I don't think the wolves are hungry right now - or they would have eaten the bears. The deer population is extremely high at this point. I think they're killing the dogs because they're intruding in their territory. They want to ensure that the animals are there later when they need to eat them.

I think that's the reason they use dogs to hunt bear - the dogs manage to peeve the bears and either the dogs tree the bears or the bears chase the dogs back to the hunters. You're right - the dogs are probably equally likely to lead them to some other sort of wildlife.

Either way the hunter is messing with the wolves' territory and abusing his dogs. He shouldn't be reimbursed for the cost of the dogs - he should be fined for animal cruelty! Or maybe he should be left out there in the woods alone with a pack of wolves and no gun! I think that would be fair. In fact - he should be left out there later this winter when the wolves are hungry! Maybe all that would be left of him would be HIS head and shoulders!