Not the same. Taximan is on the forum. You can PM him. He is in Montana.

Aurora is in Anchorage. Joe Romero is his name

Wolves. They have come into my trapping area. They seem to do so about every two weeks - which says they have a pretty big area they are traveling in a circuit. Snow has come and gone, and what is left is very hard crusted. It makes for difficult tracking - but when the wolves hit the sandbars that occur here and there on the beaches (as opposed to rocks or gravel) then they become much more easy to follow, and predict. So yesterday, based on the most recent "pass through", I hung 43 snares. We will keep an eye on things, and hopefully when they come back, I will score. Got the wolverine already. Next on the list is the big bad wolf!




I worked feverishly yesterday - to the point that I didn't realize my own pain until I got home and had time to try and unwind and relax. My fingernails hurt like I had hit them with a hammer. Especially my middle finger and pinkie finger. Must have something to do with all the plier use, and twisting. My right knee (artificial) had a big old lump underneath the kneecap - super irritated and inflamed (those of you with artificial knees know that they don't like being kneeled down on), but I kneel in an effort to save my low back, which is fused - but inadvertently, after a long day of setting snares, the low back is going to pay for it anyway. Good thing I have a good wife who rubs me down with essential oils and cannabis oil, gives massages, etc. And, the hot tub with whirlpool is a Godsend after days like this.

8 foot seas forecast for the next couple of days - which will keep me homebound. Hopefully the next time you see me post, it will be with my first wolf catch.




Hey I'm wondering - is there a point in the late winter/spring where wolf fur becomes undesirable? If that is coming soon, I guess I better get a move on. But I am wondering when I should be planning to pull out - generally speaking.

Congrats on the dark gulo. Sure didn’t take you very long.

Congrats on your wolverine, I know how I felt with my first fisher, just a great rush. Great sense of accomplishment.

You are making all the right moves, wolverine hunter. Keep doing what you are doing. This game isn't easy, but very rewarding, when things come together.
There some excellent wolf trappers here. I am NOT one of them. Don't be shy asking for thoughts and help.
You are one of the few that is actually following through, so assistance will be available.

Ryan is "dark" pretty common up here?

I got a few guys that are helping me a lot in PM's. I really appreciate it!

Wish I could trap all day every day - but I gotta work a little bit to support my habit. And, my body needs a day of rest in-between. My body never could keep up with whats in my head, or my level of desire for that matter.

Off the top of my head I’d say 60% of wolverine have the usual coloration. 20% will be dark and the remaining 20% would be either pale crowned or pale altogether. There’s a lot of similar coloured wolverine around. It’s the dark ones and the ones with really white crowns that are less common. Different areas will vary though. I like them all but it’s the dark ones I like the most. Lots of nice colour variations with wolverine.

Could be just my tired eyes but the Claws look bigger than average to me especially in the boat and canoe pictures. Anybody else notice?

So you consider this a "dark"?

I’d call that a dark.

Out of curiosity, which wolf snares did you buy? Local or snare shop stuff?

Rally Snares from Rally Hess in MN - where I'm originally from.

Eventually I'd like to learn to make my own.

What a windy bugger today! First they forecast 8 foot seas. Then 10 foot seas. I have the day off, but alas - I don't want to check my traps THAT bad. Seas are diminishing now - down to six foot tonight, and three footers Wednesday and Thursday. Just hoping my snares are still hanging enough to do the job if the opportunity arises.

So what do you do on a day when you are homebound? Then the weather is too crappy or too unsafe to trap?

You work on a new fur display! You reminisce and enjoy past catches. You put them in a place where they can be shared and enjoyed by others.





On board we have: Arctic Fox, Mink, River Otter, Raccoon, Gray Fox, Beaver, Bobcat, Red Fox, Coyote, and even a Coatimundi. The only one I didn't catch was the Artic Fox that my wife bought somewhere previously. The Coati came from southern Arizona. The rest - from MN.

I still have room for a wolverine, pine marten, wolf, and lynx - the "big four" I hope to get in Alaska sooner than later.

Found the hardware on thekingsbay.com

Have to go elsewhere for a "pine" marten.

Awesome! That was lightning fast.

I like to strike fast when I can. Tomorrow is not promised to me... :-)

I have been working HARD since we last spoke though...

I see that and keep me filled in. Can't tell you how happy I am for you. Awesome!

Yup - I would drive up the road a bit for one of those! By the time I make my whole boat tour - driving the truck two or three hours wouldn't be that much different. And it would be a whole lot warmer!

My brother has a ton of them in BC.

And I suppose I could get one in Northern MN. We have a few. The DNR lets you catch two per season - up in the arrowhead country of MN. That is, IF Minnesota ever changes the law so a non-resident can trap. I had to give that up when I came here to AK.

Anyway - it is on the "to do" list, and it's nice to have options. I kind of like the idea of hanging with my brother for a few weeks in BC some winter soon. It shouldn't be too hard to get a bunch. Last time I was there, we went for a hike, and I was rather astounded by all the tracks!