Hunting Alberta Wolves with Mossberg’s Patriot Predator in 7MM PRC

The thermometer read a mind-numbing -40°F and slipping into the elevated blind before sunrise was challenging. The cold, dry snow creaked underfoot with each step, making it seem impossible to get in place without the wolves hearing the approach from a mile away.

The first order of business was to fire up the propane heater to clear the windows of the industrial-strength frost. Cracking the front windows slightly would draw the warm air from the heater and clear the windows quickly. It also provided a view of the bait, where the coyotes had already returned to fight and jostle over position. My approach didn’t bother them a bit.

A year earlier, my buddy Jason sat in the same spot. As daylight lit up the area, the coyotes got nervous and scattered. Seconds later, the unmistakable face of an adult wolf showed up in the alders. It ran through the site, only to rush back from where it had come. Without hesitation, Jason locked it behind his crosshairs, and as it neared the trees, the 6.5 PRC barked. The wolf stumbled and disappeared into the trees.

After waiting 20 minutes, which seemed like hours, the hunter carefully approached the area. There was a good blood trail, and after a short distance, the hulking body of an alpha male wolf lay motionless in the snow. It was an exhilarating moment that few hunters ever experience.

I got up late in the season, which runs from December 1st until the end of March. The days were long. I spotted two wolves in the dark but never saw them during legal shooting hours. Several buddies have hunted with Braden and Jason Frank of Northern Backcountry Adventures (www.northernbackcountryadventures.com), which runs multiple baits in northwest Alberta, and their success has spurred me on to get back next winter. Most North American hunters dream of hunting the apex predator, one of the toughest animals to harvest.

My phone lit up with pictures of different clients who hunted with the Franks. White, gray, and black wolves so heavy they could barely be held up for pictures drove me crazy, and I dreamed about a return trip.
Braden had developed a unique battery system with solar charging panels to keep the cellular trail cameras working through the weeks of extreme cold. Without the new power sources, holding a camera operational for more than a few days was impossible before the regular batteries would need replacing. Part of the problem was the insane number of photos taken in 24 hours. The camera got an extreme workout between the wolves, coyotes, and ravens.

A pack of wolves would move onto a bait site, and hundreds of photos would be taken. There were singles, pairs, and packs with over a dozen wolves that visit the sites regularly. There is often a pattern, but most visits are at night. The trail cameras provided more information than meets the eye.

Analysis of wolf behavior was easier with the trail cameras. I talked with Larry Weishuhn about his knowledge of animal movement associated with the moon phase. Jason and I spent time looking at pictures, and Jason noted some interesting patterns, allowing him to predict, as challenging as it is, when wolves would be moving during daylight hours. He tested his theory, and the first three sits produced wolves within hours. I promised not to reveal his secrets, but I know I’m paying attention to his recommendations when I head back next winter.
The number of trail camera photos taken in winter is impressive. The Reveal Tactacam units run all winter and take pictures day and night, even when the weather is extreme. It makes a running journal of activity that provides important information that isn’t always obvious.
Understanding the Timber Wolf

Hunting Alberta

Alberta’s wilderness is vast and untamed, offering incredible opportunities for outdoor adventure. But beneath the beauty of the landscape lies the territory of one of the region’s most iconic predators—the gray wolf, also known as the timber wolf. These animals are a vital part of Alberta’s natural ecosystem and are found in the province’s mountain ranges, foothills, parkland regions, and boreal forests. The integrated farmland, large tracts of river valleys, and forest in the Peace River Region make it a mecca for the wolf. They flourish with incredible ungulate populations upon which to prey.

With an estimated provincial population of 7,000 gray wolves, they are not considered rare or endangered in Alberta. They thrive where prey is abundant, human presence is limited, and safe denning sites are available. A typical wolf territory can span anywhere from 150 to 460 square miles, reflecting the space required to hunt and live with minimal disturbance.

The gray wolf is the largest member of the wild dog family, with some adults weighing as much as 130 pounds. Their appearance can vary greatly—coats range in color from nearly black to almost white, though gray with darker shading is most common. Their fur is long and dense, suited to the cold climate, and their large feet help them travel efficiently across snow. Broad-faced with a less pointed muzzle than a coyote and thickly furred ears, wolves are built for survival in the harsh backcountry.

Social by nature, wolves live and travel in packs that can number anywhere from two individuals to over twenty, with larger group sizes often seen in the winter months. These packs function as close-knit family units, typically comprised of a breeding pair, their pups, and occasionally yearlings or other adults. They move, hunt, and rest together, relying on coordination and communication to succeed in challenging environments. One of the most recognizable signs of wolf presence is their howl, a haunting sound carried over long distances. More than just a call, the howl is crucial in establishing territory and keeping pack members connected across vast expanses of wilderness.

The Ultimate Wolf Rifle: Mossberg Patriot Predator in 7mm PRC

When hunting wolves in the expansive wilds of North America, especially in terrain as unpredictable as Alberta’s boreal forests and foothills, your gear must perform with precision, reliability, and confidence at extended ranges. The Mossberg Patriot Predator chambered in 7mm PRC stands out as a purpose-built rifle for such demanding predator pursuits, offering the kind of long-range accuracy and ballistic performance that gives hunters a clear edge when every second counts. Wolves can show up at 20 yards or 400 yards, and being prepared with a cartridge with a relatively flat trajectory can be the difference between success and failure.

Mossberg developed the Predator model as part of their highly regarded Patriot line. It brings a modern, versatile bolt-action platform to hunters who require consistent accuracy, dependable performance, and real-world affordability. Paired with the 7mm PRC cartridge, which is Hornady’s latest addition to its Precision Rifle Cartridge family, the Patriot Predator becomes a true long-range predator tool. The 7mm PRC strikes a perfect balance between magnum power and shootability, sending high ballistic coefficient bullets with surgical accuracy, while delivering less felt recoil than traditional magnums like the 7mm Remington. That means more control, faster follow-up shots, and greater confidence when a wolf crosses into range.

Out of the box, the Patriot Predator is ready for the field with a suppressor-ready threaded barrel, an integrated Picatinny rail for quick optic mounting, and a fluted barrel that enhances cooling and reduces weight. Weighing just 6.5 pounds, it’s light enough for long hikes into remote backcountry, but still stable enough to deliver tight groupings when it matters most. The free-floated, sporter-contour 24-inch barrel features a 1:8 twist rate optimized explicitly for the 7mm PRC’s heavy-for-caliber bullets, making it ideal for shots across open prairies or deep forest cutlines where wolves are often spotted.

The rifle’s Lightning Bolt Action (LBA) trigger system gives shooters full control over trigger pull, allowing adjustments from two to seven pounds. This feature, paired with a crisp break and zero creep, contributes to the rifle’s outstanding accuracy at a distance. Whether you prefer a flat dark earth stock or the Strata camo with a rugged Cerakote finish, both versions offer a durable, weather-resistant platform that performs in harsh conditions.

Field-tested with factory-loaded 175-grain ELD-X ammunition, the 7mm PRC Predator has consistently produced sub-MOA groups at 100 yards, and performance remains strong well beyond that. Despite the magnum-class energy, the recoil remains manageable—an important feature when taking repeatable, confident shots at wary predators.

Whether you’re sitting in a blind, glassing ridgelines, stalking timber, or calling over snow-packed ground, the Mossberg Patriot Predator in 7mm PRC is a true hunter’s rifle. It offers precise, dependable performance and is built for real-world wolf hunting. Affordable enough for most budgets but engineered like a high-performance rifle, it’s a tool serious hunters will trust when the target is elusive, intelligent, and always on the move.

I have a Mossberg Patriot 6.5 PRC in my gun cabinet, but I opted to go with the 7 mm PRC after seeing the size and stamina of wolves. While hunting elk last fall, two of our buddies shot at a pack of wolves eating a calf elk, knocking three down. Unfortunately, none were recovered. It was enough to convince me that a 7 mm was not too big, and bringing enough gun would be an asset against these tough creatures.

As Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “I’ll be back” in the famous 1984 science fiction film “The Terminator.” The wolves and I shall meet again. I will be back. Hunting wolves is highly addictive, and sitting an entire day in a blind may sound daunting, but being focused is easy, especially with a steady parade of coyotes to entertain and act as an early warning system. Sitting for a week meant I spent about 70 hours in the blind. The lack of harvest wasn’t due to the lack of effort. Most wolf outfitters run 50 percent success, or less. It is a species where you must invest time to succeed. I am confident in the targeted area and know I have the right rifle to do the job efficiently when opportunity does knock.

Contact Information/Accommodations

For more information about Alberta wolf hunts, contact Braden or Jason Frank at Braden@northernbackcountryadventures.com or call 780-864-6446 for Braden or
780-500-1146 for Jason. They provide airport pick up in a local city, have outstanding accommodations and meals, and know the critters they are chasing.

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