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Getting a wolf line out in deep winter #6739265
01/21/20 11:42 PM
01/21/20 11:42 PM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Wild_Idaho Offline OP
trapper
Wild_Idaho  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Had my wolf line out before I went down to the ITA sale and also for some bird hunting with the dogs, but pulled all my traps because I wouldn't be back before our 72 hour check law. Now I've been paranoid about getting a line back out there. We've got a bunch of snow (for Idaho) with about 4 feet on the ground in my wolf area and I don't want to create a bunch of boot tracks or snowshoe tracks getting a line back out there. Just seems to me like a really good way to educate the wolves or have them avoid the area altogether. I initially got my sets out when there was just a few inches of snow and then it snowed on top of any sign I left. Caught another wolf, only to have it stolen, but did have some success. So what do you guys in Alaska do for setting a line in deep winter. I'm not snaring them due to our diverter requirement and an abundance of whitetails in my area. Whitetails love to duck under things. So I am only using footholds. Our wolf trapping season ends on March 31st. Usually by the end of February or beginning of March some of our south facing slopes will start to show some bare dirt, so I was considering waiting until then to get some steel in the ground. But I'm curious how you northern guys who use footholds do it. Or do you just set the area and then wait for the snow to cover your tracks in and place your traps under a heavy-branched tree for shelter? Thanks in advance.


Real name Eric
The sharpest hammer in the box of crayons.

Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6739278
01/21/20 11:54 PM
01/21/20 11:54 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,514
juneau, alaska
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alaska viking Offline
"Made it two years not being censored"
alaska viking  Offline
"Made it two years not being censored"
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,514
juneau, alaska
Don't sweat making trails. They will follow them, with that kind of snow.


Made it almost 3 years without censor!

Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6739340
01/22/20 01:02 AM
01/22/20 01:02 AM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Wild_Idaho Offline OP
trapper
Wild_Idaho  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Thanks, I appreciate that. I do worry about these highly pressured wolves and having the "easy" route in for them on the actual trail I came in on, as far as human scent is concerned.

Last edited by Wild_Idaho; 01/22/20 01:04 AM.

Real name Eric
The sharpest hammer in the box of crayons.

Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6739376
01/22/20 02:11 AM
01/22/20 02:11 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,350
Interior Alaska
smalltimetrapper Offline
small greenhorn
smalltimetrapper  Offline
small greenhorn

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,350
Interior Alaska
Don't know if you use a snowmachine, but if you do they will follow your trail. I've heard that they avoid snowshoe trails, but I don't have first hand knowledge of that.

Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6739406
01/22/20 06:43 AM
01/22/20 06:43 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,330
Fairbanks, Alaska
Pete in Frbks Offline
trapper
Pete in Frbks  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,330
Fairbanks, Alaska
In deep snow conditions, it is not uncommon for wolves to follow snow machine trails for easier travel. As long as the snow machine trails are going approximately where the wolves wanted to go anyway!

One thing I have had luck with is putting all my weight on one side of the machine so that the track is slanted. The wolves will normally walk on the LOWER side. I make blind trail sets on the downhill side. Or break out your trail through some brush that will "funnel" the wolves to one side or the other of the track.

These trail sets have to be made carefully if you are going to drive over them with the machine. But it can be done. Alternatively, make the set and have an alternate way to drive the machine around that particular spot. Have the trail/blind set on the most direct route from A to B.

Pete

Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6739603
01/22/20 10:54 AM
01/22/20 10:54 AM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Wild_Idaho Offline OP
trapper
Wild_Idaho  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Thanks Pete that is excellent info. I like the downhill thing. Makes sense. I have use of a snow machine. Buddy of mine is letting me borrow his for the winter.


Real name Eric
The sharpest hammer in the box of crayons.

Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6739678
01/22/20 12:10 PM
01/22/20 12:10 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,129
McGrath, AK
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white17 Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
white17  Offline

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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,129
McGrath, AK
Be sure you take snowshoes !! With 4 feet of powder you will need them


Mean As Nails
Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6740005
01/22/20 04:55 PM
01/22/20 04:55 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,421
Yukon
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yukon254 Offline
trapper
yukon254  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,421
Yukon
As usual you got good advice from the Alaskan boys. Those guys are top shelf trappers, so heed their advice. Wolves will follow snow shoe trails, at least in my area. One thing I have noticed over the years is that canines will most often travel trails right down the centre. Lynx on the other hand will usually walk on one side or the other. Wolverines will meander all over the place! A bit of info that can help when setting blind sets anyway. Good luck hope you get a bunch of them!


do unto others as you would have them do unto you

www.grizzlycreeklodge.com
Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: yukon254] #6740456
01/22/20 09:30 PM
01/22/20 09:30 PM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Wild_Idaho Offline OP
trapper
Wild_Idaho  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Originally Posted by yukon254
As usual you got good advice from the Alaskan boys. Those guys are top shelf trappers, so heed their advice. Wolves will follow snow shoe trails, at least in my area. One thing I have noticed over the years is that canines will most often travel trails right down the centre. Lynx on the other hand will usually walk on one side or the other. Wolverines will meander all over the place! A bit of info that can help when setting blind sets anyway. Good luck hope you get a bunch of them!


Thanks and yes as always great advice from you Alaska fellas. Thanks a lot. I will post some pics for you when I get a line back out there. I sure hope to avoid catching a lynx or wolverine. We have them here but...

Last edited by Wild_Idaho; 01/22/20 09:32 PM.

Real name Eric
The sharpest hammer in the box of crayons.

Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: white17] #6740461
01/22/20 09:33 PM
01/22/20 09:33 PM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Wild_Idaho Offline OP
trapper
Wild_Idaho  Offline OP
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Originally Posted by white17
Be sure you take snowshoes !! With 4 feet of powder you will need them


It's more like 4 feet of slush that by now I'm sure is down to 2 feet with our temps in the 30s and 40s all week. Last time I was up there, there was about 4 feet though.


Real name Eric
The sharpest hammer in the box of crayons.

Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6740696
01/23/20 03:34 AM
01/23/20 03:34 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 437
alaska
S
spotter Offline
trapper
spotter  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 437
alaska
I’ve never had any luck having wolves follow any snowshoe trails that I’ve been around but Pete is spot on about snogo trails on the low side. Also set multiples within fifty yards because you hook one and they will mill around the area for a while before they book out especially when you catch the alpha female.

Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6740951
01/23/20 10:34 AM
01/23/20 10:34 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,129
McGrath, AK
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white17 Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,129
McGrath, AK
I too have had bad luck with canines and snowshoe tracks. but they love snowmachine trails.

The 2 feet of 'slush' you describe is the worst sort of conditions you could have. Very difficult to keep a foothold running in that sort of stuff. I understand your aversion to diverters but snares might be the correct choice in those conditions


Mean As Nails
Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6741730
01/23/20 09:39 PM
01/23/20 09:39 PM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Wild_Idaho Offline OP
trapper
Wild_Idaho  Offline OP
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Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
White17 we can't use snares for wolves without diverters, but you are right snares would be the best options on these conditions. I just am hesitant since there are a lot of deer in my wolf areas as well as moose.
And yeah the slush will just freeze and then the trap won't fire. After talking with another wolf trapper here I'm waiting until the conditions improve and some south facing slopes open up.

Last edited by Wild_Idaho; 01/23/20 09:41 PM.

Real name Eric
The sharpest hammer in the box of crayons.

Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6741817
01/23/20 11:22 PM
01/23/20 11:22 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,129
McGrath, AK
W
white17 Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
white17  Offline

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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,129
McGrath, AK
Yep I know you have to use diverters. Gulo might have some specific ideas for you. Maybe a PM will rouse him


You might even consider some hay sets. Never tried that on wolves but it might work.


Mean As Nails
Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6742629
01/24/20 04:47 PM
01/24/20 04:47 PM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Wild_Idaho Offline OP
trapper
Wild_Idaho  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Good idea white. I've used them on coyotes with success. Maybe some beaver guts and a foothold or two in the hay. Probably would help avoid the slush


Real name Eric
The sharpest hammer in the box of crayons.

Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6742643
01/24/20 05:09 PM
01/24/20 05:09 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,563
Worley, Idaho
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Machias Offline
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Worley, Idaho
Originally Posted by Wild_Idaho
Good idea white. I've used them on coyotes with success. Maybe some beaver guts and a foothold or two in the hay. Probably would help avoid the slush



Better hurry Eric, before they all drown!! smile


When things are Grim, become the Grim Reaper!
Fred Moyer
Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6744133
01/25/20 06:38 PM
01/25/20 06:38 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 437
alaska
S
spotter Offline
trapper
spotter  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 437
alaska
If you know of any dog mushers down there, see if you can get some used hay from their dogs. Seems like the wolves here always checks that stuff out. Good luck.

Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6744436
01/25/20 09:48 PM
01/25/20 09:48 PM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Wild_Idaho Offline OP
trapper
Wild_Idaho  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
I'm working on that exact same thing but with hound dogs. Not many mushers down here but lots of hound guys. I have bird dogs. Might make them sleep on straw for a few weeks.


Real name Eric
The sharpest hammer in the box of crayons.

Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6744785
01/26/20 08:23 AM
01/26/20 08:23 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,330
Fairbanks, Alaska
Pete in Frbks Offline
trapper
Pete in Frbks  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,330
Fairbanks, Alaska
Used hay/straw and bits of "brown and yellow" snow and ice make for a REALLY excellent site to set wolf traps in! OK, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY great set!

pb

Re: Getting a wolf line out in deep winter [Re: Wild_Idaho] #6750344
01/30/20 08:38 AM
01/30/20 08:38 AM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,421
Idaho
B
bearcat2 Online content
trapper
bearcat2  Online Content
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,421
Idaho
Used dog bedding (straw, hay, etc.) does attract the wolves. But give some thought to where you set the trap and how you cover it. They tend to dig or scratch and kick at the straw with dog scent on it. Never tried it myself although I have plenty of it around with a pack of hounds tied up. I had a couple friends who tried it and it attracted the wolves but they dug the whole 'strawed' area up, including the traps.

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