The 2017-18 trapping season is well underway! I haven't trapped in a couple years, but really got back into it this year. Numbers have been great this year, just sent 14 away to FHA for auction in March.

Despite working full time, I've enjoyed my days off with trapping in the Great Bear WIlderness. In the past I've spread myself too thin in regards to having too many lines, but this year I've been diligent with my lines; only having one or two lines and changing them every two weeks or so. I exclusively use backcountry ski gear to access my lines as I am an avid backcountry skier as well. Mixing the two hobbies has been a great thing for me, I simply skin up a ridge collecting fur and enjoy thousands of feet of skiing back down to my cabin! Feels really good to be back on the wagon and I hope to completely devote next winter to trapping full time.

Any other NW Montana folks out there trapping??

I've been experimenting with a lighter, new setup this year to further accommodate my backcountry line. Typically, I carry a smaller day pack with about a dozen traps. The big change was the bait setup. Made about a dozen "bait-baskets" (stuffed with deer trimmings, deer hair, and beaver castor). Typically most of my weight on the line is bait; but this year I haven't lost a single basket and haven't needed to re-bait once this season!

Great pics and nice fur.A suspended bait lasts a lot longer than one just sitting in the bottom of a horizontal box.

Thanks Boco! Saw your haul earlier...something to marvel at!

Looks like you got lots of snow.Its just starting to pile up here now.

December started slow, but we had two big storms before New years that dropped over 4 feet. Had our usual January warm-up; lots of rain but it sure settled out the snowpack and now the travel is much easier. Winter looks to be making a return this next week.

How is the line going for you this year?

Good post, great pictures, thanks for sharing.
Mac

Slowed down a bit with the cold weather,and more snow the marten are hunting under the snow.Just have to let the traps work a bit longer between checks when it gets like that.

What sort of trap is that?

Nice fur, seem to be very uniform in color.

Osky

Nice FUR & photos.

The one he uses.... Geesh

Now thats funny!

That is a single spring 120. I use those.

I know that it is basically a 110, but the shape is odd. No ears on the jaws, etc. Just curious what brand.

Agreed
It looks like the jaws have the canadian (magnum) bend

My guess is a magnum duke or possibly a Bridger

My brother and I hiked way in and camped in the Great Bear Wilderness in 1994. And indeed we had a great bear, a grizzly, pestering us. We hiked up to a glacier, and backtracked down a bit, crossed a narrow chasm on a downed log, and set up on a rocky island, kind of a flat pinnacle above the glacier outflow. When we started getting all our gear set up, we discovered an ooold fire ring right where we were going to make our fire. Seems we were not the first to camp out on this hidden little spot. Before the trip, we checked in at the ranger station and we were told "Camp out in the Great Bear? Hmmmm...I don't recall anyone camping up there in a long time. Coupla guys took some lunch meat along on a fishing trip and had a grizzly come in to get it." We had a great time hiking and fishing, and you are fortunate to be there. Thanks for the cool posts. Congrats on the nice catches. That 110 Conibear sure is funky lookin.