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Good morning Trappers. Still chilly up here at 37 below F. Came off the line with a little more fur and still working on trails. DIdn't reset the marten gear when we came out so I only picked up 3 marten on the way in to the cabin. Had a wolverine run the line and picked the rest of the salmon heads. Followed him for many miles and I thought he'd turned off and went a different route. He tried his best to get into this pee post but the 4" crust wouldn't allow it. 26 below when I left the truck and it was -5 at the cabin. Missed on the wolves on the creek so a little frustrated when I got to the cabin. The scenery usually calms me right down though.
The ice shelves continue to fallout and I am going to have to start building some bridges I am afraid. I am running out of options on crossings as the holes are to deep to skip Picked up another coyote on Pee Post Pass in the upper set. Real nice 27# male who had a lot to say when I pulled up.
Boy howdy can that get frustrating. Was able to pull the little groomer down the canyon so I took advantage of that and did a 53 mile trail groom at 30 below and froze my arse off. I was warmed up quickly when I came upon this pretty little gal in a at cubby though. 17 pound female young of the year. By far the smallest wolverine I've ever caught and she makes the 5th female I've taken. That doesn't make me happy but unavoidable for sure. I seem to have quite a few wolverine on the line this year as I cut 3 more on the ride out to the truck. Left a couple MB750's in good locations for them. Looked to be a couple big males. Speaking of male female ratios, I have taken 7 female marten of the 25 total I have caught so far this season. After talking with Gulo and White17 for a bit, I was thinking maybe it was because of all the snow making my pole sets closer to the ground. Maybe the ice layer in the snow is not allowing the marten to go under the snow to hunt and they are out of options. One thing I know is I don't like catching those little females marten or wolverine. That is kind of ironic since I don't care if I catch a female wolf or coyote, the fact is, I'd rather catch a female wolf and coyote. I have been running a couple game cams on my marten feeding stations and had some great luck on one. The other camera flaked out on me and didn't produce anything. I haven't figured out how to splice these short clips together so bear with me. These marten sure are fun to watch. They are always on full alert looking for danger before darting in to gorge themselves. Each marten would spend approximately an hour at the bait before moving on. The juvenile red fox was around for about 20 minutes each time. I had a big male wolverine come in on the 30th but the videos are only 1 second clips.
Was pretty excited to see the wolverine tracks but the videos were at night and not very good. Got everything on the boards yesterday and got some work to do on the Expedition before heading back out. You guys be safe out there.
Alaskan #9 Trap Company JR Pederson PO BOX 58226 Fairbanks AK 99711 cell# 907-378-7291 pedersonjr@yahoo.com
Came out yesterday pulling doubles and the cabin goober out for repair. Hadn't set this wolverine cubby in a couple years but with all the activity, well you know... Pulling the groomer is always relaxing to me and slows me down on the trail. Relaxing until ya get off trail, then not so much. It is the Hayseed farm boy from North Dakota in me that appreciates working that groomer like I am back working the wheat field or something. The trails are definitely getting better now until the next big snow or blow.
Alaskan #9 Trap Company JR Pederson PO BOX 58226 Fairbanks AK 99711 cell# 907-378-7291 pedersonjr@yahoo.com
Good info on the #9 and moose! Love seeing those marten on the bait Pretty fluffy fox Hope the weather holds for you and you connect with the wolves! Thank you for sharing!
I've had the same experience with 9s and moose a few times. Often the trap is still in the bed, popped. Unfortunately this year there may or may not be a couple 9s "at large" due to moose. It's been a crazy season.
I lost a #9 to a moose a few years back. He broke the weld on the swivel and wore it on his escape. Always wondered if it came off or if hes still wearing it or maybe someone shot a bull moose with a #9 on its foot!
Born and raised in paradise https://tedsfurshed.square.site/ you tube-Akntrpr's outdoors H.O.T. Products (Hanson's Outdoor and Trapping Products)
Back when Dean was building the AK #9 as well as Al, the chain was attached to the end of the frame opposite of the dog. Dean's big wolf swivel took a lot of punishment being connected to the frame like it was. Dean did this because it took the pressure off of the jaws when he was doing his trap testing. I had never liked that hook up as it seemed to put more pressure on the feet of the wolves when they hit the end of the chain. It seemed to have more broken feet of the bigger wolves that fought the trap. I slowly converted all my traps to a center of frame D-ring and center swivel. That seemed to help with moose self release and not breaking wolf feet.
Alaskan #9 Trap Company JR Pederson PO BOX 58226 Fairbanks AK 99711 cell# 907-378-7291 pedersonjr@yahoo.com
Really like the videos of the marten and the tracks of the wolverine. You can see the toes and all. I tried to see if he was at a lope . I wouldn't think a trot , from the hind foot placement. The marten standing like that reminded me of African Meerkats.
Such a fluffy fox, too. Could hardly turn his head , so much ruff fur.
Greetings Trappers. Came in off the line yesterday after spending 4 days out with Stacey. The moose are really testing my patience this season. 16 wolf traps tripped on pee posts this season already. Between the moose and the weekend warriors, this is gonna be a long season of resetting gear. I thought ol Mother Nature could be rough... We ended up picking up a couple lynx for our troublesHe was pretty calm and let me get some nice photos
#2 wasn't quite so photogenic
Spent a lot of time at the cabin. Snowing, flat light, people following us, a beautiful partner, rough year,,, excuses...Just frustrated and motivation to get out and do it wasn't there. Sunday morning picked up.
When I was skinning the 30# tom, this is what the front forearm looked like. This hide side looked fine but the fur side was void of hair in this spot. Any ideas? Neither of the wolverine came back so didn't get them. Saw a couple marten along the trail begging for fish heads. Even when it's rough going, it is aways good to be out on the line especially with my partner along.
Caught a coyote in a wolf snare at the bait and it chewed out. The wolves came back but didn't go into the bait. They want to so I'll stay hopeful but a rough year for sure.
Alaskan #9 Trap Company JR Pederson PO BOX 58226 Fairbanks AK 99711 cell# 907-378-7291 pedersonjr@yahoo.com
Glad you picked up some fur and got to spend quality time with your girl! That is weird on the cat, maybe from digging in a hole or an old injury? Bummer about the weekend warriors you put alot into grooming that trail! Gotta look at the bright side of the moose setting your gear off, if they stick to the trail the wolves will to I know your gonna connect! Thanks for sharing the videos and your adventures on the line!