I go for silver before I kill bonemass. I can find it pretty fast knowing where to look.
I don't think the hunted event will trigger without bonemass being killed. Never seen it but it may have changed.

For silver you need to be high up. If you find a golem there is probably some near by, Look for humps or hollows. Found a bunch next to the Moder shrine but I don't think that is typical. You don't need to find too many spots you get a decent amount from each spot.

Wolf chest grants cold resistance as well. Personally I like the look of the troll cape with the wolf chest over the Zaphod Beeblebrox extra head look.