HFT Journal 2018-19

Been a pretty good summer weather wise, got the traps all dipped and hanging ready for this winter. Picked up a newer sled, an old Yamaha Phazer, it was free so I am not complaining Still got alot to do on the sleds.

The salmon runs have not been the greatest, hit the Kasilof for a few reds picked up 24 and called it good for now.
Did hit the kings hard in my honey hole, picked up a few decent ones.




Did a run down to Seward, that was a blast! we picked up a bunch of halibut and rock fish, even pulled in a octopus! Seen a bunch of wild life and whales!





Been chasing the big boys. My buddy finally connected with a 7 footer, nice bore with a decent hide. Still waiting on mine.

Well the fish are starting to come in, picked up a few "dogs". Love the color on them but especially the fight



Took the youngest dip netting, filled the freezer

Dogs do have character don't they? I love eating bright ones, I'll take them over sockeye.
My order of preference;
King
Silver
Chum (only bright ones)
Sockeye
Humpies (only if I have to eat one)

Friends don't let friends eat humpies.....

Well moose season was a bust for me this year. Our buddy frozenokie moved down to the lower 48, and before he took off he gave me a box of shells for my 338. I took three rounds made sure the gun was on and went hunting. Sure enough the first day out I had a nice fork pop up 50 yds away, put the cross hairs on him squeezed the trigger and...........click.



For whatever reason the round was a dud. But it was a good season in the aspect of seeing a bunch of younger bulls, good times with friends, and the highlight was taking a 15 yr old young man out there with me. It was a good adventure for him.

This weather has been crazy. Freaking warm as heck. The dang ducks haven't even come down this away yet.

I did find a bunch of these, about a half dozen and most chewed by mr porky.



He decided to come into camp one day to say hello



Did have one brief encounter with a brownie. There I was walking down a trail and came around a bend. Walking toward me 25 yds away was a 8ft brownie, we saw each other at the same time and I think it took both of us a second to realize that oh crap that ain't a moose Before I could get the gun up, poof he was gone.

Time to gp get some beaver and chase the bears a little.

Be safe!

That's one of my nightmares, "click!" Did you notice any flinch when it didn't go bang? I've worked years to not flinch.

Lol, I remember my uncle taking me shooting. He would load my whole magazine with loads mixed with empty shells. I wasn’t allowed to look in the bolt, just cycle and shoot, cycle and shoot. When I flinched on an empty he’d say “whatcha jumping for??” It helped a lot but I still pull a little.

Looking good HFT

Well went out and did a little trip for bears and beavers. had to call it quits early though. The water level was skinny when I went out and the first night it dropped 4 inches, the second 5 inches. Running a prop in a rock bottom river is not a good thing.
I got some gear out for beaver and managed to pick a few up. Not as many what I wanted but every little bit helps!
Did manage to call in a grey wolf one evening, that was pretty cool and seen one nice bull. Of course the season is way over

Had to throw this pic out there for all the Duke haters



The sunsets were gorgeous!



Didn't cut but one set of bear track that was way old, kinda odd for this time of year. The way this warm weather has been I think maybe changed their routines, really hoping it gets cold and freezes up soon, not a fan of running the wheeler.

Time to prep gear and build a butt load of snares for this season!

Be safe!

I haven't even seen geese and swans queueing up to leave yet

Been at least 30 degrees warmer than average here this late September/October. Last year we had ice already forming on the river by now, this year it's probably several weeks away still.. Bumped into a cow and bull moose a week ago while fishing, too dark to see the size at that distance. Glad you got some beaver for the trip HFT, our water levels have been fluctuating up and down a lot this year.

Well the season finally kicked off this past weekend. Saturday there was no snow out on my line and I have been running the 4 wheeler. Got a lot of gear out but am kinda land locked until the creeks freeze up. Yesterday I woke up with the intent of heading back out and putting more gear out but over night it had snowed and then turned to a freaking down pour, so I stayed in. Went back out today and there was 6 inches of wet snow, something I didn't anticipate and had to lift quite a few snares. Dropped a bunch more gear and just checked everything. Pretty good start A fox, a yote, a mink, and a kitty.



The camera on my phone is not the best. But it was pretty cool coming around a bend in the trail and there where 6 moose standing there, 5 bulls (dinks) and a cow. I got to watch two of them spar a little before they took off.

Sounds like a great start!

Nice to see some moose survived.

Nice mixed bag!

Good start John! Leave the feet the cat Too.

Pretty good run today, 3 yotes, 2 marten, 1 lynx, 1 ermine, 1 mink and a fox. Time to go chase some caribou

Dang !!!!! Is that another cross ?? Looks like a good run.

It appears that cat population may be UP this year

Nice haul.

Another pretty good run for me today, 3 yotes, a kitty, a mink and a ermine. I had a chew out on a snare last run and sure enough about 2 miles away caught the joker today

Nice start!

Interesting that you have coyotes there,HFT.Do you ship to the auction?Reason I ask is I wondered how your coyotes from there grade out.They look nice and pale.They must be HVY too?

white- Yep another cross And I think your right about the kitty population.

Boco- prior to last year I was selling them to a private buyer, vegas jim here on tman. Last year he told me to send them to auction that I'd get better money, he was correct They normally grade DRK heavy or semi at NAFA and with a $120 avg last year I am not complaining Aren't any wolves in my area so they are top dog with plenty of chow.

Good price,wish we had some of those around here.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Spent the morning out in the "Office" Picked up 2 more yotes.

Had a decent run today. Picked up a fox, a ermne, and 2 yotes. This weather is kicking my butt though. RAIN! Kinda lucked out on the one yote, don't know if a noose or a bunny knocked the snare down but I had him by the front foot!

Thanks for the ride HFT !

Glad you're getting out and sharing!

Putting a hurting on them coyotes! You must have quite a few up there huh? Glad your seasons off to a good start. How the weather improves for us all!

Thanks for letting me skin my first coyote.

Sissy appreciated you stopping by and giving me a hand You got awesome and mad skinning skills especially on the kitties!

I don't know what is worse, this wacky weather or the earthquake! Shook pretty good here! My moose head got shook off the freaking wall and a lot of glass ware got broke but nothing major. Picked up a marten, ermine, mink, and a really nice yote! The warm winds are blowing, +40 coming in today.

Glad you're okay and getting fur!

Temple, I trying brother! The rivers and creeks are all wide open right now and got me land locked, and lack of snow has me on a 4 wheeler. But hopefully that will all change in a week or two.

The weather is kicking my butt this week. It snowed/rain/snowed/rained Sunday night. The only things not froze or covered in ice were the conibears. Made for a long day. Did pick up a nice little red, had a chew out from a yote, and caught another one. I have no clue what happen but it looked like a blood bath and a it would have been in poor taste to post a pic. There was a dang bunny foot in the snare with the yote. Plus it's fur is pretty jacked up, I will post a pick of it later.



Last year I found 2 beaver houses about 20 yds apart and a good choke point between the 2 on a creek. I put a 330 in there and didn't get anything, I did punch through up to my things So this year when I set I knew no to mess around with that spot and hung a snare there for a random yote that always likes to cruise the area. I walked over to break the ice off the snare and found a hole where a otter had popped his head out So I ran back to the sled and grabbed a 220 The beaver houses are dead, but I think those otter will be there a spell





About a 1/4 mile down the same creek I had mink set and a snare. I had caught a yote in the snare last week and reset it. About 15 feet down from the snare I found another otter hole! The jokers ran back and fourth from the hole up to the area where the yote had been! Went back to the sled and grabbed a 280.




Hoping one of those two sets connect!

So when I rolled up on this yote it looked like a bloody murder scene and I could see that something was hanging off of it. Pretty freaking gross! After dispatch, I realized it was the back leg of a hare. It was caught between the yotes neck and the snare. I can only guess the yote had the bunny in its mouth when he hit it.




I have never seen this on any k9. It looks like a wound maybe at some point with a bald spot on the side. I am real curious to see what the under side looks like and what story will be told when he get fleshed out.

I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure that’s mange in a not too advanced stage. Someone on here will know for sure. Looks like some of the wolves I was getting a few years back.

That looks like a rub caused by lice. A majority of the wolves i catch look like that and much worse. Where I used to trap I caught quite a few coyotes but only a small percentage had lice. Unfortunately the hide is pretty worthless as the parasite causes the skin to secrete an oil in defense which when tanned the leather is more like cardboard.

Thanks for the input Ryan and nooksack. First time I ever encountered it, and I hope I don't get any more like it!

Lice. The coyotes got it here too this year. Haven't seen it since we had wolves.

Well Mr Otter came through

Sweet, that didn’t take long.

Nope not complaining! There where 2, the other one is some where between 2 sets, hope I connect with him to

Nice job on the otter!

Well it has been a little slow with all this crappy weather we have been having, I am hoping things finally settle down and we actually start having winter Did pick up a little mink, and caught a nice yote! I think he ran into the snare right before I arrived there was fresh track in fresh snow heading down the trail and very disturbance. Looks like the otters moved on, now it is just a waiting game.

Good year to be catching coyotes John.

Jim there are quite a few running around this year, the flip side of that there is not alot of fox sign. Even behind my house I have not cut any in the past week and normally harvest 10 - 15 out of there a year. But the bunny's are up!

That last coyote in the trees looks like a nice HVY fur from the pic.

Boco that was a good one for sure We finally got a good dump of snow Picked up 1 cross, 1 red, and another yote The red ran a little creek that had a snare on it, the cross was chasing bunnies and the yote ran the wrong ridge line The pic's aren't as pretty as Howlers, it was still dark and snowing when I was out there

Nice work John. Glad you are out getting some fur for the stretchers. Your furs are making more money than my pretty pictures. Keep it up and be safe.

John, Im seeing more coyotes out west this ysar just wondering jow high your setting your snares to sucessfull get both the fox and coyotes that come down the trail?

Otterman, normally go by the tip of pinky tip of thumb, surface of snow to bottom of snare, method. Normally that is in the thick spruce, in the wide open I add 2 inches. You got to keep in mind though to, my area is a moose wintering area, on alot of those trails especially in the woods I have no problem putting a jump stick, or a diverter stick over the snare which makes them drop their head.

Here is a better pic from yesterday.

Nice haul HFT,a lot of tappers don't realize how low a canine holds their head when travelling,ferreting out a food source.The scents they are interested in isn't up in the trees,but low to the ground.I like to keep my snares set low,and loops small.I would sooner have a few knocked down snares than a flank catch.A knocked down snare doesn't spook an animal,and you are likely to catch it in another snare.You will also connect on several species however.If you want species specific,you can play around with head lifters etc.

Boco agreed Finally got the short line behind the house up and running. Picked one red up at a bait station and another in a lynx set. I spend all this time trying to actually trap the dang things with snow holes and dirt holes and I get one on a exposed set, go figure

Well we finally got a good dump of snow earlier this week and the tempts have dropped pretty good.





Managed to get everything dug out and back into operation, picked up a little mink and a nice yote. Seen alot of track on todays run, just not near my gear. Always frustrating when you see where a kitty had walked your foot trail to a set, played with your tape at a marten set, walked all over a mink box and when you finally think you might get a chance at him as his trail heads towards some snares.......he side steps them.

Sweet HFT, our temps are starting to drop up here. Hope to get out after Christmas. Happy Holidays to you and yours.

You be safe out there JR! A couple went out for a snow machine ride last Friday, Big Lake area, they didn't return. They are conducting search and rescue ops.

I guess they found one of the two.

https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/B...snowmachiner-found-Friday-503349621.html

HFT ,You have the most diverse line ! Whow quite the General trapper (with a capital g ). Great job.

John, I know you probably shared this before, but how do you set up your snares? Do you make them yourself and if so, how do you pre-load them? What's your process? That's the tricky part for me, some turn out OK, most twist and are ruined. I hate wasting good wire. Also, do you find a lot of green belly with your catches, seeing it's so warm down there?

Inupiaq Yes I make my own. Everyone has their own preference on how to make snares, loop size, end stops and so forth. Over the years I have came up with what works for me. I honestly believe that the heights of the bottom of the set snare is key to a good catch. You get them under the chin and they will be there for you, fox, yote, kitty. I do have a occasional kitty jump through the loop or get a hip catch but that seems to happen after we get a good dump of snow and the hieght of the snare isn't were it needs to be.

40 inches of cable attached to 3 ft of 9 or 11 gauge wire with a double ferrule. Makes a nice 10-11 inch loop. For cable I have been using 1/19 or 7x7 3/32. Getting away from 1/16th, yotes love to chew. Every snare that I put out has a BAD, I got to many moose in my area and got tired of doing the moose rodeo. I prefer Slim Loc's, they cut through the hore frost and ice on the snare pretty easy and with the mixed weather I have here they work pretty good.

I have made up a few with the kill springs this year to see how they work out. Once I am done building them I spray paint them and dip them in FMJ. I normally just slip my snares at the tree end of season, especially at bait stations. There are snares out there that are 4-5 years old and still good.



When it come to building them...
Take the cable put on a end stop, take a pair of needle nose pliers and bend the cable back oppisite of the natural curve of the cable. Some like a sharp bend others like a loop bend.



I then take the cable, left hand on the button stop put it behind the 2x4 post of my swagging stand, grab the other end and run it left to right going with the natural bend of the cable. The first four inches is where the most pressure should be, it doesn't take much pressure, and if it doesn't create what your looking for run it again a little harder. ADC has a pretty good video and post on how to do it. And your going to waste a little cable until you get it figured out





As for green belly, I normally run a 3-4 day check, and the only time it seems bad is when I am waiting for a frozen critter to thaw out. Other then that no issues. If they do have green belly, once it is fleshed I rub borax on it, no slippage.

Well things have been pretty dead out on my line, between a full moon and this crazy weather we been having. Rain/snow/rain/snow/ and a huge temp drop the critters have been holed up. Plus there is a ton of bunny sign this year and I am sure that they have full bellies But running yesterday I cut track so it looks like they will be on the prowl After I caught that first otter between the beaver houses I rest it and have not touched it. Checking yesterday I walked up, saw no track in the snow on top of the ice, came around a bend and mr otter had to have been running under the ice and popped his head up outta the hole
I had pulled all my marten gear right after Xmas, checking a kitty set I saw where a ermine decided to make his home right by it. Guess he tried to claim the beaver hanging there, dropped a No1 jump and had him next check.



I keep checking the rubs on my line for sheds, did't find any till yesterday. Kinda funny, on a 100 yd stretch of trail I find at least 1 shed every year.

Nice! You are skinning.

Freaking crazy weather! Started the week off at -22, stayed in the negatives all week, Friday it was -17. Today it is freaking +34!

Picked up a nice little red at what Boco calls a jackpot Just some moose hide in a bar ditch with 3 snares.



Picked up another yote, he ran the wrong bunny trail

Nice stuff Hft! Keep it up!

Well the weather finally settled down and the critters are starting to move a little. Along the one swamp I run I saw where a fox had come out of the woods and onto the swamp, about 3 weeks ago. Last week I seen where he popped out at the same spot. Hung a snare and..........................

Pretty little red.


I have 2 of those power rams, not really a fan of them, they scare the crap outta me I hung each one on trails that I know the yotes run, connected with one today

Well, are you a fan now?
Looks like that 'yote didn't stand a chance.

Looks like he had a chance to stand tho. Sitting pretty begging for table scraps.

Haha Good one AV Nope, about 8 years ago I was resetting one and it slipped, lost a front tooth! Really shy of those dang things!

Now you resemble a hockey player HFT.

Good one Boco, I did for about a year, then I had them all pulled and got dentures now

Several years ago a friend bought one of those wolf rams and brought it by.
I have a knack at "field testing" traps with my own appendages, if you get my drift, and knew I would never use one of those!

Now that’s some good snaring. I have one wolf master power ram but I have never set it. Maybe I’ll look for a good spot this weekend to try it out.

I have bunch outside my house if you because you like them Ryan. They are all rusty and ready to go. I even have one sitting out on the line waiting to be set. Got a wolverine in one once a long time ag so they do work. The snare was down to the last strand when Ed and Sampicked it up though.

Well this weather bites! You go from -22 and snow holes, to +41 with wax paper flapping in the breeze. Switched everything out to hay sets. Did manage to get a little fur. A mink and a nice cross.

Nice collection of of fur HFT setting snares in this strange winter weather patterns make a difference doesn't it , keep up the good work !
Stay Safe out there and catch a bunch !
Allan

Love to look at these threads, the cross fox look plentiful in Alaska.

This weather is freaking crazy! T shirt weather for three days and then we get a dump of snow. Made for good riding though! I think I picked up the ugliest fox of the season. Can't tell if it is a Sampson or if it is living in a barrow. Hardly any dang guard hairs on the thing.



The Highlight of the day was a kitty Walking up a spur line I looked over to the base of a tree where I had a cubby. There was nothing there, it was flat! I was like what the heck? Then I heard a low growl...............Dobbins Purrfect strikes again!

Wow! What a great picture of the cat!!!
Do you pack extra shorts?

Nope! The first thing I looked at was the trap, he was deep in that Duke #4

Love those flat ears !! You know he's not a bit happy !

World record awful fox !!

Too bad about the fox HFT,but the cat makes up for it eh?

Much lynx sign ?

Boco indeed FullFreezer, a few more this year then years past. The bunnies are up

That's a great picture of the lynx.

Have had bad experiences with lynx climbing and then jumping out of the tree and really tearing up the leg. I try to keep the chain or cable fairly short if it's attached something solid. That is a cool pic tho!
mt

That is one ticked off lynx, cool pic!

Well today was one of those days.......Rolled up to the trail head and went to down load my sled, look down and the freaking bearings blew out on the trailer driverside. When I ran on Monday it was snowing pretty good got about 6 inches and then ....... it rained.
Talk about a freaking crust, needless to say all the footholds were put out of commission.
Picking up mink gear, today was the last day, I went to check on the otter hole. When I was there Monday I had checked it and cleared the hole making sure the triggers were exposed. Since the cold snap it had been frozen under the ice and when I looked in there it was running water.
I knew for sure I would get me another otter Well....when I walked up today Mr Otter had indeed been in and out of that dang hole, and made toilet right near it. Looked in there and could see the wires to the 280 were bent down but the trap didn't fire because it was iced over
Checking the last mink trap, a NO1 jump I walk up over a little hill by a stream and see a catch circle.......no mink and no trap. it was cabled off to the tree and the only thing I can figure is either a ferrule or the cable failed. And of course no track to be seen on the ice.

On the bright side I did cut some more kitty track, I know that otter will be back, and I was able to limp the trailer back to the house!

Did pick up a nice dark cherry red at a bait station to

Exciting run. Those otters are a patience game for sure.

Got the one ugly fox put up, have a buddy that is learning to tan and I need the bait for the bait stations. But here is a pic of the back and front side of it next to a pale red. Like I said very little guard hair all around. Is it genetics? Is the fur rubbed from living in a den? What are your guys thoughts?

It looks like a late april/may shedder.I wonder if it could be lice.Check with a magnifying glass and see if you can see any small white specks migrating up the guard hair.They might be dead by now though.I don't remember seeing any fox shedding like that this early.Have seen some with rubbed hips in late January though.

Boco, that was the first thing I did before I brought it in to thaw I got dogs and the last thing I need is them having bugs Well Mr Otter made his appearance That makes 3 out of this hole.





I got about a foot of snow out on the line, spent the day digging gear put and adjusting snares. I LOVE fresh powder!

Well guys things have slowed down quit a bit out on my line and I have shut down a good portion of it. Took AK TRAPR out with me today, went to go check on a kitty set and there were dang otter track! I guess the cd blowing in the breeze caught his attention. Followed his track and we found this......



Dropped a 330 and blocked in real good, Couldn't get a better pic the shelf ice is pretty dang thin.



I head into town tomorrow for a surgery. The doc says I have some kind of cancer in my bladder and they are going to pull some of it out for a biopsy and determine the type for treatment. Should be back on my feet in a few days and then go from there. I appreciate this site and the many connections I have made through it. Especially appreciate AK TRAPR for taking the time to run with me.

Sorry to hear that HFT. I hope the surgery goes smooth.

That sure looks like Sampson to me. I caught 5 on the morning of January 1, 1980. All were in sight of each other. Pretty sure it was a family group.

Hoping for the best outcome on that surgery !! Stay positive !

Nice run on the fur ! As Ken mentioned stay positive cancer can be beat trust me I know even if it's a great way to meet nurses !
That fox is really something else a bad experiment gone wrong in the gene pool ?

Let us know what you find out. My pappy had lung cancer. They removed one whole side. When he survived the surgery, they gave him a few years to live. He made it 22 years!

I have beat it too.

Hopefully everything can be maintained functional with radiation or chemo or implants, but sometimes surgery is required to remove organs, and people who have a zeal for life, like you and me, find ways to make due. I can tell you my story when you teach me how to make my own snares :-)

Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way...

Good luck on surgery and recovery, you got guys pulling for you! It was good to meet you a few years back, thanks for your service!

All the best HFT. Prayers your way. Keep us posted. Get some of that Chaga from Family Trapper.
TM

Good luck with the cancer!

That fox is interesting it sure looks similar to a wolf I got with lice.

Praying.

Good luck on your surgery and wishing you a full and speedy recovery.

Very good, good run thanks for taking me long.

God Bless HFT.

Well I have been sitting on my butt going stir crazy. Passing a lot of blood clots in my urine, but starting to feel a little normal. Had AK TRAPR run my line for me the other day. It was a beautiful day here with a light snow, instead of having the daughter run my line behind my house I decided I'd test the waters and see how I felt after running. It is only about a 2 1/2 mile run full circle.
Ended up pulling 2 reds and a cross. Everyone of them in a dang yote snare.









Based on the fur I will be shutting that line down next run out there, they are starting to run pretty good and I want seed there for next year.
Headed to the doc in the AM to see what they have to say.

Good job, and praying for you, for what that is worth.
Keep fighting the good fight.

Best of luck at the Doc's HFT !

HFT good luck, buddy, best wishes to you from Pennsylvania. Nice photos and just hang in there

I will keep praying for a speedy and full recovery HFT.

Very nice check I don't blame you a bit on saving the line for next year we don't have many fox around here compared to what we have had years ago.
I hope the Dr's appointment went as well as possible continued prayers from the Middle of Montana for you.
Stay Safe out there!
Allan

I'm gonna have to redo my nails after helping with your bait! Good to see you. All my good thoughts.

Nice work this season. Keep us informed on what's going on. There's a few trappers on here that have gone thru some of that nasty cancer bs and more than willing to help ya or even kick ya when your down. Chin up and be strong.

Well got the results back from the biopsy, they confirmed our worst fear. Bladder cancer, an aggressive type. Headed back into surgery next week, they plan on removing it and the start treatment, a combo of radiation and chemo. It is only in that one spot and the doc's are pretty confident they can get rid it. Perfect timing as far as I am concerned, should be up and running for bear season

AKHowler, I hear what your saying and whether you know it or not your an inspiration Please keep posting! I will be sitting on my butt for awhile and really enjoy your journal!

Had AK TRAPR run with me yesterday and we shut everything down on the main line. I really appreciate all his help. The past few days we had got dumped on pretty good and everything was out of commission. Didn't connect with an otter at that last set, but we did find more sign on the main river. Saw plenty of track, fox and kitty, so there is seed out there for next year



Shut down and pulled the gear I had near the house today. I got 2 otter sets I can check from the window of my house If I get anything, the wife can retrieve it

You guys stay safe out there and connect!

Blessings sent your way John! I think we've all been touched some way or another by the C word. I personally know lots of folks that have it behind them so believing for good things for you as well!

Good attitude, HTF.
The prayers are flowing.

We'll be here John ! Any questions about radiation etc...feel free to ask. We have living proof on this page that you can beat this.

Best of luck. I've been through it too. You will beat it. old243

10 years behind me this Mothers Day. As said before keep positive. My prayers are with you.

You give them bears what for when you're back on your feet!

Thinking good thoughts for you. My Dad had similar prognosis and the combo treatment you’re describing is what he had. He’s 89 this year, it was 12 years ago