Pack of wolves in northern Wisconsin, two miles from where the author grew up.
Posted on 05/10/2022 4:24:45 AM PDT by marktwain
The case of Crist Kolby and his probable death by a wolf was first written by W. R. Selfridge and published in 1943 in Alaskan Sportsman. It was published again in 1956 in the book Blood on the Arctic Snow and examined again in The Wolves of Alaska #ad: A Fact-based Saga by Jim Rearden, a legendary writer, scientist and historian in Alaska. This article relies on the account in Blood on the Arctic Snow, supplemented with analysis from The Wolves of Alaska and internet sources for the Ketchican Cemetary and the Thirteenth Annual Alaska Game Commission report, 1936-1937.
In February of 1939, Crist Kolby, a well-known and successful Alaskan outdoorsman in Ketchican, Alaska, left to tend his trap line on the Thorn River, located on Prince of Wales Island. He took sufficient supplies for the trip, including a fairly new and top-of-the-line Smith & Wesson .357 magnum revolver. Less than 5,000 had been produced at that time. Kolby was routinely armed, known to be a good woodsman and to be in top physical condition at 40 years old.
When Kolby failed to return by July, the United States Commissioner sent two men to investigate the situation. They found Kolby’s base of operations, 10 miles up the river, in the old Hudson cabin, without difficulty. It appeared Kolby had left on a day trip on March 2nd and had never returned. An extensive search near the cabin discovered a rowboat up a creek. The men came to the conclusion an additional search for his remains would be futile in the summer foliage. They returned to Ketchican with his belongings from the cabin. An executor for his estate was appointed in Ketchican.
Kolby’s friends were not satisfied. They suspected foul play. Another expedition was appointed
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
Pack of wolves in northern Wisconsin, two miles from where the author grew up.
Wow, what a sad story. Scary, too.
Surprised he didn’t have a long gun and fully check out his side arm before heading into wolf county.
It would explain why the cartridges were in his pocket, and not in the revolver.
Any knowledgeable person would unload the revolver when attempting to determine why it would not fire.
Wolf apologists....................
Question, what does this say to our generation about a "New York reload"?
...either in the woods, or elsewhere?
It seems unlikely he would have taken a broken revolver with him to the field, knowing it was broken.
Wolves are cuddly little stuffed toys who want only to be our friends!
You are just spreading disinformation if you say otherwise.
My question is, how does this example speak to the practice (and additional weight) of a New York reload, that is to say what some refer to as a BackUp Gun or BUG, and its practicality?
It would appear that he would have had use for what we now call a short barrel K-frame or a J-frame in .38 special, or even a .22 for that matter in the desperate situation he was in.
My question was NOT to insinuate blame against him for his own demise, just to be clear. Just trying to converse about it in terms that might be useful to us semi-urbanites in our time.
Indeed - people are so used to seeing the smaller captive specimens that don’t look much larger than big Shepards. I’ve seen photos of free roaming timber wolves in Wyoming that were easily taller than three feet along their backs, maybe closer to four.
You get caught alone by a pack of somewhat peckish timber wolves - you’re are in deep caca.
“WOLVES”
Smoke em if ya got em.
Smoke a pack a day.
What it says is about a NY reload..
When in the wilderness weight is a issue.
One can not always afford a 2nd handgun.
One can not predict the future.
If you knew it was going to happen you wouldn’t go there.
I live in prime wolf country I see them fairly often.
I see fresh sign, tracks, scat every day.
I walk 4 to 6 miles every day in the woods.
I only carry one handgun a 6inch 7 shot 357.
I am not worried.
Smith & Wesson revolvers have an excellent reputation for reliability. A very unusual case.
That’s why I noted the issue of weight in my question, what with it being a question.
Thanks for the answers. :)
Often I'd sit on porch withy my morning coffee at 4 am. Wolves would walk up my lane, right past me sitting on the porch and continue on my trail out back. They were accustomed to the area where my cabin was built. Neighbors told me they use to gather there and howl before I moved in.
This in near Minneapolis, Minnesota area. I lived in Golden Valley, Crystal area that is maybe 3.5 miles away.
This is suburbia. It is also surrounded by freeways.
Black bear is spotted in St. Louis Park yard
The animal was estimated to be about 300 pounds.
https://www.startribune.com/black-bear-spotted-in-st-louis-park-minnesota-yard/600171884/
Going out alone far from other people can be quite dangerus from several aspects. Having an able partner makes all the difference. Only one aspect needs a very clear examination, and that is the motivation of one’s partner in the expedition.
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