Also, have you noticed any characteristic differences in behavior between small packs (2-7 and big packs (10+)?
Wolves are fascinating critters. You'll find a wide variety of behavioral habits depending on your area.
I have been trapping the same country for 45 years. In that time I have noticed small packs tend to be much more skittish. They are more likely to exit
the trail and go around every marten set or piece of flagging. While large packs are much bolder and there will be members that investigate every marten
of lynx set. Maybe the pups/younger ones ?
Wolves like to travel the same drainages. If you ding one or two on their pass through your trail, they may change their route slightly but I have found they will
still use the same drainage. Nothing is set in stone though. I once worked on a pack of 7-8 and for three checks in a row ( week apart) I caught a wolf in the same
set, same trap, each time they came through they used my trail.
I personally never use bait unless I am fortunate to run across a wolf kill, then I will set all the trails around that kill.
Otherwise all I use are pee post sets and trail sets.