What would you do?

[velvetfvr]

You have been hiking for a few hours. You are a couple miles from camp. You are hunting in a wilderness area in Idaho. You are hunting bull elk with a bow in wolf infested country. You have a pistol by your side on your hip. A few minutes later you come to a opening in a trees about 50 yards wide and about 150 yards long. There is a big white, male wolf staring right at you. You have practiced with your bow out to 100 yards for practice. The wolf starts trotting at you. Do you try and whack him with a arrow at around 80 yards and then go for your pistol or do you wait for him to get closer before you do anything. You know he is coming at you and it is going to be sketchy.
Don't say I wouldn't be bowhunting but pretend you are. I would let him get to about 70, see what he does and maybe shoot a arrow and then get the pistol ready.


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[BobT]

I guess it would depend on the wolf, if you are talking about a defensive situation I would wait until he got within powder burn distance (literally) and shoot him with the pistol. I think the likelihood of being attacked by a single wolf is pretty remote, the best use of the bow would be in your non gun hand to keep from getting a wolf bite while lining up your killing shot. If you are going to claim self defense against an animal that the bunny huggers love more than their own kids then you should be able to prove it beyond any doubt. If on the other hand you have a wolf tag in your pocket wait for a shot you are comfortable with and take it if you get it. Even a wolf deserves to be killed cleanly!

Bob

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Depends on how proficient you are with the pistol. If I was good (and I am!), then SSS! (for those of you who don't know...shoot, shovel, shutup)

 

[velvetfvr]

I guess it would depend on the wolf, if you are talking about a defensive situation I would wait until he got within powder burn distance (literally) and shoot him with the pistol. I think the likelihood of being attacked by a single wolf is pretty remote, the best use of the bow would be in your non gun hand to keep from getting a wolf bite while lining up your killing shot. If you are going to claim self defense against an animal that the bunny huggers love more than their own kids then you should be able to prove it beyond any doubt. If on the other hand you have a wolf tag in your pocket wait for a shot you are comfortable with and take it if you get it. Even a wolf deserves to be killed cleanly!

Bob

He is coming after you! There is no stopping him, he is going right at you. The reason I bring this up is I read a article that someone had to make this decision in self defense. It is a defensive question about life or death.


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[Elkoholic307]

I'd throw away the bow and fling some lead.

 

[BKC]

He is coming after you! There is no stopping him, he is going right at you. It is a defensive question about life or death.

If this is the case, than I like my chances. " Go ahead Make my day" I choose my life and it's death

 

[BobT]

He is coming after you! There is no stopping him, he is going right at you. The reason I bring this up is I read a article that someone had to make this decision in self defense. It is a defensive question about life or death.


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At 70 yards it is not a defensive decision, a single wolf is not a life or death decision if you see him coming and keep your head . You have a gun and presumably know how to shoot it, there is no reason to start shooting until the wolf is within a few feet.

 

[ID_MW]

You should have a wolf tag in your pocket if you are hunting in Idaho; let it rip- are you really looking for a humane shot on a wolf anyways?? No need to SSS that way, tear him up and post it the forum. My guess is you will have wear gloves for all the high-fives you will get.

 

[Drhorsepower]

You should have a wolf tag in your pocket if you are hunting in Idaho; let it rip- are you really looking for a humane shot on a wolf anyways?? No need to SSS that way, tear him up and post it the forum. My guess is you will have wear gloves for all the high-fives you will get.

Yes you are always looking for a humane shot. Are you serious?

 

[Huntinguy0120]

People will say, "why did you shoot it 6 times?" and you will say, "because when I pulled the trigger a 7th time the gun just went 'click'"

 

[HuskyMusky]

climb a tree and wait.... then shoot with my pistol.

could fling an arrow at 70yds or whatever, then climb tree, then shoot with pistol.

 

[Muleys 24/7]

I wouldn't even mess with the bow if a wolf was charging.......Wait till he got within 20 yards and pop'em a few times with the handgun. That's close enough for a predator charging from a 100 yards

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I just have to say, this scenario seems kind of outlandish. I live in some of the most wolf-infested country in Montana, and I have only seen the buggers a couple of times. They are pretty timid usually. I did have a run-in with a large lone wolf when my partners and I stumbled upon a dead bull. I don't know if it was a wolf kill or not, but a wolf had definitely been feeding on the carcass. While we were there, the wolf came in on us, but hung up at about 50 yards, barking and growling. He didn't want to really show himself either. We did get a few looks at him. He was big black one. We were armed and ready for anything, but it wasn't really a harrowing experience.

Now a whole pack closing in would be different, but I don't think that is all that common either.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Depends on how proficient you are with the pistol. If I was good (and I am!), then SSS! (for those of you who don't know...shoot, shovel, shutup)

I agree completely!!!

 

[buckbull]

Yes you are always looking for a humane shot. Are you serious?

Something charging me like a wolf or bear, I aint looking for a broadside humane shot either. I'm pretty lousy with a pistol anyway, but at least they'd find my body with an empty magazine.

 

[velvetfvr]

I like the responses but the reason I asked this question is because a bowhunter was faced with this very decision. A big old male wolf charging her at a trot, jumped up on a log within 20 yards. She did pop him with the pistol as it was self defense but she was faced with, when do I take the shot and what weapon so I wanted to see what other people would say. I would only take the long shot with a bow if I knew for a fact he was coming. But if not I would wait for him to make a move before I would do anything to kill him. I believe she didn't have a wolf tag either.


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[ID_MW]

The guy was talking about a wolf "trotting at him," so, yeah I am serious. My response was based on a practical calculus, not moral. Not trying to ruffle feathers, but have you even seen a wolf? The situation implies defensive rationale. Enough said. Give me a break dude.

 

[hardstalk]

Gotta kinda agree with ya id. Wolf, bear, human, lion. If its comin at me with intent to kill gloves are off. Morals lost. Im shootin prior to a broadside and finding cover asap. Id probably run so fast i would leave my bow behind and start shooting rifles again.

 

[velvetfvr]

The guy was talking about a wolf "trotting at him," so, yeah I am serious. My response was based on a practical calculus, not moral. Not trying to ruffle feathers, but have you even seen a wolf? The situation implies defensive rationale. Enough said. Give me a break dude.

Not giving you a hard time and understand where your coming from and am not giving you a hard time. That is the last thing I want to do to any of you guys since I joined here to learn from you guys! I have had no experience with wolves and hope I don't! I just heard about this story and wanted to see what the more experienced sportsmen would do.


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[xtreme]

I can't run and wouldn't run from a dangerous wild amimal anyway. My pistol shooting is better than my bow shooting. I would be happy if wolves went extinct. I know something about them, my grandson had one for a pet. I never worried for his safety but that wolf was sure a problem.
Bottom line, I would follow Colorado Cowboys advice. I have seen them in the wild, didn't get a shot then but I shoot farther now.