Wilderness Trapping and Living


No Profanity *** No Flaming *** No Advertising *** No Anti Trappers *** No Politics
No Non-Target Catches *** No Links to Anti-trapping Sites *** No Avoiding Profanity Filter


Home~Trap Talk~ADC Forum~Trap Shed~Wilderness Trapping~International Trappers~Fur Handling

Auction Forum~Trapper Tips~Links~Gallery~Basic Sets~Convention Calendar~Chat~ Trap Collecting Forum

Trapper's Humor~Strictly Trapping~Fur Buyers Directory~Mugshots~Fur Sale Directory~Wildcrafting

Trapper's Tales~Words From The Past~Legends~Archives~Kids Forum~Lure Formulators Forum


~Dobbins' Catalog~

ATS
(Please support Ted's Fur Shed, our sponsor for the Wilderness Page)


Alaska Trappers Association

Print Thread
Hop To
Page 5 of 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 12
Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6695745
12/16/19 11:20 PM
12/16/19 11:20 PM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 119
AK
B
Bushwhack Jack Offline
trapper
Bushwhack Jack  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 119
AK
Right on. You are doing very good! Especially considering you are so close to town in Wasilla. I'm assuming you are catching your cats with cubbies or snare pens. How about your coyotes? Mind sharing what sets you are using? Just mostly trail sets/blind sets? I know you mentioned hay sets, but it appears you use mostly snares. I thought hay sets were made with foot traps. Kind of like a dirt hole set. Thanks for sharing your photos. I'm enjoying them.

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6695747
12/16/19 11:23 PM
12/16/19 11:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
HFT AK Offline OP
trapper
HFT AK  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
drasselt, Absolutely a smoother ride then the wheeler! smile I got a little 85 Suzuki King Quad, will get me to just about anywhere I want to get, but once things freeze up and the ground is hard, she beats my butt to death! That and I am not a fan of it on ice, I am always afraid I am going to roll the dang thing when I get sideways smile

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6696667
12/17/19 07:11 PM
12/17/19 07:11 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
HFT AK Offline OP
trapper
HFT AK  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
Here is a pic of that mink on the board. The one on the right is a average size buck mink. I should have taken a pic before I skinned them out.

[Linked Image]

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6696867
12/17/19 09:09 PM
12/17/19 09:09 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
HFT AK Offline OP
trapper
HFT AK  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
The wife had one smile

[Linked Image]

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6696958
12/17/19 10:18 PM
12/17/19 10:18 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 186
Eielson Farm Road. Alaska
FullFreezer Offline
trapper
FullFreezer  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 186
Eielson Farm Road. Alaska
That’s a Tank of a mink!

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6699379
12/19/19 10:26 PM
12/19/19 10:26 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
HFT AK Offline OP
trapper
HFT AK  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
Well today was an interesting day.
I spoke with Crucible6 the other day. He lives down by the Palmer hay flats, and when we talked he was like John you ain't gonna believe what I saw today! I saw 2 ptarmigan! The first one I second guessed myself, maybe a seagull, the second I know for a fact it was! I am thinking to myself....OK. Well low and behold today at first light I swing my sled in to check a patch of spruce with a bait station in it when what flies up right in front of me, a freaking ptarmigan! 12 years of hunting trapping out there and that was a first! Never expected them to be in the low lands like they are.

Further on down the line I pull up to a lynx cubbie to relure, made it stinky, hop on the sled and hit my loop to get back out on the main trail when I come across this track. I found three track total the one was to faint to take a pic. It sure as heck looks like a bear track to me, and if it is it is a pretty small cub out in mid December at 8 degrees.
What are your guys thoughts?
I have only had a wolverine come through my line once, is that a possibility?

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

That track looked like it was paralleling a set of cow and calve track and everything was headed towards a creek that is about 500 yds away. I figured today would be a good day to walk that creek out and scout for some otter. I made it up the creek in the general vicinity were I thought the moose would cross and sure enough found their track, but only theirs.
I kept walking, came around a bend and in the distance I saw something that just didn't look right, this is what I found,

[Linked Image]

Felt bad for that little fellow, he is froze in tight! The ice around him was pretty clear, the only thing I can think of was he fell in and couldn't get out.

Ended my run catching this pretty fellow on my last snare line smile

[Linked Image]

It is getting colder here, in the single digits finally and they are actually calling for some snow come next week!

You guys be safe out there!

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6699909
12/20/19 01:01 PM
12/20/19 01:01 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,686
Alaska
D
drasselt Offline
trapper
drasselt  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,686
Alaska
From what I see I would say bear track. For one thing a wolverine should have hairier feet. Did you chip-out that fox? Also I saw 3 Ptarmigan sail across the Parks near Lowes a week or two ago. Surprised me. They usually seem to come to the lowlands when the snow gets deep up high. I've seen them dead on the tracks by Birchwood even.


you can vote your way into socialism, but you will have to shoot your way out.
Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6699926
12/20/19 01:21 PM
12/20/19 01:21 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,124
McGrath, AK
W
white17 Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
white17  Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
W

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,124
McGrath, AK
I would guess a bear track also.......mainly because it looks like your trail is too hard for a wolverine to make a track that deep.


Mean As Nails
Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6699974
12/20/19 02:06 PM
12/20/19 02:06 PM
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,858
Northwest Territories
M
muskrat411 Offline
trapper
muskrat411  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,858
Northwest Territories
In the Mackenzie delta we have no mink this year. not sure if maybe the creeks are still running and they are under the ice. But with there total absence seems like maybe a virus has gone through. not surprising seeing as to how no one traps them anymore. Leads to overpopulation and sickness, that's what the hippies don't understand is that the trapper is a vital part of a healthy ecosystem.

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: muskrat411] #6699988
12/20/19 02:23 PM
12/20/19 02:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,209
Co.-Wy. part time AK.
W
wy.wolfer Offline
trapper
wy.wolfer  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,209
Co.-Wy. part time AK.
Originally Posted by muskrat411
In the Mackenzie delta we have no mink this year. not sure if maybe the creeks are still running and they are under the ice. But with there total absence seems like maybe a virus has gone through. not surprising seeing as to how no one traps them anymore. Leads to overpopulation and sickness, that's what the hippies don't understand is that the trapper is a vital part of a healthy ecosystem.

It's really interesting that when the wolf reintroduction started in the greater Yellowstone eco-system years ago, the environmentalists clamored that predation was necessary for a healthy population of elk, deer, etc. But when the "healthy predation" involves humans, they regard it as horrible or somehow destroying the species, and heaven forbid WEARING OR utilizing that animal.

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6700034
12/20/19 03:25 PM
12/20/19 03:25 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
HFT AK Offline OP
trapper
HFT AK  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
drasselt- If I had trapped or shot that fox it would absolutely come out. I have fox and yote that run that creek so I am thinking that will become a point of interest for them, curious to see how it plays out.
I wonder if the ptarmigan had a population boom this summer and are dispersing? I have a few buddies that run up in and around Hatchers Pass, the snow isn't deep, maybe 2 ft at most but it is hard pack right now.

As for the track, I am headed back out there tomorrow and am going to recon it a little more. I can not imagine what a little cub would be doing out in this weather and if there is a den near by I'd like to know! Don't need no run in with a momma bear smile

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6700133
12/20/19 05:46 PM
12/20/19 05:46 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,686
Alaska
D
drasselt Offline
trapper
drasselt  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,686
Alaska
Wolverine tracks are usually in the typical paired weasel pattern


you can vote your way into socialism, but you will have to shoot your way out.
Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6700147
12/20/19 06:01 PM
12/20/19 06:01 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
HFT AK Offline OP
trapper
HFT AK  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
drasselt- I will keep that in mind, the snow is still soft in the spruce, so I am sure I can pick up the track and figure out exactly what it is, just going to take a little walking and time, something I didn't have much of yesterday.

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6700556
12/20/19 11:22 PM
12/20/19 11:22 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,124
McGrath, AK
W
white17 Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
white17  Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
W

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,124
McGrath, AK
I'm sure you know but I'll post anyway. Here are some gulo tracks in fresh snow;

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

and here are some that were made in deeper snow and then blown on by the wind
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


Mean As Nails
Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6700566
12/20/19 11:32 PM
12/20/19 11:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,582
The Panhandle of Alaska
M
mad_mike Offline
trapper
mad_mike  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,582
The Panhandle of Alaska
Bear track in the first picture, hind.
You are stacking the fur up John! Hoping to see more success in the future for ya.


Advice? Wise men don't need it. Fools won't heed it.
Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6701405
12/21/19 05:36 PM
12/21/19 05:36 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 127
wasilla ak
A
AK TRAPR Offline
trapper
AK TRAPR  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 127
wasilla ak
Good job

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6701862
12/21/19 10:18 PM
12/21/19 10:18 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
HFT AK Offline OP
trapper
HFT AK  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
Well got out there and got things set for this snow we are suppose to get, Confirmed that yes indeed those were bear track, About a quarter mile down I cut track, from the stride it looks like a little bear maybe 4 ft. Couldn't say if it was a blackie or a brownie.

This guy wasn't to happy to see me though smile

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Finally am able to run the creek and got some more gear out today.

You guys be safe out there!

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6701888
12/21/19 10:30 PM
12/21/19 10:30 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,261
james bay frontierOnt.
B
Boco Offline
trapper
Boco  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,261
james bay frontierOnt.
Nice cat HFT,
That little wandering bear might end up in one of your sets.


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6701906
12/21/19 10:45 PM
12/21/19 10:45 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
HFT AK Offline OP
trapper
HFT AK  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
Boco, I honestly hope not!

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2019-20 [Re: HFT AK] #6701945
12/21/19 11:14 PM
12/21/19 11:14 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 335
Northern Manitoba
scootermac Offline
trapper
scootermac  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 335
Northern Manitoba
Originally Posted by HFT AK
Here is a pic of that mink on the board. The one on the right is a average size buck mink. I should have taken a pic before I skinned them out.
Nice mink! I got my largest ever this year as well it went 25 1/5" from nose to base of tail.
[Linked Image]

Page 5 of 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 12
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

Moderated by  akntrpr, Ol' Blister, otterman 

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1