November 22nd, 2008; two hunters set out on the greatest wolf hunt in history. Arriving to an undisclosed location at about 9am, they suited up for the cold, wet, journey ahead. It was blowing rain and the combination of wind and water was startling to the senses.
Armed with a hare-in-distress call and a 30.06, they embarkedon their excursion. As they walked, snow crunching beneath theirfeet, they stopped to listen (as any great hunter periodically does). What they heard excited them. It was wolves howling. They picked up speed and headed toward a clearing where the river offered a view of the opposite side of the valley. They hunkered down and began to call. Nothing. They continued to call for about half an hour. Still nothing. In the midst of all the calling and waiting, the huntress' left boot began to cut off circulation to her foot, as the bunny boots being used were that one of the hunter's younger brothers and as a result, were too small. (This huntress has slightly larger-than-usual feet.) So, she took off her boot it helped, but was then pretty cold. The asked if she wanted to go back and said that he wouldn't make fun of her or give her a hard time for doing so. The huntress never was or ever will be a wimp, so she refused. She put the boot back on and they treked on, determined that there was a wolf out there that they could call in.
After walking along the river, the hunter saw some hares and decided to call by a large fallen tree next to the river. It provided perfect cover and if the hunters sat back to back they could look along both ends of the bend in the river. The hunter began to call using hand and mouth. He called for about 45minutes. Just when they thought they may need to move on to another spot, the hunter spotted a wolf through the scope of his rifle. It was far and in the trees, so it wasn't a clear shot by any means. And not only that, but it was on the move and the hunters couldn't get a good look at it. It went out of sight and he called again. He continued to look through the scope. Then suddenly right accross the river only 10 yards away, was a big, beautiful wolf. The hunter, still not seeing the wolf right in front of him (at this time the huntress would like to remind the hunter that see loves him very much and he's the best wolf hunter there ever was)...so the huntress nudged the hunter and without a moments hesitation, the hunter pointed the rifle at the wolf and shot. The wolf ran along side the river and after only a couple seconds, falls to ground.
WOO HOO!!! They hugged excitedly and then considered how they were going to cross the river to get it. THey found an old bridge and the hunter crossed with ease. He returned with the wolf on his shoulders only a few minutes later. It would be much harder to get back across with the large wolf. He decided to cross in the middle to avoid the old broken bridge, but as he waded in it got deep fast and befre he knew it, he was up to his chin in water and the wolf began to float.
He immediately got out and headed back for the bridge. They found a rope and he tied it to the wolf and threw it accross to the huntress. Then he safely crossed.
...and they lived happily ever after. All it took was a little sweat, a wolf call, a rifle, and one of alaska's most elusive, majestic animals. Oh and some good hot chocolate on the way home.
