Apologies for the poor picture quality. Taken with an old android phone, several years ago.

Thanks guys I have pointed this info on to him he will figure it out from there he is just looking for something to get the coninrefusal
Ones in

I am no expert on wolverine….caught my 7th on this past Sunday.
I have caught 4 now in NO BS Beaver Xtremes with 3/8” offset. No issues with the offset and 3 of the 4 were toe caught. I like how the offset allows the levers to lock up higher. Being offset also doesn’t relieve any pressure on the foot at least not the way most think it does…if anything there is less pressure due to the levers locking higher and springs being under slightly less tension, which I would guess would lead to less chance of them chewing on their caught feet.

I WAY, WAY prefer live traps for many reasons. One of which is because I skin them on the spot and can use them as bait to reset. I see no use in packing the whole carcass all the way out and letting it freeze before skinning, other than taking time to skin them in limited daylight.

I also constantly had issues with birds pecking on dead critters and the occasional wolf or wolverine ripping apart a critter dead in a trap. Due to these reasons and more, I use footholds almost exclusively these days, other than for covering backdoors to cubbies with snares for sneaky animals. There isn’t much I can do about wolves coming across a live animal in my footholds, but critters can defend themselves from most other predators and scavengers if they’re kept alive.

Live traps, how about some pictures. That would be cool to see a wolverine in one!
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I thought that at first, but I think he means traps that hold the animal alive, ie footholds rather than conibears.

No kidding!

Correct. I prefer footholds to keep the animal alive, NOT cage type live traps.
I apologize for not being clear.

I recall Dr. Audrey Magoun mentioning that she had used "cage traps" to catch wolverines up in NW Alaska. To collar and then track them.

If I recall correctly, they were made of chain link fence material. I also heard her say that occasionally a wolverine was able to CHEW THROUGH and escape!

Now THAT is tough...!!!!


Pete

Audrey did a pretty extensive study here in southeast, and another multi-year study was done by a couple biologists here in Juneau.
They tried multiple contraptions, but finally settled on site-built log enclosures, with a treadle trigger, and a drop-down, hinged lid, also made of logs.
I have read the study, and pertinent paperwork, and had some good conversations with the guys that did the work. Some good laughs, and some real insight.

Here is a picture of a wolverine trap used for study on the North slope. I did a job at Toolik lake research station a few years ago. There were some scientists studying wolverine, I made a quick run with one of the guys one day. Not a great pic, but you can see the notch in the 2x4 that holds the lid closed when gulo jumps in there. It can be a little sporty getting the sedative shot placed. Unfortunately there were no customers when I was out there.

I’ve landed wolverines with a #2 1/2 single long spring to a Bridger #5 and just about every size between. I catch at least 1-2 every year in a bridger #5 double long spring. Most of the smaller traps end up with a toe hold or multi toe hold. I have yet to loose one with those #5s. There was an old wise wolverine about 5 years ago that would go around digging up all my traps. I finally caught him in a wolf snare after a month of him teasing me

There was a guy here back in late 70's that built a couple live traps for wolverine out of old 55 gallon drums.
I remember the front looked like a guillotine, heavy plate slid down when triggered and in the back he had a 12x12
section cut out and a piece of old punch plate, with 3/4" holes, welded there. His theory was if a wolverine got caught he
could dispatch it through the holes in the punch plate.
I wasn't there to witness but he did end up catching one and he said it was memorable!
When he pulled up to it he said it sounded "like an old washing machine w/worn out bearings on the spin cycle" !
That was a good enough picture for me!

^^^^^^
About 15 years ago I visited that Steve guy out of Haines who has four live "pet" wolverine. They made noises that sounded like running a Skill saw through sheet metal.

What are your guys thoughts on 48 Newhouse's for wolverine?

Now that would be a place worth visiting. Does he still have them?

Boy that does paint a vivid picture. LOL Some people sure get creative. Why did he choose to build such a contraption instead of just using conventional traps or snares?

I applied as support personnel for that job but never heard anything back. Sounded like a fun paid vacation. Wonder what came of there research?

That makes me wonder if anyone has had issues with wolverine chewing through wire spring levers on foot holds? I know they chew on everything but those wire spring levers are pretty dang stout.

I believe so, at least he did recently. Steve kroshel, or something like that. He used to have a business that provided video footage of wildlife and snow avalanches to various film producers. It looks like he has now converted his place into a tourist trap on the cruise boat circuit.

He is a different sort of character, at the time I met him he wasn't totally opposed to consumptive use, he knew I was a trapper, but I have a hunch he may be pretty soft on the subject now.

I think wolverine skull buyers prefer wolverine with undamaged teeth?