Here’s the trap I had the winning bid on at Saskatchewan Trappers Association convention last weekend. Not sure why, but I started putting my hand up half way to the $125 that I paid…lol, I guess that’s how auctions work. A number of years ago the STA stepped up for all Canadian wolf trappers to get some decent footholds certified. Up until them there was little on the list besides the Belisle foot snare, Rudy (love em or hate em) and little traps with extra coils that get ripped to pieces. They give one to the winner of the wolf handling competition along with a few hundred bucks and a plaque. This one was donated to auction off by Dave Beale…IIRC…which he won last year…(also won this year). They only have 8 or so left, so I told Don that in 10 years or so I’ll donate it back to the members of STA. I’m just renting it for my shelf for a while.
Here’s some info Don Gordon gave me on the story behind it…..

About 10-12 years ago the STA presented the FIC with $10,000.00 to be
put specifically to Wolf trap certification. In return the FIC sent us
33 of the #5 Bridger Alaskan that were used as the test models. They had
cut off the chains and drags and sent them to me and we use them for
anything related to Wolves. This trap was donated back to the STA and
auctioned off. We were always going to stamp or mark the as the official
test traps but so far have only told the story.

Still dirty with hair & sand…..lol

Very nice

So the Bridger #5 Alaskan is a certified Canadian wolf trap?
Also, I thought the KORO #9 was certified.

Yes, the #5 along with a few others.
Korosil is sending his wolf & # 3 in for certification. His original failed. He’s having huge issues with getting traps from his manufacture. Quality was brutal on the originals sent in, crooked, sharp edges, even twisted laminations.
It used to be the Rudy, little #3 4 coiled & plated, and the Belisle foot snare. STA stepped up to the plate for all Canadian wolf trappers.

Interesting. I know KORO was hard to get, and myself, as well as other trappers I knew that had them in the Juneau area had to scrounge far and wide to get them.
The ones I have laid hands on were in top shape and were procured in the last 5 or six years, I would guess. Maybe a year or two longer.

I bought 3 last summer but didn't realize they weren't on the list yet.
When mine are set, the one jaw isn't level and James said he'd replace them when/if he ever got a decent batch. Other than that they're wicked.
I was told I could heat the springs on the side that sits a bit higher until it levels out.
Dam Beaver in Saskatchewan had them on sale for $169CAD but they're sold out.

I would not heat the springs, You can weld a piece of key stock or something on the lever where the locked jaw sets, and this will cause the loose jaw to set lower. That is what I do to TS85s when I four coil them, but you shouldn't have to do it to a new trap, especially one that expensive. I would take James up on his offer to replace them if I was you. The few guys I know who have any, really like them. I know that I have looked at a couple different ones that different guys had, and they weren't identical, so I'm assuming different production runs have some differences between them. I have never used them, but they seem super stout made and I really like the dogless pan style of wolf trap.

The Lay 76 is a wicked trap, only trap I've ever tried to set by hand that is stouter than an Alaska 9, but super expensive. Talked to Kyle about it and he showed how you can actually increase or decrease the strength of the springs. There is a bolt on the bottom of the trap that he actually uses to release animals by loosening it and relaxing the springs, but in order to get it approved he had to put a weld on it to lock it into place at the approved spring strength. You have to break or cut the spot weld in order to adjust.

Yea, Kyle sure has those things dialed in!
James would give me replacements, it’s just the trouble he’s having to just get a trap out of the manufacturer. He was almost ready to sell his designs last summer but recently said he’s going to keep at it for the immediate future.