Jack Whitman has passed on. He was a good mentor and friend. Jack was the biologist who gave us the guide lines for aging marten ( on this site). I imaged how Jack caught Siberian Tigers in Russian. How that would give a whole new meaning to "run the trapline". Would never make a set on a blind corner. He was a good friend.

I didn't know him very long, but had a great time learning from and talking to Jack. I trapped a few areas he spent a lot of time at himself, so we shared a lot of knowledge of the same areas. He gave me advice on trapping wolves that changed everything for me. From shrews, to owls, to wolves, always the same inquisitive mind that never stopped working and wondering. He was amazing. He made me some knives and I sent him some books towards the end. I named a creek full of bears after him. And I spent the night in my treestand recently and was kept up all night with an owl hooting at me. What a wonderful man and he will be missed for sure.

I am sorry to hear of Jacks passing. Myself and many others on here have greatly enjoyed his post over the years. Always very informative.

We never got to employ him for our gulo study, sadly. He got snatched away to another project, giving the ADFG enough time to cob together their own study we had been badgering for, for a long time. I guess it was enough to head off a trapping calamity, and Jack instead got the opportunity to share his incredibly vast knowledge with so many trappers in the lower 48.
On the other hand.........so many hands. RIP Jack. And take that tiger with you.

There is a nice obituary in the Anchorage Daily News today. I am guessing that Ken wrote it.

I haven't read it, but know they, and Barb also, were very close. I had the privilege of hearing from Barb about her and Jack dissecting marten, and cross-sectioning I think it was femurs of marten, to age them, many years ago. Talking hundreds. Ken or Ol'Blister can clarify and/or correct my faulty memory.

https://adn-ak.newsmemory.com/nie.php?token=5848

Page A4, half way down on the left.

Thanks.

Thanks for posting.

All of my marten aging info came from Audrey Magoun. Seems it was a cross section of a tooth that gave an exact age. Did Audrey learn from Jack?

For those not subscribed to ADN:

Jack Whitman

Oct 3, 2025

Almost 70 years ago, an extraordinary person was born on this planet. We called him Jack Whitman, though he was known by many other monikers acquired from some humorous foray he was involved in. He left us on Oct. 3, 2025, no doubt looking for another adventure with some four-legged furry friend of old in some off-the-map place and a good fishing hole in which to plunk a worm.

He'll be remembered well and long by those of us who knew and loved him. We have lost a caring husband, father, grandfather, uncle and mentor; friend, neighbor and colleague. Jack set the bar incredibly high as a wildlife scientist/manager, skilled and innovative trapper and hunter, avid fisherman, truly curious naturalist, engaging storyteller, artist and author. A kind, considerate and unassuming man, Jack showed up in ways for people that were often times creative or unexpected, but always appreciated when you were in a jam. Jack embraced every opportunity life offered with gusto and regaled us with stories most of us will only read about. For those who never knew Jack personally, no words could ever describe this truly unique man. And no list of dates or liturgy of accomplishments could begin to encompass Jack nor the impact he has had on all of us, known or unknown. We love you Jack.

A gathering of friends and family is planned for June 2026.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jack's memory to the University of Idaho's Maurice Hornocker Endowed Chair in Wildlife Conservation. Details for giving can be found https://giving.uidaho.edu/campaigns/maurice-hornocker-endowed-chair-of-wildlife-conservation-2 or by contacting gifts@uidaho.edu.