Thanks

Howler, Sonny, did y'all have to adjust the rear suspension any after you put the ski widening kit on your machines? Had a Tundra Extreme, getting a new Tundra LT Ace, hopefully Everts will be able to fly it out tomorrow. Learned a lot about traveling by snow machine and trapping in Alaska from reading your journal since I moved up here in 2012. Good stuff Howler.

I didn't adjust my suspension on my Tundra. Installed the widening kit, did a hot lap around the yard, loaded it on the trailer and headed for the cabin. My buddy rode it the whole time we were out there. Gave it really good ski pressure for turning on the ice and still seemed to float the skis in the deep snow. I'd put the ski skins and the widening kit right off the bat.

Take what you are reading in my journal with a grain of salt or maybe a shot of whiskey. Use your best judgement to choose which path to take when following me. I may push the envelope a bit more than I should occasionally but have learned a lot on what my machines and myself are capable of. One probably shouldn't push it all the time but it's best to know your limits too.

"I may push the envelope a bit more than I should occasionally"

Famous last words of many a bush pilot.


Its a fine line in the bush between a mistake and an adventure. But to sit a home just because you're afraid of a little mishap would sure limit life experiences. I balance the safety and adventure by preparing for the worst case scenario and then going for it. And like AK I'm usually alone so that adds another factor to the equation. What i'm starting to deal with now is the age factor. At 58 years old the odometer is getting up there and depending on being tough and stupid isn't quite enough anymore. I'm banking on technology and keeping in shape moving forward. Those new machines make bush travel a lot easier.

If you ever hear I bought in the bush, have a whiskey for me but don't be thinking there's any regrets on my part.


Best journal on the forum AK...thanks bud.

Yep. When I first moved up here, I had no clue as to how to be comfortable and prepared for bad weather and unexpected events. It's been a learning curve for sure. The fellers here on the wilderness forum, and native friends in the villages I have lived in have helped immensely with their knowledge. When I first moved up here just walking in snowshoes, keeping comfortable during the winter, and setting a trap in the snow and keeping it functioning was a challenge, now it is the norm to drive 200+ miles in one day on a snow machine to check traps. One thing you have to figure out on your own is how far you can push the envelope! No one can teach you that! Y'all have shown me techniques and gadgets to push it further though!

Well guys, my trapping season is officially over. Got all the gear pulled and put away. Got a lot of work to do on the Skidoo's before next season. Got some gear, fuel, hay and solar panels hauled out for an outfitter. Trails were great. The trail grooming is definitely worth all the work in the end. One of my buddies flew out and spent the night. He rode the Polaris Trail Touring and we covered some country. Finally got my solar system up and running and that sure is nice.



Limbed a few trees out front of the cabin to enhance my view of the hills. Dang am I gonna miss that view.

Hauled one of my Rhinos out to the mountains with my Tundra because it has studs in the track. Still haven't put the studs in the new track on the WT. Tundra did well only getting stuck a couple times.



The ATA Fling and Fur Auction went extremely well. We sold just shy of $70,000 in our little 2 day sale. I believe we set a new record. Special thanks for all the volunteers that helped this year. Couldn't do it without you. The Fling was very expensive for me this year, more than usual. Not only did I win the highest bid on the ivory trap but I talked with one of my neighbors and bought a couple pieces of remote property with cabins upstream from my trapping cabin. The ivory trap was great but the property has been a dream of mine for many years. I first hunted that country in 1991 when I moved to Alaska for caribou. I started trapping out there in the late 90's, 1998 I believe. I'd used Arctic Oven tents and borrowed a cabin from a friend. In 2009 I bought my present cabin and trapline while applying for the State Trapping cabin permit as they are non-transferable. The 1st piece of property is a little over a mile upstream above my current trapline cabin. The plan is to pick up the fur shed and cabin, put them on a skid and drag them upstream on the overflow with a couple studded up Widetracks. Not in a hurry as the permit doesn't run out till 2022. The second cabin (Sheep Cabin) is up stream about 8 miles. Both new cabins need some TLC but very workable.

This is the Sheep Cabin and will get most of my attention to start.

Spent most of last week out there working on it. Got metal sheeting hauled out there to cover the side walls. Got a bunch of work done in the interior of it. The bears had reeked havoc on this cabin over the years.




The view out the door is even better than the trapping cabin.



Be spending some time out there with this little man this spring and summer doing some improvements.
Been seeing this guys standing here all winter. Finally stopped and took his photo. Wasn't very talkative though.
Hope everyone has a great productive and safe spring and summer. Let's take some bears out of the population this spring. Heading down to the Western Regional NTA expo in Livingston MT in June. Hope to see a few of you there and put a handshake with the name.

JR, very nice cabins granted the expense may of been more but I'd say it's a great investment!
For the view alone and the adventure of scouting the new area's for wolves, lynx and coyotes.
As for Spring bear hunting, the delisting of the grizzlies is tied up in litigation because of the anti's . Yes the grizzlies are out of their dens down here I've not seen one around here yet however they aren't to far to the west from here at times.
Black bears are fair game I hope to finally get a chance to fill a tag this spring time will tell.
As for the western NTA Convention any of you folks are well come to stop by the camper I promise I'll have some ice tea ready and waiting it should be a great event !
I did some horse trading for a paddle track older Polaris 680 triple sled next year the coyotes and bobcats better be afraid ha ha ! I agree on the age thing the late 50's is kinda spooky !
Thanks again for bringing us along there's many of your pictures I still think are worthy of a frame and a place on a wall for everyone to enjoy !
Stay Safe out there !
Allan

That's cool Jr that your coming down to Livingston, I'm looking forward to meeting you. Are you going to be vending and selling your wolf trap?

JR, thanks for sharing. You are living a great life filled with adventures everyday

Man I couldn't imagine being so blessed to be able to hunt and trap that area by yourself. What a beautiful area . Awesome pics. Glad you are able to live the dream, especially after the nightmare you endured a few years back. Thanks for sharing.

Beartooth Trapr.... I'll be bringing a few #9's down. Wasn't planning on getting a table and vending. Just coming down to see the Big Show and meet and greet. Maybe some good food and a few drinks too.

Elitebowman.... I do not have that country to myself by any means. Lots of people hunt that area in the fall. There is several Big Game Guides in the area and lots of local hunters. I usually have it to myself in the dead of winter until it warms up in the spring. That's when all the yahoo's come out of the woodwork. There is a couple mining claims, some deeded property so there is people around. As the raven flys, I'm only 50 miles from the mighty metropolis of Fairbanks

nice pics andd thank for share AKH, it's always a pinch on heart to leave the paradise on earth

Make sure you get your clutches rebuilt after pulling all that weight. The spring should be changed out also you don't want that breaking on you next fall.

Nice stuff JR, sounds like you landed yourself a nice little piece of paradise. Hope your cabin hauling goes well!

Congratulations JR. That’s Awsome!

Excellent Jr, food is always good at the western.

Always nice to own your own slice of heaven instead of renting. Congrats JR!

-TJ

Greetings and happy summer fellow outdoorsmen. Just came back from a couple week trip out to the cabins. No so much summertime out there. 28 degrees this morn with fresh snow on the peaks. Bear hunting didn't go as planned and antler hunting didn't go so well either but just being out there sure is fun.


Dumped the ol Rhino on her side right out front of the cabin. Operator error but with a little rigging and the winch, she was back on her wheels in short order. Like on my sleds, I carry recovery gear on the wheelers too atall times.


Had some nasty weather and took advantage of every reasonably nice day to go cover some country. That Rhino really worked well and I sure liked it over the 4-wheeler.






Seen a few critters and lots of breeding pairs of Ptarmigan both Willow and Rock Ptarmigan


This little red fox was standing guard over the entrance of her den. She let me get really close before diving into the den.

Got some new neighbors that moved into the country in search of gold and other treasures. Sure hoping they don't find anything. They are just drilling and exploring now and doing everything out of helicopters. Seemed like really good crew of hands with a sweet tent camp.

Heading back out in June with my Godson to look for more antlers. I saved the good spots for him. Did manage to find a few though.



Got some traps to build and finish up a few projects around the shop. Heading down to Livingston Montana for the NTA Western Regional Expo. Be down in MT for about a week. Oughta be a good time. Hope to meet a few of ya down there. Be safe and have fun.