GREAT photo Guloboy, where in AK are you at?

guloboy,

WOW!!! Whats that 8-9 Lynx? One check? What part of the State you trapping in? If I had to guess your trapping Dillingham/Bristol Bay area. Also like the Wolverine pics on the 330 Bucket thread.

AT

I think there was 12 there (8 in front, 4 in back on the right hand side), It was 2 1/2 weeks (3 checks) worth. I just let them freeze for a week or two hanging like that to kill the fleas. I don't mess with raid and stuff like like.

Lynx are not all that common in the Dillingham/Bristol Bay area.
I'm trapping the Copper River Basin area.

Dream a little dreammmm of meeeeee (LOL) Nice lynx!!! I was wondering if you guys up there ever used snow pads? It is a product made to go under and over a trap to keep it from freezing down. I have a large inventory of them. To Alaskacajun,...I saw a picture of your DLS. Do you NOT laminate your trap jaws???

Picked up some MB 650s for use on the cats, and they look smaller than my #3s I used. Hope they fire thru snow better, anyone have experience w/them? Also going to use the MB 750 for Lynx, but the beaver addition, NOT the wolfers.

I REALLY recommend the one handed setter for these if you have the old style. WAY easier!!!

victoria I think you will find that very few modifications happen to traps up here especailly things that add WEIGHT. Weight = $$$ lots and lots of $$$ sometimes. I have several hundred traps and the only laminated jaws among them are the ones that came that way some wolf traps.

Arctic trapper the lynx pop in Bristol Bay is very poor for the most part especailly when compared to elsewhere in the state. I have trapped 2 in 25 yrs and haven't seen a lynx track in something like 7 or 8 yrs. I have a friend who has grown up trapping here is about 45 yrs old and he has only ever gotten one and he shot it.

Here in the states, most of us modify our traps. Ask any real big fur trapper and I bet most would answer yes. Laminated jaws are a big part of that as they displace the power and add to the holding. However I've seen Wolves held in 1 and a half long springs, same with arctic fox,.... but that's a trap I'd use for muskrats. Personally I own over 700 traps and all my foot traps are laminated, even little # 1's. So to each their own I guess.

Thanks Clint, nice to see how others do it. Keep up the good work! I have trapped in Arctic conditions (mostly in northern Manitoba). They didn't do anything special to their traps either. They never even heard of dying or waxing traps. When I brought out my traps they just looked at me funny like I was from another planet. Down here (lower 48) they have the BMP's. They tell us a trap should have this or that...Canada's doing the same thing on their traps(who knows?). Anyway, nice to hear from you guys up north. Keep catchin' the GOOD stuff!

Thanks Clint, nice to see how others do it. Keep up the good work! I have trapped in Arctic conditions (mostly in northern Manitoba). They didn't do anything special to their traps either. They never even heard of dying or waxing traps. When I brought out my traps they just looked at me funny like I was from another planet. Downhere (lower 48) they have the BMP's. They tell us a trap should have this or that...Canada,s doing the same thing on their traps. (who knows?)Anyway, nice to hear from you guys up north. Keep catchin' the GOOD stuff!

I think laminated is great. Less tearing of the skin. Less likely to break bones. I can see it might freeze in a little more.
Hard to debate whether traps NEED laminating. Probably they don't in most cases. It's a matter of preferance.

I suppose then, the trick is to learn how to keep traps from freezing down. I learned long ago from the Inuit people just how that's done in snow conditions that exceed minus 60F (Check out Re: HELP!!DONT KNOW HOW TO TRAP IN SNOW! in the Land Trapping Archive). I used the Manning #9 back before it was called the Alaskan #9. I found the jaws way too thin for my personal taste. It reminds me of the Victor #2 square jaw... too thin jaws that damage feet and legs of your target. Personally I laminated every foot trap I owned. Ask Craig O'Gorman, probably one if not the best coyote trappers in the lower 48, his view on laminating jaws. He stated he didn't have time for anybody who wouldn't do it. That speaks volumes to me. I can personally say I have never toed or footed an animal in my adult life (after modifying all my foot traps). That's over 10,000 fur bearers (red and grey fox, coyote, wolves, Arctic fox, beaver, otter, mink, badger, skunk, civet cat, possum, raccoon, and bobcat. Not to mention several thousand muskrats and a weasel or two). This of course, is just one person's opinion but if you ask most long line trappers here in the lower 48 you'll find almost all of them modify their traps to some degree.

Victoria I don't know if you should be putting those words that Craig O'Gorman said to you in a public forum. He may have said that to you privately, but I doubt he wants all trappers nationwide to read it.

Rick : Amen. A whole lot of us in Ak. this year are dealing with heavy snow after heavy snow. Spending the whole time just digging out and resetting. Sounds like you will be wolf hunting soon.

Rick : Funny coincidence. My former trapping partner just retired as a game warden up here and hired on with your state as a conservation officer. Can't give up what he loves I guess. The poachers better watch out, this guy lives the job and made the most cases of any officer each year.

Don't think it is the same guy. He will be south of Lewiston and has not moved yet. Was in enforcement and been trapping since 12. Good wolf trapper.

Are any of you Alaskan trappers saving your lynx, wolf or wolverine glands? I'm really interested if you're wanting to sell any.

Post deleted by otterman

this is what mine looks like. The lynx followed my trail for over 1/2 mile,(i drag beaver behind the machine) right to the set, came to within 20 yds, downwind of it and kept on going. so I added another HUGE hunk of beaver, a duck and more wings.
What am I doing wrong???

Have you ever thought of using pine bough's to keep the snow from blowing in? Or make it a "walk through", (open on both ends)? How about a bit larger and use vertical guide sticks on all 4 corners of the trap? Can you use a snowshoe hare or parts (head) as bait? I like a strip of fur with a huge glass eye glued on. The kind they sell at hobby shops or taxidermist use. That way when a cat sees that, he has to have it! Just a few thoughts. I've never trapped for lynx but I've caught plenty of bobcats that way!

Hey Lynx trapper
If it keeps coming back with in the 20 yd,s why not put a blind set down ther thats down wind or do like some one else said plant a snare down ther oand if it is on the ICe spud a pole hole and plant a tree to hook the snare to the pole will freeze in and your good to go . Hope that help you Good luck