Ryan,thanks for Busters story . Those guys had some tales I would have liked to hear. What was his most targeted species ? a picture of him would be great . Muskrat did you get to stink up the skillet with some of those good whitefish ?

As far as I know Buster was trapping everything. He was in my eyes the definition of a good hunter and trapper. Not just good at it but respectful and humble as well. He was part of the generation who seen the introduction of snowmobiles. That generation was deadly on snowshoes and tough as nails. He was my Grandpa Bobby's older brother.

RIP Buster.

Was he originally from up there?

With that last name I'm imagining he came from down here.

His dad was Donald "dan" mcleod who came from Scotland. I'm up early this morning getting ready to go to my trapping cabin which we call the Buster camp. He gave it to me and my dad when he stopped going out. One of my favorite stories about Buster:

I guess there was a cop in aklavik back in the day that really thought he was a tough guy. Kind of went around act8ng tough to the locals from what I hear. Well one day Buster walked to town to have a couple drinks at the cafe. After awhile he got up peacefully and started walking home. The cop seen him and decided to be tough. He called for Buster to stop. Buster kept walking. The cop tried tackling him but Buster kept walking. Soon the cop had Buster in a bear hug and was trying to dig his heels into the snow but Buster just kept walking. After about 600 yards the cop stopped trying and turned around and walked back to town. The old guy who told me this story was imitating Busters walk and still thought it was hilarious all those years later. Tough as nails those Ole timers.

Great ! Thanks

I waited until Saturday morning to head out to the camp. Didn’t really want to travel on a funeral day out of respect. I was up after seven and after a big breakfast of pancakes, bacon and eggs I was on my way. I stopped at the first big lake, known as? Any guesses? BIG LAKE....you guessed it! Splashed a little anti freeze on my 22 magnum since it was so cold out and carried on. I seen three moose and stopped to take some video but my old trusty Everio HD seems to have kicked the bucket.

A quick cigarette and on I went.

I was travelling along the Mackenzie river When I spotted wolf tracks come off the bank and start following the trail. No mistaking these ones, they were fresh. I picked up a bit of speed hoping to catch up before we reached the rough ice. The hours worth of sunshine was just starting so there was a mirage effect as I looked up river in the direction I was heading. Seven stumps that I had never noticed before materialized about two and a half kilometres away. They weren’t moving at all and I thought to myself that those stumps kind of remind me of a wolf pack. I kept a close watch on them and after a couple minutes I noticed that two stumps were moving away from each other. Turns out the seven “stumps” were indeed the makers of the tracks I was following. As is the case with wolf hunting, things start happening really fast and it’s up to you to make sense of everything quickly and often times a split second decision could mean the difference between one wolf in the sled or 3-4 wolves in the sled. Anyways I see the two lead wolves on the far left and they have committed to crossing the river. Smart move on their part as they have a big lead on me. I quickly unhook my sled as I scan for more runners. The last four in line have turned back and I imagine they are yelling “retreat! Retreat!!” The two Leading the retreat are long gone and I’ve got the Bearcat XT pinned. Luckily the big river has froze smooth here and I’m closing the distance fast! The second pair in retreat mode are in sight now and I can make out their colours. A big dark grey one and a monster white close behind. As nice as the two of them look I can tell I’m not going to make it. Maybe if I was carrying my 223 but not today. Two committed, four retreating...where the seventh stump you ask? Just standing there in the middle! I make the decision to take a sure thing and veer to the left. The big pale grey knows he’s made a mistake and grabs a gear or two but it’s too late. I close the distance and give him two quick shots and it’s done. I know the other six are long gone but as I glance even further upriver I spot 5 more, all black! Again I try to catch up but these ones have way to much of a head start. Twelve wolves seen but no chance at any besides the one who waited too long to high tail it for safety. I’ll take that over none any day. Wasn’t much animal activity afterward on my trapline but I still broke more trail and set out more traps. One track worth mentioning was the big Wolverine tracks that followed my trail for a while. I fished for a while for my neighbor, caught ten loche and cleaned them all right away before calling it a day. I spent today setting more traps and as I was heading back to the cabin towards evening I spotted two sets of fresh Wolverine tracks cross my hours old trail, both heading for the twenty kilometres of line I just set. I love that feeling! After fried caribou and a couple loads of wood I packed up and started for town and again I spotted the Wolverine tracks from the night before. They were still near where I seen them but had changed direction on my trail and were also headed for a seven kilometre line. the last place I seen them was one stretch from a 330 box and snare. The snare which Is the last set to look at had a nice big lynx freshly caught. I added some whale oil to the 330 box, replaced the snare then crossed my fingers and headed for town.

Man, oh man! You know how to get an old man's heart pumping! Great adventure, well told. Thanks for sharing.

another bites the snow !

Ryan, you make me feel like I'm riding along. Sorry about your grandfather. You are certainly carrying on in his way, which is a beautiful thing

Thats quite a pack Ryan. Good write up, it was so good I put my parka on while reading!

Good Luck next trip.

Good call. I have made the call just seconds too late in the past. Then I had to watch amagut(3 or more wolves) run up the mountainside just out of range.
Sounds like a good trip! Sometimes you have to ditch the bunch for that, "for sure" catch.

<----then you feel like this

I had a trip of highs and lows. Long story short I picked up some fur out of a limited number of sets, got more sets out and lost a wolverine in a snare. Chalk up another chew out in the 1/16. Great for lynx but it's the third wolverine that has chewed out or busted the snare over the years. Might be time to invest in snares that will hold the occasional incidental wolverine. Overall a good trip. I've got some pictures to put up later.

I didn't take a picture of the first lynx that was snared but this is the second lynx of the night. I caught it in a new place I found last year. I posted a picture somewhere saying that it would be a good spot in years to come and it looks good so far.



This was set in a rush at the end of the previous trip. Its set in a spot that has produced marten in the past, this year was pretty scarce for tracks but I threw the box out just to see and it paid off. Didn't spend much effort putting more sets in here just yet because the ice stays thin well into winter. I will eventually get another 25 or so elevated sets in here.



A lynx from another short line. Same line I had the wolverine break a snare. one of my best producers this set.



I had this 330 box set on wolverine tracks last trip. I was following fresher wolverine tracks heading right for the set and when I got close I could see the disturbance around the set and then a bushy tail popped into view. What I thought was a tail was actually the whole martin. Thought I connected but at least its a martin plugging the trap and not a mink. I'll take it!

Previous pics are all from Friday night. I spent Saturday breaking trails and marking spots during the short daylight then setting the trails up in the dark. The next morning Sunday I started out with setting more and doing a once over of everything set. I was checking the traps from the night before as I set more and spotted something dark at one the 120 boxes.




Overnight catch was still warm around the chest and hadn't even stiffened up yet. caught within 20 minutes or less ahead of me getting there. glad I spent 25-30 minutes setting 4 traps in one area just before this spot.





this wolverine isn't a giant but he crossed my trail heading into the middle of a horseshoe shaped line. Seen this on the way home.

Alaska Viking said to use enough trap!

LITTLE STIFF TODAY. Last glance at my odometer said 480km between Friday and Sunday. Its probably just over 500 total. Tried looking for moose near my camp but none around right now. Hopefully get one soon for drymeat. Gut pile on the trapline is always welcome too. The wolverine I snared was big and after getting out of the snare he went on as usual. Be nice to get him later and see the snare on him because I hate losing them like that for a few reasons. 3rd one lost over the years I've been trapping. Building more 330 boxes and stretching fur is this weeks objective here at home. It feels good when I'm in town knowing the traps are all fresh and ready. Then catching fur makes you want to keep the traps that way so the motivation Builds up and maintains leading to better productivity. That's when I feel good on the line. I HATE getting lazy out there! HATE losing wolverines too. Always end up tracking on foot for TOOOOO many miles. That's probably why Im stiff. Unfortunate for sure but what can you do except try harder and keep setting?

Congrats on the fur!!!!! And thanks for sharing!

I haven't really set any traps for fox this year (so far) but I still maintain a couple of really good lynx spots with 15 minutes of my house. Usually have short walking lines with 4-6 sets. Best part of this little trap line is getting to bring my kids even when its cold out. Today was warm. My nephew Rylan had some scheduled activities so he was out. Bobby my son was sleeping so he was out. The one little partner who never misses an opportunity to go was ready and raring to go. Morgan has quite the sense of humour so she's always lots of fun and she also loves hunting and trapping. The two of us headed out to the first spot with 3 snares and a baited #3 set over a few hundred yards. Its always such a good sight to see tracks heading down a trail and Morgan is getting good at recognizing and pointing out animal sign.

I had already spotted the tracks when we parked the truck and I waited for it as I grabbed my snare pole from the back of the truck.
Sure enough. "Look Dad, lynx tracks from before it snowed!"
5 minutes later down the trail.

Nice! Always like seeing the kids excitement when we make catches together.

I replaced the snare and Morgan got busy with the blocking. She did the left side and I did the right. I figure I do a pretty good job knowing a little bit of lynx behavior. Morgans learning and she doesn't take any chances. "How 'bout here Dad? Think a lynx could fit through this spot? Hmmmm, I'll put another stick I guess. Think a lynx would jump over the stick Dad?" "Only if you don't raise the stick when it snows Morgan" Smart questions.

The remaining snares and trap were empty So on we went to the other spot with 2 snares, a baited #3, and a walk through blind trap.

Tracks going down both trails here.

Snare stick should've been right to the right of Morgan. I thought I would give an easy tracking lesson but a quick look to the left and there were some big feet sticking out from the snow. Other lynx tracks were around and I thought it might be picked at but luckily it was fine.
from here there are two traps about 20 feet further and then a snare just out of view. Morgan led the way past the empty traps and the stopped suddenly and said excitedly "The stick is gone!" She turned around smiling and I said "Ispy...." I was already staring at the lynx below us on the edge of the lake also with tracks around it. I hoped it wasn't bothered and luckily again it was fine.

Second missing stick should've just above the right side of Morgans head.

I kept staring at it until she spotted it.


Top reset is where the second half of the double was caught and the bottom is where the first half was caught.


My partner.

Woo hoo! So happy when the kids get out.