Hunting elk and finding a mate

[Silver light26]

Do you have to hunt so many elk before you can get a mate?

[Neamara]

Yes and no — dIspersal wolf encounters are now tied to your wolf's experience points in 2.7, hence the old method in 2.5.1 and below no longer works.

You will need to accumulate experience by any means necessary, which does include hunting, though there are other slightly more rewarding methods available. You will be able to find potential mates within any of the three wolf territories in Amethyst Mountain (for the main single player campaign) or the optional Lost River location once you have earned a certain amount of experience points.

[xc92u3]

So, basically, Silver light26, you must get 800XP before you can get a mate. I'd suggest chasing away cougars and grizzlies if you want the XP quick. You just got to find 'em.
Also, killing foxes is worth 100XP. So is cow elk. Everytime you die, you lose 500XP, so watch out!

[Silver light26]

What are other ways to earn experience points

[xc92u3]

Killing moose, killing hares or coyotes... just kill cow elk after cow elk, and every coyote you see. Each coyote you kill is worth 25XP points. Hares are a little amount too. Bull elk are usually around 400-500XP, and cow moose are 400-500XP, so are bull moose. At least, when I play that is. Killing cougars gets you 400XP points.

[Black Burn]

An easy way to get XP would be chasing bears, you can find them at Grizzly Rock or High Ridge pond