Hey guys,

Just curious because I don't have a great area for trapping wolverine. I got a great area for lynx, wolf, fox, and otter, but not a lot of mountains around and it's kind of low lying black spruce, muskeg, ponds and lakes etc. Just curious if you had to pick one of these locations to make a set for a wolverine what would you choose?

Large secluded lakes
Small secluded ponds
Small heavily vegetated creeks
A beaver pond
A marsh, swamp, or muskeg
Low lying black spruce forest
Rolling hills with white spruce/aspens

Please just choose one or two from the list.

I realize they are not the best choices for wolverine but that's what I got to work with.

Thanks and I appreciate any advice/tips

Set on sign.

I should add some info. In response to Mad Mike's suggestion of "set on sign". I've trapped/hunted in this area for 5-10 years and I've yet to see any wolverine sign whatsoever. I got lots of lynx, fox, wolves, otter etc. I believe there are wolverine that occasionally frequent the area, but I believe it is so rare that they hardly ever leave sign. It in Interior Alaska.

I'd have to go with a beaver house if there is one, everything loves beaver and they will check those out if they are in the area.

Thanks, I appreciate your advice. There is not a lot in the area. But I do know at least one location where I've found some beaver in the area. I trap in a location with a lot of spruce. Not much aspen and willow but a few around in places.

I'm with HFT. Set any beaver houses you have available.

Pete

Same here !! It's the higher percentage set when you are shooting in the dark.

That said, it seems that wolverines pass on the knowledge of travel routes and territory boundaries. Maybe it's from traveling with mom or it's because they can smell the musk deposited on the same bush from generations of gulos.

Regardless, if you find sign or make a catch at a certain location, you will see sign there again....some day.

The upside is that those same sets will take cats also

Given that overview of your area I would lean towards setting on the beaver houses.

Beaver pond. And there is the possibility that there just aren't wolverines around.

I actually think you are 100% correct, but I'm willing to give it a shot just for the heck of it. But I'm not going to give it much effort. I might just make a set or two. Thanks

2 years ago I saw wolverine tracks on my property, after season of course (never had in 10years previous) I’m a half mile away from Eielson AFB.

The beaver pond and creek would be my choices. Baited with beaver fat and a good skunky lure.

Thanks to all who have responded. I appreciate the tips. Sounds like the beaver pond is the best choice!

I can't imagine there being wolverine around and NOT seeing tracks. If your trapping an area and making any sort of baited sets, wolverine will find you if they are anywhere around. I've trapped interior lowlands quite a bit. Nothing you would call mountains within 30 miles. Still had wolverine. If you have a beaver pond, trap a beaver or 2. The carcass will make good bait.
From your posts on another forum I thought you were in unit 13. Is that wrong?
mt

I agree that if they are anywhere around they will find your baited sets. Once they do set on the sign for them.

Yes, you are correct. Unit 13 is where I trap. Nearest mountains are about 30-40 miles away. I've never seen a set of wolverine tracks in my area. Now in the southern part of unit 13 in the mountains I have seen their tracks, but never in my specific area. I believe there are some around, just very infrequent. Wolf tracks all the time, but not wolverine. A friend of mine who traps to the west of me (closer to the mountains), says that he never sees wolverine or their sign until he reaches the foothills of the mountains and he does quite well so I'm confident he knows what he is talking about.

There is one other line of thought. Your seeing wolverine tracks but not recognizing them. But, as said before, if you got bait out wolverine will find you. Didn't you say before you only use snares? A wolverine would likely pass under a snare set for lynx.
Put out a big bait pile and see what shows up.
mt

Make enough lynx sets, and you'll eventually catch a wolverine if one comes through. Just have tough enough lynx traps and snares. They will find lynx and marten sets, don't worry.

The beaverhouse is the obvious location as it is a magnet for any furbearer. Especially if they’re as rare as you say on your trapline. If you’re not seeing wolverine sign it’s unlikely you will catch one. Unless a juvenile goes on a walk about looking for new territory or a adult male gets displaced from his existing territory, which is possible if wolverine border your area. I can’t speak for your area but some of the highest densities of Wolverines in Alberta are in the boreal not the foothills/mountains. Food is key. Beavers and hare habitat is where the wolverines keyed in on when we had a bunch collared. Good luck. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

I suppose it's possible, but unlikely. I'm no expert, but I used to see wolverine tracks regularly when I worked as a hunting guide in the Alaska range 15-20 years ago. I'm fairly confident that I'd recognize wolverine tracks if they were around, but I suppose I could have missed them if they just passed through and I wasn't paying attention.