A Cold Canadian Wolf Hunt

By Kenneth Lehman

For many years the idea of a wolf hunt had been appealing to me. I had already taken coyote and fox by hunting and trapping, and where we hunted black bear near Wawa Ontario Canada there were always lots of wolves. Though I had tried to set up hunts with our friend and outfitter Rick Dickson, there was always an obstacle that would prevent it from happening.

On our annual bear hunt in August of 2022, Rick told us this would be his last year of guiding bear hunts and I thought my chances of hunting the area would be gone, but Rick had a suggestion. He had a young man that was doing some hunts and gave me his contact info. Shortly after I contacted Brett Robinson and had a hunt set up.

The hunt would take place sometime between December and February depending on weather and if enough wolves were come into his bait sites. Brett and I spoke the same language, it was clear to me that he was serious about a successful hunt.

Deer season came and by the end of November I wasn’t thinking about hunting wolves, then I got an email from Brett. He had several packs of wolves coming to bait sites and could I be up in the next couple weeks! Along with the email he included several photos from his trail cameras that had wolfs coming during day light hours. Now that will get your heart pumping.

November 4th, I jumped in the truck and headed north eight hours to Wawa. The weather here in Michigan had been pretty mild and there was no snow on the ground until I was almost to the Bridge. That all changed 100 miles from Wawa. The temperature dropped and it became a white out on Highway 17. A severe Artic blast was pushing in and the hunt was going to be a cold sit.

Of course, I had been watching the weather, and had packed my heaviest winter gear. Included was a new ice fishing suit and Cabela’s Alaska boots, these saved me!

As things turned out Brett was unable to guide me, but his father Jamie was going to take me. And Jamie and I hit it off right away, both being in the lumber industry and trappers, we had lots in common.

Monday, November 5th, temperature 16 degrees and light snow. Jamie picked me up at 5:00am and we drove to a logging road in his truck, then used his side by side for another few miles, finally on foot to an overlook. About 100 yards below in a small clearing and a bait. Or there was supposed to be a bait, but the wolves had cleaned it up. We could not see any tracks that looked like they had just been made, but Jamie was confident that wolves were nearby, and I would get my chance.

The small pop-up blind was perfectly located above and to the east of the bait site. It was very unlikely that any wolf would come in behind me and catch my scent.

As the day progressed the breeze picked up and I tried to sit still to make as little noise as possible. The cold started creeping in, I had not put on the warmest gear at this point, but the coffee in my thermos was doing a good job taking the edge off. Day one ended at 5:15 and I had put in my first 10 hour sit.

Day two, temp 6 above and fresh snow. We pulled into our parking spot and saw a few sets of lynx track along with a few hare tracks, but no wolf sign. Jamie rebated the site and I settled into my sit location. I got suited up with the heavier gear that I packed in and quietly got into the blind. The ravens were very active which seemed like a good sign. After another 10 hours, no wolves showed up.

Mind you, Jamie remained optimistic, the wolf packs had been very consistent, and he had been baiting since Oct. I too felt confident, sitting is the way our family hunts in Michigan, and hands down is still the most successful method I know. The problem is wolves can go miles and make a kill on a moose and be at that location for days. This was my biggest fear.

Day 3, and the temperature is 4 above…. And a repeat of day 2 nothing but ravens.

Day 4, Wawa is zero and by the time I get to the blind my thermometer is reading -5, no wind… AND there are wolf tracks all over the place! Jamie reminds me that the wolves could easily clean up all the bait he put out, but their pattern has been to hang around the next day looking for scraps.

When it gets this cold everything squeaks, the snow makes lots of noise with every step and no matter how careful you are, wolves’ hearing is exceptional so that you can’t be quiet enough. These thoughts run through my head as I got set up. Then I realized that I forgot my lunch, which for me is a lucky sign. Many times on the day I forget something is the day I have success on my hunt.

At 10:10 I see something moving through the timber, just a glimpse but it sure was not a raven. Pulling off my face mask my breath is pounding and as I check my scope, it’s completely frosted. A quick clean off and I am ready.

After what seems like minutes but was only moments, out steps a wolf. First impressions are that it’s small wolf. It stops and checks out a spot before moving to a rib cage which I think is from a deer and again it appears to be small. I wait. Maybe another wolf will come out and I can get a better view to judge the size. Nothing comes out.

The wolf is turning to head back into the timber and I must decide… pass or shoot something that looks small to me.

Many times, in life we have to make decisions and I believe the worst thing you can do is not decide. Right or wrong, indecision is never the answer.

The 30-06 goes off before the wolf takes a step and down it goes.

It turns out the rib cage I was watching was from a cow moose and are way bigger than a whitetail! As I walked up on my trophy, I was overjoyed and humbled by this wild canine.

Thanks to Jamie Robinson, his son Brett, and the entire Robinson family for their friendship and I look forward to more adventures together.