Red Lodge Montana Wolves?

[Montanakid]

Was curious if anyone has been seeing any wolves or wolf sign in the Red Lodge area? Or anywhere else in MT, really want a wolf, just trying to find a good spot

 

[CabinFever]

Here's a good place to start. Find wintering elk and there's likely to be wolves around.

http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/management/wolf/population.html

 

[drahthaar]

Hd 101.

 

[Montanakid]

Thanks, do any of the wolf biologist ever tell us where they're at if you email them?

 

[drahthaar]

Go get a FS map of the Talley Ranger district. Drive any open road west of Kalispell and you will see tracks and or sign. Or go drive the open roads in and around Trego and Fortine MT, you will see tracks and or sign.

Look at the FWP site of where the wolves are being trapped right now. R1. They are pretty thick in places up here.

 

[twodot]

So, if a guy comes up to hunt for say 3-4 days, are there hotels, diners etc in the near area.
Is is all black timber, or are there some open areas to glass and watch over.
Would you try calling or go looking for a kill to set up over.
Got a bad case of wolf fever mixing in with a need for a road trip going on here.

 

[drahthaar]

Yes on the hotels. And yes on the open areas. Checkerboarded plum creek land, slicked off pretty good. Lots of big open clearcuts west of Kalispell. Trego has some, but that is mostly FS, land, but there are some clearcuts.

 

[Slam]

MTKid, are you in the Red Lodge area? Head out to the Roscoe area (focus between the Rosebud Rivers). The wolves follow the Butcher Creek herd out of the high country and can generally be found the vincinity of that herd. This is mostly private ground, however, I have yet to here a sympathetic position from a rancher concerning their presence.

 

[twodot]

what kind of snow cover do you have over there at present? IE do I need to figure on spending the day on snow shoes, or is it packed enough for regular foot wear?

Are griz encounters any sort of real concern this time of year?

From the area you are talking about, how long a drive is it to Kalispell?

 

[dustinf]

I have nothing to add about wolf hunting, but I spent a couple nights in Red Lodge this fall. A good grocery store and a couple motels(none cheap in September).

 

[Montanakid]

Thanks for the info guys

 

[MontanaWild]

Grizz encounters? haha now that's funny

 

[twodot]

I used to live over on the front. I think griz are a pain in the ass.
Now I live in the breaks, it's snakes over here.

Being mostly deaf gets on your nerves after years of carefree outdoor living.
If I could do it all again, I'da taken hearing protection a bit less casually.

 

[jryoung]

Won't the griz be napping right now?

 

[drahthaar]

Last griz I heard of this year was back in mid December. Cold snap, and no more gut piles, seemed to finally send them into hibernation.

From Kalispell, you are talking anywhere from 10 miles to some national forest, to 90 if you want to drive clear to Libby. 50 miles if you drive up toward trego fortine stryker area but it's FS al the way up there on hwy 93.. You really don't have to drive very far to find FS/plum creek land around here. You can sure put miles on a truck driving all the open roads. I would bring chains if you have them.

And I would bring snowshoes too. Although you can sure walk in a lot of places still. Like I say have the Flathead national forest send you the big colored travel map. Kootenai forest too.

If you want wolves, there is hardly a better place. Region 1 in MT holds 41% of the state's wolves.

 

[twodot]

thanks drahthaar, all of this is great information.
What is FS/plum creek land? I figure FS means forest service, but plum creek has me stumped'
I have chains for all four, in the truck year round. Usually for mud though.
Will be requesting maps on Monday, always have GPS with land ownership card on hand these days.
I was thinking about hunting Seeley Swan area anyway, but it sounds like driving the extra north and west may well be a good thing. Thanks again.

 

[theat]

Plum Creek is a private timber company that allows public access. In fact they are the largest private landowner in the country with over 47 million acres.

 

[twodot]

Thank you, kinda figured it might be something like that.