was dead). Equipment used was a 62" Longbow crafted by Dan Toelke, 56lbs@30". Carbon Express wood grain Heritage 350 arrow tipped with a Zwickey 145 grain broadhead. The shot entered mid body at the last rib on the right side and exited through the left armpit taking out both lungs on the way through.
(http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc414/jcs271ar/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140909_114409_963_zps06c16b16.jpg) (http://s1210.photobucket.com/user/jcs271ar/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140909_114409_963_zps06c16b16.jpg.html)
(http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc414/jcs271ar/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140909_114326_243_zpse1c0961d.jpg) (http://s1210.photobucket.com/user/jcs271ar/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140909_114326_243_zpse1c0961d.jpg.html)
(http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc414/jcs271ar/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140910_084322_029_zps97db716f.jpg) (http://s1210.photobucket.com/user/jcs271ar/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140910_084322_029_zps97db716f.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/reb8600/PM%20Items/2f08.gif) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/reb8600/media/PM%20Items/HOMAnimated_zpsa2612f08.gif.html)
Whaou, congratssssss :thumbsup:
That is tremendous. What a trophy! :thumbsup: :notworthy:
WOOWWWWWW !!!!Way to go Jay.
MAY THE SPIRIT OF FRED BEAR GUIDE OUR ARROWS.
Great story and wolf! Congrats. :clapper:
Outstanding... Congratulations...you need to get a full mount to do it justice.
God bless,
WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!!
What a testament for the longbow and the longbow hunter in today's times.
Congrats....you just did something VERY few will ever do.
Man....that is just GREAT!!!
You might be my new HERO!!!
A trophy of a lifetime. Congrats on an amazing hunt.
bretto
Extraordinary accomplishment. Congrats, I enjoyed reading your post.
Congratulations! :thumbsup:
Fantastic , great job
:clapper: impressive. i have yet to connect on one myself. mostly nerves i reckon while calling and there is 4-6 that come in hot and ready. sure gets the blood pumpin. what call were you using? i seem to have best luck with a squealer.
Great job Sounds very exciting..
Congrats on the wolf...... Very impressive ;)
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :campfire:
Awesome job, we've been having a similar dream. Ive been close several times but haven't been able to close the deal yet. You taken what I think is the ultimate game animal right there Jay. Congratulations!!
Fantastic story and very well written.
holy good night, that's AWESOME!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats indeed!!!! Way to persevere and get it done
Awesome! You gota send Dan a picture for his website
Awww.....everyone said what I was gonna say!!! Congratulations!!!!
What a great story! Huge congrats on a beautiful wolf!!!!
:thumbsup: :clapper:
Wow! I don't think anyone here can top that!
congrats on a fine animal
Congratulations......just an incredible goal fulfilled!
Congratulations! Impressive all the way around.
Great Job
Excellent! Great hunt and very good story telling!
Respect !!!!
Sweet !
Astounding accomplishment! :notworthy:
Fantastic incredible hunt,congrats. :notworthy:
Wow!!! Congrats on the most elusive trophy a stickbow shooter could pursue. Well done.
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Not many will ever say they did that.......
Wow
Wow :clapper:
Too cool. My sincerest congrats on an ultimate trophy and realization of a goal.
jcs, that is awesome. Congrats.
JAY....Congratulations
Great trophy! To me this ranks as high on the ladder of trophies as any big game..You are a member of a very elite group of people that have killed a wolf with a long bow. Most that have it was by accident and a lucky chance that they got the shot.(Not to minimize their kill)
Your great story is the first I have read where the hunter actually pursued the wolf. Well wriiten story and great pictures Again congratulations. :clapper:
What an accomplishment! Congrats :thumbsup:
Awesome, Congrats!
Awesome accomplishment ! Female to boot that's like getting a whole bunch of them.
Unbelievable accomplishment!!Congratulations!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :notworthy:
What an amazing feat. Congratulations!
That story gets my vote for the best of the year!!!! So very cool! :thumbsup: Congrats buddy!
What an amazing accomplishment! Congratulations!
Congrats :thumbsup:
Fantastic!! I can't say more than "DITTOS" to what everyone else has already said. :notworthy:
Completely awesome! Huge congrats!
Great reading. Great adventure. Great memory for you. Really special. Congrats!
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing. This is what TradGang is all about for me - the ability to share your experiences with others who understand and appreciate them!
Thanks again.
What an achievement ! You hunted hard, put time and effort into hunting an animal that is no fool and you finally outsmarted him (her)... again, well done!
Are you getting the wolf mounted?
ak.
Awesome!! That's a great looking wolf!
Wow, what a trophy! Congratulations on a feat very few will ever accomplish. Some may be taken incidentally to another hunt, but not many will set out to kill a wolf with a stickbow and succeed.
Way to go!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: great job
Absolutely incredible. Hail to that hunting achievement.
Way to go!! Excellent job man! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
WOW!!! CONGRATS! That is such a magnificent trophy!
WOW!! What a great story of a Fantastic Hunt! Congratulations!!
Wow, I'm glad that I took the time to read your story. Very exciting!
Congrats!What an adventure.... :clapper:
Absolutely a great hunt and what a fine animal you've taken.
Too cool!! Way to go! :clapper:
Congratulations on taking what many consider one of the most challenging animals to pursue. Good to see your practice and dedication be rewarded.
Well done!
Fantastic report. Great reward for the dedication.
What a great animal! Incredible accomplishment, congrats on the hard work.
Very well told! Congratulations on a truly unique adventure!
Incredible !! Congrats on a fine animal..
That's a great story with a fantastic outcome. Congrats!!! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Your dedication payed off big time. Fantastic accomplishment. Great shot! Big congratulations to a well earned trophy. Howard Hill would be jealous. :clapper: :shaka:
This story will be told in your family forever. Quite a feat!
:thumbsup:
Well done sir!
The ULTIMATE TROPHY!Congratulations to you.
A great feat, not many can claim a wolf. Thank you so much for the story.It was throughly enjoyed.
I have never hunted wolves but I work for an outfitter who offers wolf hunts...the stories he has told me are mostly about how elusive a wolf can be and how the tiniest of mistakes on the part of the hunter can scratch the whole hunt...tremendous accomplishment with a longbow
DDave
Congratulations.That's a trophy to top all trophies.This is kind of crazy because today I just happened to go over to the FWP web site to see if any wolves or lions had been taken yet and saw that one wolf was listed.I almost came over here to mention it but figured the odds were that it wasn't a trad kill so I decided not to.I also assumed that it was probably an incidental kill by an elk hunter.The fact that you set out to do,called it in and shot it with a long bow is simply amazing.Wild canines have got to be some of the toughest animals to draw a bow back on and wolves are among the smartest of those.Their sense of smell and ability to pick up movement and the slightest of sounds makes them extremely hard to take,let alone with a very short range weapon.Great shooting too.
:archer:
Outstanding!
Wow. I'd either have it mounted or turned into a full pelt quiver to keep the arrows from other successful hunts in.
Trophy of a lifetime!!!! Congrats. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Really cool. Congrats!
Way cool!
Wow....congratulations brother!!!
That's one heck of an accomplishment ...AWESOME JOB!!! :clapper:
Fantastic! Congrats!
Thanks for sharing
chris <><
Congrats, That is too cool. Great write up! :thumbsup:
That is a great start thin them out.
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Amazing accomplishment! A trophy of a life time! Congrates! :clapper: :clapper:
Wow, congratulations on a well done hunt of a lifetime. I am so happy for you that words can't describe. Thank you for sharing your hunt with us all.
Ya don't see that everyday! Very cool!
Amazing.. Wow!!! Your perseverance and practice are incredible!!!!! A feat others only dream of
Unbelievable. That's nothing short of amazing, congrats.
You are my hero!
Amazing man!! :notworthy: :notworthy:
That is awesome. Great shot on a very hard to get animal. Man shes pretty at that. Let us know what your gonna have done with her and show us some pictures of her when she finshed.
Now that's a trophy !! Congrats
Wow is right, super congrats! ( never gave a super congrats before!)
Congratulations on a huge accomplishment.
WOW! That is awesome, congrats .
Super hunt! Congrats!
Not too many more trophy's could be tougher to obtain. What an accomplishment!! Congratulations!
Wow, great hunt! Congratulations on your hard earned success. Love the photos.
Congrats on an amazing hunt and accomplishment!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations, awesome read and pics . Thats really cool!
I am completely awestruck by the whole thing. I am not worthy. Congratulations on one of the greatest hunting accomplishments out there.
homebru
Awesome!
SOOOOOOO COOOL!!!!
I'm always amazed at how big wolves are. They are stunning creatures! Congrats on making that once a lifetime shot!
Congratulations! Heck of an accomplishment!
Wow! That is amazing! Congrats!
Thanks for all of the kind words. I have truly worked my tail off to get this done and it was all worth it! I joked today about how relaxed I felt because now I can get out there and just have fun for the rest of the season. I hiked back in this morning and was able to find my arrow. I'll give it a few days then get back out there and get after them again. I LOVE hunting predators!
P.S. The pelt is getting tanned and the skull will be bugged and bleached. I saved the two hind legs, my neighbor is going to smoke the hams for me, should be tasty. And yes, I am serious, I will eat this wolf.
Now there is something you don't see every day. Good stuff.
That is getting it done brother. Congratulations!
I have no words....beautiful animal. Congrats to you
Simply superb!
Good for you. Thanks for sharing a hunt of a lifetime...again congrats. :archer:
Incredible! Congrats
First of all, let me say how cool this whole thing is once again. Just peerless really. This is something so primal, most coastal city folk (heck I'm coastal city folk LOL) can't ever even have a clue about being 'tapped in' to mother nature like that, our most timeless instincts and true nature revealed.
But this is the part that just gave me big big grins jcs:
"I saved the two hind legs, my neighbor is going to smoke the hams for me, should be tasty. And yes, I am serious, I will eat this wolf."
YEEEAHH BUDDY!!! I will raise a beer in your honor this weekend for sure.
You are now a member of a very small select group congratulations on a trophy of a life time.
Amazing accomplishment congratulations!
How awesome is that, huge congrats!!
"And yes, I am serious, I will eat this wolf."
I bet there will be a slight hint of elk flavor in her! I will raise a bottle of "Slow Elk" brew in your honor.
You have done what some of us on here have dreampt about doing for a long time. I can't get over your accomplishment. Great stuff!
amazeing...way to be a great example of a trad bowhunter
Way to go man!!!! That memory will be with you and your family for generations to come!!!
What an amazing experience. Thanks for allowing us to enjoy it with you.
Can't be topped and I will bet there are a lot of Montana elk singing your praises right now. Way to go.
Congratulations! That is Awesome. Lets us know how it tasted.
Gilbert
This is extraordinary! The profundity of entering the woods to hunt the wolf is mind boggling; to hunt a supreme hunter. They are a magical animal. My utmost congratulations to you!
QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!!
What a testament for the longbow and the longbow hunter in today's times.
Congrats....you just did something VERY few will ever do.
Man....that is just GREAT!!!
Can't say it much better than that. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congratulations on a fine trophy! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :clapper:
:notworthy: :notworthy: mighty fine to say the least, CONGRATULATIONS :clapper: :clapper: :archer2:
Incredible! Congratulations!
I tip my hat to you.The dream you had I would bet is one MOST bowhunters have,but will never come true !!
that is freaking awesome !!!
Congrats
Well done. Well said. Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup: :archer2:
Nice job now get a matching set.
Now that is cool. Awesome job and awesome writeup of your story.
Congrats to ya!
Awesome hunt! Congrats!
Awesome!!
Way too cool!!!
Have always wanted to take a wolf myself. Well done!!
Congrats on the hunt of a lifetime! :clapper:
WoW! A big congratulations to you...I can see where this type of predator hunting could be addictive.
Congratulations. Rare kill indeed
un freakin believable!!!!!!
Fabulous harvest...thank you for sharing.
You got 10 pages of replies but it can't be said enough, Congrats on a trophy of a lifetime!
Todd
My Man!!! Cograts
Congrats!! Maybe I'll have a chance also, who knows? I found a fresh track last weekend. Good luck to all.
That's some amazing stuff right there!
Can't say it better than anyone else has said it, but it deserves to be said again....WOW! Super-duper conratulations!!!
Incredible, congratulations on achieving your difficult goal. Nice picture and story. :clapper: :clapper:
Now that's predator hunting. Way way cool. Nice looking one. I know you had to work your buns off to get her.They have super smell,sight, hearing and are super brains.
. :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Awesome!
Congrats!
Bisch
Man! That's pretty awesome, congrats! Fine looking Whip to! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Just unreal!
I dont no how I missed this one! Congrats!!! :clapper:
Congrats Jay, thats a great accomplishment. Very nice looking Wolf. Very cool. I've shot wolves with a rifle in Canada. But I still have to get one with my long bow. Way cool
That's awesome, have been a coyote trapper for years and know how tricky wild canines can be.
Such an impressive story and harvest!
Congrats!!
Congratulations!
Absolutely amazing! Well done!
QuoteOriginally posted by Ray Lyon:
QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!!
What a testament for the longbow and the longbow hunter in today's times.
Congrats....you just did something VERY few will ever do.
Man....that is just GREAT!!!
Can't say it much better than that. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: [/b]
X2! Kudos and congrats!
There have actually been 3 Wolves harvested in Alberta with Trad Bows.
It's pretty tough to do on purpose like you did.
The 3 I know of we're all taken while hunting bears over bait.
Awesome!!!!!
:notworthy:
Awesome!
congratulations on your awesome shot, and perserverance on getting your trophy
Wow, now that is awesome!
:notworthy: :notworthy:
Congrats! An outstanding accomplishment!
Absolutely incredible! Congrats on the trophy of a lifetime!
:clapper:
Congratulations! Make sure you have Jared put that pic on the Toelkes website!
You certainly accomplished what few traditional bowhunters ever will. Congratulations. :archer:
WOW!! Congrats!
Congratulations on an animal not , not , not easy to get specially with a longbow
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
You sir, are my hero!
WOW!!! Thanks for the story!!
Thanks for all of the kind comments. I got an email from the FWP biologist the other day. Said this was the only wolf taken during the 2014 archery only season!
That says a lot right there...........congrats!
I don't know how I miss this thread until now. That was a helluva feat. Congrats. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Wow...! Congratulations. I did have a wolf tag in my pack while in BC. People just don't realize how large a Wolf is. I walked in their tracks and was amazed!
had to revisit this thread. SO stinkin' cool!
As good as it gets.
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: congrats
very outstanding, quite a feat
Fantastic :clapper:
Outstanding !!!
Congratulations
WOW. Just WOW.
:thumbsup: :clapper:
WOW and OUTSTANDING are understatements!!! Congratulations on you accomplishment!!!!
Awsome hunt ! Really impressive :scared: :scared:
Impressive !!
Congratulations! :thumbsup:
I just heard about this wolf kill. On the run this morning but will come back and read this one!
Welcome to the Traditional Wolf Pack from another member!
Awesome Jay! I know of maybe eight trad wolf kills including three in Alaska. I know most of them were incidental to bear baiting like Gun said above. I know of two that were spotted and stalked while moose/caribou hunting. I shot mine by still hunting into wolf howls. My buddy and I purposely left camp to wolf hunt on at least two days and had several close calls before I worked in on and shot mine at under 15 yards. Bryan Burkhardt from MI shot one in AK this year too.
Congratulations! What kind of call were you using? Were you calling into the wind? Cross wind? Bouncing the sound off the trees? Did you anticipate where they would likely be bedded when you approached/started calling? Thanks. - John
Unreal....congrats brother! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Wow! How are you going to top that? And when you do, please share.
Thanks
That's amazing. 28 yds is a long shot for me. Great job!
Really, really cool!!
Many Congrats. It is a rare and hard earned trophy.
I just read that the Fed's put the wolf back on the protected list and all licenses have been cancelled - is that true?
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=078735#000000
I just found this while looking for another story. Anyone recall a guy named Chuck (from Canada) arrowing a wolf a few years ago? Think he shot it while bear hunting in Saskatchewan??
Wow what a story and kill , awesome !
Congratulations on the wolf, very well done!!
Wow! That is awesome!
QuoteOriginally posted by acolobowhunter:
I just read that the Fed's put the wolf back on the protected list and all licenses have been cancelled - is that true?
That could be the case in Wy. Not in Mt. or Id.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Awesome hunt, congratulations on you well earned success.
What a great hunt to emulate! :clapper: Just an unbelievable accomplishment. Well done indeed.
Fantastic! Congratulations!!!
Wowser, heck of an accomplishment, congrats to you for the achievement
WOW! Congrats!
Congratulations! I cannot add much to what has been said. I also cannot imagine the thrill you must have felt.
God bless and Merry Christmas, Steve
One tough trophy to get. Congrats!
Excellent! Congrats!
Congrats. That's cool. God bless.
Very cool!
THIS is at the TOP of my bucket list....
I'm thinkin' that 2015 will be the year!
Keep the wind in your face!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Awesome. Beautiful as well (the wolf) lol.
How cool is that.. Hat off to you brother...
OH WOW!
I didn't see this last fall...(one of the hazards of being gone elk hunting for a month).
Congratulations, nicely done!
One of the very few to do this!!! Congrats
A big huge congrats to you on an unequalled hunting endeavor. :thumbsup: rat'
That is a rare trophy with a bow or riffle. Big shout out to you!
Absolutely Awesome! Congratulations on an accomplishment that most of us only dream about.
Congratulations!
How exciting! Heart rate went up reading this! Congrats!
I would say that is most likely the toughest trophy to get with a bow congrats and never give up the good fight as you have done. Widow
That's awesome, congrats! Loved the story too, thanks. :thumbsup:
Congrats to the others here that have taken a wolf too. :thumbsup:
Bob
Wow! What an accomplishment! Apex predators going at it. Congratulations! :thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
I was just perusing old threads and found this one. In the decade since this post I have taken quite a few wolves but never connected with one again with my bow. But with only about 100 days till wolf season, maybe this year I will get.....
Excellent, congrats sir!!
Quote from: Terry Green on September 10, 2014, 06:00:00 PMWOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!!
What a testament for the longbow and the longbow hunter in today's times.
Congrats....you just did something VERY few will ever do.
Man....that is just GREAT!!!
Yep, just quoting my own post. Still a remarkable kill!!!
Absolutely remarkable :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
What an outstanding achievement!
Great to see this thread brought back up from 2014!!!
What a testimony to the tradbow and the tradbow hunter!