I expected it to be skinny but surprisingly it was well fed and fat. Curious young pup. We set 4 traps and another 12-14 snares around the area with a chopped up beaver tossed here and there

After 22 years I have replaced my Canada Goose pullover parka.
One of the very best parka makers around had a raffle for a custom made parka over the holidays and my Mom won the draw. I was measured up and got to pick the style, color, pocket locations etc for this beauty. 100% down filled and fits like a glove. I couldn't attempt the guess the number of times my old trusty chased wolves, got caribou blood on it, or the number of animals I've picked up in traps while wearing it. I've been under the weather since Thursday evening but on the mend now.

Very nice parka Ryan , that ruff will keep the chill away . I hope you get to feeling better soon !

Happy New Year !
Allan

You handsome rascal...! And it looks so good with your pajama bottoms!!!!!

Nice jacket! I’m pretty happy with the GFW ones.
I had a wolverine scarf made for the wife, but the fur isn’t as long as that one! I bet you that’s a $2000 jacket, over $500 for the ruff for sure!

Nice parka and catch of marten.

Thats a good looking parka Ryan!

Good morning folks. Snowing like crazy here since last night. After almost 4 years of mostly marten trapping I forgot how snow affects the confidence of a foothold trapper. I had wolves circle 2 trap locations and wolverine circle 3 boxes but no committing to the set. Hard to say why as the traps are all boiled. Bobbys lynx snares have had no action whatsoever so Im thinking to switch things up this coming weekend and take him out to set a few wolf and wolverine snares as well as some lynx snares out at the cabin. well check his 7 snares this evening after his hockey practice. Looking forward to fishing for some bait next trip to the camp and opening some new trails as long as my energy level comes back by then. Sickness over the holidays took a lot out of me.
After the last wolf catch on the marten line we set another 4 traps and about 12 snares. There was fresh tracks hanging around the caught wolf so im pretty confidant they came back to investigate after we left that day.

Honestly, I'm surprised so many of you way up there use footholds for wolf. Snaring seems so much easier. Having said that, I'm relocating some footholds next weekend because I still want to get on with a FH...LOL.

snared animals cant defend themselves against even a lowly mouse not to mention green belly.

Never had a live one frozen to the ground either

The only problem a guy a few hours north of me had when snaring was the other wolves would cannibalize their buddy, so there's a good reason to FH if that's an issue where you are. But as for green belly? It shouldn't be a big deal as long as it's not brown or tainted. Coyotes & wolves get green belly starting dang near as soon as their heart stops. I've got the skin off thawed wolves after being dead a few days with normal GB, no big deal even with our warmer temps. But when it really warmed up last January, they tainted pretty quick.

Bobby had good luck and bad luck today. First time a family group of lynx came through his sets since he's been setting by himself. Lynx have been scarce the past few years since he got his first catch. Low part of the cycle. This year there's a noticeable increase in the lynx and bunnies so I waited until mid December to let him set 5 in a short walking trail that has been good to me for years.

First snare had a good young lynx

Second snare had an eaten lynx. I told him it happens from time to time but the bottom line is that he did his part and caught it in the first place.

Third one was eaten again. The down side of them family groups.
Again I told him he did his part but it happens. At about this time it hit me that my own child that I taught how to snare since he was just a little baby had just caught multiple lynx for the first time. I could tell he was just a little disappointed they were eaten but he was definitely thinking that his old man was right when I said he was doing everything right in the first place to even be catching. His smile pretty much says it all.
At about this point he took over the lead to the last two snares which both looks promising but didn't connect. A big adult knocked both down as they were more in the open with less canopy and sitting low with all the fresh snow we've been getting. I myself had a baited double snare pen with bait that got no attention whatsoever.

He was extra eager to get everything fixed right up. Got a picture of him filling in the blocking. He reset all the places he caught "for when those cannibals come back"
For Bobby today was a day he learned some lessons and accomplished a milestone. Again the smile says it all.
For me today was a day all the lessons paid off and I got the honor of being out trapped by my son.

When we got home he got ready for bed and I came out to the fur shack to work on a wolverine. I told him good job son, another 1500 more and you'll start catching up to Dad. Got to start Reminding him who's the boss while I still can.

Congratulations Bobby on the milestone you made there are much older trappers or folks who set snares that haven't accomplished what you have done !

Just a thought not knowing how or what part of the lynx was left , if it's the head and part of the neck you can still tan it for a mountain man pouch , just a thought .

Keep up the good work of making memories !

Congrats to your son.

Great work Bobby!

Great Work Bobby!!

Thanks for sharing Ryan, you are doing a great job with your son.

Congrats to the young lad.
Gang setting snares will prevent a lot of the cannibalizing when they run in family groups.
I always set 6 at a bait.with a couple more on the wings.
The damaged ones will be good for him to practice his tanning.

Good advice here.