I'm neither a coyote trapper or a wolf trapper. But, a rather famous wolf trapper (or infamous if you're a wolf-lover) who lives near Denali told me once that he has no trouble catching wolves, but coyotes give him fits. I think it was he who told me that it seems like coyotes have a guilty conscience which keeps them out of trouble, and wolves are arrogant which gets them into trouble.

A lot guys can catch coyotes and wolves in dirt, but throw some weather in there things will change pretty fast for them.
(Using footholds)

Ive had jobs like this at two different places in the past, and if i didnt have a 7 month old and a job with health care id probably take this one up as well!

I guess it all depends on what you are accustomed to...

I can catch a few wolves and coyotes up North here in deep snow. But when I started trying to snare coyotes back East with virtually no snow, I had a heck of a time. I'm STILL learning all over again!

Pete

This was how wolf behavior was explain to me by the local legend. Wolves are like teenagers; when they are in a pack they are arrogant and brave, but when alone they are more wary. Coyotes tend to be like teenagers that are alone.

Dang it Pete, I LIKE my canoe, why do you always have to bring that up?
I'll be up there again next summer, already have it lined up. Maybe I'll hang around and take some fur after.

If there are any, is the key.

I must say, having been on this site for a long time, and fielding questions from dreamers, not a single one is taking this opportunity is astounding.
One couldn't dream up a better shot at the "life" most claim to want.
Good grief, lodging, snow machines, working knowledge of the land and how to survive....
Dreamers and talkers.

Great deal to feed horses that eat like horses all winter, make cords of firewood as your only pay, keep the camp operational, and being a skinner and butcher for almost 5 months? Not much time for 500 dollar wolf bounties.
They used to call this indentured servants or being Shanghai'd in suckering people who didn't read the fine print while thinking about the dreams of how great it was to fed and the only pay you get is chopping wood.
This reminds me of the scene from Napoleon Dynamite where his chicken ranch employer paid him a dollar an hour.

No wonder my family left Minnesota 40 years ago. Ain't no free ride on an Alaska wilderness trapline, son.

Me and my wife almost bit on this and left our good jobs up here for the freedom this job would give us. Its amazing people expect more.

star flakes

It's interesting to me that you refer to a movie in an attempt to reinforce your perspective.
Did you forget to put LOL at the end of your comment?

It does seem to put a point on all the claims of "I'd move up there to trap if I only had the chance..." Bad enough that most L-48 trappers who THINK they could make it up North not only have no idea of what they would be getting into, but more importantly, it appears that they don't have the gumption to even TRY!

I'm struck by the difference in attitude of young trappers today, compared to say.... the folks who headed north during the Gold Rush era to mine and trap. No bug dope, no snow go's, no bunny boots, no Gortex, no GPS's, no communication with the people at home.

And here is a sweet deal that no one jumps on!

I learned a couple days ago about another "lodge watching" winter keeper job. (With not as many bennies as this one!) After reading this thread again, I didn't even bother to mention it on T-man. I will just call some young trappers around here. The L-48 tire-kickers and "canoe jockeys" just don't have what it takes any more! "Kids these days...!"

Pete

Maybe the people who were interested just emailed the lodge.

I would imagine 98% of us dreamers have responsibilities financial/children or others that we are unable to just walk away from. This would however be an awesome opportunity for a young person who hasn't committed to long term responsibilities yet.

What other furbearers are there to catch? Found a few pics and appears the place is mostly above timber. Like Pete said, cut wood and feed horses, but gonna be a couple years or more to get the hang of wolf trapping. I suppose 500 bonus per wolf is good, but not as good as having some good marten or lynx country.
Who's paying for the non res trapping license? Sounds like a good vacation opportunity but not that good of a trapping experience?
mt

Or an older "Dreamer/Tire Kicker" That just has to get rid of those loose ends before the trigger can be pulled. It will happen, it's just not going to happen yet. When, and yes I say when, I head north I'm doing so with a clean conscience and not shirking what's left of my adult responsibilities. I don't roll that way, I'm doing things the right way or not at all. I'll suffer as much as I have to when I head north, but it won't be on a monetary level of being in debt.

Planning fellas, I do my due diligence when it comes to this sort of thing. And Pete, I will be chatting with you more about this.

Hey, by the way. If it's okay to ask you guys some questions here then I will. When does the season really get into full swing up there? Early fall like October/November? Or if I'm not mistaken it's better to wait until there is ample snow for traveling better. Does that occur early on? Or is that more in the neighborhood of Dec./Jan.? I know a lot of that depends on the area your trapline is in. It's just kind of a general question for now. I have some ideas I'm toying with. Thanks for the insight...

Coyotes can be more difficult than wolves. Just saying.........
That would be the least of your challenges.
Amazes me that people go into debt to go to college, hope to find a job they end up stuck in, or hating, daydream about an opportunity to do something else fantastical, and when it hits them in the face, they simply go back to work.