Legendary Day in Idaho

[Elkmagnet]

Great day!
If I had a choice I'd rather shoot my first wolf this year than get another 6pt bull.

 

[daltrix99]

Full body of both with the wolf chasing the coyote... If you are looking for a taxidermist, Monarch in Helena is my taxidermist's nephew. My guy is good and got him started, but he has taken it to the next level...

Phenomenal, thank you!

 

[Elkoholic]

That's a way cool day!

 

[SC Living Outdoors]

Holy smokes thats cool. Big Congrats!

 

[SwaggyD]

than get another 6pt bull

#humblebrag

 

[Elkmagnet]

#humblebrag

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

Well done. That's a day right there

 

[Black_Squirrel]

Great job. Awesome size comparison too

 

[JT88]

So there I was, looking for Mule Deer in Idaho's high country. Solo, public land. Good morning so far, no bucks around yet, but I did see a few does, and a big bull Elk.

The morning goes on and a Coyote makes an appearance. I had never killed a Coyote before, or even tried to. After watching this one trot along the sage for a time, the thought occurred to me. It was a beautiful Coyote, thick winter coat with nice coloration, so I decided to shoot it. All good, I went and grabbed the Coyote, and brought it back to my glassing knob. Satisfied with the hunt thus far, and I knew I would have a beautiful pelt for the house.

Fast forward about thirty minutes, and I decide for a minor relocation. I grab my rifle and start walking...I haven't made it twenty yards when I look up on the ridge above me, and majestically silhouetted with moody October clouds behind it is a Gray Wolf. I sunk down behind some sage, had my rifle on the tripod already, and started watching and ranging. The Wolf did not see me, and trotted somewhat perpendicular to me while getting closer. Ranges 385, 350, 300, 275, 225, and it stopped...


View attachment 296744


And next to the Coyote from less than an hour prior...

View attachment 296748
View attachment 296752

This was (still is) a dream come true. I've had the good fortune to kill a lot of Elk, Deer, and a few Black Bears. I could go on and on about how special it was for me to have had this opportunity, the stars to align for a shot, and to walk up to this animal. What a day.

Gear for those interested: .300 WM rifle from Alamo Precision, Thunderbeast Dominus CB Suppressor, RRS tripod. Hand-loaded copper rounds. Leupold Mark 5HD scope from our very own Hunttalk legend Schmaltz. Now I just have to decide between a rug or a full body mount...

Incredible day, full body mount. No brainer. Honest question for you, do you think you'd have that wolf if your rifle wasn't suppressed?

 

[Irrelevant]

I vote euro and hide over the couch.

 

[rogerthat]

I vote euro and hide over the couch.

This! Mounting crap is overrated. Unless it’s catfish hunter then you mount that hawg over your fire place for sure.

 

[Bryerific]

I vote euro and hide over the couch.

Definitely euro both the wolf and the coyote and put them next to each other

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

Awesome!

 

[jpcoll01]

Amazing animal. If you full body mount find someone who does predators. So many times folks who do great with deer and elk make a predator’s face look goofy. They aren’t easy to do well it seems.

 

[txco]

Wow way to go. Excellent pics. Do you have the weight?

 

[daltrix99]

I vote euro and hide over the couch.

I am strongly considering this. My initial vision if this were to ever happen was exactly this. Somehow feels a little more clean and classy. I dunno, it's obviously a personal choice, and I have some thinking to do.

 

[daltrix99]

Incredible day, full body mount. No brainer. Honest question for you, do you think you'd have that wolf if your rifle wasn't suppressed?

Great question and I have wondered the same. Obviously the suppressor makes some noise, but in my experience it doesn't scare animals off. The biggest variable would be how far the wolf was when I shot the coyote. In 45min that wolf could have covered several miles and he wouldn't have heard the shot either way, or he could have been sleeping just a few hundred yards off, and an un-suppressed shot would have scared him off.

Either way, there's no way of knowing, but I'm glad I had the can on, I'd like to think it made it possible. Also worth noting, I was deer hunting, and I never would have shot the coyote without the can. I had no concern it would spook deer in the general area.

 

[CPAjeff]

My goodness - congrats on a spectacular morning!

I vote a full body on the wolf!

 

[Oak]

Count me among the taxidermy minimalist votes. Lifesize mounts look awesome the day you bring them home, and then they start collecting dust and become a PITA to keep up. The more complex the habitat, the more trouble long-term.

 

[BackofBeyond]

I vote euro and hide over the couch.

Same.