WH Journal

I have had so much fun reading journals from guys like Bushman and AK Howler - super interesting, informative, and a heck of a lot more entertaining than watching TV.

Decided to start my own. Hope you guys enjoy...

I'm just currently working on starting my own small bit of trapping here on the Peninsula. It won't be any kind of "line" (more like finding a "niche" or a couple of random spots) - at least for this year, but it will be a start. It would be "like a dream" to catch a first wolf, or wolverine - two species I have never caught before. They would go great with my "collection" - which I will show you later.

So - in the process of gathering bait. Scouting spots. Getting my boat up, and operational. Possibly looking for a snow machine. Getting traps and gear in order. I'm getting poised to place bait. Could use a little fresh snow as the hard crust isn't exactly conducive for tracks. The good thing is, it's about hard enough to support my incredible bulk!

I will start with this fun memory from my last trapping season in Minnesota a few years ago. I was doing a nuisance beaver job for a couple who were getting lots of beaver damaging the trees in their yard at night. I learned about the opportunity from a friend of a friend. I called, and they asked me to come right over. They showed me their property lines. At the base of their lot was this huge beaver lodge - that had been there a long time. I had a few hours before dark, and I hit it full force with #330 Conibear. During the night, there was a big snowstorm. The critters really moved, and the next morning - my traps were full. I don't know how many beaver were in that hut, but I caught 6 beaver and 3 otter the first night. I may have caught more, but that was all the traps I had time to put in. I reset everything, and the next morning, I had five more beaver and another otter. The couple then called the trapping to a halt. They had agreed to pay me $50 per beaver, but didn't expect me to catch that many, that fast. Personally, when I laid eyes on that hut - I knew there were a lot of beaver in there, and I was fairly drooling at the prospect. I think the couple was also sorry to see the otter go. I was not targeting them, but there wasn't much I could do as the family moved in, and were all over the hut and the entrances. The one that didn't get caught the first night, came back the second night.
The "grandpa and grandma" beavers of the hut were 63# and 56# respectively. I also caught numerous two year olds, and surprisingly, no kits. The photo is a favorite trapping photo of mine. The hut with the deep, clingy snow, the gear, and the first four catches was really picturesque. To top it off, I had two nephews who are "apprenticing" with me, and they shared the set and the catch with me.

The "nephews" on that same day, with one of the grandparents. They aren't really my nephews - they are sons of a best friend from high school. But they call me "Uncle Tim" and I call them whatever comes to mind at the time. These two have been tromping in the woods with me since their mother would let them. Seems like many, many years. They will grow up to be trappers, and we will keep this important tradition alive!

Teased this giant beaver into a small bank location about a hundred yards from the main lodge. Used castor from a mature beaver from a different colony, mixed with glycerine, and made into a puree. Put that upwind of the big hut, with a few fresh cuttings. Sucked that big momma right in!

The first thing I really "got into" here was bear hunting. It was the easiest thing to do, for a nonresident hunter waiting to become a resident. I've harvested quite a few blackies over the years - but all were average sized bears, on the beach, until this one. When I started really glassing this particularly big bruin that was up in the alpine, and typically doing the same thing, in the same area, every day. This hunt was quite the saga - more than I really want to write right now, but the whole thing took me two days, alone, to climb up, stalk, harvest the bear, break it down, and get it back down to my boat. The hide now adorns my banister. The skull is being bleached for display. And, I just ate bear chili with cornbread. YUM!

Great pic. I had never had bear stay that stationary.

Posco- lots of alpine berries. More than a herd of bears could eat in that one spot. Maybe more berries per square inch than I have ever seen anytime, anywhere. This one would waddle up out of the alders and turn on the vacuum. He would spend all day, and hardly move. His hind quarters and guts were so big, he was nearly dragging on the ground. He would lay down and eat. Fall asleep there too, I think. I work on the water, and have lots of time to observe. This went on for a couple weeks. I needed a day off, with the right kind of wind and weather. It all came together rather nicely. In the photo, the hind quarters look so big - the skull looks small - but, biologist says over ten years old, and the biggest skull he measured in many years.

Good stories, WH. Welcome to Tman.

I did quite a bit of research. It would appear that certain areas in Alaska could really use a good trapping supply house - and yet, were are they? I find places with a little of this, and a little of that (Cabelas or Kachemak Gear Shed)- but not a one-stop-shop. I talked to several guys on T-man - and they are ordering supplies from the lower 48, or making their own. Shipping becomes crazy expensive - but if they can ship from the lower 48 - why not from AK? Anyway - the solution for me was - a good bunch of my traps migrated with me from MN up to AK after a visit for the Christmas holiday. For future reverence, if you want to keep it under 50 pounds, you get a suitcase this size, and put in 8 Belisle #330, a few odds and ends, and there you go! TSA gets to see something they don't get to see every day (those bored sons of B's need variety I say), and I have instant seasoned traps to work with. Everybody should be happy!

330s as overhead luggage? That's hardcore.

Behind Boondocks gun shop in Eagle River, there is a trapping store. If it is locked, the guy who runs it is probably in Boondocks helping sale guns. Just go in Boondocks and ask for him.

I always stop in when I fly to the road system to get supplies.

Thanks for the heads up. I don't get up that way much, but do occasionally. Will have to check it out and see what they have if I need something in a pinch.

Life "on the edge" of wilderness. I know, its not way up north - but it IS wilderness, it's what I've got, for now, and I'm happy with it. This is the view off our deck.

Yesterday afternoon, I got out for a very chilly ride on my ATV. I followed snow machines that had gone on before me, packed things down, and "paved my way." If I got off the track, the snow was deep, and I got stuck a couple of times - especially at higher altitudes. It took some muscling things around to get out, but I was able. Wound up putting about 35 miles on the ATV in just a few hours. Some areas had better rabbit sign than others. The crust made it really difficult to decipher predator tracks - but I know I saw coyote and lynx tracks. Lots and lots of moose sign. On the way home, I came across a herd of at least a dozen moose wintering amongst the willows. Several were younger bulls - and it appeared to be primarily a "bachelor group." There was one big old bull who had HUGE pedicels, but no antlers, and the pedicels weren't bloody. But it still made me want to go shed hunting. A very chilly me didn't stop for pics. I was bent on a hot shower, and my phone battery was toast anyway - from the cold. But here's a cool moose shot from a walk the other night - when my wife and I took our three "knuckleheads" for a run down on the beach.

Got a dusting of snow this am. Perhaps more at higher altitudes. Sort of excited for Wednesday - my next chance to scout for at least a half day, and maybe decipher some fresh tracks, and species.

Nice pics WH. Keep us posted and congrats on getting out there!

Yesterday was my first day of "recon" out in the boat. This is my rig, with the new lid...

I went across with bait, some traps and tools and supplies, a can-do attitude, and a canoe. YES, a CANOE. You hard core Alaskans, go ahead and have your fun. I can take your ribbing. We folks with roots in the lower 48 have found lots of use for them - from exploring the boundary waters canoe wilderness in Northern Mn, to the Quetico Wilderness in Ontario, to waterfowl hunting rice beds and rivers, to the trapline. They are part of a "way of life" for us down there, just like your skiff is up here. Hey - what did our trapping forefathers use all across Canada and the lower 48, when it was first being discovered? It may not be ideal, but it serves a purpose. I use mine as a "dingy" for getting me back and forth to shore, when I am going to be on shore for awhile, and I need to moor my boat in deeper water. This would be for hiking, berry picking, and bear hunting in spring, summer and fall. Yesterday, I used mine for the first time in winter. As you will see, it was definitely ideal, but it was a kind of a "life saver." Nonetheless, it has me rethinking my future adventures. I'll take your input.



I arrived at low tide. Moored my boat in one foot of water at noon. High tide was 6:30. I planned to be back by 4:00 ish. I took the canoe and loaded my supplies into it. Then waded up a small river that flowed out of the mountains, pulling the canoe with a rope. When I got above the tideline, I ditched the canoe, and continued in on foot. The above is sort of what the surrounding country looks like. Thick willows, alder and devils club right along the river. Mature conifers on the flat leading to the side hill. Then the side hills roll, sometimes going straight up, sometimes bumpy - going up to mountains that are 2-3,000 feet, maybe a little more.



Right off the bat, I ran into wolf tracks. After hiking for the day, it looks like a pair of wolves came through two or three times. I saw old old, medium old, and fairly fresh. With no snow on the beach, I could find tracks in the areas that had loose sand and mud on the river bank, and in the braids and tidal backwaters. I had a few photos of tracks with my 50# Gordon Setters tracks right beside, for reference, but they won't load. I will have to find a way to reduce the size of the photo. Some photos work, and some don't. I'm not quite as savvy yet as JR or Bushman.

Further up, we ran into snow. Deep snow in the river flats. Not so bad in the mature forest, but it varied. Believe it or not, the crusted snow was hard enough to support my #230 pounds most of the time, but there was some breaking through at times, which was exhausting - up to mid-thigh. BTW you guys in the know - what are the big huge trees on the flats? They are conifer, and covered with hanging moss. The are at the heads of all the bays and mature forest on the other side. Varying sizes.



Pausing for a break on a frozen stream bed. Recon can be hard work. And overdressed - I was sweating a bit. My sidekick is Sam Elliott. Sammy for short. or "Sammy me boy." He's named after the actor. He was having a ball running around when I let him, but I was mostly careful. I didn't want him running into someones #330 unknowingly - so I kept him close. At one point, Sam got his long feathered tail caught up in a stem of devils club. I lost track of him, and looked back and there he was, stuck but good! I should have taken a picture but I didn't. He wasn't going anywhere. I wonder if that ever happens to wolves, coyotes, or fox?

Nothing to be apologetic about, there are a lot worse places a guy can be.

Again, I have numerous photos of wolf tracks in the snow, of varying freshness, but this is the only one that will load up as is. I imagine I need to get into some software that will help me reduce the image size really quickly. Any recommendations guys?

This particular spot, I would put a foot hold for sure. Foot hold is my weakness. I am much more of a snare man. But I do know that these wolves had been down this exact trail at least three times in the past month. They put their foot in the exact same spot on each side of that branch. Good spot for a foothold? Help me out if you want. I don't even currently own any, but am researching types, staking down chains versus setting up drags. I lean toward drags. I don't want them destroying the spot. I also saw numerous "neck down" areas where I was fairly "frothing at the mouth" to hang some wolf snares. I have done this with success with coyotes in MN. We have wolves there, but we cannot trap them because the anti's have won in the courts. Alaskans, don't ever let that happen here. Anyway, do you think I am excited to set? There wasn't time to set. This was all about scouting. So I headed back to the beach.

If you're anything like me, you have learned through the school of hard knocks. This means you learned the do's and don'ts of mooring a boat. I won't lie, I've lost my boat a couple of times due to high winds and big currents. Today was one of those days. As the day progressed, I felt the wind coming up. It tends to do that, especially in the afternoon, and where there are glaciers nearby. Long thin bays with glaciers are especially prone - I have learned. Lake Tustemena is a great example. Anyway, I appeared on the beach, and saw my boat way the #### out there. Not where it was supposed to be. Apparently my new lid acted more like a sail. The anchor dragged across the flat until it went off into the deep water. Then the boat was free floating until it caught somewhere down wind. With a 2018 Suzuki 200 on the back, I wasn't particularly excited about my prospects downwind. Not to mention the boat hull. It became a race against time, but safety had to come first.

Sam was very tired and well behaved. I lay him down in the pulk in the middle of the canoe, on some spare clothing for comfort. I told him to stay, and he didn't move. The water was rough, even whitecapping at times. I knew to go the short route across the deep was to risk my life. If I capsized, I'd be dead. No service, and no-one out there. So I followed the shore for the 3+ miles my boat had drifted. I mean right on the shore. I wasn't too worried about capsizing - cuz I've canoed thousands of miles in my life, and in worse conditions than this - so I'm not going to live in fear. Just going to be cautious. The hardest part was when I got against the cliffs, and there was waves bouncing back against me. No fun. And I imagine if I capsized there, that would have been a lot LESS fun. I was kneeling in the middle of the canoe, on an artificial right knee. Artificial knees, if they have a mind of their own, don't like that. Those of you who have one, know just what I mean. What I really couldn't believe is that after that big walk, and being likely a little dehydrated - I wasn't getting cramps in my thighs and hamstrings - cuz kneeling in the middle for over an hour is rather AWKWARD. It was like the mere thought of this caused it to happen. That's psychology for ya. Both legs cramped at once - and there I was, against a ledge with the backwash coming out, rocking around, trying to straighten my leg to get some relief. Sam looked up at me. Cormorants flew off the ledge. I'm sure glad he stayed!

Past the ledge, I beached and got out and walked and crawled and climbed the past few hundred yards to the boat. I jumped in the canoe and paddled the short distance to the boat. Thankfully, it hung up in the rocks, and never bounced against the beach.

So we are back to Homer, safe and sound, and rethinking our anchoring system - and considering using my raft and 15 horse kicker instead. Stuff like this doesn't deter me. I'm gonna learn from it, and do better. That's the journey called life.

I would totally avoid the willow flats, and look for a place where the conifers are closer to the river. Better yet, the salt.

Wow, exciting day, glad you got to your boat alright.

Viking I am DEFINITELY gonna take your advice!

Got a new anchoring system today - thanks to help from Len (Family Trapper) and some guys hanging out at the Gear Shed. I'm excited to put it to work. I'm pretty sure things can only get better with this new system. I've got good confidence in it. We will find out Wednesday - my next chance to get out.

Thanks to everyone who is helping me get acquainted around here, and those who have PM'ed me. I really appreciate it. Hope the stars line up and you catch something really, really cool!

Glad to hear you found your boat safe and sound and were able to get to it. Never a good feeling having the anchor slip. Thankfully mine has only done that with me sleeping in it. Though there was that one goat hunt....

I have no experience with salt water and tides........

That said, I think this experience would convince me to use a skiff that will handle rough water........rather than the canoe.

Glad it ended well !

This was my fourth time in six years losing my boat. More than I care to admit. It's broke. Time to fix it. To expect different results doing the same stuff??? Sometimes I'm a slow learner, and it takes something like this to "wake me up." Well, I'm "so over it..." now (this is the way my daughter talks haha).

Having said that, I am out there ALOT. I have moored my boat with many, many successes. We get lured into thinking it is ok. Well - it's not ok, esp. in the winter. My legs and lower back are still trying to recover from 90 minutes of kneeling in a canoe without interruption, white-knuckling it. NO MORE!!! UNCLE!!!

Yeah thats too many times for me to lose my boat. Spent a lot of time on Alaskan waters and never lost mine but have had it drift away with me in it a couple of times. Glad to hear you are onto a better anchoring system. The tide and the wind(even more so with canvas tops) cause big issues up here.

Working on building my line.Setting some boundaries with work so i am able to get out at least three full days a week - which has been really good. It is slow going. Trying to set on sign, and sign is not abundant. Snow is gone, so it makes sign harder to find and read. Other things happen. I get sidetracked, and get a late start. We live on a hill, which can be glare ice - and I got the boat jack-knifed one am and it took me a couple hours to get unstuck. Heck - I even hit the guardrail one am on the way down the hill, on a switchback after a freezing rain - while pulling the boat. Got the boat stranded again too - just got excited, jumped out to look at some fresh tracks, and waited one minute too long with the tide going out. Lesson learned. Seems I am learning all kinds of lessons these days. Water taxi says he makes a living rescuing people like me. That made me feel better haha.

No catching going on YET. But I feel I am tightening the noose. They just don't know it yet. What I DO have to share is a bunch of pictures.

Hey - a Lynx came through. First Lynx track I have ever seen in my life. Looks like our Minnesota Boat - only bigger. Lynx appear to be pretty scarce on the peninsula. People say I should have been here six or seven years ago. Maybe this is a sign of things to come.




Happiness is a new pile of snares. I've been getting boxes of treasure on a regular basis. It is costing me a small fortune!


Working up a sweat - hiking a lot, hauling gear, hauling bait, scouting, working boat and canoe adjusting for big tides, and so on. It's good for me.


The interesting things you discover in winter. I have driven by this half-buried cabin so many times, but have never seen it until I scouted the beach for a spot to put a wolverine cubby on the beach. The cabin is long since buried by landslide, caved in on the top and sides, and overgrown with Alders. But there is some critter sign around it, and perhaps I will catch something.


The otter toilet I couldn't resist. I don't really care to catch them. Have done it plenty in MN, and I only have so many 330 conibear - BUT, when I saw this, I just couldn't resist. Seemed like a no-brainer. Perhaps an otter will be my first critter trapped in AK? Waiting for them to return.

Trying to load several of my other photos, but they won't. It says the files are too large. I think it likes to do that with photos that have more detail. These are my wolverine cubby sets, and my snares that are set up in the brush. I have 8 wolverine cubbies now. Some are on the salt edge. Some are up the drainages a ways. Most are using natural areas - like holes in the bank, or root systems of spruce trees that are washed out. I have 9 wolf snares on spots that previously had wolf tracks - but they are melted off now. Waiting for them to return. Also have LOTS of coyote sign, and have been laying in some snares and footholds for them too.

Some change would be good. A little cold or snow I'd appreciate. Too much snow, not so much. Hopefully will return soon with a catch. Heading out to check some sets, and make a few more - tomorrow.

Just got some more treasure in the mail today. Two "NO BS WOLF TRAP", and two of JR's "ALASKA #9." Looking for the perfect place to give them a whirl.

I might have figured out this picture resizing thing. I just used PIXLR. Lets see if this works. It wouldn't load previously, when all of my other photos did (iPhone photos). This is a wolverine set in a hollow tree root cubby on the beach. I really like this set. Just need mr. wolverine to come in the neighborhood. Baited with moose hide, and Gusto.


Another wolverine cubby far up a drainage.


This trail had fresh wolf tracks on it 2+ weeks ago when there was snow. I hung a bunch of snares on the trails they used, but they haven't returned.


Same as above. A critter trail that had coyote tracks on it not long ago. waiting patiently. Who's gonna return, and whats gonna produce???

Hope you connect! What kind of loc's are you running on your snares?

Your wolverine cubbies look good. Trap some beaver, if you can. My favorite bait.

In the picture of you, the timbered slopes in the back-ground: do you have marten sets, just inside the tree line/beach fringe?

AV - I am told there are no marten here, by the local biologists, and local trappers too. Seems for some reason they stay up on the other side of Lake Tustamena - that's where the trappable population of Marten begins. Well, thats about 90 minutes from me. Someday, I will get me some Marten - even if I have to go remote for awhile. Anybody have input on this? It's like theres an invisible barrier or something.

My brother ives in central British Columbia. LOTS of Marten there. Some winter, I am going to go hang with him.

Beaver. My favorite bait in MN too. Very few beaver down by Homer. I literally have not see any sign, or a hut. Closest, again, is in the freshwater lakes up by Sterling.

So I've just been using moose carcass remains that the local troopers and wildlife biologist put me onto.

I've got sets along about 25+ miles of shoreline now, and some deeper back in. I just need something to come through this territory.

HFT AK looks like this...

Snares built by Rally Hess in MN.

I am learning this whole deal. Gotta keep them away from the salt. And Bait. It really takes a system of being clean and organized.

I have no idea what these predators are eating? The only thing I see is the occasional weasel track, or squirrel track. Ducks and crows. And I suppose, some sea life - starfish and crabs and oysters and such. But there really is not much else. No rabbits. No grouse or ptarmigan to speak of. Any moose sign is singles, and old. Last time out, I saw a half dozen mountain goats on a steep wooded sidehill. That's the only good eating I've seen for wolf! Based on that, I wouldn't come around very often either.

Cool stuff. Thank you for sharing your adventures.

One of the things to remember, courtesy of an old forum member. The best bait for wolverine is the one that caught that time. Fish, bear fat, bear meat (outside of salvage requirements) *my favorite*, and big bones from moose, and yes the old half a beaver. They all will work. You just have to find where, not what.

Those old potsts were from Wolverinebait.

Great pics Wolverinehunter,I'm sure you will connect with some fur before too long.

Those tree locks on the ends of Rally's should work just fine.

I use the old Thompson tree locks on my 1/8” cable anchors for wolf and wolverine. Haven’t found anything better for the bitter end.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!




First Gulo, and Oh - what a feeling. You guys know how long I have been dreaming about this? Like, since reading Fur, Fish and Game back in the 1970's, and dreaming about coming to Alaska, but having to settle for catching what was available on our little Minnesota lake - like Muskrats, Mink, and Beaver. So yeah - over 40 years I've been thinking on this.

It started with a bunch of wolverine cubbies along the salt, and up some of the drainages. I have 8 of them. Of all 8, this particular one was my least favorite. I dunno, it was out in the open at the base of a big draw with a trickle of water coming down. But I thought it was too close to another one that I have about a quarter of a mile away - and I was actually thinking about pulling the trap and putting it somewhere else. But it was a good natural spot. The wind had blown some very deep snow around a little patch of small spruce. The downwind side of the spruce patch was open, and a good natural approach for a wolverine. So I used a shovel and dug into the bank, and made a little cave. I filled it in with spruce bows. Inside - just a good sized piece of moose hide, and some gusto. On the open snow, I threw down a piece of moose hide, and I'm sure the crows shredded it and spread it all over. Some guts and rumen too. It looked like something big happened there. This is the set right after I made it about two weeks ago.


Today, I hit the beach at low tide. I had two sets to check prior to this set. Nothing - so I just refreshed things, and moved on. Beached the boat with the tide turning in, and went hiking to this set. You really can't see it until you are right there. So, imagine my surprise when I got there, and looked down in the hole. First Gulo!

Super good catch, right behind the skull, and a quick kill I'm sure.

That right there is one happy man! Who would have thought I would be able to orient myself, scout, lay down some sets and catch a wolverine less than two weeks after making the set? Feeling pretty happy and blessed.

There was no sign of struggle at all. I pulled the wolverine. Reset the trap. Refreshed everything, and YES, I will be leaving this set where it is! This is after the remake. The wolverine is a male. I'm wondering how much he weighs? But I'm also worried about my canoe - for I had left it for longer than I expected, and I could see that the incoming tide was reaching it. I hefted the wolverine over my shoulders, around my neck, and hiked back to the canoe at a very brisk rate. What the heck, I've waited for a wolverine for so long, might as well get acquainted with one up close and personal.

Ok - since this is my first Gulo, I'm gonna make a big deal of it. I took a bunch of photos while I was enjoying examining him. Basking in the glow.

He looks pretty big on the front of my canoe!

And on the back of my boat.

I got home around dusk. Wrapped the wolverine around my neck again, and rang the doorbell. When my wife answered the door, she and the three dogs went bananas. The dogs did the same thing they do when I come home with a bear. We call it the "bear bark." It's a mixture of fear and panic and alarm. Pretty funny. My wife took this shot, and then I weighed the wolverine at 31 pounds.
Planning to do a full size mount for our home. Got any recommendations on who/where? I've got good taxidermist in MN, but I don't want to bring it back and forth. Need a good taxidermist here in AK.

I'm giving some kudos to Alaska Viking. I have watched his posts closely. He offered me a couple tips on PM. It's not likely I would have made this set where I did without his influence. So Thanks AV!!!

Also to Andrew Stanley aka "The Wild North" on Youtube. My cubbies are tailored after his. I have watched every video he has made for years and years. Quite a character, that Andrew, and if you haven't checked out his trapping exploits on youtube, you are missing out.

As if that weren't enough, I had just enough daylight left to check a wolf bait. Nothing too special. I just went to an area where I had seen some wolf tracks a couple of weeks ago. I have a moose head, and I wired it to a spruce tree in a good dense thicket. Well, it looks like a whole herd of wolves came in. Ok, that's an exaggeration. But a pack of 5-10 have hung around for at least two days. When I put in the bait - I didn't lay in any traps. I wasn't sure if they would even come. And if they did, I wanted them to get good and comfortable and conditioned. Well, they showed me where I can hang several dozen snares, as well as the leg holds that I have. I REALLY wanted to set some tonight, but with daylight fading, and smelling like Wolverine and Gusto - I figured it smarter to regroup. So, tomorrow I set for wolves as much as I can. And who knows, maybe I will get one of those rascals too, before I'm done.

Congrats!!!! Great feeling to finally accomplish something that you have been wanting for that long!

Well done !!

You are a happy camper and you should be.

Way to go! Me and my trapping partner caught our first two last year. Great feeling.

Awesome and congrats!!!!

Way to go!!! That is a fine, fine wolverine! There are a few trappers on this site that helped and encouraged me on my first, and am forever grateful.
Now I will share another gem, one of many I got from mad_mike: keep setting. There are more!
Again, well done!

Woo hoo! Congrats! That is a soaker, for sure.

Nice work and congratulations on your first wolverine.

Very nice! Been looking forward to you connecting.

That's great !! Congratulations ! Here's one more 'tip'. I have found over the years that where you catch one, you can likely catch others year after year.

Best AK taxi that I know of is Aurora Wildlife Arts. Not sure if he has retired or not. But I would sure consider Taximan on this forum. Beautiful work !

Congrats, way to have a goal and accomplish it without stepping on others toes. You should be very proud! Ken is correct, where you catch one you will most likely catch others. We have one spot on our line where we stashed bait one year for the next weekend. Came up next weekend and wolverine had been there, set it up and caught, and in years since we have taken 6 or 7 at this same spot.

Nice job congrats

Congratulations!
Luv the pics...

Wow, that's awesome, congrats! Looks like you found a spot!

What if you are out of traps? Just buy more, right!

Whats a "soaker?" Never heard that expression before...

[quote=white17]That's great !! Congratulations ! Here's one more 'tip'. I have found over the years that where you catch one, you can likely catch others year after year.

Best AK taxi that I know of is Aurora Wildlife Arts. Not sure if he has retired or not. But I would sure consider Taximan on this forum. Beautiful work ![/quote

Is Aurora Wildlife Arts and Taximan one in the same, or two different entities? I looked up Aurora last night. No website. He has a Facebook page, but no photos. Doesn't seem to advertise. Perhaps he's as busy as he wants to be, or like you say, retired. I will have to call.

I'm not sure what I'm gonna do with this guy. I like the idea of a full body mount. He is a cool specimen - but very dark. Not the light brown/orange diamond back that seems to be so highly coveted - but whatever the case, he is my first, and he's gonna be something special to remember.

Some of the guys I researched last night were getting upwards of 2K for a full body mount. Geez - this ain't a bear! I can remember when bears were under a grand.

Congrats.WH.

Nice job! There is nothing like the first one

Not the same. Taximan is on the forum. You can PM him. He is in Montana.

Aurora is in Anchorage. Joe Romero is his name

Wolves. They have come into my trapping area. They seem to do so about every two weeks - which says they have a pretty big area they are traveling in a circuit. Snow has come and gone, and what is left is very hard crusted. It makes for difficult tracking - but when the wolves hit the sandbars that occur here and there on the beaches (as opposed to rocks or gravel) then they become much more easy to follow, and predict. So yesterday, based on the most recent "pass through", I hung 43 snares. We will keep an eye on things, and hopefully when they come back, I will score. Got the wolverine already. Next on the list is the big bad wolf!




I worked feverishly yesterday - to the point that I didn't realize my own pain until I got home and had time to try and unwind and relax. My fingernails hurt like I had hit them with a hammer. Especially my middle finger and pinkie finger. Must have something to do with all the plier use, and twisting. My right knee (artificial) had a big old lump underneath the kneecap - super irritated and inflamed (those of you with artificial knees know that they don't like being kneeled down on), but I kneel in an effort to save my low back, which is fused - but inadvertently, after a long day of setting snares, the low back is going to pay for it anyway. Good thing I have a good wife who rubs me down with essential oils and cannabis oil, gives massages, etc. And, the hot tub with whirlpool is a Godsend after days like this.

8 foot seas forecast for the next couple of days - which will keep me homebound. Hopefully the next time you see me post, it will be with my first wolf catch.




Hey I'm wondering - is there a point in the late winter/spring where wolf fur becomes undesirable? If that is coming soon, I guess I better get a move on. But I am wondering when I should be planning to pull out - generally speaking.

Congrats on the dark gulo. Sure didn’t take you very long.

Congrats on your wolverine, I know how I felt with my first fisher, just a great rush. Great sense of accomplishment.

You are making all the right moves, wolverine hunter. Keep doing what you are doing. This game isn't easy, but very rewarding, when things come together.
There some excellent wolf trappers here. I am NOT one of them. Don't be shy asking for thoughts and help.
You are one of the few that is actually following through, so assistance will be available.

Ryan is "dark" pretty common up here?

I got a few guys that are helping me a lot in PM's. I really appreciate it!

Wish I could trap all day every day - but I gotta work a little bit to support my habit. And, my body needs a day of rest in-between. My body never could keep up with whats in my head, or my level of desire for that matter.

Off the top of my head I’d say 60% of wolverine have the usual coloration. 20% will be dark and the remaining 20% would be either pale crowned or pale altogether. There’s a lot of similar coloured wolverine around. It’s the dark ones and the ones with really white crowns that are less common. Different areas will vary though. I like them all but it’s the dark ones I like the most. Lots of nice colour variations with wolverine.

Could be just my tired eyes but the Claws look bigger than average to me especially in the boat and canoe pictures. Anybody else notice?

So you consider this a "dark"?

I’d call that a dark.

Out of curiosity, which wolf snares did you buy? Local or snare shop stuff?

Rally Snares from Rally Hess in MN - where I'm originally from.

Eventually I'd like to learn to make my own.

What a windy bugger today! First they forecast 8 foot seas. Then 10 foot seas. I have the day off, but alas - I don't want to check my traps THAT bad. Seas are diminishing now - down to six foot tonight, and three footers Wednesday and Thursday. Just hoping my snares are still hanging enough to do the job if the opportunity arises.

So what do you do on a day when you are homebound? Then the weather is too crappy or too unsafe to trap?

You work on a new fur display! You reminisce and enjoy past catches. You put them in a place where they can be shared and enjoyed by others.





On board we have: Arctic Fox, Mink, River Otter, Raccoon, Gray Fox, Beaver, Bobcat, Red Fox, Coyote, and even a Coatimundi. The only one I didn't catch was the Artic Fox that my wife bought somewhere previously. The Coati came from southern Arizona. The rest - from MN.

I still have room for a wolverine, pine marten, wolf, and lynx - the "big four" I hope to get in Alaska sooner than later.

Found the hardware on thekingsbay.com

Have to go elsewhere for a "pine" marten.

Awesome! That was lightning fast.

I like to strike fast when I can. Tomorrow is not promised to me... :-)

I have been working HARD since we last spoke though...

I see that and keep me filled in. Can't tell you how happy I am for you. Awesome!

Yup - I would drive up the road a bit for one of those! By the time I make my whole boat tour - driving the truck two or three hours wouldn't be that much different. And it would be a whole lot warmer!

My brother has a ton of them in BC.

And I suppose I could get one in Northern MN. We have a few. The DNR lets you catch two per season - up in the arrowhead country of MN. That is, IF Minnesota ever changes the law so a non-resident can trap. I had to give that up when I came here to AK.

Anyway - it is on the "to do" list, and it's nice to have options. I kind of like the idea of hanging with my brother for a few weeks in BC some winter soon. It shouldn't be too hard to get a bunch. Last time I was there, we went for a hike, and I was rather astounded by all the tracks!

Ryan now you got me all jacked up about the different color varieties and the uniqueness amongst them. I was willing to catch one and then go focus on wolves - but now you got me wanting another wolverine ASAP - just to see what I can catch!

We don't have "Pine" marten. Google is your friend.

Congrats on the gulo, beautiful critter. Can tell by the joy on your face that you are really enjoying your new residence. I hope to get out there at some point in life and get a peak. These journals are exciting to read!

It's great to see your enthusiasm Wolverine Hunter, and it looks like you picked a good handle for yourself.





AV - There's no Vikings in Alaska either and we don't give you a hard time!

[quote=Bushman]It's great to see your enthusiasm Wolverine Hunter, and it looks like you picked a good handle for yourself.


AV - There's no Vikings in Alaska either and we don't give you a hard time! [/quote

I guess I don't know him well enough yet to give it right back, but I'm getting there. American Marten. European Marten. Pine Marten (Hey - I'm from MN so cut me some slack). They all trap the same, don't they?

After I get my wolf, I'm going to get a Brown Bear and an Interior Grizzly too :-) Hows that for proper...

Yep go get your bucket list!

That is freaking awesome! I can't wait to get a wolverine myself. Good luck with the wolves.

Today, like so many days - I got kicked in the nuts, and the teeth. Different people have said this is hard work. No kidding!

I've waited four days to get back on the line, because the seas have been treacherous. Ten footers. Eight footers. Six footers. It has slowly been tapering. My next day off was today. I got up for an early start. I was backing my boat around a corner, and didn't know it, but one of our renters had parked in an unusual spot. I put my kicker motor right through his drivers side rear window. That's how it began.

Next, I met up with a state trooper. My trailer lights weren't working, and I knew it. But I went anyway. She was kind and graceful; we have talked a time or two about moose remains :-) But it was a little embarrassing, and a time setback. Now the pressure is on to get it fixed; if I get stopped again, I can expect a ticket. This is my deal. I DONT procrastinate trapping. I DO procrastinate mechanical type maintenance.

The seas were supposed to be two footers. Well, that was a lie. NDBC usually is better than that, but not this time. It was howling from the east, but I was being tenacious, and I went anyway. I'd say good 5 footers. Many times, when you go across and get into the bays, things are much more calm, but this wasn't one of those days. It was more the kind of day that, no matter where you go, the wind is kicking like it's a wind tunnel. I began part of one line, but was forced to quit. I wasn't about to anchor my boat in whitecaps while I climbed into a dingy to go to shore. I moved onto the second part of my line - but I looked down the bay with binoculars and saw the whole bay stacked with "dust devils" that were water particles, blown up into the air, swirled about, and instantly frozen. Regretfully, I turned away.

Getting back across the bay was perhaps some of the worst all around conditions I have been out in. I mean, I have been in bigger waves, but they weren't spraying up and encrusting my boat with instant ice like it was this morning. What was strange was going into four footers with a good 20mph straight line wind. Then up ahead, five and six footers stacked up one on the other, and with too short of a period to take on head on (not wanting to take one over the bow), so it was a bit of white-knuckling at times, making my way across. I never doubted I could do it. It just was zero fun.

So I came home a little dejected, but not defeated. Those of you that have read my journal, know that I don't quit. Nothing is going to stop me. So the traps will just have to soak until Saturday. We will live to fight another day.

I was up half the night, too excited to sleep, thinking about what might be in my traps, and the work I had to do. So when I got back, I took a hot shower and went right to sleep. NOW it appears to be calming down, but not enough daylight to do anything about it. Who knows, my wolf might be over there? You other wolves, keep your dam paws and teeth off my wolf!!! Or better yet, why don't you ALL just walk through a snare

It's good to be determined but it's even better to use common sense. You're doing well so far. Don't let impatience cloud your judgment. Apply the lessons of the old bull and the young bull standing on the hilltop...............


If you haven't read the book Cheechako, by Wayne Short............pick up a copy. Your mention of spray turning to ice prompts that suggestion.

You will have to learn patience when trapping out of a boat. I operate out of a 17' open skiff in water that is notorious for it's violence. Every winter there are stretches of weather, (sometimes 10 days), that I am shut out by 10'-13' seas and heavy freezing spray. I have gotten better at avoiding the worst, but still get pounded now and then.
The smart mariner lives to sail another day.

I shudder to think of some of the boating I did as a kid. Frozen spray on clothing, concerned parents calling the Coast Guard, hypothermic friends, gas tanks floating OUT of an underway skiff that was basically awash, running up on the beach in gear, dumping gas on driftwood, standing in the flames trying to keep from freezing only to have to wade out to your crotch to relaunch the skiff, friend crouching in the bow with a bucket waiting for the wave to wash over me and the stern so he could jump aft and bail like crazy before the next one hit, all to maybe get a mink or otter. It was fun being an immortal teenager.
The water is a dangerous place on the nicest of days.
When In Doubt, Chicken Out

Yes, tree, you have indeed been there, and know too well the perils.
How are the new digs?

If you're still looking for a taxidermist to mount that wolverine, you might contact Leon Metz up in Soldotna. Leon's trying to retire but he's a great taxidermist and he might agree to mount it for you with a little coaxing.

WH, be safe dude. I have seen those seas go from glass to 10 footers in a matter of minutes and once your in it there is no turning around. You will find that even though we have some of the best people that predict weather, mother mother follows her own rules and does what she wants

Thanks all for your suggestions. Sometimes I get hung up between the necessity of checking traps (feeling responsible for the critters, and for obeying the laws, etc) and get focused on THAT, along with my excitement to check, instead of safety.

I will definitely be thinking about this differently in the future. Like - yesterday was dangerous, but also a big fat waste of time and expense. Next time, I will check the weather and the tides - but if I drive down and it doesn't match the predictions - I will just bag it.

Worst that can happen is that a wolf eats my wolf, or a wolf eats my second wolverine (And that can happen on the first day or the second day or the fifth day). Or, a critter gets caught in a trap for longer than I'd like (and this can happen even in a conibear or a snare too).

Maybe I will have to accept that I can't use leg holds (which I am using almost ZERO right now anyway) . But no matter what, I have to accept that these things that are "less than ideal" DO happen occasionally. Irregardless, My life is more important.

And with conibears, your catch will be frozen.

It is always best to obey the laws but as far as I am aware ( and that leaves room for interpretation) there is no trap check law anywhere in Alaska. It is that way for the very reason we are talking about. Personal safety. Do not risk your neck to check your traps...............any more than normal

AV - just out of curiosity - have you (or others) ever caught a wolverine in a conibear, and still had it be alive?

I have caught both beaver and otter by the feet, and by the tail. Sometimes I wonder how the heck they get themselves into that predicament, but they do. Slow trap. Or, they back in. Or, they are feeling their way. Or, have a stick in their hand and such. So it makes me wonder about wolverines...
I obviously don't have the experience to know.

We do have trapline check law here in Alberta (48 hours footholds) so body-grips, 330's usually, are the main trap of choice for wolverines. They work just fine and freezing is not an issue. It's not like you're going to pick up a bunch on a run so just pack a spare and bring Wolverine and trap home to thaw out.

Another great lethal set is an elevated snare set. Horizontal log 8-10' high and 12' long. Hang a large meat bait from a cable in the center. It's important the meat is just out of the Wolverines reach, so that it'll go up a couple of leaning logs to get up on the pole. Usually two leaners, each with snares, plus a snare on each end of horizontal logs, so four in total.

A real bush savvy person may push it a bit but does not put their life in danger. That's a rookie move.

Oh man Brian. Do you still have that picture ??

All that said, I am learning by making rookie mistakes, and surviving. I am trying to make fewer and fewer as I go. I am "Minnesota Bush Savvy", I'd say. SO FAR it has gotten me by up here - though I've been in a few sticky situations over the past six seasons - that's for sure. Perhaps one day when I am really bored, I will tell those tales. But not yet...

Morning comes soon, and another opportunity to check the line. Though colder, the forecast looks better regarding wind. I'm behind in what I want to do, and don't think I can get it all done tomorrow. But perhaps one good chunk of my line, and we will go from there.

Daylight is getting longer. There are more minutes of daylight for work, I've noticed. This is good....

As long as you keep surviving WH that's what matters. But sometimes your first mistake in a situation can be your last.

Several years ago we were out on a pack trip on the Continental divide. Great time, but as we were heading back the weather changed and the skies opened up. In this country crossing creeks and rivers is mandatory as the only access is through their valleys. So you cross them 20 - 30 times in a day in some spots. The trail boss, in this case, was a 68-year-old mountain man and his sidekick was an 82-year-old local aboriginal guide. After day two the boss told us at breakfast that things weren't looking good and he and Tommy thought it would be a good idea if we holed up for a while.

We made a quick camp move to a pine flat located several terraces up from the river. Tarps went up, dry wood was cut and stacked, horses put under heavy conifer cover, and a rainwater salvage tarp set up so we had clean water. And we waited. It rained 4 days pretty much steady, and then took 2 days to drop enough to travel. We played cards and drank coffee and told stories ( that was reason enough for me to stay, these guys were the real deal) then we went home.

Three sheep hunters in the same storm. Got caught in heavy snow in the high country, broke their way back to treeline and down to trail to the first crossing. One of the guys insisted they make for grande cache as he had business commitments. He didn't make it across and he and his horse drowned. Now his grieving and totally shocked buddies had to camp and wait just like us. But I guarantee you the mood in that camp wasn't the same and it would better if this story didn't exist.

What kills men is Ego.

Great point Brian !! I've seen that very thing play out with airplanes in marginal weather

I recall a few years ago in the spring .....I had to pull the boat into a creek mouth and camp for 4-5 days until the wind quit. The swells on the river were just too much for a flat bottom boat

I'm glad you two can tell the stories as above................I got out of the consulting business because of the loss of 3 friends in similar events. You sure hope your buddies can play cards at least in the waiting game. Crib anyone!

I also lost one. 2 of us survived. Skiff hunt gone bad. Had we waited just a couple hours, might have made a difference. The ocean doesn't care.

Been on the water a bunch of times with this guy. His last sentence.....
I am the one who tends to push the weather envelope. Not to the point of outright disregard, but you have to know what you are doing. There is a fine line between being uncomfortable and unsafe.

I use to push the envelope a lot coming down the river and crossing the bay running in a open 18’ lund in 5-6’ seas not anymore the last time almost got me and it was blowing so hard turning around or even turning in to a creek channel would have been suicide
I was scarred and not so much for me but my son who was a new father at the time now days work or anything else just has to wait . Same with the snow machine I just don’t push the envelope as much as I use to wisdom comes with the aches and pains of age

Appreciate so much the wisdom of discernment and common sense from the ones who know and are experienced .

" What kills men is Ego ." Bushman summed it up.


"I DO procrastinate mechanical type maintenance "......is a line that was intolerable for my father . He wouldn't even let anyone in his planes or on his trawlers who proudly clung to such mindset . As one who also experienced the worst of natural elements and manmade ones , WW2 fighter pilot, aircraft builder, stunt pilot, crop duster, ship captain , when he spoke, wise men learning from him really listened.

Stories as examples, not told in a bragging spirit, but shared with human concern so as to live life smart, and be refined , to help others, in turn.

Thank you, for your shared examples and wisdom , to preserve life.

I went deer hunting out of Whitter over to Easter Island in a 20 ft Duck Worth with a 150 hp jet. The day we left the water was glass. The morning we left they said swells 2-3ft. We took off came around the backside of the island into the main channel and ran. We were 1/4 of the way up when the seas went from 3ft to 10ft in the blink of an eye.
There was no turning around. All we could do was go straight. Sitting in that boat watching those 10ft waves come at you scared the living crap outta me. We were hitting so hard I broke a tooth, and watching the swells come over the back side of the boat...I thought for sure we were going to go for a swim. The nearest cove was a mile away and by the grace of God we made it.
We did all the right things in my mind, checked the weather, listened to the weather reports, made sure all our gear was 100 percent, but mother nature plays by her own rules and the sea is unforgiving. We spent the night in that cove, grateful that we made it.

Yesterday brought a whole new wrinkle to my trapline. The bay I am trapping in is FROZEN. I paused to take some video of a dozen or more harbor seals laying on the edge of the ice pack. That tells you how thick. But it did vary - and I choose areas where it was thinner. I busted ice for upwards of two miles. Boat seemed to be handling it fine. It varied from slush to thin to four inches thick. I pushed into three different area to check wolverine sets. I had one moment of excitement where I saw something was different. It's a milk crate set - and when it went off, it really blew up the cubby. I was hoping for fur, but false alarm. No evidence of anything - except weasel and mink tracks - probably the culprit.

The big part of my wolf line is up a draw - so I "busted a trail" all the way in and out of the bay, at high tide. Then went out to 20 feet, circled to break up the ice, and anchored the boat in 20 feet of water. I thought there was likely cause for concern - simply because I had never done this before and didn't know quite what to expect, but I figured I would deal with any trouble when I got back - as I planned to be away working for several hours. I followed the broken ice boat trail to the shore in my canoe. It wasn't easy. The wind and the tides cause the trail to "close right up" like a stitched up wound, and I broke a canoe paddle just trying to push myself along. I eventually got there, all sweated up. I checked all my wolf snares (43 of them). The wolves had not been back, so I set about laying in the last 20 wolf snares that I own. Adjusting things a bit. And, I put in these really cool water sets. There is a spruce tree that fell across a fresh water stream, in shallow water. It is staying open because of water movement. FAMILY TRAPPER Len and I have been talking about water sets. He has been strongly urging me to put the leg hold traps there - so I did, and yes, if I catch, Len gets a great big huge assist!

I hollowed out two entrances - one from each side of the trunk - then blocked off the rest of the surrounding area, while trying to minimize impact. I wired a moose head into the spot. By the neck, and by the jaw. The wolves were pretty interested in this last time they were here. They ate 1/2 of the skull and neck. Polished it clean. Surprisingly, they left without finishing, and I wonder if they were actually on it when I arrived last week? The tracks and sign looked THAT fresh. Anyway, I set a MB 750 with ten feet of chain and a drag - which Minnesota Trapping Products calls "The Jack Rig" - but instead of using the drag, I wired it in hard to the trunk of the spruce, which sits up above the set about four feet. I dished out an area in the stream bed for each trap, removed most of the bigger rock and pebbles, and filled it in with some very fine sand/mud - which made a good trap bed. Then I covered it in fine silt. If you look closely, you can see the trap pan in each photo. But what you are looking at is my first attempt at Leghold for wolf. I keep reading that everyone is having trouble with the freeze/thaw cycle around here , and having traps keep working consistently. Well, this should stay working! All I need is wolves, and they are due back in about 7-14 days.


After I finished these sets, I looked at my cell phone, and it was 4:00. I figured my work was about finished - and it might be good to give myself a couple hours of daylight to compensate for any trouble with the boat - so I headed back. Well, there was my boat - high and dry, and in an area other than where I had left it moored. You see, the wind came up, and the tide went out, and it shifted my boat from 20 feet, over to the east far enough to leave it in ten feet. Then it beached. I arrived at about 5 pm. Low tide was 6:15. And, it took till about 8:45 to "float my boat." During this time, I hiked to a waterfall and got rehydrated. Hiked up and down the beach in the dark. Did some jumping jacks. Changed some damp clothes. But, like a "watched pot that never boils" - this was about the slowest tide that I have ever seen.




I still had to break ice for over a half mile - just to get back out to open water. Then, the long haul home. NDBC forecast two footers in the pm. LIE. I've watched the water like a hawk. You can't have a 20 mph wind coming from the East, all the way down the pipe that is Kachemak Bay, and expect to have two footers. They were more like 4 or 5. And I was going right into the teeth. But I could see what I was doing by the light of the moon. I took my time. A hot bath, and snuggling with my wife sounded a lot better than holing up in some state forest cabin when I didn't go prepared for that.

So it would seem that you men that run traplines with snowmobiles have your "nemesis." That is river flowages and deep snow. You get stuck. You get barriers. You get "locked out" at times. You have breakdowns.

For me, it is always about the boat. Is the boat where it is supposed to be? The wind, the currents, and the tide swings can drive a guy nuts - but I am learning. And now, we enter a new variable.

ICE. Ice that floats. Sinks. And moves like a tectonic plate. What I really need is a warm spell (not that it has been that cold) - but enough to thaw and push out that which is stuck in there. Otherwise, I'm going to be locked out for awhile.

Good to see you made it back safe and sound. Hope you connect!!!

I'd like to check the "other line" today, but after yesterday, and knowing that the wind is still cooking from the east, I am going to listen to wisdom coming from all directions, and have a "down day."

My spine has been compressed from all the banging in the boat yesterday. I think I need a new seat/pedestal after that run.

My wife seemingly came right out of menopause. You think she was scared when I didn't return home "on time" - whatever that is here in AK? Crazy to think she was that fearful, but I gotta think of a way to do better.

I need a good electronic device to be able to send her a message from remote places - so she knows what is going on. Like, no big deal honey. I'm just waiting for my boat to float, that's all! I will be home at ten.

What do you guys use to communicate from remote areas?

I always have a cut off time. If I know I am going to back around 6pm I will tell the wife the cut off is midnight and to call the troopers if I am not back. I also have a hard grid for her if I camp. If I travel, she has a map of my route. A sat phone is always nice and I am sure others will chime in other sources of communication.

As long as I am being thoughtful and introspective here... another thought...

I am well connected in MN. I have men that are closer than brothers. We spend loads of time together - hunting and fishing and exploring. I am spoiled that way.

Thus far - as I think about my six seasons in Alaska, I have been rather disconnected and isolated - and it has grated on me. I work hard in the summer. All day, every day - doing tours of the bay, mostly taking guests out who are staying at our B and B. It is generally the rule that I am out working on the sea, but when I am not - there is ALWAYS work to do at the B and B. Lawn mowing. Painting. Staining. Repairs. It never ends. So - summers leave me zero opportunity for meeting and making friendships with like minded men - as I have in MN. This is perhaps one of the things that I miss the most. That, and my four year old granddaughter.

I feel that the isolation part is changing now. I have much more leisure time. I am spending more time socializing. And, I am so happy to report that - since I began posting on T-man not that long ago, several guys have stepped up to show an interest, to "come alongside" me in my trapping endeavors, and I feel like I am making new friends. Thanks to those who have.

The thing is, I spend the vast majority of my time out there, alone. There is no one else to rely on, but me. And, since I am alone - there is no other input, either. What I decide is what happens. And if I get myself into trouble, I am the only way I'm gonna get out.

Like, what Bushman suggested - I could use another experienced man or two to lean on for advice, and, if we get so we have to "hole up", then I got someone to play crib with. Another point of view might help me to balance.

This is part of my new purpose here on the KP. To get connected like that.

Yes - I'm not that experienced. Like, I've never caught a wolf, and since I got my first wolverine now - just a week ago, getting a wolf is the "next big thing." But based on what everyone else is saying, and based on the sign I've seen, and what the wolves are doing when they DO come through, I am feeling SUPER hopeful. When they come back, they could be in some big, big trouble. I'd be ecstatic with one, but if a bunch show up and spend some time milling about like they have been.... well, that's what I'm dreaming of - I'm not gonna lie.

I've got a bloated, spoiled moose I'm feeding them. Here's hoping they show up and stay - permanently.

There's not much I'd rather do right now than spend a day packing wolves out of the bush haha!

But by the looks of the weather forecast, it doesn't look like the sea will allow me to check for at least five days - esp. if I am listening to the advice of the wise sages on here.

Well you have kept me informed of progress and chatted enough that I have Waited until tonight to read up on your exploits. Well done! A great journal. Hmm Wonder how those things got started on here. Your doing awesome. WH you have what it takes to be successful no doubt. Glad I could help coach you in a few things. Gets my head back into the game. Look forward to helping you learn the art of snare building this week. Looks like you could have used my help earlier on the uploading thing. Yep the iPhone is notorious for producing photos that are too large to upload here. There are various apps you can use to do this. Some free some not. Looks like you have it taken care of.

Keeping in contact. As we have discussed and I will post here for others to glean from. I have gone from using a sat phone to the inreaxch satellite texting device. Bought out in the last year by Garmin. It is hands down my go to communication device. Unlike the sat phone, At least globalstar which I used for years it is reliable. Affordable and has many options for plans. Texts will get in and out. Maybe not immediately. They will transmit. You can get weather. and if all else fails put out an emergency call. Some one will come. Be warned. as other on here have discussed. It sometimes has been known to malfunction. Or in the case of user error. Leave you embarrassed.
The offer still stands. You can use my second one any time you want until you get one. The tide and ocean. Lots of good advice here. Like they say. Better safe than sorry. Lot of options some more uncomfortable than others. Just plan for them and what would be a cold night out could be just another camping trip. Look forward to reading more.

Is that really Len or just some Russian bot ??

I put a couple of buddies of mine ashore after we developed some boat troubles. The plan was for me to limp the boat to a landing and for them to hike out and meet me there. I got the boat repaired and went back looking for them. I scoured the lakeshore and river looking but couldn't find them.


After several hours I was beginning to panic, especially after I realized I had dropped them on an island in the river and saw no way for them to get off. I thought for sure they must have drowned trying to get off.

They were friends, but also coworkers so I called my boss to give him a heads up on the situation. I also called the troopers. They told me they couldn't do anything for a minimum of 48 hours and to call if they hadn't showed up. I was sweating bullets thinking I had put my friends in a position that had cost them their lives.

Forty-eight hours finally passed and I alerted the troopers. They immediately launched a search team, air and ground. They had no sooner gotten underway when a trooper came upon a couple of guys who had just popped out of the bush and onto the road. It took those guys two days to hike out of that hellhole. Scratched and bruised but none the worse for wear.

Ya been laying low. Arm chair trapper these days. Fun to be able to help WH with a few things. Thought I better check out his journal.


Ya been laying low. Arm chair trapper these days. Fun to be able to help WH with a few things. Thought I better check out his journal.

On those water sets i woud use some small rocks to guide their feet..... and i cannot use exposed bait here in SE or i would catch birds...i build a rock pile and set around that. Subtle guiding for wolves is OK, the cinder block set comes to mind.
I carry an inreach paired to my phone. Its about $10 month
Also, i would personally not be using a canoe, for your go to shore boat...they tip more easily than an inflatable, and imo are lake craft only...we lost a local trapper this last Dec as he was going to his skiff in a canoe.
I carry a vhf and use a float coat when going to and from my skiff in southeast. You gotta always be prepared....i carry a small drybag with jetboil food and some dry clothes, firestarter, etc.
Prepare for the worst and use your head, and you will live your dream and catch fur. Even Jeremiah johnson learned the hard way.....be safe. I also have a glicose need as a type 1, 38 yo) ..so i have to pack food, carbs, sugar.

Im jealous of your wolverine success, congrats.
Maybe i will catch one someday
On those wolves , dont overthink it..Kiss

Here's the chest and chin pattern on mine. Seems awful skinny, but he was 31#. I dunno if that is typical? My guess is, pretty safe to say nothing in that gut for awhile.

31# is a good animal! Understand that a 35-40 pounder is very un-usual

And whatever you do don’t catch any really big ones. Nobody will believe you.

I think I get that. I just thought it was remarkable that he was so skinny. I expected a more rolly polly gut.

That is why I am going to have Family Trapper verify for me when I do haha.

Seems somebody got a 41# on here though, and is getting pretty positive comments. I got no reason to question anybody. I'm just learning!

Read the 41# thread, again. That will explain a lot.

Always do like those orange/ivory necklaces on wolverine . They especially ID the individual , and are quite attractive , besides.

Well here we go. I am off for a check. I have been "locked out" of my line in forever, it seems, because of wind mostly - but some ice too, and a part time job. Yesterday was fantastic weather, but I had to work part of the day. Family Trapper helped me make some snares yesterday pm - which is much appreciated. Fun to learn and have a like-minded pal here in Homer. Thanks Len!

One appointment this am, and then it is off to spend the day on the edge of the wilderness. And things look good with the weather. Whatever I don't get done today, I can do tomorrow.

Send some good thoughts and good karma my way. I'd love a second wolverine SOON as the season is almost over. But a wolf would be the coolest! It would be my first. They are due back through anytime now...

Good luck to the rest of you as well!

Well it was fun putting those skills back to use. Good luck out there.

I managed to get through my whole line yesterday. It had a couple of surprises. If coyotes were my primary quarry, I would be really excited - for their traps were everywhere. I had a couple of near misses - but I don't even have a dozen coyote snares out. The ones I do have, I pulled. In the next week I plan to simplify things down, so I just have one primary wolf area.

Most of my wolverine cubbies had been visited by coyotes. They haven't been doing this for the past month, but all of the sudden got really curious, or really hungry, or really careless. I imagine if I put in a pile of snares around my wolverine cubbies, I would score big time, but the wolverine cubbies are coming out by next week - so not much sense in doing it at this point. Next season.

This coyote got in a little to close. I have heard of other trappers catching a coyote in a 330, but this is my first. Yes, he was still alive. Laying there with his ears up. Mangy and extremely poor fur. The bait was inches from its nose and it couldn't reach it. Poor little bugger. Well I ended it for him and that's that. Too much coyote vermin with mange. This is the same set I caught the wolverine in a couple of weeks ago. This spot, I will keep.

Another non-target species in one of my wolverine cubbies. The river otter. Inside was moose hide, and a small piece of rotted moose meat (which I have a permit for) hanging by a wire in the back of the set. I know that otters like to check out holes and crevices and such. And I know they are not necessarily conibear shy. Well this guys curiosity got the best of him. Not sure how long he had been there. I think if anything hungry had come upon this, it would have been eaten - so probably not that long. Family Trappers son and his partner are in "full otter mode" so I am going to gift this one to them to add to their overall catch.

A lone wolf came into my area - where I have a bait, and a concentration of about 60 snares. He appeared to be very careful - the way he managed to avoid the snares I had up, and chose his way in through larger gaps in the timber. I had the bait wired to a tree, but he managed to get a piece of it loose, and drug it back into the brush - where he polished it off. Hunted that area a bit, and then left. I tracked him through the brush for a couple hundred yards. Hung a handful of snares along the way. Then came across this spot. Lots of tracks in one little area. Pretty fresh. But no sign of a pee post. And I have been here numerous times this winter and no wolf sign. He came out of the brush into this opening, made a pile of tracks, then went back in where he came from. It would be pretty random, but I wish I had a good foothold there.

Hey wolf trappers, is this worth setting now? Without any evidence of pee, I'm not sure if anything will return, but I don't know?

It was a long day, and I had time to refresh the bait and wire it down, and bulk up my snares a little more, and then had to get out of there before dark. Par for the course, the wind was howling out the Northeast, and I came home in 4-6 footers in the dark (two footers were forecast). My back is sick and tired of the spinal compressions. Riding up the crest of a wave, and then slamming down in the next trough. I will be in the market for a new seat and pedestal - and am open to suggestions on what you've got that you like.

Took a spill in the rocks yesterday and went down hard. My left wrist was broken coming into this, and is still healing ( I just got the cast off six weeks ago). The right wrist is now sprained and doesn't want to flex or extend. My left knee has a big old knob on it. This trapping is really hard work! And the ocean trapping is really complicating it, I'm finding. Looking back on how hard I have worked, and the price I have had to pay - in more ways than one, I'm not sure that I will trap this way next season. I'm currently researching a snow machine - but that is a subject for another day. Today is a down day to recuperate and get myself in shape for the next check and pull.

Trapping salt isn't for everyone, and obviously can be dangerous. That said, snow machine lines will certainly bring a whole new set of challenges!

Good to hear you made it back in safe and sound! Sorry to hear you got beat up though.
Try and remember where those yotes came in at to check your cubbies for next year and drop a few snares. I normally put up some blocking around all my marten sets and hang snares, picked up many yotes that away and with this market it is descent money. Just remember to anchor for the largest critter you could possibly catch. I once picked one up in a 220, go figure
Those otter are pretty curious critters, had one check out a kitty set week before last. I have never had anything touch an otter, even ones setting in the wide open, which is kinda surprising, any other critter the least the birds would have pecked it.
Always frustrating when a critter walks into the death zone of snares and misses them! But makes it sweet when you do connect with them Normally they will follow the same track in especially if it is a bait, hope you dropped a snare or two on that trail.
Your getting fur and having fun Look forward to reading about your next check!

Yep, curious otter. I have taken a few in wolverine sets, and even one in a mink set, with a 1-1/2 stop-loss.

I have also taken otter in wolverine cubbies. A few quite always from any open water. Also had coyote and lynx in them. Pretty versatile set, especially if open at both ends with two traps.

Thanks for the update. Those are some interesting catches.

AV I believe it! What with breakdowns and getting stuck. Apparently a couple of local guys woke up a brown bear around here recently, and got stalked. You just never know...

I assume the bears never sleep. I have video of me releasing a small black bear from a wolverine set. I caught it 3 times, in different sets, in one season. His third visit was his last.
I do NOT reccomend releasing bears out of traps. Trust me.

Bummer the coyote had such poor fur. Quite an adventure your having. On the bear. From what I heard. A guy was changing his snowmobile belt. Apparently it was close to a den. A bear come out and was headed towards the man. He didn't even realize it. His buddy drove up to him and said get on!!! Bear coming. The drove to town. Got a bear tag and returned to take it out of commission. 9.5 foot Brown bear. Crazy to think that guy would have likely been killed. Guess the bear was intent on coming at the guys.

Hey Len it’s good to hear from you. Wish you hadn’t stoped posting on here. You’re a big part of the early success of this site and your sharing of info and videos educated a lot of us. Come on back buddy. As for bears there’s a big difference between grizzlies and black bears. You never hear of a black bear exploding out of a winter den but around here boar grizzlies are known to come out any month of the year. Few years ago a pine beetle logging crew stopped to rest right on top of a den and the bear came out and grabbed a guy. They used saws to drive it off.

I'm working on him Bushman. He is showing himself here and there. But he's a busy guy, and he ain't trapping - so that doesn't help. But I sure do notice that he is well connected, and loves talking with the fellow trappers in person.

I'm from MN originally. And I'm a biologist/naturalist as that was my first degree. Having said that, I will tell you that I have learned far more from "just being out there" hunting, fishing, trapping, exploring. Contrary to what most people think, bears don't truly hibernate. They get up and mill around throughout the winter - especially during warm spells. I have seen their tracks about every month of the winter. And, especially if they are disturbed. I've stumbled across black bears denned up on the coldest days a Minnesota December can offer (usually while hunting ruffed grouse). Some stay put. Others get up and run. Snowmachines and loggers will tell you the same. The thing with Blacks is they almost always run away. Brown bears, from what I understand, are much more unpredictable.

I tend to agree with AV - that I have become complacent not going more heavily armed on my trapline. Especially when I am dealing with some larger quantities of bait and these 30 and 40 degree days. It is extra weight, but I'm going to start carrying some firepower. You just never know.

I would like to hear more about this, and perhaps see some pics. I imagine this should hit the Homer news?

This is my NEXT bucket list thing - after I catch my wolf, of course!

HFK - When I got there, I could see that a lone wolf had come in. My excitement level went way up - but I was trying to remain level-headed, and minimize my impact while I checked all my sets. I kept imagining that he would be in the next set. But alas, he snuck in and snuck out and got away with it. Coyotes had been there a lot before him, and probably polished off much of the bait. Not as much to keep him around. Pretty tough with just one wolf, and it sure seemed to be wise one. I think I stand a better chance when that pack comes back through. They canvased the entire area with tracks, and looked like they spent a good amount of time. I left them LOTS of bait. And I triple wired it to a tree so they can't steal it. And, I left lots and lots of sets on sign - exactly where they trod. Here's hoping...

Weather permitting, I'm pulling wolverine sets on Thursday. Then I'm just gonna have a wolf line that I check once a week or so throughout March.

I need more snares! Len helped me make some the other day, but my "loading technique" really needs work. Otherwise, I think I got it.

If you can get your hands on bones, like moose and caribou, spines, legs, etc. A big pile of those will hold up well, and get scattered around. And the bulk of them will keep "fishing" for quite a while.

In 40+ years of bushwhacking I’ve never seen a black bear out of a den in the dead of a Canadian northern winter. It makes no sense unless they can consume more calories then they burn. I’m sure the odd starving bear or a family run out by a grizzly might be out, just never seen it personally. Grizzlies however it’s all bets off. Two types of bears emerge during winter. Dominant experienced boars who know of traditional high protein sources. Winter ungulate habitat, high avalanche areas, sloppy work camps etc., or starving bears of either sex Both these types are serious trouble. And yes I do have some stories around that!

FWIW I am more looking out for moose than bears in the winter. I have seen a sow with two cubs out at the ending of January, but have run into moose at all months of trapping.

WH- a hint for those slippery beaches https://kahtoola.com/product/microspikes/. I bail over the side of the boat with them on. Wear them until I get back on board, as needed. Slippery beaches and gravity hurts!

Thanks for the tip. I have a pair. Not the same brand but something similar. I should wear them more. Gosh I'm beat up right now. And at 53, with an artificial knee and fused back and more, I need to work to minimize this crap!

Some of the time it is just because I am unconsciously just pushing too hard. I'm pretty driven that way...

Any idea where I can find a bear like that this spring ?

53?!!! Good grief! You're a spring chicken!

Yep. Learning is hard, and painful, for some.

Maybe so, at heart. But if you knew my story, you'd think it a miracle that i'm trapping at all. I'm a young man at heart, with a middle aged mind, and an old old mans body. But desire trumps, and then I play catch up, and then I do it again. Here's hoping I can keep this thing going for years to come.

Well, we should meet. War stories, and all.

I vaguely remember 53


X2 on Bushman's comments on bears

and my 2 cents worth. Black bears out in winter only mean one thing = RABIES
Know your zone in what is HOT lately around you.

W17 " I vaguely remember 53 " Now that's funny! But if it's any consolation I'm 59 and I barely remember 53 too.

WH - Just keep going until you can't. I've always been drawn to old bush guys ever since I was a kid, and luckily grew up in a northern town where I could watch them. What I saw time over time is they'd keep going strong until quite old and then one long enforced stay in a hospital sucked the life out of them. I guess every dog does have its day. But there was always that exception. The guy who wouldn't quit and gets lucky with their health and ends up croaking in the outhouse at 95. That's my exit plan.

Thanks Brian. Those days of sharing are some of my fondest memories. Back then I had lots to share and it was easy to fill up pages. haha. I am in somewhat of a slump right now. Regrouping a bit. Financially trapping just isn't in the cards for me. But have to say WH has my interest peaked and it fun to be able to share what I know. Wish I had more big canine advice. Most of what I do know has been gleaned from here. I do miss sharing adventures. Hopefully I will get to share a few more here. Tim the Wolverine Hunter has been pretty inspiring. I am sure we will have some adventures to share with TMan down the road. Were cooking up some ideas. Being a nomad I never really had anyone but my kids to do things with here in Homer. With them mostly out on their own now I have to come up with an adventurouse sole that dreams big. Might just have found the guy that likes crazy adventure as much as me.

Good to see you back Len.

I have a BF back in MN. He is ten years older than me, like a big brother, only even closer. We have a pact, and a saying: "As long as we never stop, we will never stop." We kind of hold each other accountable to that. We walk ourselves into the ground back home, hunting grouse and deer day after day.

I know, it sounds silly - but that motto echoes in my head when I slide off a slippery bank and fall on my face in the boulders - and just want to keep laying there. Then, when I get back home and take a couple days to recoup, and wonder what the heck I'm doing?

Guys retire all the time, and then they die in a myriad of ways. Guys with chronic pain hang it up, and then they lose their desire. I never wanna be that guy.

If you’re interested in getting one over bait, I could probably hook you up with one this spring. I prefer blackies for spring meat, and browns just get in the way on a bait.

Thanks for the offer. I believe I would like to help you with that problem!

I take one blackie every year, and eat the meat as well. But I just want to get my first brownie. I think it would be quite a thrill.

I’ll let you know in a couple months if I get any good looking ones on camera. I always see a few, but a lot are small, sows or ugly .

Words to the wise: bring a come-along, or rope-along. Makes dealing with big bears much easier.

WH if you get a bait going in Homer you will have no problem taking a brownie!! We took several when I lived down there a couple years ago. Had a much much higher proportion of browns compared to blacks. Just food for thought.

Definitely. Got a 55 inch bull moose with my dad in MN back in the late 1980's. That's a big one for MN. Anyway, shot it out in the BWCAW out of a canoe. Just the two of us broke it down and packed it out 8 miles, but mostly by canoe. We used the "come-along" a lot when butchering that critter. Now he hangs in the house with me here in AK. It's a great place for him, and a great memory of a hunt with my pap. And I imagine its the same way with a big brownie.

Get yourself one of these skedko's. It is the newer version on the Army litter. We use it for bears and bou.

This guy was a toad 9'6" We drug him to the boat, then took the boat out on the trailer, from the boat to back of the pick up As AV said a rope along or a come along helps!

John - where do you get that skedko? Looks like it could be a bit wider! Nice bear!

I brought a 400+ pound black home last summer, whole, by myself. WITHOUT a come-along. The good part was, I literally dropped him right on the beach, on a big rock that I could back my boat up to with the tide coming in. And, I dropped him right where he stood. The bad part was, once dead, nothing but a big blob of jelly! It took all I had just to get him into the splash well of my boat, and tie him in there and call it good.

Shot him right before dark, otherwise I would have butchered him on the spot.

Love bears and bear hunting stories...



Not much of a photo but the night before my camera was dead and it was too dark anyway. The next am bright and early I flopped him out of my boat and drug him to a spot where I could put him on a tarp and skin/butcher. I've been eating burgers the last two nights. He's good! Sure was a fat one...

You can pick them up at the Army surplus store in Anchorage, or go on line and find them. I especially love them when bou hunting in the tundra. It also helps protect the hide if you get one good enough to rug out.

Yeah, I learned my lesson a few years ago. Killed a large brownie, (9-3"), on a flat at low tide, right before dark. Stupidly decided to deal with it in the morning. Tide came up just enough to soak the bear. Next morning, I have a soaking wet bear with total rigor. An absolute nightmare. Had to skin a leg, then chop the leg off the carcass. Repeat for back leg. Then ropes to alders, trying to roll and repeat.
For those that have dealt with a large, soaking wet bear hide, you know what a task it was getting it into the boat.

WH. Did you wait to gutt him till morning?

I didn't gut him. Often don't gut my critters when there is no reason to. I can get all the meat from the outside (quarters, backstraps, neck) and the skin and skull. Tenderloins? I don't want them THAT bad. They are small, and that is the only thing I'm missing, along with a little rib meat. Believe it or not, you can even get the tenderloins without gutting if you know what you're doing, and are super careful. They are separate from the gut cavity.

You don't even have to keep black bear meat in the summer/fall, but I like the meat any time of year, and I get the lions share of it without driving myself nuts for every tidbit.

In at midnight. Up at 5. Not that much time passed.

For spring bears my go to is a heavy plastic tarp., after field dressing.
Ive drug them out to the boat over tide flats and mud quite a ways....saves the hide and meat quality by keeping it clean. A tarp and paracord are just a handy thing to have onboard. Hope ya thin down the brown bears down there.

Ok - I don't think I ever wanna do that - unless I absolutely have to. I would for a 9 foot brownie but there are better ways, I see. When your body is beat, and it's been a long day, and the skeeters are coming out - you can talk yourself outta stuff pretty fast! That is exactly what happened with this particular bear...

Thanks Ross. I will keep that in mind. I have friends coming often. Many/most want to hunt bear, and they always want the hide and skull. Sometimes the meat, and when they don't want the meat, it is mine. We have some sons with big appetites who love it, and it never goes to waste.

If there is daylight and the body is able - I usually just break them down on the spot. Bag them up and bring them to the boat. I usually have help - but not always. Luckily, we have not wounded one and had to chase it and pack it out. The only one I have ever had to pack out was one that I climbed to the alpine for. I did that to myself because it was a very special bear. But now, I'm feeling pretty satisfied in that department

What a spectacular day to be out on the trapline! If you have read my journal, you know I have been getting my hinder kicked this winter by the wind. But yesterday? What a perfect one! Glassy calm water made everything a pleasure. It was a little hard to "say goodbye" to the wolverine trapping season. But this perfect day made it easier. I came to Alaska in Mid-January with the goal of catching a wolverine. I started setting traps in early February, and got my first wolverine in less than two weeks. Though I didn't catch two, I am perfectly content to have caught one! I learned a TON, and have some great ideas on what I want to do differently next season. An earlier start. More sets. And where I will put them - for starters. So all the wolverine sets are now pulled. I'm getting a full body mount of the wolverine I caught, and will be sure to share when I get it back. Thanks to all who helped me get this fabulous start

I went out with the intention of just pulling my wolverine sets, but since the day was so perfect, I decided to make the most of it. So when I made good time and finished pulling the cubbies early, I transitioned to working on my wolf line. A quick check revealed that I had nothing - but a lone wolf has been hanging around more than anything (except the ever present coyotes). This wolf travels alone, and comes by regularly. He appears to be pretty wise. I have seen him somehow avoid my snares. I spent a fair bit of time yesterday tracking him, and learning his habits and haunts. I tidied up some sets that had been knocked down. I hung some more where he had traveled. Half of them, I hung in necked-down areas where he had been two or three times. I have a bait back in the spruce. Judging by the tracks - the eagles have been landing out in the open, and then walking in to the bait some 20-30 yards. The eagles have been decimating my bait, along with the coyotes - so every week, I have to keep replenishing it. I'm going through it fast, but should make it till the end of March - when I plan to pull everything.


Here is where a large coyote approached one of my wolf snares, took a look, and backed off.


My "lone wolf." I don't know if the picture does him justice - but I have had a large pack come through, and this one's feet are as big as any I have seen in the area. I really want to catch him! But he is sly. Something tells me I won't catch him near the bait. Likely if I do, it will be 1, 2, 300 yards away or more.


Most of the spots, I didn't photograph, but this one I paused to take a pic. I hit him here, and the next spot a hundred yards away where he left the alders and went into the spruce.


I don't know what it is about this spot, but the lone wolf likes it. He doesn't pee there - at least not that I can see, but as you can tell, he spends a lot of time walking around in this little area. I posted this picture a week ago - asking and wondering if I should set it. I was thinking more about a foothold. But yesterday, I saw where he had returned again. He came in and out the same way both times, so I hung two snares in there. Lets hope.

Still trying to figure out the wolves! And having a blast trying and learning. I currently have 6-10 snares which I think are too close to the actual bait site. I think this weekend, I am going to pull them out and put them in better spots, further out. I also have four leg holds I want to put into production. It is just a matter of finding the perfect spot. Even if it isn't perfect, I need to get them out there. They are doing NO GOOD riding around with me in my boat. So Saturday or Sunday, I will go back and really fine tune things as best as I can, and will report back then. One of these days, I hope to be reporting my first wolf catch. I've got a month here to get it done.

You are doing it, WH. Great effort tends to bring great rewards.
I tend to do line maintenance in summer, and fall, building and re-building cubbies, replacing boxes destroyed by bears, replacing this and that. Goods times.

I was thinking about that yesterday. There are the areas where I see wolves going all the time, but they are way too wide to trap. But if I "narrowed them down" and gave the wolves time to adjust and get used to it - this would give me a lot of trap opportunities for next season.

As hard as trapping the salt is, I have grown to love the area where I am, and the more I get to know it intimately - the more I see opportunity. I know you like to trap the salt primarily. I do too, but I want to go up the drainages - but the only way I can do that legally is to go on foot. Lots of work! But if I get an earlier start next late fall/early winter - I can spread it out a bit. And like you say, do some prep work in summer.

Those coyote tracks are teaching you something. My guess is that coyote did not like the sticks you added to that snare location. Minimal disturbance including human footprints is helpful. Snare the coyotes and you will learn much faster how to snare as they are a constant and not on a circuit like the wolves. If you can snare coyotes regularly you will also catch wolves.

That right there is a serious bit of good info.
Good hearing from you, nooksack.

So would you say in that situation don't put in anything to narrow it down? Just let it hang out in the open?

I've had some success snaring coyotes and bobcats back in MN. But the trails they use are smaller and more brushy. And, I have had some success guiding them with a stick or two. To be honest, I'm setting snares on wolf sign - usually places where they have been more than once - but I am having trouble just leaving that big loop there plain as can be. Something in me wants to guide them a bit, narrow the opening, or camouflage them a bit. Perhaps this is all wrong.

So do I just leave them out in the open? Or look for narrower spots and only trap there?

Just me: a coyote seems to notice the smallest change. Wolves, I don't know. Coyotes are ALWAYS suspicious. I trapped them hard when I was young, in central Oregon. After a couple of years defeating myself, I got better.
With canines, they know you are there, period. It's when they know you are up to no good that the challenges arise

Yes don't add anything so obvious. Subtle small branches or a small twigs etc. Look at the ground and see where a K9 will put his feet then center the loop above that. If you are snaring a bait a lot of the snares are just filling the gaps and will catch if animals are frantic as one of the leaders is caught so those don't need to be perfect.

I had a really enjoyable day on the line yesterday. Went early, stayed late. I worked so intensely that I completely forgot to take photos to add, as I know they make the journal so much more interesting.

Essentially, I followed advice given by those who trap wolves on here. I had snares that were too close to the bait. I pulled 17 of them, and moved them further back. Most on trails 100 yards away or more. I had a half dozen other snares that I hung.

I also put in a half dozen foot hold traps. Two of them went in as "blind sets" in the thick spruce forest, on an open trail that the wolves have been using regularly when they come through. I put them in a place where they step over a log and keep putting their foot in the same place. I chopped out the frozen ground to make a trap bed, filled in with moss and dry leaves, and sprinkled in snow. I think it looked pretty good. Another one went in the open - in a spot where the wolves have been jumping over a small creek from the bank, to a big log, to the other side. There is a place where they put their feet regularly to "launch" themselves to the log. This one was tricky, and will be most susceptible to freeze up. The other three, I put in small creeks with running fresh water, with bait. These are in spots where thick spruce trees have fallen across, and I can force them a bit, naturally.

Two of the footholds are MB 750. I see mixed reviews on them. Some say they are a favorite. Others say the springs are not strong enough and they don't hold. I've never used them before - so I am testing. I got trap setters with mine, and they work great, but not on other brands. I also got two of the "NO BS" wolf traps based on recommendation from Alaska Viking. I had to set them the old fashioned way. And, I got two of the Alaska #9 from our old buddy JR. He has a video on his journal where he jumps up and lands on the trap to set it in his garage. I got a kick out of that. I do the same thing - except I get a run at it. Not really, but if I can get on some kind of a hump and be next to a good sized tree to steady myself, that definitely helps. Alaska #9 seems to have the most powerful springs as it was the hardest to set the first go around. That tells me something. Like anything, I will get better with practice. When I get the springs rotated, it helps to be able to shuffle my feet onto the jaws themselves, so that I can bend over and set the thing.

I don't think I've ever caught a canine in a foothold (I am more of a snare man), but I am ready to learn. So it will be fun when I do. Notice I said "when."

Other than that, I baited things up good. And, I adjusted all of the snares that I had out. Mostly for height, and I took out all of the blocking and forcing that I had done previously, and left them out in the open (even though it went against my instincts) - and simply centered them up above the wolf tracks and hopefully they take care of the rest!

Thanks to all for the tips and the PM's. Since my line is strictly in one spot now, and since I spent so much time there yesterday - I am going to let it soak now for awhile. Send some good vibes to "my wolves" - that they come through before my next check, and that I can score before March is done!

Just a thought..........not sure how you are doing this but I have ALWAYS found that canines where I have trapped are very skittish if you walk in their trail. I always set my snares from the side.

I am doing that as much as I can - but sometimes, the trail is not so obvious because the snow has melted. Also, I am canvasing an area the size of three or four football fields, so hard to see how I can go in and do that without some impact. Everything I do is on foot. There is no people trail to work from. No ATV or snowmobile.

Hopefully the scent decreases with time, and better yet, we get a little snow to cover things up a bit. If I can just hook one, I think the rest will mill around. But there is one lone wolf that is hanging around the most - and he is the one I am really hoping to get. I spent a ton of time tracking him yesterday, trying to figure out what he does, and where.

I guess I did take one photo yesterday. This is an example of what he does, and where. One set of tracks. I set on some of these, but I tried to actually set where he had been two or three times. I have several of them that I am pretty excited about.

This was him going through once, in a spot about 200 yards from the bait. Seemed like a good natural spot for a snare. If he uses that trail again, he's toast (I hope)!

Just to be clear, I have zero experience with the NO BS wolf traps. Just the canine extremes, for wolverine, and am a big fan.
For wolf traps, I defer to others.

From my experience the #9 is king. The Koro wolf trap is second. My third choice is SC 4.5 which I use primarily in sets that will have salt water on them.
Size does matter as does,spring strength. The #9 is more resistant to freezing down than the Koro. Without having handled a No BS Wolf trap I can only compare them to the K9 Extreme. Every dogless trap seems to be more prone to being frozen down than a trap using a pan and dog.

How high is the bottom of your loop there? From that picture, using the alder sprigs as a gauge, it looks to be 4-8” off of the snow.

WH. Um,..... re:do. Wolves=knee-high to the BOTTON of the loop.
Some places just can't be set, perfectly.
If you can't do it perfect for canines, din't do it.
I suffer this situation.

Relax guys. It's higher than it looks. In the photo, I am looking down on it. I'm setting them knee high. Sometimes slightly less depending on where they are putting their feet.

There's no way I would put one 4-8 inches off the ground! I don't even do that for coyote or bobcat.

Good luck

See photo of MB750. I was slumming one of them at a set, when I pulled some stuff yesterday it was frozen down hard. You can see the trigger and jaw "arms" disengaged and the trap not firing. Took a bit of a jolt to fire it. Would have been a definite miss on a wolf. When they work they are great, plenty strong to hold a wolf and more gentle than a 9. But when they don't work they really irritate you.

I'm giving them a test! I have one in the spruce forest and one in the open snow. I didn't bury either in snow so they should work if given the chance. Its a big-(This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) trap!

What is SC?

I have two of these. They are in the water where I know they will stay working. Its an experiment...

Sleep Creek traps. They seem like good beefy traps.

Never heard of. Will have to check that out. Thanks.

Ok. I'm letting traps soak. I've got the day off mostly. Bored and need something to do.

All this talk of gun control has me feeling rebellious. Kind of a "shove it" moment, actually. Think I will team up with Family Trapper and go buy a gun!!!

I can think of a few I NEED. A multitude that I WANT. I'm gonna go and see how it shakes out....

We will see how "purchase friendly" Alaska is. I've never purchased here before.

As for wolf traps, mad_mike nailed it. And while the Sleepy Creek 4.
5 will certainly hold a wolf, it is much smaller than the Alaska 9 and Koro. The latter 2 are serious iron. You indeed get what you pay for, when buying wolf traps.

I'm pretty thrilled with my new purchase. Bear protection for the trapline, and any other time I am "out there amongst them." The Toklat edition seems to be pretty difficult to come by. This one is the .454/.45 with 5 inch barrel. I was pretty surprised to find one locally. Sometimes the small town local gun shops can be "the bomb." And, I feel like I got a pretty smoking hot deal. Got both types of ammo - the .45 long colt for warm up exercises; the 300 grain Hornady in .454 for "bear medicine." I don't have a snowmobile to get away like the guys did who ran into a bear last week. I will have to make my stand.





Now I need to find a good holster. Anybody got any good recommendations? Also, anybody have this gun and have advice on loads and use?

Hopefully when the bears see me coming, it will be them looking like this - instead of the other way around!




A guest of mine took this photo a couple of years ago, on the beach over at Halo Bay. I thought it was pretty funny he caught one mid-turd and shared it with me.

Halo bay. That turd might have Timothy DNA in it.

I'd go with the Diamond D chest holster. For a big heavy piece like that I've found a chest holster will be most likely for me to actually have it on me. I've got one for my .44.

Timothy - the grass? I never been there...

Treadwell.

X2 on the chest holster

Thanks for the tip. I looked at these last night. Good reviews. I am going to order one. Expensive though.

IF anybody is looking for one of these holsters - make sure you call them directly. The website would lead you to believe that they make them piece-meal, by order, and that they are "currently 8 weeks out" - but that is on SOME HOLSTERS, not all. I just called. Taylor was very helpful, and I was super happy to find out that they have the right-hand draw Ruger Toklat Holster in stock! So I will have one by middle of next week. I will only have to find another option for carrying this gun one time when I go check traps this weekend.

There's no way I'm leaving it home, and it won't fit in my pocketsees. Don't want it buried in a backpack. Might fit in my waste band. Hmmm...

I bet WH still doesn't know what you mean!! Timothy Treadwell...........the guy who got eaten by the bears he loved so much. Got his GF killed too! Must be quite the tourist draw for Halo Bay!
mt
Is Diamond D the lady is wasilla?

For holsters my go to is Razco.com
I have a ruger 44 chest rig that is da bomb.
Justin, the owner, is a local Juneau kid that moved his shop to Montana, and has fought for our freedom.
I have several of his kydex holsters....they rock!

Yes, Timothy Treadwell. The consummate fool of , "bears love us, as we love them. You just have to understand them".
Grizzly Maze.

Yup that one went over my head! I watched that documentary a long, long time ago. Forgot his name. I thought he was funning with ME!!!

Guys like AV and White. They are men of few words, I'm finding. Sometimes they just don't give me quite enough information. OR, maybe I'm just slow :-)

Diamond D in Wasilla. The lady that answered the phone was named Taylor or Tayler? She acted like she might own it, but she might also just work there and be pretty proud of it. Both are good. She was helpful.

I didn't research the holsters much. But I will check out these other ones folks are mentioning. There are more handgun purchases to come!

Yep !

Taylor owns it. See her in Fbks at Gun shows. Good product, I have one. She is interesting to talk to. Cabelas sells her holsters.
mt

You know what's crazy is I have been working up here at my house for a week - all the while keeping my eyes on the seas. It has been calm for the past week. Outstanding, really.

My day off to go check my wolf line is Saturday. And wouldn't you know it - there is suddenly GAIL FORCE WINDS forecast for our part of the world. This is really uncanny, but it is a pattern.

The old me might have pushed it. The new me, not so much. The weather can kiss my grits. I have a slim chance for Sunday - otherwise, they gotta keep soaking till at least Tuesday. But the waiting is really driving me freaking nuts. Ok, that's being overly dramatic, but I think about it all the time! Super excited to go check and see what has happened. And feeling a little cooped up here...

The sea is raging and I cannot trap, but, having fun with my new holster from Diamond D. The thing was expensive, but I am pleased with their service and heck, I ordered this thing Wednesday and I got it Friday. That is pretty outstanding.

This thing is SUPER TIGHT. There is no way that gun is coming out. In fact, it will be the opposite problem I gotta be able to "clear leather" before the bear gets me! Right now, it is tight and stiff. But there are adjustments for that. I will have to get in the habit of "loosening it" when I am amongst the bears just like the cowboys did when they got into a dangerous situation.

Here's hoping I can trap and carry it on me tomorrow!

Do enough hiking, it will loosen right up.

I think so. That, and it has an adjustment screw on the side, next to the trigger guard area. Super good quality and I like it.

Beautiful.I agree,that will loosen up with time.I believe that a quality holster is not expensive but necessary.

Well - unfortunately I have nothing to report. I really had some great expectations for the last check, but, no evidence of anything having been through. Only birds and one measly coyote. It's been a few weeks since any wolf sign. I am really really due!

Didn't take any pictures either. Just slipped in quiet like. Checked everything from the sides. Re-baited. And out.

I had a small window of opportunity, and I took it. Got away with it too. But man has it been ugly and windy here for a stretch!

This is where a guy could get a little discouraged and fold up, but I'm just a little too tenacious for that. Will persist...

Trick for fitting "custom" leather holsters to your gun:

Wet a paper towel with rubbing alcohol. Use it to dampen the inside of your holster. Don't get crazy here - just dampen the inside - don't saturate all the way through the leather. Wrap your handgun in plastic (ziploc freezer bag is the right thickness) and snap it in your holster. Leave it in there to dry overnight. Now, take the plastic out of there and your holster will fit just right. It will fit it like a glove. Snug but just the right amount of friction for slick drawing and holstering. Try it -you'll like it

Well - I WAS a member of the wolf trapping club. Now I am a member of the wolf catching club!

It was time to check, and after watching the weather, today was the day I picked. It dawned with a blue sky a really calm most of the day. With the full moon and the big tides, I could drive in close and moor the boat a lot closer than usual - especially with the tide coming in most of the day. My first set was on a bend in a creek. Family Trapper suggested I put one there and I'm glad I did. When I rounded the bend, I saw some big movement - and that could only mean one thing - my first wolf! He struggled a little bit, but then decided to hunker down and try to hide in the spruce bows. I commenced loading my .22 long rifle to put him down while I observed him. He had his head down on his paws, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. I tried five times but the gun wouldn't fire! This gun has been with me since I was a teenager. I bought it for $20 and it is a beater! I don't really care how ugly it is - because it serves it's purpose. Well, the firing pin must have worn out. Somebody on here lost a wolf recently when they were monkeying around, and I wasn't about to let my first wolf get away - so I "picked the cherry" on my new Toklat and shot the wolf through the ribs. Holy crap does that thing bark! The gun I mean. That wolf just folded right up, and I sat down for a little bit to get past the concussion.



This was the water set possibility that Len and I had observed about six weeks ago, when he accompanied me on my line. A big spruce had fallen across a small creek. Len thought it would be a great spot to "keep a trap working long term." At the time, I didn't have any leg hold traps, but I went right home and ordered some. This particular trap was a "Jack Rig" that I got from Minnesota Trapline Supply. The spruce was real full - so between the branches, I wired a moose head to the trunk, which was resting in about 4-6 inches of water. There was a lane coming in from the side and that's where I put the trap. Then, it was just wait and see. The wolves came back a few weeks ago, but didn't fall for it. This time, one did! Thanks Len - this likely wouldn't have happened without you!

As near as I can tell, there have been wolves hanging around my area for several days. We got a dusting of snow last night, and I think the wolves were there when I arrived this morning. I also think I had just caught this wolf - probably within the last 5-8 hours. There were fresh tracks all around. One day old tracks. Two day old tracks. Looked like several wolves. This was my first set, so of course, I was chomping at the bit - thinking I had about 80 snares in the neighborhood, and of course, feeling greedy! I did hook one more with a snare. I tracked him right to it. No sign of any struggle. The snare was laying right there where it was hanging. Wolf tracks came right to it. There was a dump there. And the cable was chewed right in half. Anybody got any explanations? This is the second time this has happened here for me - once with a coyote and once with a wolf. Too bad - I HAD a double, but still super happy with my first!

This is another water set. You can see wolves have been all over in the sand. My trap and bait is right in that logjam in the background - but they just didn't quite fall for it.



I have a few other leg holds out. The wolves were all over around these. This particular one is a NO BS WOLF and you can see that a wolf stepped mere inches away, right behind it! I purposely put the trap there because a wolf had stepped there several times - but with the changing snow conditions, maybe they are onto me.



I had several other spots where I came so so close to having another wolf go through my snare. Several times, they were within feet but traveling at a slightly different angle.I jockeyed a few snares around from questionable spots to what look like more productive spots. Overall, I just need more snares!

On the way home, I stopped at Fish and Game and got the wolf sealed, and weighed it. The scale is not recently certified - but I was told it was within two pounds. It weighed 114#, so we are calling it 112# male.




I am no connoisseur of wolf fur, but if this thing is anything like the coyotes I have gotten that were mangy, this looks the same. Not quite what I was looking for. The head and tail and legs look pretty good. The neck and shoulders look really lousy. The belly is all brown and red. I think it has a pretty good noggin though.

What are you guy's thoughts? I have more pics...

Congrats Tim!
That's lice. Expect Kenai wolves to have them more often that not.

Congrats on your first wolf. Sorry to hear it’s lousy, still that’s a big dog. Your doing great and I look forward to more wolves caught in the future.

Congratulations now that you broke the proverbial ice things hopefully will get easier from here on out for catching more wolves. Just a thought, a head mount so to speak of this one since it's your first wolf catch .
Allan

Way to go Tim! A bit of a disappointment with the lice, but great start nonetheless! Glad the "Jack Rig" worked for you. Did the wolf travel any distance before the drag got hung up, or was it basically right there at the trap site? Again, big congrats!

Jack

Congratulations, Your persistence paid off. old243

I didn't employ the drag. I wired it to the tree and he stayed right there.

Thanks Tim. I'm just always wondering how the setup works for others in varying habitat.

Jack

Good work!
You Saved some critters there
Can you add some traps under those tracks in the sand? May be freezing hard at night.
Set on the sign....set for them on the approach to bait since they usually circle it.

Good idea. Thanks for the tip! I need more traps haha

I have learned so much. I have great ideas for how I'm gonna run things next season. I'm gonna start much earlier, have more traps, and I know exactly where I am going to put them!

On second thought, I may go back over on Saturday and "tweak" things a little bit. I still have a week to get number two! Your idea in the sand sounds good, and if I get one, you get the assist. How's that? Just need that sand to stay unfrozen - and with the way the weather has been, it shouldn't be a problem.

Way to go!!! Congrats!

Good job man way to get after it. I have to admit I was skeptical with all your plans you had for this year. I am super pumped that you persisted and did what it took, the RIGHT way. New guys can learn from this, keep it up! You have to have new goals for next year now lol

Well done. You have what it takes, and now have the "credit", if you will, to plumb the vast information library that exists on this site.
Many, many come calling, but, like most things, until you prove up, reception will be luke-warm, until you are "all in".
You clearly are.

I wish I could say, but I don't have that kind of experience YET. Anything I could offer would be secondhand. I know some guys hate drags. They are amazed by how far the critter gets. Others seem to do well with them. Like anything, mixed opinions. This particular setup was near some big open area, and I didn't trust it - which is why I locked it down.

I appreciate that! I know - the "veterans" on here probably see lots of people show up with all kinds of big plans, expectations, dreams - only to fizzle out. But I am not built that way, and I guess some of you are figuring that out by now. Early on in life, some blankity-blanks told me that I couldn't do stuff, and I guess that is exactly what I needed. I have been proving them wrong ever since.

You are absolutely right - I do have plans for next year. Like - I will start in November. I will have many more snares, and many more #330 conibear, and leg hold too. And you know what - I think, in my memory, I already have a spot for each of them haha.

The thing that could get distracting is when they open up the cat season. Local biologist says that if hare and lynx populations follow their trends, this could happen in the next couple of years. Well, when that happens, I will be going great guns after Lynx. And, I will not quit till I get it figured out. In the meantime, I've got a lot of room for growth in the whole "arena" of learning to be a good wolf and wolverine trapper.

Thanks AV! I appreciate your help and encouragement.

I came here not that long ago, wanting to set up a small trapline, find my niche, and catch a first wolverine, and a first wolf. If feels so good to say that I did that, in just two months. I have learned so much, on my own - just being out there, and following tracks, and trial and error, and such - but also from many of you who have commented here or PM'ed me. Thanks so much all of you. I will continue to "grow" in this as long as I can keep on keeping on. Like I say, usually more desire than brains here, but I actually think that is starting to balance a bit :-) In Alaska, it's a must!

Allan - no offense but, head mounts of predators/carnivores just do nothing for me. I dunno - maybe I have just not seen one done up right? I'm gonna beatle the skull for a keep-sake and call it good. And I got some good pictures. I gotta pay the fiddler for a full mount wolverine, and that is probably enough for this go-around!

Next years goal is to catch a wolf with a skin good enough to tan into an ornamental skin I can hang with my collection, or, a rug. I'm cool with waiting for that. As long as I can stay healthy, it is just a matter of time until it happens.

Sweet! I like your humble statement about growth.

Just read this whole journal . Great stuff ! Appreciate your taking the time to share it.

I think I have done that with every journal on here by now, and now I just keep up as it comes. Some of the really long ones took me a few nights to get through. Good stuff to fall asleep reading...

Mike I think I have to face reality here. Len tells me that there isn't really enough fur here where we live to turn a profit. There are a handful of wolves and wolverine. The only numerous thing I have come across are coyotes. And I can't do a full time trap line either. So it becomes a hobby and a bucket list kind of thing. Time in the wilderness. Learning. Exercise. It is all just really good for me. And yes, there is something inside me that is always pursuing growth and excellence. I feel I have something here I can really build on. Next season I will be looking for two or three of each, and I think that is realistic. Some day when I grow up, I might even take a winter and go up north somewhere and find a niche, and really do it up right!

Good Job nice to see your dreams all come together

My first wolf skull. Quite a set of chompers! Tooth and fang! I am gonna get this guy beetled for my collection. Just like the predator - yeah.



Not that I need a record, but gun guys have Boone and Crocket. Bow hunters have Pope and Young. What do trappers have, huh? I think we all get a charge out of getting something really big. We love the anomalies. I like this guy no matter what, cuz he is my first. But I like to know how he stacks up too :-)

I will always be looking for unique specimens no matter what. I will admire them no matter what the size. It's all about the entire experience.

I like your attitude WH.
You will go far Pilgrim

Congrats on your wolf, nice when the plan comes together! Too bad about the lice, is there any way to salvage some of it? Shoulder mount?

Pretty rough shape in the neck and ears too. I'm going for a better one, and ok with that! My wife was going bananas having it around. She was fearful that our three mutts were gonna catch the lice, ya know. I was not living in fear that way, but it was probably smart to minimize the impact around here. Mostly with the wife, if you know what I mean. It was easier to just be done with it fast and I am cool with my decision.

Nice work Tim and congrats. Too bad about the fur but at least he won't be eating anymore moose, deer or goats. Persistence pays off..

As for the trapper's record books, your pics and name are all over T-man. What else do ya need. We are the behind the scenes, step-children, predator control specialists that make it possible for the folks of the B&C, P&Y, Safari club and others to harvest their trophies, pay their money and put their names in the record books. Make sure to join your local trappers association, participate, and be proud of what we do.

Be safe and enjoy the rest of your season..

Mostly I was just funning.

Hey guys - the good news is my ears (mostly) stopped ringing after putting a wolf down with the .454 Toklat. I never want to do that again.From now on, it is either target practice with hearing protection, or doing battle with a bear, and if that's the case, I don't think I will notice or care anymore.

I went yesterday and did a few "tweaks" on my line. Adjusted some snares and leg holds as the snow decreases and the ground melts. One week left and I pull out. It can still happen.
It was a beautiful day to be outdoors. I see many posting end of the year pics and comments. It has been a wild ride and part of me can't wait for November. Hate to hurry life along as it is already flying by too fast, but...

Well - I would say that the end of the trapping season was rather "anti-climactic" - if it weren't for the absolutely perfect day yesterday!

Yes - I pulled all of my traps yesterday. The wolves had just been through the previous week, and I wasn't really expecting much. Everything looked about the same. Snow is gone, so no tracks, but for coyote tracks on the sand bars, in-between rock, in the mud, and so on. One coyote stepped mere inches from one of my leg-holds - his lucky day. Coyotes are the most numerous predator in my area, and perhaps I will "get after them" a little more next season.

Other than the boat ride, I was in my T-Shirt all day! The water was calm, and so turquoise/blue. The sun shone all day - brilliantly, lighting up the snowy peaks which contrast with the dark green sidehills. No more struggling with deep snow - but just easy walking on a ground which is still mostly hard. Rivers and waterfalls are starting to get cooking. New birds migrating in and out.

Feels a little bittersweet to be done, but I'm excited for the next season, and my planning for that. I'm satisfied with having met all of my primary goals.

You won't see me on here as much as summers get crazy busy with work - but I will get on T-man from time to time and post some adventure stuff, salmon, halibut, wildlife photos, stories, and the like. Things will get cooking again in September when I draw the line in the sand and say "enough work for awhile - time to play!" I plan to play the vast majority of the month of September. October too. Currently researching a DIY Caribou/Moose hunt of some kind - yet to be determined. Also gonna hit the duck hunting pretty hard this fall.

You did well, WH. Congratulations on a hard-won victory.
Thanks for the ride-along.

This place gets pretty quiet during the summer, so won't miss much. You'll probably do pretty well next year.

Headed down to MN for a visit. Some of my favorite spring activities are hunting wild turkey, and bow fishing. Nephews are texting me every day, chomping at the bit. Pals are getting the carp boat ready. It will be time for a little carnage. Stay tuned. I will try and share a few photos as it happens but this is typical for what we do.



That's my boy!!!

Also helping my elderly momma get her summer place in order - yard work and gardens and gutters and the like.

Some work too.

That looks like a good time.

Hi Folks! It's been awhile - but time for me to pick up where I left off. Many of you helped, and followed me on my first trapping season in Alaska. My quest was for my first wolverine; secondarily, I wanted to catch a wolf. Surprisingly, the wolverine came quickly - in the first two weeks. I managed to catch a 33# male in a #330 conibear/cubby set. The wolf took longer. I had some close calls, and a couple bite out of snares, before I finally caught one in a leg hold with the help of Len, Family Trapper. At his suggestion, I baited a downed spruce in a shallow running stream, and low and behold, it worked. For those stories - you will have to look back a ways - but here I am with the results. I have photos of a full, live mount wolverine that I just hung with permission from the wifey. She got a new mantle. I got to hang the wolverine above it. Unfortunately, the wolf itself was very mangy - but I have the skulls from both as "treasure" of my great memories trapping in AK. Hope you enjoy the photos of the treasure. Many of you were in on this with me. Next? Well - I've been waiting for this since I arrived in 2013. Low and behold, they are going to have a limited Lynx trapping season on the KP, and just like the wolverine and the wolf, I've never caught one before. And just like before, I will do what it takes to be successful. It is awesome to have something like this to look forward to.

Looks good.

Thought I might share some of the other activities I have been up to as "catch up" - for a lot has happened since I was last here. Some pretty severe sickness. Some having to travel out to get well again. Some down time for recovery. Some time spent on the comeback trail.

The biggest comeback I made - which I am most proud of, is that I drew a Mountain Goat tag for the Kenai Mountains - across the bay from me. I think draw odds were 3% or less. I think success rate was under 1% based on harvest stats. And upon closer inspection - I could see why. The Halibut Cove district that I drew are some of the steepest, most daunting mountains over there. There are so many areas where you simply couldn't shoot and recover a goat - even if you saw it. It more became a waiting and watching game - biding my time until they came to a spot where I could get at them.

I began climbing the mountains as training during the summer. I was glassing from below, climbing to familiarize myself with the country, and just plain trying to get my body prepared and in shape. I took a lot of pictures during four separate hunts up the mountain. And while most people don't have the luxury - the good thing for me is that I live just across the bay, I have a "long weekend" every weekend, and when the weather permitted for visibility - I could shoot across and hunt. I went up twice alone, unsuccessfully for the goat, but successful as I was always learning. Two friends came from Minnesota to help me. We went up with no goats in sight, got into bad weather, lost our visibility, and came down with a bear instead. Then we hunted more black bears, fished halibut, and worked on my gun build. Before long, my friends had to go home.

Eventually, things settled down at our house, which is a B and B, and the weather improved. I invited John - aka "HFTAK" from Trapperman, to come down and help me get the goat IF the goats revealed themselves and the weather was decent. If not, we were going to help him get some bear. John took me up on the offer, and we hit the ground running. I can't recall how it all went down - but I do know that, because the goats weren't anywhere in my wheelhouse, we went to strictly bear hunting, and John took 3 in 24 hours - including one really good one that was 300-350#, well above average for our area. Then we hunted ducks, and though it wasn't spectacular (early season locals) - we did manage to get John a "bucket list" drake Harlequin while floating into a cove in 3 foot rollers. We trapped the birds, and they had to fly by to get out of the cove. With the boat heaving up and down, John made a great shot. Retrieving the duck was iffy amidst the crashing waves and rocks, but we got er done.

With bear tags full and the waterfowl itch satisfied, John and I spent the next day staining a huge section of our house. I'm super grateful for the help, and my wife was ecstatic about what we accomplished. Later that night while relaxing on the deck, I decided to go get my spotting scope, and just for fun, see if we could spot goats across the bay. Mind you, we were looking for goats 15 miles away - so I wasn't expecting much. Well, we looked, and saw nothing. I moved toward taking a shower. John kept looking. When I emerged in my bath towel, John was pretty excited. "There's goats come into your basin! We gotta be bold on this one. Lets go get the first thing in the morning!"

I wasn't so sure. I knew better than John what we were getting into. And I had only one day left before I had to go to work. But if he was game, I was game. Good help is hard to come by.

We hit the beach at daybreak the next morning. By 1pm, we had reached the summit. We had goats in sight, and I began my stock. I was cliffed out and couldn't get any closer than 450 yards. The first shot hit high, and the target goat ran toward me. When it stopped at 330 yards, I was able to connect with a good heart shot. The goat disappeared amongst the rocks below the knife ridge, and I really wasn't sure what had transpired. I just knew that I had hit it solid.

John had been waiting above me, watching the whole thing happen. When I left him, I had put on my white suit, and stalked 300 yards closer in plain sight of the goats. Now I climbed back up to John. We moved away from the goat, and around the bowl - to a place where it was safe enough to slide down the steep hill on our behinds. I figure we dropped about 600-700 feet elevation in 5-10 minutes. From the bottom, I looked up toward where I thought the goat would be, but there was something in front of me way at the bottom, and in my binoculars - it looked like it could be a goat wedged up against a great big boulder. I made for it, and sure enough, there was my goat. It had bounced and tumbled the same 600-700 feet we had, only though knife ridges of rocks and boulder piles. Unfortunately, both horns were completely broken off. The lower jaw broken; the lower lip pulled away. The face was tremendously scarred up. I've watched most goat hunting videos on youtube, and I had never seen one damaged quite like this. But the meat was ok for the most part, and I was cool with that. Now, time for the work to start.

John and I make a pretty good butchering team. We had already done three bears together. Now we set to the work of skinning the goat, and getting all the edible meat, skin, and skull into packs.
Once that was done, we had to climb back up the mountain in front of us, from the basin we were in - and then several miles downhill to where the boat was moored. We hit alder line at about dark, and put our headlamps on. We slid down a third of the way, fast! But when sliding became no longer advantageous, we carefully made our way down. Since this was my deal, I had the heavier pack. John, with his military training, became my encourager. I think I may have gotten a taste of what it felt like for Jesus to carry the cross, and if it weren't for John, I would have just gone to sleep on the mountain after one of my two dozen collapses.

When we made it to the beach, we were exhausted, out of water and food, and desperate to get to the boat. But the tide had been coming up, and we were several hours later than what I had anticipated, and therefore we were again "cliffed out" - but this time, having to wade in waste-deep water for a third of a mile to get to the boat. Waiting six hours for the tide to go back up and down did not seem worthwhile. We wanted water, food, hot showers, and a comfortable bed. By the time we made it back to Homer - it was between 1-2 am. The whole thing wound up being a 20-hour Iron Man fest.

Now I sit here a grateful man. Another thing to scratch off the bucket list. Glad for the health and comeback. Glad for the help. Glad for the experience and the meat - but not necessarily feeling like I need to do that again. Perhaps I will stick with things closer to flat ground for awhile. Feeling pretty content here. I'm going to tack on a bunch of pictures from the hunt. Any recording of the event stopped when the butchering began. We were in no mood for wasting time; this was a race against time, and for two older farts, a person only has so much energy.

Hope you enjoyed the story. Enjoy the pics.

Got through all of that and realized that I hadn't downloaded my few goat photos from my phone to my computer, where I am posting this.
You were probably all like, where are the goat pics? Why the bear pics?
Well, the bear I picked up on a previous trip. The bear presented itself. There were no goats around. I had help. Can't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Now here's a few shots of me with the goat. The goat tumbled from the knife ridge right above my head in the first picture.

Great pics, they bring back alot of memories. We lived in Homer for 17 years. I met wife there and both of our boys were born there. Plan to come up this summer, maybe we can get together. BTW is that a Gordon setter in the front of your canoe?

Yes Sir. That is my boy Sam Elliott. He is a bird hunting and retrieving fool. Rather OCD
Yeah look us up at Majestic View Bed and Breakfast

We have a 7 month old Gordon. "Rather OCD" is an apt description.

What a hunt, glad you got a goat.

Good to have you back WH.

Glad things are going better for you WH ! Nice pix !
That dog looks pretty focused !


I am still concerned about your statement above........................"When I emerged in my bath towel, John was pretty excited."

Words are dangerous things

It was an awesome adventure Thank You for the opportunity! Your dang pack would have been lighter if you hadn't had so many mountain house meals in it!!!!!!!

Good one white 17

White 17 - Not a chance with that cantankerous old (fill in the blank), but nevertheless, I am one heck of a hunk of man specimen!

I have found that John does get excited about catching and killing stuff though :-)

Are we gonna do this for the rest of our lives? Really?

Truth is, you like my heavy pack full of water and food that you refuse to carry!
Typical military on rations and going without...

Ok, I will trade you sustenance for more hunting opps.

Nice goat and bear
Congratulations

That was a superb write up.
Stick around this time.

Thanks!

I hope to stick around more this go-around.
People should just not take it personally when someone "disappears." Not that you did, but I think some do.
There are a lot of factors at play that most people don't know about.
One of them is that no matter what forum you are on - there are always the jealous and the haters. They want to argue and nitpick. Some are overt. Others are much more covert. And they can make your life miserable real easy.
Some figure they own Alaska, and don't like newcomers. Apparently only native born Alaskans can live here. Nobody else has the right to follow a dream.
Or they don't like someone being successful when they aren't. Or they just plain are miserable or territorial and have a chip on their shoulder.
Whatever the case - when I first came on here, I had people dogging me, and they had the troopers dogging me. It never amounted to much. Just a big pain-in-the-butt.
Thing is, I didn't really know who I could trust and who I couldn't. So I backed off.
But I think that is all cleared up now, thankfully :-)
I really do appreciate all of you who are helpful and authentic. It means a lot, and I sure do enjoy the camaraderie and the good friends I have made.

Are you using that Gordon pup for bird hunting?
I've been to Montana and hunted sharpies and pheasants a lot. Hungarians too. But I've never been bird hunting in Wyoming. I imagine you have more of the same?

This is my first Gordon. I always wanted to have another pointer - since I had my first Brittany when I was a teen-ager. I opted for a different breed this time. I've always loved the setters. The look. The elegance. First became intrigued reading Jim Kjelgaard as a kid. My Sam can be a little quirky - but he really has a personality, is a tremendous hunter, and is pretty delightful for the most part.

We did put a whooping on the bears this fall. A friend Wayne came up from MN and shot this big joker that had put his head in a bucket of white paint somewhere along the line At first we thought it was something special, but upon closer inspection, realized it was only paint! His 6.5 Creedmoore dropped this bear in it's tracks. I'm about to post the story on my youtube channel for those that are interested.

Too bad it was paint, would have been a great new color phase, still a nice bear. Sorry to hear about your unwelcome reception, humble newcomers should be the people most well received, and best of luck on your next bucket list critter.

Welcome back and congrats on your successful goat and bear hunts! Always enjoy your post.

Seems like I've been here there and everywhere with lots of adventures gone by, to add (since my last writing), but the new GREAT adventure, the new bucket list item - starts tomorrow. I showed up on here a few years back with a dream for catching a first wolverine, and a first wolf. Got that done. Been waiting for the lynx season to open down here on the peninsula, and it finally has. People say I just missed the lynx boom of 2011-13. After the crash, it's been closed, and I've been watching for it to open ever since. We still don't see bunnies down here, but there are a few tracks. I've been gearing up little by little. Got some foot holds. Some snares. Been scouting. Got a skidoo the other day with some help from HFT (thanks John). I've got special bait from MN and lure from Ted. Everything loaded up and ready to go. Warm clothes. Going by land this time instead of sea. It's a whole new ballgame. I've got the next three days to put the steel to em, and load er up. I'm primarily a snare guy. Next, a conibear guy. Last, a foothold guy. That's my weakness, but I aim to get stronger at it. I see a few cat tracks around... not many, but a few. More coyotes than cats - that's for sure. Will set for them too. Keeping my expectations in check here. The season is short. I'm getting a late start. I've got trapper competition all around me. Low numbers of bunnies and cats. Newbie here, admittedly. BUT, If I can get one or two kitties, I will be thrilled. Anything more than that might be orgasmic. Heck, the first one might be - we shall see. I've caught bobcats back in MN. THAT was a special kind of thrill, and maybe snaring that first 33# tom was a highlight for my trapping career. Can't wait to see what the first Lynx is gonna feel like. I've read everything I can find on here on the subject, watched and read everything I can find online. I feel prepared to give it heck!

Best of luck to you. Wish me luck, and I will keep you posted. Feel free to offer advice as we go...
Here's a few highlights from some bird hunting in MN earlier in the fall...

Good luck to you! Looks like you had some great bird hunting this fall.

It was fantastic Bronco. We got to go out almost every day, at least for a little bit. Some days... all day. Life is good. Fantastic points! Gentlemen hunts. Sometimes a hot shot. Sometimes not.

But I am having "one of those days" today. I've waited for Lynx opener for like 8 years. Today I am warming up the truck and sled in the pre-dawn, and that high-strung thoroughbred stallion of a dog I have (pictured above) got away from me. My wifes two Australian Shepherds are a bad influence on him. Turn your back for 30 seconds and he is gone. Gone 3 hours now. I can't leave to trap with a clear conscience. I guess it will happen when it happens.

Too many bad things can happen around here. Stolen dog. Moose kick to the head. Female in heat. Coyote pack. I'm waiting patiently and trying not to think about it.

That Gordon setter has just doing what all the breeds does.........sees a gun and it go time.
Most times it more like...what-the-f-are you chase.
Been my experience will all the guys I've bird hunted with.
Good luck with your putty cat chase.

(This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) dogs... I have the same problem with my German wirehaired pointer. Too many what if’s go through your mind to just forget about them till they return home. Hope your pup safely made it home and you were able to get out and put some kitty sets in.

The good news is my lovable, valuable dog came home late pm. I didn't know if I should hug him or kill him, so I went for a snowmobile ride. No time for sets, but tomorrow is another day.
Got stuck, but got out. No fun. Saw more tracks - mostly coyote. Bunnies are pretty spotty.

Good to see ya back Tim. I bet you guys thought you had something very special when you got that black bear. Still a great bear and story. Good luck on your Lynx quest.

Awesome pictures.

Got some lynx cubbies out yesterday. A couple dozen snares too. Setting on rabbit sign for now - since little to no cat sign.
Mostly coyote sign out there. I'm waiting for a lynx to come through. It keeps snowing every other day which complicates things.
I am sure feeling it today. All the bending over. Muscling around with the sled. Trudging through deep snow. It takes it's toll.
I'm going to push ahead today, and rest tomorrow!
My guess is I will catch a yote before a cat, but we shall see. I'm pretty tenacious and spoiled - Used to getting what I want. I might get nothing, but that doesn't seem like an option right now!
Good luck and be safe out there guys...
Will probably share some photos of sets IF I can get my phone working again.
Charging port gone bad...my nemesis...

Not much new down here guys. I made my first catch yesterday - a weasel who pounced a little too hard on a Victor #3 and wound up caught between the shoulder blades with the top half sticking up. Then, something ate him from the rear moving forward. When it fed up to the trap jaws, it climbed over the top and started eating the back straps up to between the eyes. That must have been about the time I arrived. I didn't take a picture. Interesting, but not that into it .

By the looks of it, I have a pair of coyotes that frequent the area. And then a single. Right now, the single is around, and the pair isn't. He has been walking my trails and sniffing around my cubbies, but so far not hitting my snares.

I haven't seen a cat track since before our season opened on Jan 1. Not that long, but I am sure ready for one if it comes through.

The main thing I have going that is a pain - is that I'm going through bait fast! I suspend it (beaver meat) by a wire about 18 inches behind the trap and at least a foot off the ground. I wire through the meat a couple of times and cinch it up tight. Doesn't matter. It's almost always gone after two days. It's like they are jumping for it, or repelling down the wire!

Thoughts on checking daily and re-baiting?

I think it will reduce the chances of me catching a coyote, and I am ok with that. Been there, done that, a lot. But if it will help me catch a cat, I am all about it. I hate to think of the cat finally coming by, and having the majority of my cubbies cleaned out of bait when it happens. Do Lynx avoid sets because of scent the way coyotes do? I have always done better catching coyotes when I go longer in-between checks. I also have hunted them often with e-callers, and I know the second they hit your scent wash, they act like they just got electrocuted. But what about lynx? I don't have the experience to know but from what I have seen on all the predator hunting videos, bobcats are not as cunning. Same with lynx? Thoughts?

I have only messed with lynx this season but the ones in our area do not care about our scent or anything else. We had one come into a bait pile less than two hours after we reset it and added bait and added a game camera. it walked up and licked the camera! If you are using a lure and bait if you run out of bait they will still come check out the lure and get caught.

The voles are off the hook this year, hung a lynx quarter in a cubby last week and it was nothing but bone left when I checked yesterday, About all you can do is keep rebaiting, snare a few bunnies. That is one of the reasons I like using duck so much, all those feathers When I get low on bait I hang the wing in the cubby dipped with lure, Meowch, that is what got the kitty yesterday.

Don't bother with bait. Hang a wing, lure, or not, but not on the wing so you don't have it on everything if you touch it. I use my wings for years. I try to spend very little time making sets, and make sets that don't need to be fiddled with every time it snows or a catch is made. More time to make more sets or explore more country. Its hard to pick places to set in the dark.

You don't need to cover traps or keep them clean.

Pick a spot that is highly visible, wether its a point on a river,creek, swamp etc. South facing is preferred as the sun makes the wing flash. Pinch points between swamps are good. Set on sign when you have it. A big shrubby spurce you can set under is nice to as it keeps the set working. Don't build a cabin, or shelter. Just use enough blocking to force the cat to step on the pan. Don't use blocking big enough for the cat to step on. Hang the wing low enough to be seen from a cats perspective, set it back so it can't be reached over the trap. Make sure if the wind blows it won't wrap the wing up in branches. Anchor your trap to something away from your set so you don't have to spend time rebuilding it when it catches. Use a log toggle when nothing solid is close. Cats don't fight much. Make your trail go right by the set.. They will not travel for to check things out when the have full bellies, or during the mating season. Pee posts or snares work best then.

Snares. Set them around your traps. Create pinch points or trails in the snow to snare. Fence or block them, cats are not shy to that or traps. Cats like edges, swamps, rivers, or lakes. Ride 20' or so out from the edge and look for good spots to snare. Walk from your machine over to where you will snare. Don't make a trail long steps perpendicular to the cats trail. Hang the snare then block to to force the cats head into the loop. When the cats do show it easy to snare the trails they walk. Yes you may lose snared cats to canibalism, however I have never had a cat eaten, and have snared a few =)

Visual attractors are the way to go when the weasels and shrews are thick like this year, I am having the same trouble with bait being gone in days. I agree that lynx don't mind your scent on traps, I have literally wrung water out of my gloves because I was out of dry ones to make a set that caught a lynx in short order on the last cycle. I do like to cover traps to some extent, mainly because a lot of my sets have the slight chance of a wolverine coming by. Highly visible areas are the best but around here you do have to factor the human component, which is why i try to keep my sets off a bit in places where people tend to come by on sleds or skis. Its not ideal but I feel better about hiding my sets a bit, unless i am way out on my line where people don't generally go.

Well guys - my trapping season was cut short. Needless to say, I never did get my lynx. Went back to Minnesota in early January, to my regular surgeon for a repair, and it went bad... real bad. Was supposed to be a hernia mesh revision. They took out the old, and put in some new. It was supposed to be "state of the art" - with robotic arms that go in, minimally invasive, and turn upside down and stitch the mesh to the inner abdominal wall around the entire perimeter. It was supposed to be a surgery that would last me the rest of my life. Well, when it was done - I knew something wasn't right. I kept getting sick, and going back to the ER, and the surgeon kept telling me everything was ok and I just needed time. Never trust a doctor who is arrogant enough to not listen to you. Anyway, My wife was in Alaska, so I was home alone in Mn. After going back to the ER 3 times, I no longer had any faith in my surgeon. I guess I just laid there at home in bed, and slipped away to near death. I learned that, no matter how many surgeries you've done, and no matter how easily you recovered before, and no matter how invincible you think you are... it's a bad idea to try to recover alone. My daughters father-in-law, a very good man, came to visit me - and found me mostly unresponsive. He called the ambulance, and first responders took me in to a different hospital than where I had had surgery the first time. THAT new surgeon did some tests, CT scan, and came back saying that the mesh was entirely loose, had punctured my small bowel, that my body cavity below my diaphragm was mostly gone septic (full of stool, gas and infection), and that if I didn't have surgery that day, I wouldn't last till the next. He wanted me in surgery within the hour, and I really had no choice but to comply. They took out all the mesh, and did a lot of revamping with my small intestine and abdominal wall. After that, it took them 28 days to get me so I was able to go home. My wife came to MN to be with me, and my family nursed me back to health. It was weird. I got real depressed. A guy like me just doesn't lay in bed for two months. I'm too active for that. I had no idea if I was ever going to be able to hunt, fish, or trap again. But little by little, some desire started to come back. Before all this happened, I applied for my "30 chances" in the Alaska draw. Then promptly forgot about it. When I got interested enough to look at my computer, my wife brought it to me, and there was an email from ADFG telling me I had drawn 3 tags for special hunts for caribou, sheep and brown bear. Talk about giving me some incentive to get better! As soon as I could, I started working again. Fishing. Hiking. Trying to get my stamina back. It's been a long, slow process. I'm still nowhere near where I want to be, but it is coming. Lately, I have been working all day - and then have gone halibut fishing in Kachemak Bay after supper. It kicks my butt, but lets me know I'm coming back. I hope to start going on some hikes, and get some elevation soon. I have my "bullet proof vest" that I wear when I exert myself, as my abdomen is so prone to hernias now, I can't risk going without. We are going to start with the Caribou hunt in mid-August. I have four very good friends from MN who stepped up to come and help me. One is going to be my "royal gun bearer." The others will be scouts and sherpas. All I have to do is pull the trigger. That is the joke I used on them to get them coming. I fully intend to carry my weight, but just won't be carrying the heavy packs the way I used to. Two of my pals want to try to harvest a big blackie - (if) I get the caribou tag filled. We are also told that there are grayling nearby, and lots of ptarmigan - both things I have never done before. HFK is a brother to me in many ways - both in our health struggles, and in our profound desire to hunt, fish, and trap to our hearts desire . I harvested a goat in the Kenai Mountains last fall, and I couldn't have done it without him. I needed a drill sergeant to get my ars down that hill in the middle of the night with that pack. It was like Jesus carrying the cross. I kept falling. He kept getting me back up. Sometimes he was nice. Sometimes he wasn't. When he found out how heavy my pack was after getting rained on, and wading through hip deep water for over a 1/4 mile, to get back to the boat - he had a different opinion of me :-) Anyway, If John and I can both stay healthy, he will be assisting me on the brown bear hunt to Kodiak come October/November. We will try to get some blacktails too. I'm really happy to be alive, and have the opportunities I have. Maybe, Just maybe, I will get a chance to get back after that lynx come trapping season. I will keep you posted.

WOW ! Glad you're on the mend WH !!

A goal makes a big difference. One day at a time !! You'll make it

Good grief Tim you have gone through some serious health issues, sure hope this is the end of them for you! Nice draw tags, you got some real good ones this time around.

Amazing story! Glad you got some tags to inspire better health. Looking forward to those stories as well. Lord be with you and keep you safe and healthy.

Glad to hear you pulled thru and have the opportunity to fill your tags.

White - today I was driving my boat in a heavy chop for a good distance. Then was snagging salmon in the salt for the first time this year. That was a good work out!

It won't we the end... I know that, BUT I could sure use a break for awhile!

Thanks! I will take all the prayers I can get :-)

I wish you my thoughts and strength, Wolverine Hunter! Keep us posted!

Moosetrot

WH, you sir are a heck of a good story teller and are blessed to have the life you cherish with determination. Happy to see you on the mend and having a great "crew' helping with that. Praying for you to enjoy your pursuit health, friendship and and all Alaska has to offer. Keep the stories coming please.

Dang. Pulling for you, hope you fill all those tags, and share the stories!

Your dang pack would have been lighter if you didnt have all those freaking mountain house meals in there!

prayers for good recovery and safe sucessful hunts.

Thanks for all the kind wishes guys.

I'm fresh back from a visit to Minnesota, and a brand new beautiful granddaughter. My children refuse to have any boys, so these girls are in severe jeopardy of being made into Tomboys :-)

I'm really chomping at the bit for hunting season. First thing up (August 15) is a Caribou hunt. I've got ten days to camp and hunt for a big bull. I've got four good friends coming from Minnesota for support. I really needed this as incentive to get better, and get back into shape. The easiest thing I can do everyday is have my wife drop me off down in town, and climb the 900 feet over the course of 2 miles back up to the house. Get my legs and lungs back into shape. And break in some new boots. Other than that, I have my list together and am working on it. Can't wait.

Good luck, share pictures! Glad you're on the mend.

Back from the Caribou hunt, and it was a great success! I shot my first caribou, and it was a dandy! My body held up, and I was able to do the hunt with the assistance of my four amazing friends. I wanted to post something quick. I don't have a ton of time right now but will post the story (it's a good one) and a lot of photos when I get a little more breathing room.
It was so hot, I got this guy in my long johns! I think he just thought I was a black bear out there eating blueberries.

Nice! Good friends make all things possible.

Good job WH. Glad to see you are out and about. Dandy bull you are hanging on to!

Very nice bou! Look forward to hearing the story.

More pictures please.

First time for me ever on a fly-in trip. I guess the truth is, I've always been a 100% DIY guy. I could have afforded it before.
Now it has become more of a necessity. And this one spoiled me. Likely will do it again next year :-)


My awesome crew of "Sherpa." They are all smiles, about to take off. They stayed that way, for the most part, though a few blisters and many miles took their toll.
Pretty wild to think that these people took hard earned precious vacation, and spent a bunch of money - just to help me. These are true friends.


My pals loaded and unloaded everything up there. They hardly let me lift a finger. Felt like royalty, really. I did haul a few things. Carried a light pack. Set up my own camp. Stuff like that...


It's beautiful country up there. We hiked to many good vantage points, and glassed a lot every day. We saw caribou every day but one. Few bears as it's not a good berry year in the alpine. Seems things are better for them in the timber right now. Saw a few moose, a coyote, distant bears, small bears, a coyote, mountain marmot, and one brown bear.


The first night, I couldn't help myself. Walked out of camp with the shotgun, and shot my first Willow Ptarmigan of my life. Our pilot assured me that it would not matter. He said we'd still have caribou walk through camp, and he was right. HFK will appreciate that I added the meat from a half dozen of these to supplement my Mountain House!


I passed bulls like this every day. Again, I heard my pilots words "You have ten days. Don't be in a hurry. They are constantly moving." I risked mutiny when a few of these walked through camp one morning. Sure would have been an easy pack. But I got away with it.


This picture might be a little fuzzy. When glassing for big game got slow, we switched to glassing for sheds. Sometimes we spotted them from a mile or two away. One of my pals is really into shed hunting. He would head out to get them, and get some bonus ones on the way. On this day, the crew really made a haul, and some massive dandies too.


On the fifth day of the hunt - we spotted some good bulls way up in a snowfield, trying to stay cool and avoid bugs. On the stalk while trying to get into range, we blew them out - but we stuck with it and pursued them down that mountain, and up the next one to another snowfield. Then sneaky like, used the terrain to close the distance to 503 yards. There was no getting closer.
Previous to this, my longest shot on a big game animal was 340 yards. But my friend Lucas had along his custom built .280 Akeley Improved, and had put in a lot of bench time. We used the Hornady App to put in the yardage, the cartridge, the specific bullet, the windage, the humidity, the elevation ... then dialed it into the turrets. I put the crosshairs on the animal and waited several minutes for it to turn broadside and hold still. When I squeezed it off, our eyes told us that it buckled and slid out of sight. The bull was out of sight when we heard the "whack" and the report back!

This is some steep, rugged, dangerous country. It felt more like a sheep hunt than a caribou hunt - and I've never been on a sheep hunt before!
Thats two of us up on that snow slope, trying to get to the fallen caribou, which we had no idea where it was - but only a general direction.
It took us over an hour of carefully using our weight, and ski poles, to make foot steps in the snow and ice.
We went over some rock piles. Around some others. Through some snow caves on the edges of some rocks.
There were times that, had we fell - we would have slid downslope to some rock piles to face certain broken bones. Better not fall!


We finally got to the bull. This is Lucas, the shed hunter, and my royal gun bearer. The bull had come out of that blue sky at the top of the photo. Fell off a 30 plus foot snow ledge. Landed in the rocks. Bounced down to another pile of rocks - then rolled and slid till it came to rest on two boulders. Probably what would have happened to us if we had fallen.
We took lots of photos. It was a really hot day. I stripped down to my long johns, and went the last few miles looking like a black bear after berries. It did the trick!


Not a chance in the world I could have done this without these guys. I'm so, so grateful.

We caped it out. Then gutted it. Then slid it over to the next snow patch, and let it go. It slid 300 yards to the bottom, where we had level ground to finish the butchering process, and not have to carry it down that nasty slope. With four broken legs, a shattered pelvis, a shattered spine, broken neck, two broken jaw, and a blown up stomach - it's a miracle that the antlers were even attached. Amazingly, the shovel was cracked, two tips were gone, and the velvet was rubbed off. My guy who is beatling the skull says the beatles have it in six pieces. He is going to glue it back together for me. Well, we had a race against time now. I butchered. They deboned and bagged it. We all packed it up, and did our best to get numerous miles back to camp. We didn't quite make it - so made a pile a half mile out, and finished it off the next morning.


It all feels so unbelievable. I can't believe I went from this...


To this!


And this.

I owe this all to my good friends - Lauren, Audrey, Lucas and Tom. Could never have done this without you. This hunt had tremendous influence on my life in so many ways. I definitely feel alive, and victorious. And like the wild man I have always been :-)

Great story. Thanks, and well done!

Great story and pictures. You all look so calm as your pilot does an aileron roll🤣

Thanks for sharing, hope you have many more hunts!

That has to be the darkest caribou I have ever seen.

Looks like a fun trip !

Dude we had a crazy fun pilot!
Not sure why that picture is upside down, but I don't care enough to fix it. It was right side up when I posted it :-)

We were surprised by that too. Everyone gets used to seeing the pictures of the caribou on the tundra - gray/white and bulls with white manes.
If you're looking for that in this country, you're looking for the wrong thing - especially in summer, but I would guess they tend that way more toward winter.

The bulls I got in the Illiamna area in August were dark, almost chocolate.

Boy that turbine Otter can pack a load! And I'll bet it doesn't spend much time accelerating on step during takeoff. I'd love to fly one of those. Did you fly out of Homer?

Do you mean like Easter bunnies ?

Love those deep dark chocolate caribou ! Lovely antlers on those.

Our pilot called it "The Caravan." Yup - it was up and out fast, and we loaded heavy for a very comfortable trip. Probably 1800#. We flew out of Soldotna area.

Every time I fly - it makes me want to reinvent myself just one more time. I want to fly and hunt personally in Alaska before I'm done, and do/go wherever I want.
Sounds a bit like a rich mans sport - out of my league anyway, but perhaps I can find a bunch of pals to go in on it with.
The very least is to just pay my way to go once or twice a year from here out. The cost of a plane and yearly maintenance pays for a lot of hunting trips!

30/06 - the pilot took out a whole bunch of the back seats and made a huge pile back there.
You could feel it taking off, but still plenty of power.

My pals sent me a pile of pictures and I have them all in a folder. I've never had this problem before, but now two of the pictures they have sent me want to rotate. Not sure why...
But you get the picture.

Was right before the crash. Went again the following year, and could hardly find a 'bou.
Partner finally shot a small bull with a bizarre, deformed hind foot. The quarter was atrophied to the point of perhaps half the size of the other side, and the hoof was very deformed.
That was back in the 90's. Haven't been back since.
But yes, from the shoulders back was just a shade lighter than a Hershey bar.

My bad! That's a Cessna Caravan for sure. It can pack quite a load. I'd guess $1.5 million for a basic flyable one on straight floats, a few hundred thousand more if it's on amphibious floats, (that can operate on both land or water). The good news is that, for that much capability, the maintenance costs tend to be relatively low. It has probably the most reliable engine in the world, rugged fixed gear, and they're still making them so they're well-supported with parts and technical data. If I win the lottery, or an unknown rich relative leaves me a huge inheritance, it's on my short list! Congrats on your caribou.

Sounded like they had quite a business. The pilot told me they had a half dozen planes of all sizes. All planes were on a tight schedule going at it all day weather permitting - catering to people fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, bear viewing, flight seeing, and so on. When we were picked up, he had dropped off someone else and brought someone else back. Then took us. When we were picked up, he was dropping someone else off first at the same lake we were camped on. We asked for a "fly around" to get acquainted with the country before we hunted, just to see how it all laid out and good vantage points to hike to. He explained it from the cockpit but pretty much stuck to the flight path as I don't think there was time. Nonetheless we were very happy with our flight service. Quite the experience. They gotta make a ton of money every day but with all that overhead, and with it being seasonal you can see why. And here I'd be ecstatic to have a super cub before I'm done.

It's been a heck of a good fall for me. Topped it off with my first brown bear on Kodiak Island. My son joined me for the adventure, and John (HFT) was there for support too. He makes pretty good bait. Ask him the story! I'm headed back to MN later this fall to visit the kids and grandkids. Then back here to trap. Still shooting for a first lynx. Also want to amp up my wolf game, and see if I can get another wolverine. God willing, I won't have the health issues I had last year that shut me down right when I got started. I'm looking for more wolf snares and leg holds - so if anyone sees someone selling, I'd appreciate the heads up!


This bear drove our friend John off a freshly killed sitka blacktail buck. There wasn't time to finish butchering and the bear was upon him, and it wasn't taking "no" for an answer. A warning shot from John got the bear to break away long enough to get some distance between them. Then the bear ran and took the deer. The next time I saw John, he had his pants down, and for good reason! My son and I were covering John from a knob nearby, and that bear nearly met its demise early. Next morning, opening day - it was laying on top of what little remained of the deer. A half hour wait, and it got up looking super fat and overly stuffed. My first shot hit lung and the far shoulder, the second broke it's spine. So we got a little revenge. As a side story, we had to fight off another bear while skinning this bear. By the next day, another larger bear had picked up the carcass and moved it 20 yards further back into the brush. I was incredulous. Those bears on that island are really something. Every one we encountered was aggressive, and it made deer hunting pretty sketchy.

This bear was already obese, and THEN it ate over 100# of deer.


It was good to have John for back-up, support, and his wife good cooking!


My son had never experienced anything quite like this before. Well, neither have I, though I've been on some grueling adventures. This was a great memory we will never forget. I was super happy to have my son do a lot of the heavy lifting; he carried the rug over a mile back to camp.


Big Noggin'.


And to think something picked this up and moved it, with no sign of drag marks...


We had some great weather, and some poor weather, and got out early before it got downright nasty as 60 mph winds and 6 inches of rain were forecast the day after we got out.



Camp was comfortable, and for the most part, we stayed warm and dry.

It's steep and brushy country where we were. Not necessarily conducive to deer hunting. And there were no beach walkers in daylight hours.

Here's proof John shot a deer. Unfortunately, it didn't last long, and John wasn't even able to retrieve a backstrap for us. Oh well, we certainly didn't starve, and the good thing is, John is still in one piece!




I took my time and spent a good 12 hours fleshing, turning paws, toes, claws, ears, eyes, nose and lips. I wanted it done right.


Winter came early to this rugged country too. When it's beautiful, its beautiful, and when it' ugly, it's really really ugly.
I dreamed about going to this island since I could first read. I'm so happy to have done it.
Will I ever go back?
I'd like to see the south end. The grassy hillsides where you can see a bit, and stalk something - like a good sitka buck... something I haven't done yet.
Wouldn't mind giving it a go again for a bigger bruin too. We shall see...

Great bear and a great story; congratulations.

Awesome! Well done, men.
Great bear.

nice bear

Good deal, sounds like an adventurous trip. Glad John is ok!

Thanks for sharing!

You and HFT need to get a DNA check. You guys look like brothers !!

Whoa there white! I am far better looking

It never ceases to amaze me at the size of the claws on one of those bears!
Great job!

Awesome, thanks for sharing.
Good job

I think I can explain that. White/gray hair and scroungy/puffy faces from camping and not sleeping???

Nice work on the bear. Had a few encounters with the big bruins on the island over the years. Had to shoot one. They can be pretty ornery and different than most bears in the state I've dealt with. For being a hunted population, they sure have lost their fear for man. When the hunting is good,there is no finer place to hunt. Glad you guys were successful and made it home safe. A few close calls only add to the memories.

JR - it certainly has a way of making you feel utterly and completely alive - and even though it's dangerous, I have to admit that I love that feeling.

I will say that when my son and I returned to the site of the kill two days later, we saw fox tracks everywhere. I really wanted to get a silver fox for my collection, or maybe a cross fox too. The limit is two. But then, we saw that the carcass (estimating 700 pounds) was completely moved! A younger me might have charged in for a closer look (I wanted to see the track of whatever did that), but the older, wiser me got the creeps. We imagined a 9 or 10 footer back in the brush, guarding that pile of fat and meat, and being pretty ornery about defending it. With brush all around, there would have been very little warning or time to react if it rushed us. My son and I - we were both spooked, and had the creeps going up and down the back of our necks. So we did the wise thing, and got the heck out of there.

There was a guide with a single client working the same area. I told him to watch the carcass, and he told me that "bears don't really cannibalize one another. There's better things to do." I questioned that, but just let him do him. But later, when the carcass was moved and he saw it, you can bet he was going to sit on it! He should have been there before. I'm still wondering, and curious - if they got that bear.

You're an inspiration for us old fogeys who still try to do what you have done!

Nice bear WH!

Keep after it WH. What an amazing time you documented for us to enjoy.

It's going to be a weird trapping season. Part of me wants to get at it and stay at it, but I'm certain I'd rather visit my kids and grandkids - so there will be a lapse in the middle. More work for me, but that's ok.

After last season difficulties, I've decided to get back to my water line. It was a lot of work when I did it last, but I caught a first wolverine and a first wolf - so it was worth it for me. I've been working on changes that will make it better and safer this year. I'm still alone. But I have a Garmin InReach with unlimited text messages. I keep it charged and with me all the time. New this year is, I'm staying overnight over there. This way, I have two days, more time, and I am not pushing it by coming and going in the dark. I refuse to drive in the dark anymore, after going back and forth last year sometimes in 4-6 footers. Sometimes in the dark. No way to see logs, or stupid whales that love to come up in front of me!

Trying to be smarter and more efficient about how and where I make my sets. How and where I moor my boat. Trying out some new gear.

I was just out for two days. It is starting out to be a cold season! Days in the twenties. Lows in the teens. That's cold for here this time of year. My trapping bays are freezing up from the cold nights, the large amount of freshwater runoff from the nearby mountains - which spreads out over the surface of the salt water, and then, the weak tides. I'm already breaking ice with my boat to get to my traps, and having to break trails with my canoe, after which I go out a mile or more to moor the boat so it will still be floating when I come in at low tide. It's a real rigamarole.

Everything I am doing is by boat, on foot, and by paddling a canoe, for now. I might spread out a little more come January or February. So far, the wolves have not shown up. I've seen no wolverine or cat tracks. All that seems to be around is coyotes, and otter, but mostly just coyotes. I've set some wolverine cubbies, and wait for one to come through. Hopefully it happens! I think the wolves will be by - when it gets colder, and the snow gets deeper. I'm also waiting for some moose (bait) from our local wildlife trooper. That will help too.

So right now I'm busying myself trying to be a better trapper for coyotes. They are few and far between, and smart. When the tide is low, they run the flats, and there are not many opportunities to get them. A foothold would be flooded by up to 20 feet of water on the full moon! Even at the high tide line, it would be flooded a foot or two. Most of my area gets cliffed out. But there are a few spots I have set snares and footholds. Other areas, when the coyotes get cliffed out, I am finding spots where they have to go up and around to cover ground. So my high tide sets are on steeper terrain on game trails that would be used by anything from a squirrel to a bear. I've not done this before - so it will be interesting to find out what works.

Soon to come is the full moon. That should wash out all the ice on the outgoing tides - provided we get some warmer weather.

My faithful canine companion Sam Elliott is always with me. He's a pain. I have to ride herd on him hard so he doesn't get himself trapped. He pees, and I collect it for future pee post sets. He is on the leash at times, and gets tangled up all the time in the brush. When I let him run free, he chases ducks and other birds, and gets soaking wet. I have no idea how he doesn't get hypothermia, but he doesn't. I do my best to keep him safe, warm and dry. He's my buddy, and goes everywhere I go. Hopefully his scent makes them curious...

Seems like the humpback whales are my regular companions too. They should not be in our area anymore. But the last two nights - they have been feeding hard right where I always moor my boat. I hate whales, but they love me. I'm now used to watching out for them constantly. I think something about my boat is a whale magnet.

I'm nursing a cell phone on it's last leg. My normal load of pictures and video isn't happening because my battery is perpetually dead. I got a few. Will try to do better. Next check, weather permitting, will be next weekend. Not expecting a lot, but perhaps a coyote or an otter. Hopefully more tracks to tell me what the critters will be doing, when, and where. Little by little I will bulk it up, and hopefully close the loop a little bit on them, figuratively speaking. Right now, I definitely have numerous cubbies in the general area where I got the wolverine previously. I hung a few wolf snares in spots where they frequently traveled in previous years. Working on some pee post sets, and some leg holds that I like to put in shallow water streams where the traps will keep working all winter.

Good luck everybody and stay safe.

Yeah you need a better phone for the pictures Hope you connect!

Good luck and be safe!

Great to see you back WH.

https://youtu.be/O8jXZAvdDzE

Getting a little stir-crazy being cooped up here. Super cold for us, and about 4 feet of snow at our house over the past few days. Certainly not conducive to trapping.
I was thinking about practicing snaring on our 5 dogs. I bet I could catch them all.
Yup. Stir crazy.
So I decided to do this instead. It's the story of my recent bear hunt with my son and HFT.
It's about 50 minutes long, but a heck of a good story, and my son documented it nicely, I think.
Pretty happy with how it came out. Enjoy!

Good video!

Thanks for posting the video.

Nice work, great watch while sitting in the airport in Minneapolis. Thanks again.

That was really a well done video!
Thanks for showing it.

Nice work, having worked with a guide from Kodiak many of your comments drive home about those big boys