I know most use conis but have a buddy who wants to get some footholds for them what is your preference ?

My go to for gulos is the MB 750 W

No BS canine extremes. I've tried V-14's, mb 650's, misc. longsprings, but by far, my favorite is the NO BS canine extreme.
On special request, Kendall built 2 dozen closed jaw for mad_mike and myself. They have yet to be defeated by wolverine, (and even a few wolves).
The powder coating they come with is incredibly durable, fully adjustable pan tension, and built like a tank.

2x
Back in the day when I was trapping them, I preferred 330 BGs. If I was to chase them now with footholds, I would go with the MB750W (with 3/8 offset jaws). The strength, the toughness, adjustable pan pressure and the price! When a wolf comes in to the set you're ready (unless lots of crusty snow/ice).

Jack

I also am a big fan of the MB 750W for wolverines if you can control the snow cover (under the canopy of a tree). I also really like the Bridger #3 CS 4-coiled and laminated. Been a great wolverine, lynx and coyote trap for me. I do put the MB 750's in my Catch-all sets when there is a good chance of a wolf messing around the set. I do like to keep the chain looped around a tree so it can go round and round without getting hooked up and focus on the trap. Lots of swivels never hurts either

A trap big enough to hold them but that does not allow them ready access below the jaws.

I have lost them with:

Bridger #5 coils (high holds, excessive vulnerable space under jaws; will no longer set for wolverine)
Victor #4 LS (toe hold) and perhaps others.

I have held one in #9 (high high hold on female, so smaller, wolverine. Excessive in my opinion)

I prefer a #4 JUMP. They have a wide jaw spread but limited room below the jaws because of the spring. Best in a one way approach so they come in opposite side from spring.
2nd place Victor #4 dls. Harder to get a multiple toe/pad catch due to smaller jaw spread but if you get a good hold on one, limited space below jaws.

I have no experience with the 750

330 is the go to for sure.

The 330 is the way to go.
If you leghold you have foot damage plus you have to shoot them, more damage.
if you are trapping for experience and are going to keep the wolverine for a hat or wall hanger use whatever you have laying around. If you use along chain and visit regularly you will be fine.

An additional swivel within a few inches (3-6") of the trap always seems to help.
Hook them solid or use a steel drag.
Check frequently and keep in mind when dispatching, the skulls are worth money.

14 jumps is what i like.

Well, a V-14 is basically a cast jaw #4 jump with teeth. After losing 3, (including one nice enough to leave a toe), and holding one by 2 toes, I got rid of them. Always set in tight cubbies, stepping sticks, spring away from approach.
Get full feet, now, with coils.

Question, several like the 750W with the wide 3/8" offset, while AV and mad mike like closed jaws. Why the descrepancy? I would think the wide offset to prevent frozen feet, but then I'm assuming AV and mad mike want closed jaws to prevent pullouts, so if pullouts were an issue I would think the 3/8" offset would be much worse than the 1/4"?

Obviously I can't trap wolverines and have never looked at ones foot up close, so I am just wondering why you each prefer such different jaws?

I want closed jaws do to toe holds, more than anything. Not just one toe, mind you. While I have not seen a catch on video, or in person, what I have seen is that a majority of foot-hold caught wolverine are caught either by the toes, or between the pad and toes.
I have had full feet, but that has been the exception.
I have to assume that they enter my tight cubbies cautiously, and from what little sign they leave at a catch site, don't rush in.
I see little advantage in off-set jaws with wolverine.
All that said, others have taken many more than I.

I hesitate to say anything, what with all the wolverine experience in the thread. I never caught a wolverine, and only ever caught two wolves, both in snares.

But I set a lot of foothold traps for wolves and wolverines. In the snow-thaw-freeze cycles of south-central Alaska, I didn't care for the MB-750. They seemed to freeze down easier than the wire-levered traps like the CDR.

Jim

In my experience the foot will freeze regardless of any offset. I prefer the offset because it allows the levers to close higher on the sides of the jaws. and also MIGHT allow less forest detritus or snow to be caught between the jaws.

The only wolverines I have ever lost were from a #4 Victor LS and a #14 victor Jump.

Nothing that has fired a MB750w has ever gotten out..........including wolves.



That's a valid point Jim about the type of snow affecting the performance of the MB 750. The CDR 750 is a wonderful trap but the Paws-i-Trip Pan system on them is too fragile for wolverines. Every time I have caught one in a CDR the pan and dog have been destroyed.

Also, when the two traps are compared it's pretty obvious that there is more space under the jaws of a CDR than the MB 750. Not a good thing where gulos are concerned. Setting for a back foot catch seems to reduce their inclination to chew.

Maybe a species specific trap for wolverine would be good,with a double jaw perhaps.
Would take a lot of input and testing by wolverine trappers to weigh the advantages/disadvantages of design like double jaws in far northern climes.

I've used and still do to an extent MB750s for wolves. You state my issue with them exactly. They are a good dry ground trap, in my opinion. As White17 says, the only thing I've ever had pull out of them are hooved game, which is good. But they are the worst trap I have ever used for freeze/thaw conditions. And even if they aren't froze down they simply don't have the power to come up through the crust, or the jawspread to come up through several inches of snow on a wolf. Pictures I have seen posted of them set for wolverines they are often left uncovered, which aleviates half the issues, then you only have to keep them from freezing down.

I've given thought to a double-jaw trap, but figured it was just another point to freeze down, and another thing to push through the snow.
I would much prefer to catch them with coni-type traps, but so far, I have had nothing but refusals with buckets, milk crates, and boxes.

Hope this picture posts. This is an un-lucky fisher that found a set made for an educated wolverine that lost a toe to a V-14.
The gulo would return, but dig through the back if the set, never approaching the entry, again. So, I set a MB750 just outside the entrance, and a Bridger #5 Ak., behind. These wete rigged for wolves, with 10' of chain. I forgot to shorten said chain.
My mistake.

This is why I like closed jaws for them.