What Caliber For A Wolf Pack?

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Cosmoline

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The freakishly light snowfall up here has apparently been prompting some unusual behavior in the local packs. First a village in the interior got strafed by a pack, then some dogs in Fairbanks got hit. Now they're coming into Anchorage. All these are different packs, of course, but the weather conditions are weirdly warm through the whole state. That means a lot of very happy moose and a lot of very hungry wolves.

Sinnott's rhetoric aside, this last encounter has all the hallmarks of predatory behavior--on a human this time. I've always heard there's no bluffing a wolf, which is the main way they're different from bear or wild dogs. If they're interested in a target, there's no scaring them off by trying to look or sound scary. They almost never attack people, but then again the pack as a whole is one of the most effective predators on the planet. They plan ahead and can orchestrate a combined assault from different directions. If they took a mind to it they could be extremely dangerous. Way more so than a big dumb griz.

So what, if any, firearm would be best if I take a mountain bike trip out into the urban parkland this weekend? Within reason, of course. I'm actually thinking my paratroop SKS.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/wildlife/wolves/story/9514718p-9424671c.html

The most recent encounter came Saturday, when Janet Read was walking two dogs on a gravel road northwest of Elmendorf's flight line, Sinnott said. Once again, a black wolf appeared on the trail, about 50 yards behind her, the lab-retriever mix and a friend's golden retriever.

When Read yelled at the wolf, it walked back into the woods, Sinnott said. But moments later, the black wolf reappeared, this time with two gray wolves. They followed her for about 15 minutes until she reached the main road and her vehicle, despite her yelling at them the whole way, Sinnott said.
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I'm thinking something high capacity and semi auto would be best. You're going to have several fast moving targets inbound at once.

As for power, if its powerful enough to kill two legged critters, it should be fine on wolves. So your SKS isn't a bad choice ... or an AK or AR or Mini 14/30.
 
That is scary.
Getting torn apart by a wolfpack is one of the worst ways to die IMO. One following you is bad enough. But three? You know you are on the menu then.
Maybe a pump shotgun like a Mossberg 590. Handles fast and is plenty deadly at close range for engaging multiple attackers.
If I have to kill an animal I want to make sure I put it down and not just wound it and have it run off. Unless you are absolutely confident in your shooting abilities, I'd go with the shotgun.
 
Getting torn apart by a wolfpack is one of the worst ways to die IMO.
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Is that an expert opinion? [Joking]

I think your SKS will be fine. If you have a sidearm, it may not be a bad idea to bring that too (which I am sure you will).
 
I would just go with my trusty 1100 with No. 4 buck in the 2 3/4 low brass varity no keep in mind I have the works on the 1100 its an 8 rounder with a side saddle ect.
 
Wolves are hard to hit but not hard to put down. I'd go with something like your SKS and 30 round mags with a hi cap 9mm pistol as backup. Using Wolf ammo is a good idea too:D
 
When something is "Hard to hit but not hard to put down" the first thing that comes to my mind is not "Rifle" but "Shotgun....stupid".
 
SKS sounds good to me too. The lady who got followed by the three wolves was lucky. They may very well have been after the dogs, but if you can see 3, then there's more than likely several more that you can't see. They may have been trying to drive her into the others.
 
My favorite calibers for shooting wild dogs or coyotes within a hundred yards is a 9mm pistol or a 30 carbine rifle both loaded with hollowpoints. Past 100 yards I use a 243 bolt action or a 5.56 ar platform. 500 yards or further I move up to either a 30-06 or a 300 win mag bolt action.
 
When something is "Hard to hit but not hard to put down" the first thing that comes to my mind is not "Rifle" but "Shotgun....stupid".
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Not so much you can miss with a rifle just as much as you can with a shotgun especialy at close ranges. And dont be a stuge with inflamatory remarks its just a question
 
Plan A: Belt fed.
Plan B: Ninja Turtles.
Plan C: Run faster than you.

realistically? Like the other guys said, something with a big old magazine and a bit of punch should do it.
 
So what, if any, firearm would be best if I take a mountain bike trip out into the urban parkland this weekend? Within reason, of course. I'm actually thinking my paratroop SKS.
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I've crashed in some weird positions on a MTB before, but I can't imagine landing on that SKS! :eek:

I think I'd stick with a hi-cap handgun. There won't be any time for a revo-reload while your crapin' your pants.

rd
 
Could just keep a few ribs in your pocket as a distraction
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I'd get in more trouble for feeding them than killing them, and rightly so. Besides they'd probably think they were my ribs and *REALLY* come after me. "Dude, they come in pork flavor!"

The shotgun isn't going to be any easier to hit things with than a rifle or carbine, of course. The spread is minimal at effective range. Besides these aren't coyotes, they're Alaskan wolves. I wouldn't expect part of a wad of shot at range to do much. Think raptors from "Jurasic Park."

I hope someone gets a video of them, at any rate. It's a rare treat to have wolves this bold. They're one of the most difficult animals to see up close in Alaska. Obviously you don't want to be *too* up close to them, but they are pretty cool.
 
Your SKS would work, but as someone has mentioned. A shotgun with #4 buck is excellent on moving targets you want to make sure go down.

But is either one going to work that well on a bike? I would think a semi-auto would be easier to carry and deploy quickly.
 
I vote for something with a lot of serious rounds, and the capability of quick reloads. A shotgun does not fit that bill.

Ar AR with multiple 30 rounds mags sounds good to me.
 
A stuge lol, its been a while since I have heard that. Sorry you misunderstood me, I meant my brain was saying that to MYSELF.

No offence meant. But truly, on coyotes, they are easy to hit, but not so easy to kill. They are tough animals, and can run if you dont hit them in the vitals.

Shotgun = more chance to hit vitals.

It truly is better for defense.
 
C'mon, it's easy. Alaska was formerly Russian territory, so use a Russian gun. Kalashniclone if you feel like shooting a lot of 'em (After all, the AK in AK-47/74 can stand for Alaska), M44 if you feel like a mounted charge (bayonet out mandatory).
 
Wolf pack? Yeah, SKS sounds good. Anything high capacity.

Full Auto would be nice too, but civilians don't need that. <rolls eyes>

I suggest using the buddy system. When the wolves attack, knock your buddy off his bike. (and ride like mad)
 
A wolf pack attack is going to be really fast I would think so you wont get a lot of shots off
I vote for something with a lot of serious rounds, and the capability of quick reloads. A shotgun does not fit that bill.
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reloads most likely will not be an issue if you drop 1 or 2 the attack will likely be broken.

Try watching animal plannet instead of HBO guys
 
I am interested to learn what the wolf population in the USA is.We have more or less wiped out wolves in Europe,through over hunting..
 
Last time I checked wolves weren't human hunters. I don't expect them to strafe left and right as they come to you. They are most likely to attack you from behind (if at all....that is a big if). A semi-auto rifle will be fine.
 
I am interested to learn what the wolf population in the USA is.We have more or less wiped out wolves in Europe,through over hunting..
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It has grown to the point that some states are considering a wolf season...

I see this good in so many ways- wolves are coming back and I may soon get to shoot one. :-D

Edit: this in in the lower 48. In Alaska, they have thousands and wolf seasons already.

Edit again: http://www.helenair.com/articles/2007/12/11/helena/a01121107_01.txt
 
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