Do You Ever Wonder Why Sports Are Played Worldwide?

Posted on: 20 April 2018

When it comes to hunting excursions, one of the places that many hunters enjoy traveling to is Alaska. With so many different types of big game and predators to hunt, it's always an enjoyable experience. If you've been thinking about a wolf hunting trip in Alaska this year, there are some things that you need to know. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your trip and improve your chances of coming home with a trophy.

Choose Your Trip Time Carefully

As a non-resident, you'll have to plan an actual hunting trip with a local agency to hunt wolves in Alaska. The state requires that non-residents be accompanied by a local guide and hunter. As a result, you'll need to plan your trip time accordingly. You can't just decide to take a weekend trip any time of year because the hunting services only offer wolf hunting trips during certain times of year.

Spring wolf hunting usually happens from the middle of March through late in April. The fall hunting period starts around the beginning of August and is usually open through the month of October. You can plan a short excursion, or even a long trip that's ten days or more.

Consider How You Want To Hunt Them

The area of Alaska you hunt in will be dictated by how you wish to hunt. There are regions of Alaska that classify wolves as big game, allowing you to hunt them with firearms. In other areas, they are classified as fur-bearers. In those areas, you can trap them. You'll need to have tags for whichever type of hunting you've chosen, and you'll have to select your hunting area based on that as well.

Know The Best Shot Placement For Firearm Hunting

You don't have to worry about shot placement if you'll be trapping the wolves, but if you plan on a firearm hunting trip, you need to be prepared for the most effective shot to actually kill the wolf. A double-lung shot is the best way to go, though a heart shot is also effective. The best thing you can do is to target a wolf that you can shoot broad-side, or one that's just slightly facing away from you.

Understand The Best Practices For Trapping

Trapping wolves is far more complex than hunting them with firearms. This is partially because wolves are so intelligent. They learn quickly when something changes in their environment, and catching one wolf from a pack in a trap will often teach that entire pack to avoid those traps. In addition, wolves have a highly sensitive nose, and even the faintest hint of your scent on the trap or in the area around the trap will drive them away from the trap and eliminate your chances of catching one.

That means you have to be meticulous about your preparation and placement. Never touch the traps or other tools with your bare hands. Always wear gloves. If you can add a pine or other natural scent to your gloves, that's even better. Boil your traps before each use to get rid of any residual odors, then treat them with an odor elimination spray when you put it out. Take steps to avoid leaving your scent in the area, too. Cover yourself with a pine scent before you go out there, and make sure you have some sort of sweat inhibitor, even if it's just sweat bands, if the weather is warm. Even the subtlest thing can be enough to drive a wolf away from the area where the trap is.

For more information about hunting wolves in Alaska, contact local hunting guides.