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HFT_AK Journal

Posted By: HFT AK

HFT_AK Journal - 09/17/20 07:43 PM

Hope this finds everyone doing well smile Health wise I am doing pretty good, still have issues but am grateful for what I got and have been taking advantage of every moment of being alive smile Had a pretty busy spring, summer, and fall harvesting critters and fish Spent a lot of time with a few Tman members, Ted aktrpr up in TOK, Tim wolverine hunter down in Homer, and Matt here in Wasilla.

I had never gone hooligan dip netting. Matt gave me a call and said they were in on 20 Mile down by Girdwood so we made run down there. We ended up filling a cooler smile I tried smoking them, a little salty but good. Got a few gallons for trapping bait but the best use I found was for the halibut! Those jokers loved them! A herring tipped with a hooligan worked very well for me.

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Matt also went out and helped me blaze a trail to a new bear bait location and get set up. Not much action this year, a few blackies on camera and a brown sow with cubs, It always amazes me how those dang brownies can wipe out a barrel so quick! I did harvest a nice blackie.

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Did a little King fishing with the daughter and a bunch of friends. This year it was about them connecting not so much me. The quite times out on the river the company, the conversations all created some pretty good memories smile

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Went up to TOK a few times and spent time with Ted and we did a few adventures smile

He has a pretty nice boat and we went down to Valdez twice to do a little shrimping and halibut fishing, I had never been down there and it is a very pretty different place to fixh compared to Homer or Seward. We caught a bunch of fish but only a few shrimp. The coolest thing happen one morning, Sitting there in the bay in the early morning drinking my Mountain Dew, watching the sun come up, I heard a buzzing sound coming at me. It took me a second to realize that what I was hearing and then seeing was a humming bird! Stopped three feet in front of me, turned around and buzzed back to the shore line.

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He took me to his fish wheel, that was pretty cool to see. Sitting there watching and waiting for it to scoop up a fish you turn your attention away for 5 seconds and there would be a fish smile Never did see it scoop one up but when we left we had 25 reds smile Helped him put in a platform for his bug tent at the site.

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He ran me out to Mansfield lake one day and we did a little pike fishing, I caught a bunch of dinks and he ended up getting two nice ones, One thing is for sure that man knows how to fish smile

I went up there the first week of moose season Different terrain and a different style of moose hunting. We saw a bunch of cows but it was just to dang hot and the bugs were something fierce! He ended up getting on the second season and is hoping to get his grandson on one this week.

I spent a lot of time talking to him in his trap shed smile Picking his brain on the kitties, his style and methods of trapping up there, He has quit the store with a lot of quality products and lures smile Our next adventure is suppose to be chasing ducks together after moose season smile

So after leaving Ted's I came home and had a friend that really wanted to go out and get a moose, They were coming up on Friday so I went out and set camp up on Thursday. So I got camp set about 3, took a nap, got up at 5 and figured I better go poke around and find were the moose were, As I was sitting there putting my waders on I looked down river and sure enough there was a moose! I closed the gap to about 250 yards and was sanding there looking at it trying to see if it was a bull or a cow, When it dropped its head to get a drink of water I could see that it was a young spike smile For a moment I thought about the trip I had planned with Ted the following week and the opportunity to get a toad or filling the freezer, well I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth and the freezer is full smile

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I have always loved chasing cranes, rib eye of the sky smile

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Then I got a call from Tim down in Homer. He had drawn a goat tag for a unit down there and asked if I would come down and if the opportunity presented itself help him go after his goat, if not the we would chase bears and ducks. Well the first evening we cruised out to glass the side of the mountain we didn't see anything, but I did pick up a little dink of a blackie smile The next morning we cruised out there again and saw nothing, I ended up getting two more blackies! I have never seen so many freaking bears in one area in all my life, In he alpine, in the tidal flats, right on the freaking shore line! It was pretty amazing, Then add in all the wildlife we saw, sea otters, walrus, seals, star fish, He took me up into one drainage and I have never seen so many humpies in my life!

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The next morning we got up and planned on chasing ducks if there were no goats, sure enough no goats but plenty of ducks smile
We ended up getting a bunch of mergansers and I got my very first Harlequin!

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The following day we stayed in and I helped him on the honey do list. As we finished up for the day he puled out his spotting scope and from his deck we were able to glass the basin that we have been looking at we didn't see anything and you could see that he was getting bummed. I mean after 20 days of looking and three trips up that mountain I would be bummed to that a opportunity didn't present itself.
Well he went in to grab a shower and I started looking again, sure enough I picked out two small white dots! Not knowing if they were those famous goat rocks or not I waited about ten minutes and looked again, sure enough they had moved!
I was planning on leaving the next day but I told Tim that fortune favors the bold and lets go get his goat!
I will never ever go goat hunting again in my life! smile That mountain totally kicked my butt!
Was very proud of myself for making it to the top, that mental and physical challenge after all I have been through was a pretty dang good feeling smile We ended up getting on a goat and he connected smile The climb down took a little longer then what we expected but at the end of the day he accomplished a dream smile Happy to be part of it.

Have one more hunt planned, taking Tim, the daughter and her boyfriend out to moose camp this week to chase the moose and brownies. Then it is on to beavers!

Be safe out there!





Posted By: AKHowler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/17/20 09:00 PM

Nice adventures John with friends, family and full freezers. What else can a man ask for. Remember, you are only as strong as you think you are and only you can carry yourself up that mountain. Nice work..... Stay healthy and outdoors...
Posted By: Outdoors Guy

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/17/20 09:06 PM

Love it! Keep us in the loop we like to hear about your adventures! Stay healthy!
Posted By: FL cracker in AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/18/20 12:30 AM

Glad it's going good for you.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/18/20 01:13 AM

Way to go! I love your never quit attitude. Way to keep going!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/18/20 02:54 AM

Great adventures HFT-You're a busy man.
Posted By: EurekaTrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/18/20 05:18 AM

Life is good! Looks like you are living the dream.
Posted By: bucksnbears

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/18/20 11:21 AM

I enjoy reading these kind of posts.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/18/20 07:45 PM

Wow you have had an amazing summer and start to the fall! Glad you are doing well and taking advantage of all the opportunities.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/18/20 11:02 PM

Good job on the bears! That duck is awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/28/20 07:33 AM

Thanks for the kind words guys!

Got wolverine hunter out there last week along with my daughter and her boyfriend. We seen a few moose 8 bulls total and a bunch of cows. My daughter saw one over 50 but it was on the other side of the lake, way outta range, She named it Melvin and promises to be back out there to get him next year, smile

Her boyfriend and Tim named this one Hank, he came in hot and bothered twice, once for the boyfriend and once for Tim. Pretty exciting way to get people that never hunted moose fired up smile We estimated him at 47 inches hopefully next year he will be legal.

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Looks like my saga is going to continue of only finding one side of a shed smile

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The third day out there it warmed up pretty good and everything holed up and went quite, a few grunts here and there but hardly any movement. Pretty awesome time though, good company, awesome conversation, and memories.

I had a owl try and land on my head, that was pretty dang cool. smile

Gotta take care of a few things here at the house before I chase the beaver but I am looking forward to it!

Be safe out there!
Posted By: Allan Minear

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/28/20 02:17 PM

Thanks for the pictures and the stories to go with them I'll bet the moose and bear are darn good eating !
I hope you have continued success this fall and winter !
Allan
Posted By: Pete in Frbks

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/28/20 03:06 PM

Very clever of you to train Hank to come in over and over....... until he grows a 50+ inch rack or some more brow tines!

Pete
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/06/20 01:35 AM

Well finally got out yesterday and got a little over a dozen beaver sets in. Talked to the landing manager and he said that with them opening up beaver for shooting and the harsh winter and low water levels the beaver sign was pretty scarce. I have not seen that river as low as it is right now in the years that I have trapped it.

As for the sign, I am used to seeing big cottonwoods knawed through, fresh cuttings along the bank and feed beds and lodges. Well none of that sign was there this year, looks like everything is in the bank. Took a little to find the right places but I managed smile

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Always alot of talk about using Duke #4 and how they won't do a back foot catch...........

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I tried a few DBL springs, not a fan. Out of three set 2 held live beaver that were suppose to go down the drowning cable. Have no issues with coils but it seems like I might be doing something wrong?

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I found a section of river with a few runs and put in 4 sets. As I started the second set this joker showed up and watched me do that set and the following two. This morning all three of those sets had sprung traps, the first one that he didn't see me set held him smile

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Ended up with 7 nice ones and one little dink, not a bad run smile Checking and pulling gear tomorrow and hope to get at least 4 more.

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Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/06/20 01:49 AM

Nice job! I have the desire to trap beaver in open water as it is a lot easier/less work in my opinion than under ice. There is just too many other fall activities I am already doing. Looks like fun though!
Posted By: Wolverine Hunter

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/06/20 02:14 AM

Looks like you got some good sized ones in there too. Wide tails.

I = 5 or 6 good sized beaver. What would you have done if you had caught that many more? Die on the river? See, you had room for me haha

Bet it's fun to be trapping again. I miss the beaver trapping. I always go after them with the #330. Different style.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/06/20 02:20 AM

Fall trapping on that river 330's have to be fully submerged, kinda limits their use, for me anyway, spring trapping no holds barred and I have a dozen and a half I employ smile
Posted By: flowingwater72

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/06/20 03:11 AM

that is awsome keep up the good work. never quit you are a legend...
Posted By: Fishdog One

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/06/20 12:23 PM

Is it just from looking at enough moose that you can judge 50 inch versus 47 inch moose, I would need a bit of help to do that. Glad I looked in on these posts to see some trapping going on, hope you make some money on them, they all turn into work once you catch them.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/06/20 05:40 PM

Nice job on the beaver!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/07/20 02:18 AM

Fishdog One, yeah it aint easy on judging the smaller moose, this one gave us plenty of time to look at many different angles.

Well pulled everything today. Pretty grateful for the beautiful weather, sunny and a little chill in the air smile

The water dropped pretty good, never a good thing when running a prop! A little grinding and filing and it will be good for next season when I make that run again.

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Of course there always has to be that one thing that happens that puts a damper on the day. I stopped at the mouth of the river to the launch and downloaded all my gear, humped it up to the truck. Walked down the river looking and hoping I could make that 500 yds run to the launch. Hopped into the boat pulled and snap! It started but the dang pull cord broke frown Made it about a hundred yds before I started hitting rock and called it, Ended up walking the boat up to the trailer.

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Picked up 5 more today smile

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Got what I needed to get the marten boxes and bait stations up and running when trapping season opens next month.

Be safe out there!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/07/20 02:40 AM

Thats a great haul of beaver HFT out of 12 sets in a couple checks.
Posted By: RdFx

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/24/20 12:18 AM

The longsprings nbr 44 Blake and Lambs ???
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/26/20 05:17 AM

Thanks for the compliments guys! smile

RdFx they were Bridgers #4.

Spent the weekend up in TOK with Ted, akntrpr, went over gear and boiled and waxed traps. Mine were a mess, ended up putting them in a concrete mixer and getting all the full metal jacket stuff off before dying and waxing them. I think I am done trying new stuff for a spell and will just stick to the tried and true smile
His shop is getting pretty dang full with lure and has a pretty good selection of gear!

Been going over the sleds, got the Polaris up and running, Ted came down and did a little welding on the Bravo, just waiting on front suspension springs and she will be ready to roll! All the gear is ready to go and I am going to spend this last week before season to knock out a bunch of snares.

Hoping this storm front brings us some snow that sticks around for a while.

Be safe!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/26/20 07:02 PM

Sounds like it is getting real! Have a little snow here, but hope it gets nice and cold for a week first and then a foot would be good. Would be pretty rough to go very far right now.
Posted By: scootermac

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/26/20 10:40 PM

Loving the journal again, I hope you have a safe and successful season!
Posted By: backroadsarcher

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/31/20 12:41 PM

Looks like you live a busy but enjoyable life. Like all the pictures, keep them coming.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/10/20 12:47 AM

I know the guys in the interior got hammered with some fresh powder, we on the other hand got a good rain followed by a little snow. With the opening of the season tomorrow I went out today to break my main trail and see what the conditions were like.

Still waiting on springs for the bravo so I took the polaris out, she is a beater with hand warmers smile Was doing pretty good until I hear a crunch under the hood, then the belt started smoking, then it just stopped.

Looked under the cowling and I had hit something that opened a nice hole in the belly which in turn allowed a bunch of slush and snow up in there. Hoping it was just the belt being wet I switched it out with a new one, No go frown

At least it was only a 5 mile walk out to the HWY were I had the wife come to my rescue smile

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The conditions are good and with the freeze up we had prior it is easy and good running right now!

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Cut some yote tracks that was moving during the storm.

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Cut a bunch of fox track,

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And a whole bunch of ermine track!
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Got home and got the bravo and gear loaded for the first run tomorrow!

Be safe out there!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/10/20 01:07 AM

Glad you made it out OK! Five miles is far enough to walk. From the looks of it you have a skiff of snow more than us. We are supposed to get some more tonight and tomorrow. I hope so because we have an each of ice cover by two inches of snow. Pretty rough going through portages. Have fun tomorrow!
Posted By: AK TRAPR

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/10/20 02:25 AM

good luck be safe
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/10/20 03:16 AM

Are you going to tow the broke down snowmachine back on your next run HFT?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/10/20 03:30 AM

Boco I will probably just spin it around and through a tarp on it for now. I have 2 buddies that we help each other out, one is laid up for foot surgery the other is in the lower 48 until towards the end of the month. Always seems that I am the one asking for a pull smile but when he gets back up here we will recover it. The sled ain't going anywhere, ain't nothing to steal off of it, and getting gear out will be the priority for the rest of the week smile
Posted By: Chickenminer

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/10/20 03:33 AM

Sounds like the typical start of a season for me smile
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/10/20 08:59 PM

You sure took that breakdown in stride. Hopefully things go smoother with your Bravo on the line.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/11/20 01:39 AM

Well things didn't go to smooth with the bravo today. Didnt have to walk out smile Started backfiring and I raw smelled fuel, looks like either a line is cracked or something is wrong with the carb. Got a few good sets in today before I turned backed. Tear into to it tomorrow and see what the deal is.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/11/20 02:28 AM

Man! Hope you don't have to do too much work on it. What kind of sets?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/11/20 03:08 AM

A few marten, 1 kitty, 3 bait stations, a jackpot, a otter and mink set, and a few blind snare sets. Pretty surprised at the lack of yote and fox sign, but it is a deep snow and normally don't see much sign till it sets, about three days.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/13/20 02:57 AM

Got the bravo up and running, sure enough the fuel line had cracked right were it connects to the carb. Easy fix. smile Broke the rest of my trail in and got some more gear out. Not alot of sign but I think things are hunkered down, deep wet snow aint to good for the yotes and fox to travel in.
I did find I had visitors at two of my bait stations from last year, one was a marten the other a fox. Both had dug up pieces of old moose hide. I also found were a marten had nabbed a bunny.
Pretty much done putting out marten and mink gear, time to change gears and get the kitty and k9 gear up and running smile

First catch of the year smile I always love the orange color on these things smile

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Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/13/20 03:51 AM

Nicely done!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/14/20 02:24 AM

Way to go HFT.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/14/20 02:46 AM

Thanks guys smile

Little on the warm side today getting gear out. Accomplished what I wanted to and should have it pretty much done and set come tomorrow.

There is a perch that the eagles always sit in. Love seeing them when I cruise by, it means they are hitting the bait station nearby smile

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Always exciting to find sign like this smile

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I finished the last segment of my line that I wanted to get done today and was heading back to the truck when I cut fresh kitty track cutting across my trail heading straight for snare line I had just put in yesterday............ sure enough smile

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Not the prettiest but I will take it smile

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Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/14/20 04:32 AM

Way to be productive! Do the eagles hang around all winter?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/14/20 06:41 AM

Yeah we have a butt load of them hanging around. They wipe a bait station out pretty quick in this mild weather but they help spread the smell and bringing in the yote and fox. Part of my trail runs along the RR, when a moose gets smacked it isn't nothing to see 10 or 15 on it.
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/14/20 06:47 AM

Nice cat HFT.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/14/20 05:02 PM

Nice start to your season.
Posted By: mad_mike

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/14/20 05:23 PM

Nice kitty. We don’t get many down this way.
Hopefully you have your sno-go issues figured out and your snares will be straightened out.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/17/20 12:04 AM

Pretty day out on the line today, chilly and clear smile Not seeing much sign this year except for at one bait station, 2 beavers and 6 chicken carcasses, poof gone! Lots of fox track but only in that area.

Just told the wife last night that I wasn't seeing much yote sign and sure enough caught this one running a bunny trail smile

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Posted By: Jurassic Park

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/17/20 04:08 AM

Nice! I love seeing your pics of fox and coyotes wrapped tight to a tree!
Posted By: watarrat

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/17/20 06:30 AM

Good start HFT,,,alway's like your pictures!
Posted By: T. Meyer

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/19/20 12:49 AM

Great to see you out there getting after it John. Bummer about the machine issues, I hope those are an easy fix for you! Keep those pics coming!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/20/20 01:40 AM

Thanks guys smile

waterrat, I hope to see some of the wolves you hang up this year smile

Pretty good run today a lot of variety smile Ran the creek for the first time this year and it is froze solid, which means I can get further back smile Put in a bunch more gear.

Started the day off hitting the first bait station and had this pretty guy waiting for me smile

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Last time out I had alot of ermine track at a jack pot so I dropped a box for it.

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I follow a trail from my sled down to a little stream, every year right after a fresh snow a dang yote would walk it, This year there was a snare waiting for him smile

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And to finish the day off, picked up marten number 2 smile

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Got everything relured, the temps are coming back up to the mid 20's during the day so hopefully critters will move more smile

Be safe out there!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/20/20 02:31 AM

Nice! And that marten looks like a dandy dark!
Glad you are back at it. cool
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/20/20 08:08 AM

That is a nice variety!
Posted By: vegasjim

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/21/20 09:19 PM

Way to go John!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/22/20 12:32 AM

Thanks guys!

The weather is crazy! Went from in the low single digits to freaking 34 today. Did manage to make it all the way out to the lakes today, that I am happy about, Dropped a bunch more gear and cut a little sign, we will see how it all pans out,

Picked up the first mink of the year smile

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Also picked up a yote in a MB 750, not picture worthy.

Be safe out there!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/22/20 04:01 AM

Looks like a great mink!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/22/20 11:02 PM

Warm ups are no fun. Looking forward to hearing how it pans out!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/20 01:23 AM

Well the Bravo is going into retirement, will keep it for the back up sled, I splurged a little and picked me up a Artic Cat Panther smile It has all the bells and whistles smile I took it out today and ran the line, pretty happy with it, the only down fail is it sucks up some gas. But I feel great didn't get beat up like I do on the Bravo smile

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Rolled up on the first bait station and had this guy, Got lucky he was working the cable pretty good. I think if it had bee 7x7 he wouldn't have been there.

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Picked up a little ermine in a flower pot set. The blood is from the beaver thawing out and dripping on it.

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There is this one point that out of my whole line I enjoy the most. It always produces for me, kinda like a catch all, mink marten yote fox and kitty, Don't know what it is but everything seems to go through there. Picked this little girl up coming off of the river.

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One got lucky at this snow hole, just stepped to the right of the pan, he will be back smile

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Some years I will not cut any marten sign, other years I will see a ton, last year I seen 1 track al season. The most I have caught in one year was 7, maybe this year I will beat that smile The first one is a toad! The second pretty nice smile

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Last year Ted gave me some of this lure to try, I connected with 2 kitties towards the end of the season last year and we are off to a good start with it this year smile

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It is pretty amazing to me how this one set just seems to always produce kitty's, it is along a creek and I have take probably 10 kitty's at the same tree.

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Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and be safe out there!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/20 02:00 AM

Nice run HFT,Looks like you'll be busy skinning.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/20 04:44 AM

I'd take a check like that any day! Well done!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/20 05:27 PM

What a great day out on the line. Loving the new Cadillac!.
Posted By: Trapset

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/20 09:49 PM

My buddy in Ontario had two Panthers for years and years. They were real good sleds for him.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/28/20 02:28 AM

I hope everyone had a good holiday and got full bellies smile

Only ran part of the line today to dig it out and re lure. Tomorrow I am pushing out and will catch the rest of the line.
This freaking weather is killing me! Mid 30's today and the snow conditions aren't to hot. Had a pretty decent run though, caught a few critters and cut some fresh track.

First bait station held this little dink of a red. More focused on yotes right now as the fox ain't in their prime yet.

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Really digging Teds cat lures this year, got this one on Catnap and a chunk of beaver smile

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He was exactly like this when I rolled up.

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I run a lot of 220's bucket sets along the creeks for mink and otter, I rolled up on this set and saw the trap fired with a salmon head laying by the jaws, I was cussing the little joker out when I saw a little dark spot out in front of the set, sure enough it was a mink. That 220 knocked him stone dead.

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I have been running this line for a few years now, Every once in a while I will find a old wolf or yote snare, kinda makes me wonder what it was like back in the day. Today while walking in to check a set, same trail I have always walked over the years, something caught my eye, Sure enough there were about 10 snares that were hanging in a tree, they were attached to the top of it and as the tree grew they got lifted up. I had to go back to the sled and get the cable cutters to get them down. Pretty cool find smile

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Be safe out there!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/29/20 02:29 AM

Well I ran the rest of the line and pushed further out today.

The day started off with checking a mink set along a creek, saw the moose track walking down the middle of the creek so knew it was froze, got to the edge and ended up in over my knees frown Good deal it was in the 30's and those mickey mouse boots keep your feet warm even when wet.

Ran the first lake that I have gear on and sure enough a kitty had walked right down my snogo trail. I followed along and sure enough he cut in right were I had a marten set. The 120 was fired and the bait out of the flower pot that was wired to the tree, gone. Looking at the track it didnt look like the cat had fired it, it milled around a little and went right back onto my trail, I had a cat set and a marten set about 400 yds down the trail, I was hoping he would hit the cat set.....nope walked right by it and on to the marten set.......

I was talking to a buddy last night and he said he had a few 330's out for the kitties, I told him I had never caught one in a coni.........

[Linked Image]

Sure enough there was a cat smile What I cant figure out is how he fired that trap, that trap has a pan on it and it was a perfect head catch. But I will take it smile

Broke a few miles of trail and got a bunch more gear put in to test the waters,

Until next check, be safe out there!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/29/20 05:38 AM

Way to go on the critters! I enjoy your posts!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/01/20 05:01 PM

You are having a great start! I went through the ice as well Sunday but thankfully had my bunny boots on as well, still spent all day with a wet foot but it was warm.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/02/20 12:18 AM

Yep it was a great start smile This weather though dude, 41 today.................the only thing moving out there was a few kitties.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/04/20 02:56 AM

Well the weather changed fast and hard. Went from a foot and a half of snow to little less then 6inches then we picked up about 2 inches, Some of my yote snares were a foot high! But with the changing weather and fresh snow I figured I better get out there and clean gear off and re lure before the cold sat in.

Pretty day out there, was glad in dropped back into the teens.

[Linked Image]

Walking up to a marten set I saw red/orange, thought I had a fox at first glace. Turned out to be a dandy! smile Funny the joker was still warm smile

[Linked Image]

Never got one this orange before.

[Linked Image]

Picked up another one at a flower pot set, my little run up the lakes is paying off smile

[Linked Image]

Picked up a nice mink, same set I caught the kitty in.

[Linked Image]

When I ran on Tuesday I had a kitty fire a trap, duck a snare, and push the side of the pen in to get to the bait. So I knew he was in the AO. Today walking back there sure enough there was fresh track right on top of my track, it came to y in the trail left went to a snare and a marten set, the right went to a snare under a fallen spruce that the bunnies love to run. Well he went right smile

[Linked Image]

Pretty good day for me out there, looking forward to the cold returning and the critters really moving!

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there!
Posted By: vegasjim

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/04/20 03:31 AM

Good day! Keep after it John.
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/04/20 03:52 AM

Nice variety HFT,that lynx looks to be a nice clear one.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/05/20 12:25 AM

The marten tail reminds me of neapolitan ice cream. Nice catches!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/05/20 04:27 PM

Nice catches! That is one lightly colored marten, never caught one that orange either.
Posted By: Wild_Idaho

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/07/20 02:47 AM

This has been a blast to read through, thanks for taking the time to post all the quick stories and awesome pictures. Looks like a nice season for you so far.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/07/20 02:53 AM

Well a bitter sweet day, cut plenty of fresh track. Had a kitty come up to the cubby, mill around about a foot away from it and went on his way. With all the bunnies around I really cant blame him for passing up a big hunk of frozen beaver. Then had another one enter the cubby, kinda weird spot he has to go up to get to the bait, well I misjudged and he stepped over the trap.

On the positive side I got some more gear out, managed to pick this little guy up...

[Linked Image]

Just the other day I was telling a friend that I have yet to get a dang otter in a bucket set, well today that happened smile

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/07/20 04:27 AM

Nice otter Hft.
One thing about the cats,they likely wont go too far if the rabbits are around and you'll get another crack at them.
I find the cats show more interest in a frozen beaver when its cold if you feather it with an axe.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/07/20 04:56 AM

Thanks Boco, the kitties are thick this year and so are the bunnies smile Not every cubbie has the same bait, I have presented them with a mixed menu, beaver, duck, and lynx alternated between cubbies for this very reason smile I remembered that from last year when you mentioned it about cutting it up smile
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/09/20 12:11 AM

How do you make your otter bucket sets?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/09/20 02:48 AM

I like using the square buckets, cut slots on the side just like a marten box and your in business smile With the otters I think fresh bait is the key. I have had plenty swing by to look in it and see a salmon head and roll on, but with sardines (the kind from Sportsmans for fishing, or Hooligan they have alot more interest. Some of my 220's have pans on them and it creates a nice big opening for them, a mink will never pass this set up smile

This set always produces with the mink, it is sitting on a narrow creek.

[Linked Image]

This is the remake of the one were I caught that otter.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/09/20 04:06 PM

Man that otter looks like a toad !!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/09/20 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
I like using the square buckets, cut slots on the side just like a marten box and your in business smile With the otters I think fresh bait is the key. I have had plenty swing by to look in it and see a salmon head and roll on, but with sardines (the kind from Sportsmans for fishing, or Hooligan they have alot more interest. Some of my 220's have pans on them and it creates a nice big opening for them, a mink will never pass this set up smile

This set always produces with the mink, it is sitting on a narrow creek.

[Linked Image]

This is the remake of the one were I caught that otter.

[Linked Image]

Thanks for the info. The fresh fish for bait is great insight.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/10/20 03:23 AM

Thanks for sharing how you do your bucket set. I was also wondering.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/11/20 02:41 AM

Well this weather really did a number out on my line, the freezing rain locked up a good portion of my snares. Missed a fox, a kitty and 2 yotes frown Got things back up and running for the most part though.

Picked up there 2 pretty marten, the color variations always amaze me.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

On the way out I found this guy laying along he tracks, made a few phone calls and the troopers said I could salvage it for trapping. Had to call a buddy and we got it moved. Be topping off the bait stations the next few days smile

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/11/20 03:54 AM

Nice marten. Regardless off market, I love catching them.
Was the moose hit by a train?
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/11/20 04:02 AM

That moose sure has been plucked good,lol.
Nice prime marten HFT.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/11/20 04:35 AM

AV, yep, I get one or two from that area every year. The RR is pretty good about getting them to junctions to be salvaged on the roadkill list, but when they are smacked real bad or down in the bar ditch there aint nothing they can really do with them.

Boco, yep the birds tore that joker up pretty good. Hoping for a few more marten before our season close the end of the month.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/11/20 04:57 PM

A couple marten isn't a bad check. Good luck on those other critters next check!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/11/20 06:50 PM

Seeing your pictures and following along makes me anxious to get out. Today or tomorrow I plan to.
Posted By: Ryan McLeod

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/11/20 08:36 PM

Nice marten. Fills that 120 up pretty good. Good luck on your next trip
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/14/20 02:06 AM

Thanks guys smile

I got that moose cut up. Was really hoping it had froze over night but it didn't frown A chainsaw and partially frozen moose equals a mess smile But I got the bait stations topped off and that is what is important.

Pretty warm day out there today, didn't see much for track and it gets kinda frustarting checking empty set after empty set. Then to find were one gets on your trail and walks right up to not 1 but 2 cubby's and just not take that final step frown I know what the problem is, the chunks of beaver are dried out and pretty chewed up by the voles, I will fix that next run out there. Then to add insult to injury had one totally duck a snare frown

So cruising along my spirits finally got up lifted when I rounded a bend and saw this guy smile Teds Meowch is killing them for me smile

[Linked Image]

A little further down the line I stopped and started walking my trail up to a spruce thicket, looked under the spruce and had number 2 for the waiting for me smile

[Linked Image]

Picked up a little mink today as well, Kinda funny that spot either produces mink or marten, one or the other every year smile

[Linked Image]

Till next check be safe out there!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/14/20 03:21 AM

Always a good day when you dont get skunked,2 cats is a great day.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/14/20 03:26 AM

You've already caught as many cats as I catch in a whole season and I finally started getting my line out yesterday!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/14/20 03:52 AM

Boco, yep smile

bfisch, Glad you got it out! Hope you connect with the critters smile I normally only get a few kitties a year, like 3 or 4, This is a bumper crop of kitties this year and I am taking advantage of it smile
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/15/20 05:07 PM

Congrats John! So exciting to come around a corner and see something in a set waiting on you. Having good luck with Teds products as well this season.
Posted By: Nunamiut

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/18/20 11:44 PM

Nice looking Marten John! Does Teds fur shed have a website?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/19/20 06:46 AM

broncoformudv, Looking forward to it smile

Nunamiut, His store web page is at the top of the page in the blue box smile
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/19/20 07:07 AM

Well I spent this past week on a little adventure down in Prince William Sound chasing deer and ducks. Only got a day and a half in for the ducks due to the season closing but they were HOT smile Still missing the Old Sqaw that is on my bucket list. Not from the lack of seeing them but from my lack of being able to hit the little speed demons smile Picked up a bunch of drake Goldeneye, a few Buffleheads and Harlequin. Was hunting with wolverine hunter and he managed to drop 2 Old Sqaw.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

I have seen some pretty knurly weather in my day but this trip was the icing on the cake, Rain, rain, and more rain, then 1 sunny day followed by a white out and almost two feet of snow!

I managed to connect with 2 deer and Crucible6 connected with one as well.

[Linked Image]

It snowed a little smile

[Linked Image]


The highlite of this trip was stumbling across a baby sea otter, When I hit the shore yesterday morning I looked over on a little knob and saw fur under the snow, I walked over and moved the snow away and to my surprise it was a sea otter! I went hunting dragged a deer back and it was still sitting there, Went back hunting, got soaked from the snow and decided to call it a day as the tide rolled in, I sat there and watched the water come up to the otter and it swim away to it's momma, It was pretty cool to see smile

[Linked Image]

Ducks and deer are what is on the menu this weekend smile
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/19/20 03:09 PM

That was a great hunt,HFT,lots of goodies for the meat freezer.
Posted By: mad_mike

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/19/20 03:24 PM

It looks like you had some fun on the coast. Sitka black tail is some of the finest game meat IMO. too bad the snow came at the end.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/19/20 03:47 PM

Thanks Boco smile

mad-mike, agree on the meat smile Yeah I dont know how you SE guys can trap in those conditions, between the weather and the seas makes me have alot of respect for those that do it. One island we hit was all ice, rain and ice in my world equals slipping and busting your butt, which I did a few times smile And to top it off, at another island we encountered a hunting party of 6, who nicely informed us that there was a sow and cubs out on the prowl! We vacated that area and moved on. We were suppose to head in on Thursday but woke up to white out conditions, stayed put and the snow piles up, probably got close to 2 foot of that wet heavy stuff, but I assume that is a norm for you guys.
Posted By: mad_mike

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/19/20 05:07 PM

Ain’t nothing to it, you just do it.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/19/20 09:21 PM

Awesome trip! Looks like you had a real good time! Those harlequins are beautiful! Never seen one up close in person. How are they for eating? I have only ever shot one long-tailed duck. I remember it being super fat and good eating.

What is the duck on the far right in the top picture?
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/19/20 10:18 PM

Nice mixed bag of colorful ducks and deer!
Posted By: crosspatch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/19/20 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by bfisch
Awesome trip! Looks like you had a real good time! Those harlequins are beautiful! Never seen one up close in person. How are they for eating? I have only ever shot one long-tailed duck. I remember it being super fat and good eating.

What is the duck on the far right in the top picture?


Drake goldeneye.

Good post HFT - can relate.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/20/20 01:13 AM

Yes, trapping here is challenging, as is hunting. A plan B, and C is always prudent.
Glad you could experience, and enjoy it. smile
Posted By: Northof50

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/20/20 01:18 AM

Are those not Barrow's goldeneye ?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/20/20 01:58 AM

Northof50 I will look later and confirm which one they are.

bfisch, they are all good eating up here smile I was stationed down in Texas for a spell back in the day, those ducks down there tasted like raw sewage, Didn't matter what species, how you cooked it, it tasted like crap. Blessed to be up here with clean water and chow for them smile

Well it was snowing when I headed out this am, there was already 2 inches on the ground and it snowed all day. The downfall of having fresh snow was I couldn't see any track, I had 1 120 popped, I think a vole set it off with a piece of beaver, and I had 2 duck carcasses that were wired in the back of 2 different cubbies totally disappear!

Seeing this never gets old smile

[Linked Image]

Picked up 1 marten, 1 ermine that decided to nose dive a #3, a mink, and 2 fox smile The bait stations are being hit and I figure after this fresh snow they will show me were to hang my snares smile

[Linked Image]
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/20/20 02:51 AM

Good run! Birds and deer last week and predators this week! You are on a roll!
Posted By: mad_mike

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/20/20 04:20 AM

Nice run HFT, your season has been productive, so far.
Posted By: crosspatch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/20/20 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Northof50
Are those not Barrow's goldeneye ?


Two drake goldeneye in lower photos. Left one looks like it has the white crescent and forehead bump of a Barrow's and the right one looks like it has the round white spot and rounded head of a Common. Really need a better pic. to tell for sure.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/20 12:00 AM

After looking at them all, the one on the left is a Barrow the one on the right a Common.
Posted By: Northof50

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/20 12:25 AM

The phrase we used for Bufflehead, was bigger than a sparrow but smaller than a robin on the dinner plate.
I enjoy your thread.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/24/20 05:04 AM

The past few days have been kicking my butt weather wise! After my last run on Saturday I got about 8 inches of nice powder. Monday broncoformudv did a ride along with me, we remade sets and put in a few snowholes on half my line, Monday night a chinook blew in with high winds and then freaking rain! Tuesday was nothing but rain and then last night it changed over to snow, the wet sticky kind that likes to freeze your traps down, plus it was a whopping 38 degrees!
But on the brighter side of things it cleared up today and the temps are suppose to drop back down, snares and sets are all in working condition and I am hoping for a good run later this week,

[Linked Image]

bfisch, this is what I look for out on my line when it comes to finding the antlers. I have 5 or 6 trees like that that they are rubbing on right now. Seems like when it gets really cold -10 -20 they drop them, Normally I have 20-60 moose that winter along my line. We had a big winter kill off last winter due to deep snow so this year they are far and few,

[Linked Image]

I hope everyone has a Merry Xmas smile Till next check be safe!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/24/20 05:11 AM

Merry Christmas HFT-May your traps be full.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/24/20 06:47 AM

Gotcha, I know of one tree like that in the area where I saw the bulls and once they start dropping I will drive around more. Hope the weather holds for you!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/26/20 04:51 PM

Good luck with the weather and animals this week! Hope you have some great checks.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/31/20 02:43 AM

Well the weather has been kicking my butt pretty good. Between warm temps, 40s, rain and that heavy wet stuff the critters just don't want to come out and play smile Looking at the forecast the temps are suppose to drop and stay that away for a spell.

Wolverine hunter came up from Homer Sunday night and bought himself a sled. We were going to run part of my line but things didn't pan out, what are the odds of two guys pulling into the parking lot, down loading gear and sleds, go to fire the sleds up to take off, and not 1 but both of the pullcords snapped! At Least it was in the parking lot smile

Went out yesterday behind the house on my short line, I have not been out there at all this season and was waiting for things to slow down. There is a lot of sign and snares got dropped, Gonna wait till after Xmas break to drop some bait back there.

Ran today and dug gear out. Got the fox and yote sets operational, popped just about all the kitty traps outta the ice.

Started my morning off with this fox smile He went under the yote snare last week, this week he tried to hop through it.

[Linked Image]

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year! Until next check, be safe out there!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/31/20 05:12 PM

That is quite the coincidence both of the sled pull cords broke in the parking lot. Yeah that might be a sign to call the day off and do something else. Nice sneaky fox!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/31/20 09:00 PM

Sounds like you planned ride just wasn't meant to be. It's not as fun to ride double anyway.

Happy New Year!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/02/21 12:26 AM

Happy New Year!

Caught this fat girl on my short line this morning smile Good way to start off the new year smile

[Linked Image]

Shut down the rest of my marten line last run out as the season closed yesterday. This was the best year I have had for the little jokers 9 total smile Pushing out to the lakes panned out for me smile Pretty good color variation on them.

[Linked Image]

The cold temps have returned! Until next check be safe out there!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/02/21 03:28 AM

Nice marten! There is quite the variation. Did you set up behind your house yet?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/02/21 03:35 AM

bfisch. yep that is were I got that yote this am smile
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/02/21 05:04 AM

Nice bunch of fur HFT,that marten on the left of the pic looks real pale.
Posted By: Chickenminer

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/02/21 07:02 AM

Looks like you're having a fun season with a mixed bag of critters smile
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/02/21 07:24 AM

Nice collection of marten
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/03/21 12:42 AM

Little chilly out there today at -21, but it was a real pretty day smile
Picked this little girl up in a snare set along the river edge.

[Linked Image]

When I was out the other day I cut 2 sets of kitty track, one just south of a bunch of gear and the other right at the beginning of my line, so I was hopeful smile Well the one visited a set, walked all around it, except for were the snare was and had zero interest in the bait. The second one, I don't know if the trap had froze down or if maybe a stick got in the jaws, the trap was hanging in a branch and there was a tuff of fur in it. That kitty was hungry, he polished off a lynx quarter and a duck, Hopefully he will hit a few other sets in the area.

Time to do a little maintenance on the sled and get some steel ready to go for the K9's,

Until next check be safe out there!
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/03/21 01:57 AM

Nice catch of marten.
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/03/21 02:41 AM

Nice work out there and Happy New Year John
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/03/21 03:48 AM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
bfisch. yep that is were I got that yote this am smile


Good deal!

I bet you get that second cat if he comes back.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/05/21 12:55 AM

bfisch I hope he does smile

Went out and dropped some bait on the short line today and picked up another yote. This joker managed to get wrapped up in 2 snares, wasn't going anywhere smile Both the yotes I have pulled so far came from a established bait station with no bait, that I have had out there for about 8 years now. It pays off to top them off at the end of the season.

[Linked Image]

We got a little snow and the temps are still down, hoping it get the critters moving! Be safe out there!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/05/21 05:01 PM

Good to see the animals are moving on your line. They are all holed up in my area for the time being. That coyote did a number on itself!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/07/21 02:47 AM

Today was a frustrating day out on the line. I got about 6 inches of fresh snow 2 days ago and man did the critters run! In 10 years of using Montana #3 Specials I have not had a fired trap without a critter. The fox pulled the trap out of the bed so I know pinched him. That followed by a kitty that stepped right on the dang pan, it had to be froze down he did the run and jerk and poof he was gone. Then another kitty walked around 3 different sets and was able to avoid 4 snares.
But it gets better! The guy that was running with me, we were 3/4 of the way done, his freaking handle bar broke off the steering column!
The highlite of the day was finding a otter hole and toilet, dropped a 220 there so hopefully next check he will be waiting for me. That and man did the fox and yote run! Need to drop a few traps out there next run.
Be safe out there!
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/07/21 02:55 AM

Been there done that on the broken steering column !! Suggestion..................... remove handlebars and drill large holes in hollow steering column tube. Insert steel rod............rebar or old outboard motor shaft,................ spot weld shaft through the holes previously drilled.

Never break again !

Otherwise you will be steering with a pair of vise-grips until you get home
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/07/21 03:02 AM

white, it is a old Phaser, it has a dang knuckle on it and it snapped right there. I will get a pic when we go to retrieve it in the next day or two, vice grips sound like a good idea though smile
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/07/21 03:11 AM

LOL Might have to weld the vise grips in place ))
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/07/21 03:45 AM

Sounds like you'll be skinnin again soon HFT, with the fur running around on the line.
When I miss fur from frozen traps,and bait hit or taken I dont mind.Once they get a free meal they almost always come back in winter.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/07/21 05:31 PM

You all are having some sled issues out there this season. Good luck with the recovery and repair of that one. I can only imagine trying to ride out of there with visegrips with all those turns!
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/07/21 06:22 PM

Keep after them.Always days like that.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/09/21 03:17 AM

Well the plan was to retrieve that sled today but my buddy got sick, I had picked up a goat that had passed trying to give birth so I decided to make a run today and get it out to the bait station.

I know I complain about the weather, ALOT smile My wife tells me it all the time smile BUT..........we went from -12 to +36 in the blink of any eye. Just wish it would stay freaking cold!

Anyhow, I dug out the hay sets I had out there and put in a few more. Even put in one of those buried bait sets like white suggested. Hit all the kitty traps, popped them and put fresh spruce boughs under them.

Seen a bunch of these....................

[Linked Image]

Which led to this smile

[Linked Image]

That Meowch is killing them this year smile

Also picked up a nice mink, going to start pulling that gear next run. Not seeing a bunch of sign, dont know if they are under the ice or if they just aint there in numbers,

[Linked Image]

Till next check be safe out there!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/09/21 04:52 AM

Two more in the fur bag! I am curious to hear how that buried bait set works out for you.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/09/21 05:12 AM

bfisch- me to smile I run a huge circle around a lake, approx 2.5 miles, right at the junction were I compete the circle is were I put it. Big ole piece of tainted moose scrap. If the yotes and fox run it again like they did the other day no doubt they will find it.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/09/21 04:21 PM

Hah our temps are supposed to warm up to 10 tomorrow and I am looking forward to that. Planning on trying out that buried bait set for fox and the trench set for wolves. Curious to see how we all do with those sets. Its nice hearing about different sets and trying them out. Sorry to hear the mink numbers are down. Wonder if anyone has tried placing an underwater camera to catch their winter movements?
Posted By: Wolverine Hunter

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/09/21 06:44 PM

I'm trapping, but living vicariously through you when it comes to the catching! Congrats man. It is fun to see you being successful.
Can we find me a cabin up north for next winter??? grin
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/09/21 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
bfisch- me to smile I run a huge circle around a lake, approx 2.5 miles, right at the junction were I compete the circle is were I put it. Big ole piece of tainted moose scrap. If the yotes and fox run it again like they did the other day no doubt they will find it.


It seems that it also might work on the river bar where the wind blows and makes the top layer hard. The canines really like to walk the snow drifted bars as it is easy going. I find it amazing some get hard enough for the moose to walk on. What size trap did you use?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/09/21 10:59 PM

bfisch I run pretty much all Montana #3 Specials for chasing the fox and yote, I like dog less traps and those jokers come up through some serious stuff. I got a few Montgomery's that are beefed up out there to. There is always a chance that a lone wolf might happen by and there is no doubt in my mind that if by chance one steps in that trap it will be there waiting for me smile
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/12/21 02:15 AM

Went out yesterday and went through half my line reluring and making sure things were right. All the snow we had is going pretty quick due to the wind and warmer temps, alot of my snares were way to high so I had to make a few adjustments. Suppose to cool off but no snow in the forecast, but we did get about an inch last night.

My buddy felt better and last night we made plans to head out today and retrieve his sled. The steering column broke right below the handle bars, it is an older Phaser. He ended up taking a piece of rebar and gorilla taping it to the knuckle, it worked enough for him to steer the sled. We popped the belt off but the track was froze so we slid a Akio sled under it. Was a pretty smooth recovery smile He is going to tear into it tomorrow and see what needs done to get it back on the trail.

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On the way out there we rode double, and got on part of my trail that went by a jack pot. As we were cruising by he was like hey John you got a fox! Sure enough a pretty little red smile

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Be safe out there!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/12/21 05:50 PM

Great trail rigging to get his sled back out of there and nice fox!
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/12/21 07:17 PM

Nice red fox.
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/13/21 05:46 PM

Nice fox HFT,good that you got your buddy's snowmachine out no problem.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/14/21 01:12 AM

Thanks guys! smile

Ran today, nothing moving around to much. Had one kitty walk by a set, either didnt see it or was focused on something else.

I had put a few hay sets out on the lakes last week, was hoping for some action. Passed the first two sets no action and then BAM there was track all over my trail! I was like alright I should have something in the next set then all of a sudden all the track bailed off my trail into the wood line frown Looking were they had bailed I could see that they were tearing the heck out of something, sure enough it was a little calf. Have no idea how long it been there but those jokers are eating fat and happy. Hung a half dozen snares so hopefully I didn't disturb it to much and will have something next check.

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Till next check, be safe out there guys!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/14/21 06:02 AM

I know that feeling of excitement with tracks all over the trail. I get it whenever I see tracks heading toward one of my sets. The anticipation is sometimes as exciting as the catch.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/14/21 07:43 PM

Nice find, hope they come back and slip a noose around their necks for you.
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/15/21 12:05 AM

Hood luck
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/15/21 10:57 PM

Spent yesterday getting my buddies sled back up and running. Was able to remove the knuckle and get the broken piece welded back on. Looks like it is going to warm up some more here this weekend and they are calling for rain.

Picked this little fox up on my short line this morning smile

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Be safe out there!
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/16/21 01:32 AM

Nice fox.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/17/21 01:50 AM

John you just keep stacking up those reds.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/21/21 02:45 AM

Thanks guys! smile

The past few runs have been unproductive, this weather is freaking crazy this year. It was 42 here 2 days ago and it rained pretty hard, then it snowed!
So today the focus was getting gear back up and running. Snares were good but the foot holds were all iced in frown Made for a long day, but I connected with a few critters so that brightened my day a bit smile

Picked this guy up coming down a trail off of a ridge line. I think he has mange, gotta let the ice and snow melt to get a better look at him.

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This joker ran the wrong bunny trail, got some pretty fur!

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Out on the flats there are few defined moose trials. Begining of the season I seen were a kitty and a yote had traveled down one and dropped a hayset in about 50 yds past it on my trail. Normally when they come off the moose trail they get on mine and follow it a spell. Well since I put that set in they have traveled that route 3 times always cutting across my trail.
Today I figured I would drop a hayset right beside were they pop out. I pull up to the spot, turn the machine off and look down my trail. Something dont look right, then I see movement and sure enough there was a kitty smile
I had picked up a few of those SVS #4s for my haysets, I like the enlarged pan on them, popped up and grabbed that kitty smile Had tainted moose scrap down the hole, a dab of Pauls GL40 off to the side along with some urine.

Kitty #9 smile

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Talking to Ted the other day he said to start using pee post for the kittys, getting to be that time of the year smile It is really hard to keep anything operational using snow as a cover especially with the weather we have been having. Haysets are pretty much bomb proof so I decided to try something a little different.
I put in the hole then backed the trap way back and put a spruce tip off to the side with some fox matrix and urine. A kitty has walked this section of my trail twice and has blown by a set either not seeing it or just no interest. Hopefully this will get him smile

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Seen alot of fresh track today so hoping the critters continue to move smile

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Until next check be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/21/21 05:40 AM

Well got the one yote thawed out a little, not looking pretty...............

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How long does this stuff stay in a area? Last year was the first time I caught one with it. This will make a second. Probably only 2 miles apart as the crow flies. All the other yotes I have gotten have been well furred.
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/21/21 01:04 PM

Nice looking lynx.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/21/21 04:54 PM

Nice seeing you connecting and animals moving around on your line. Never heard of SVS traps, had to go look that one up. Nice looking traps! This last check we noticed a cat had come to a set but didn't commit and was thinking it might be due to the upcoming mating season so we put in a pee post as well where some are walking our trail.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/21/21 06:04 PM

Good deal on the critters! You are having a good season!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/21/21 06:06 PM

Nice catches HFT.
You're piling up the cats eh?
Too bad about the lice on the coyote,see it here on wolves every few years.
Good to get rid of those animals just the same,maybe help prevent it spread a bit.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/21/21 08:13 PM

Thanks guys! smile

bronco they are sweet traps, the only thing I wish I would have done was get the offsets.

Boco we are on a high cycle and I am trying to take advantage of it smile Normally I only get 1-3 a year.

After talking with Tony Hollis on the ATA forum, he is a bio in FBX, that yote had lice and not mange. Either way feel bad for any critter that gets that junk and happy it is out of the game especially with mating season coming.
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/22/21 05:02 AM

Nice work John.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/24/21 06:52 AM

Still pretty warm here, the snow has glazed over and got a pretty good crust going, Calling for cooler temps this next week so hopefully critters will get moving. Cut some kitty track working around my gear he just gotta find it.

I pulled mink gear because I only got a few of them and figured it would be best to let the ones out there do there thing for next year. And of course little miss mink had to jump right on the pan of a #3 at a kitty set.

[Linked Image]

Until next check you guys be safe out there!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/25/21 09:42 PM

Well sure enough we got a little snow Saturday night and last night the temps dropped to the mid teens. Wasn't expecting to much out on the short line today, figured I'd drop some bait and dig some gear out. To my surprise I had these 2 beauties' waiting for me smile

This one was circling a bait station....

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This one ran the wrong bunny trail...........

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Kinda funny, I spoke to Brian from the SCATA on Friday about sending fur in for their online auction, he had asked if I had any cross smile I know where this one is going smile

Be safe out there!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/25/21 11:07 PM

Nice foxes HFT,that cross is nice and dark.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/26/21 02:42 AM

Good deal! One of these days I will get a cross. Actually kinda hope my wife gets one before me, but she is not trapping this year. Either way I want one for the wall.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/27/21 02:53 AM

Well pretty good run today, The temps have finally dropped were they should be, right around zero and the critters are finally on the move smile

Started my morning off pulling out of the parking lot headed to my trailhead and someone had smacked a moose. Whoever salvaged it left everything right on the side of the road, I did my civic duty and removed it out of site of the roadway to my bait stations smile

Picked up this nice otter in a set that I will call the Bronco set from now on smile When broncoformuddy ran with me a few weeks ago, as we were checking traps along the creek, I asked him to stay in my track, well........ someone didnt listen and punched through up to his knee smile Now I am an opportunist and with a open hole I knew the otters if they passed through they would find it. So I have been keeping it open just waiting and today it paid off smile

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Further down the line there is a trail that come off a ridge line that the critters run from time to time, This little guy ran it smile

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After catching that lynx last run I remade the hayset with a pee post, that SVS struck again smile This guy was far from photogenic.

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At one cat cubby I had my bait raided big time! Could see were Mr Ermine decided to make a home there. Dropped a #1 jump in front of his hole and he got caught smile

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Had a kitty walk up to a set, and if he would have just taken that one step he would have been in the trap, The voles had wiped that bait out as well frown Further down the line I could see a snare missing, walked over and had a bunny but a kitty found it first, I know he is in the area and have gear above and below him on the section of creek smile Hopefully next check smile

Until next check be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/27/21 03:09 AM

Man, you'redoing a lot of skinning!
Posted By: Aknative

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/27/21 03:15 AM

Nice run!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/27/21 06:32 AM

That's cool that the otter set connected. Have you ever made a hole like that on purpose and set it?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/27/21 07:35 AM

Thanks guys smile
AV nothing to hard to handle smile
bfisch, yep do it every year, If I can hear water running I chip a hole and try to keep it open. There is one spot between 2 old lodges that I really like, last year I took 3 off of it, It is always just a matter of those jokers moving, out of all critters I find them the most unpredictable.
Posted By: mad_mike

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/27/21 12:34 PM

Skinning is winning!
Congratulations on your success’s this season HFT.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/27/21 04:52 PM

LOL the bronco set paid off! That just made my day John!
Posted By: bucksnbears

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/28/21 08:33 PM

good stuff!
Posted By: Wolverine Hunter

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/30/21 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by broncoformudv
LOL the bronco set paid off! That just made my day John!


Bronco - that's all you got for him? I'd let him have it a little harder!

John is always dishing out orders and giving everybody else the business, see, but there is more than one way to skin a cat. haha

I enjoyed the otter story John :-)
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/06/21 11:29 PM

Well not a whole bunch happening out on the line, It finally got cold and we got a little snow so it seems the critters are all hunkered down, A few fox track about it.

Been seeing plenty of these guys though smile

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Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/09/21 02:47 AM

Picked this guy up on my short line at a bait station. Trying to get the yotes but keep getting these jokers smile

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Be safe out there!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/09/21 05:03 PM

Shoot I can't get a fox or coyote to come into a bait station, just lynx, ermine and birds. Nice red John!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/09/21 05:57 PM

How is the fur holding up on the foxes? They start to go down hill here towards the end of the month.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/09/21 06:44 PM

Thanks Rob smile

bfisch, that one was pretty bad in the hocks. Trying to get the yotes that are out there, I will probably shut that line down the end of next week.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/09/21 11:01 PM

Getting a few furs ready to be dropped off for the online ATA fur auction. smile

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Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/10/21 02:18 AM

Your fur looks great,HFT.
Still have your cats to put up or did you sell those already?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/10/21 04:51 AM

Boco they are all put up, have a few that still need sealed but waiting till the end of the season (Feb 29) then they will go off to Moyles for tanning. With what they brought at the past few auctions I make more money tanning and selling them. My wife is a good hustler when it comes to selling my fur smile
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/10/21 04:49 PM

Nice bunch of fur!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/11/21 03:48 AM

Thanks Rob, thought of you today smile

We got dumped on pretty good last night a little over a foot and in some areas the snow is waist deep off my trail now. Since I got this newer sled I have not really cared for the low windshield, kept thinking of replacing it and getting a higher one. I should have acted on that thought because today it totally kicked my butt, riding on one knee breaking trail through fresh powder over the hood is no fun says my back.

Spent the day digging gear out and reluring. Walked down to a kitty set by the creek and I could see fresh otter track on the other side!

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Well I went to go over there and took 1 step and punched through above my knee! Looking at the hole the water is about8 inches down from the ice, a perfect spot for the Bronco set smile

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Picked up this yote in a modified hayset, pee post/ dirt hole, little fox matrix urine, and tainted moose scrap down the hole. I love my Montana Specials!

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Got the steel working today, but didnt have time to mess with the snares, next run I am going to start shutting things things down snare wise.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/11/21 04:46 PM

Now I understand why you sent me that picture! LOL.

Nice looking yote.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/11/21 07:00 PM

Another coyote down! You must walk in some scary places.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/11/21 08:04 PM

Yeah that creek is always sketch. My first year out there running it I felt the back of my sled drop, the ice gave out, gunned it turned around and the front dropped and the skies went under the ice. Thinking I was billy bad butt I tried lifting it out, the water was only above my knees. Long story short being wet at -20 is no freaking joke! A group out trail riders gave me a lift back to the truck 7 miles away. The wife hat to use hot water to unfreeze my laces to get my boots off, I was lucky that day. Went back the next day and with a chainsaw chisel come along and got it out.
Posted By: Northof50

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/12/21 01:18 PM

Getting that machine out...Did you try the two extension ladders ? where you lift the machine on one then the other, then the ladder sides or raises sideways onto solid ground. Sorry no pics.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/12/21 06:41 PM

Northof50, that has been the one and only time I ever had a machine punch through and I take every precaution to never do it again smile We used spruce poles to leverage the front end out back onto solid ice after cutting and chipping around it. I pay attention to the stories here and how others recover their sleds because you never know smile Never heard of using ladders but that would be a concept that would work.
Posted By: trapperbobs

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/12/21 06:57 PM

HFT
I got the same foot of snow, can you describe your dig out a little bit. I pulled mine up packing a trap base to lift my canine traps this creates fairly large depression. i made effort to smooth over and leave no abrupt edges to cause as little disturbance, but hey don't look untouched. Open to any advice. What do you probe for trap with,
Thanks Bob
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/12/21 07:37 PM

trapperbobs, I use one of those spades from F&T with the long handle to probe with. Right now I have probably a dozen sets out for the yotes and fox and after this last dump when I ran I found all but one set, I know where it is at general area just have to kick around more next run. All those sets are right beside my trail. I pull up so that my pull behind sled is right beside the set, take on step off my snogo opposite side of set and into my sled and work from it. When I go to leave I step in that same track and erase it when I hop on my snogo, the pull behind sled does the rest.

Everything I am running right now are hay sets, modified dirt hole/ pee post. Here is a pic of the set. The trap is right in front of the snow on the hay. The yotes and the fox love peeing on little spruce, so I took the top of on and planted it there. Moose scrap in the hole, matrix on the spruce along with pee. I try to keep the trap area level if not just a little lower ten my trail.

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If they work the set I normally get em smile Now that pic was before the dump of snow. Out in the open I try and make the backing were the hole is higher then the snow level, kinda like a mound, that way when we do get a dump you can still see were the set is, I take my sifter and scoop the snow away from the hole and on top were I think the trap is. Then probe for the trap and lift it out of the bed, re pack the snow in the depression, add a little more hay were the trap will lay, place trap press down to bed it, cover with a little more hay, then take my sifter and tyr to blend it all in the best I can.

If your using snowholes, same concept except I dont sift the snow over the wax paper, I use one of those scoops from Teds Fur Shed and lay the snow over the wax paper. All the disturbance is right there at the set and the goal is to make it look like another fox or yote was there. I dont worry about abrupt edges or if it is smooth or not. Just need them to take that one step off of the trail smile

Hope that helps a little.
Posted By: trapperbobs

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/13/21 02:37 AM

That is all great info, and helps a lot. I have a ton of mushers around and the Ravens are crazy about hay. I can't keep them out of it. The dig out help is great. Thanks a lot.
Bob
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/13/21 02:47 AM

Knock on wood I have not had that problem with the ravens this year, I know exactly what your saying though, ruins a good set.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/17/21 12:55 AM

Was some pretty weather up until today, we picked up another 2 inches of snow and it is beginning to get warm again.

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Started pulling some gear and shutting down snare lines today. Came around a spruce tree to slip a snare and Mr Bunny was sitting there looking at me, Thought it was a cool pic smile

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Picked up another yote running the wrong bunny trail smile

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Poked around a little for otter. I know the jokers are there but under the ice shelf. Chipped in two holes just need them to pop their head out.

Be safe out there!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/17/21 02:41 AM

What a cool pic of the hare!
Glad you are doing well.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/17/21 06:50 AM

Good deal on the coyote! I haven't seen a hare all season, but they are around. Will you continue going after otter or will you be done the end of the month?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/17/21 07:37 AM

Thanks AV, that bunny knows were it is safe smile

bfisch, gonna keep after the otter, I got gear were they normally come through at, just a waiting game.
Posted By: crosspatch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/17/21 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by alaska viking
What a cool pic of the hare!
Glad you are doing well.


X2
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/17/21 04:50 PM

Nice pic of the hare, only saw one this season in our area right in the parking lot at that. Good work on the coyote!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/18/21 12:17 AM

Went out today and started closing snare lines and pulling some gear on the other half of my line. Pretty happy when I rolled up on this otter set smile
Last year I went to set a snare on a creek between 2 old beaver lodges and punched through. I set it and pulled 3 otter out of it over the course of the season. This year I tried chipping a hole there and it was way to thick, took a step and sure enough punched through smile So I have been keeping it open waiting for them to come through, The other coni is there in case they decide to travel above the ice.

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Decided to make a quick run behind the house when I got home. They are calling for more weather, Sure enough picked up this pretty cross smile Aint rubbed a bit smile

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Coming back in today from the lakes I noticed depression in the lake and as I drove by it it was open water! Made me hung the bank a lot harder!
Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/18/21 01:21 AM

Nice catches and pictures.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/18/21 06:38 AM

Nice when a maintained set finally pays off! Awesome fox!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/21/21 01:50 AM

We picked up about 2 inches of snow and then the wind kicked in, pretty much had to dig everything out today. Cut 1 set of yote track, so hopefully now that they have a hard pac to run on I will start connecting smile
Checking otter sets I rolled up on the one that caught that last otter, all I could see from my trail was a hump and a disturbance, started walking in and cut mink tracks. Was feeling bummed for a split second then I wiped the snow away and there was Mr Otter smile

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Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Bushwhack Jack

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/21/21 05:18 AM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
We picked up about 2 inches of snow and then the wind kicked in, pretty much had to dig everything out today. Cut 1 set of yote track, so hopefully now that they have a hard pac to run on I will start connecting smile
Checking otter sets I rolled up on the one that caught that last otter, all I could see from my trail was a hump and a disturbance, started walking in and cut mink tracks. Was feeling bummed for a split second then I wiped the snow away and there was Mr Otter smile

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Be safe out there guys!


Nice! Picked up a double at that set huh? That's awesome. I wondered if you might get another one on that run
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/21/21 11:50 PM

Way to go! If you have a put up picture of that cross you most recently caught I would like to see it.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/22/21 02:34 AM

bfisch, that cross was sold the minute I got home, $75 and I didn't even have to skin it smile

Decided to run the short line this afternoon. Walking down the survey cut I saw motion at a kitty set, sure enough
Ted’s Meowch struck again smile That makes 10 for me, best year I have had with the kitties smile

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Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/22/21 07:26 PM

That's the way to do it!

Great cat season! Maybe you can sneak in another to make it an uneven eleven.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/22/21 07:44 PM

bfisch, I will keep you in mind next cross I get, probably wont be till next season though. Got 2 more runs on the main line and 1 on the short, you never know smile
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/22/21 10:52 PM

Nice lynx.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/23/21 05:29 PM

You have those otters figured out. Nice work on them and the lynx.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/28/21 03:36 AM

Well pretty much wrapped things up here, Still have a few snares out for yote and my otter sets. We got hammered pretty with some crappy weather that dumped about 2 ft of snow on my line, really wish we had that at the beginning of the season!

Overall a good season smile Now it is time to start getting the fur ready for market and the tannery. smile

Got a trip planned with JR here in the near future, sure that will be a blast smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/28/21 04:30 AM

Thanks for the ride-along, John. Glad you are well!!!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/28/21 04:58 AM

Great ride along HFT.
Way to rack up the cats.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/28/21 05:45 AM

Indeed, you had a good season!
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/28/21 10:43 AM

Awesome season.Way to go.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/10/21 12:50 AM

Before I took off on my adventure with Howler I was backing my trailer in and my truck died right there in the drive way. While I was gone the wife got it in the shop and it was here when I got home Sunday. Went to hook up to my trailer, turned the key and sparks and smoke bellowed out from under the hood! So I got it back in the shop yesterday and called a buddy to play taxi for me. We picked up another 4 or so inches of snow and with the warmer daytime temps the rec riders are out in force!
On one section of creek that I run in years past there has always been otter sign on top of the ice. This year I have not seen any and figured they had to be running under it. About a month ago a crevice opened up right on the side of my trail. There are no other openings for like a mile and a half so I decided to drop a 220 over it along with a shot of hooligan oil.
I rolled up on it today to see my sticks laying in my trail and a big disturbance and a trail leading away from the hole, and no trap! I had wrapped and tie wired that puppy to a log and for the life of me have no idea how it came undone. So I followed the trail to the base of a tree and there it was, another otter smile

[Linked Image]

Not the biggest but sure has some pretty fur!
Probably going to pull everything next check, calling for another big dump of snow and warmer temps.
Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/10/21 02:16 AM

Had an otter break my wiring job on a 220 last season. Found him just 30-40 ft from the set. They sure are tough to be able to fight a bodygrip especially after a a nice catch like that. I have been using my used fox/lynx snares this year (cable and 11 gauge wire instead of doubled 14 gauge) Only one otter since I switched, but I think it will hold better.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/10/21 03:59 AM

I cable all otter sets. They are tornadoes, even in coni's.
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/10/21 10:00 AM

Nice otter
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/15/21 01:57 AM

Man did we get dumped on! Went out today to close the rest of the line, had a heck of a time just getting to my trailhead! We got about a foot and a half of snow out there and then the wind kicked up creating some serious drifts. Had some gear under 2 -3 ft of snow. Got stuck a few times, but it is what it is. Everything is pulled, now just need to run trough it and get it stowed away for next season.

Cut a set of kitty track and 2 sets of yote track, seed for next year smile My one bait station has a whole moose on it compliments of F&G, hopefully the critters will find it and give me a bunch of YOY to catch next year smile

Got home and the wife had ran to the PO. I had left a gator, a scarf , and a trap in Howlers truck when I flew back here. Totally spaced them out. Imagine my surprise when I got the box of that stuff with this in there smile

Helfrich 750 smile

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

That will go on the wall brother, TY!

Headed up to Ted's next week for a few days to give him a hand with some fur, then back here and start prepping for spring beaver smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: isnarewolves

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/15/21 04:18 PM

What! Leaving a good trap on the wall?
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/15/21 04:56 PM

Sounds like you had a party picking up sets. It would be interesting to see all the critters that stop by the moose carcass.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/15/21 07:49 PM

isnarewolves, yep on the wall smile It is the memories and thoughts that are behind it. I have a old Victor #1 LS I found along the bank of the Yukon from a moose hunting adventure, a BL # 4 DLS hat I found in the Nashua River in MA from when I first started chasing beaver, and a few others that bring back memories of good times smile

bfisch I had thought about hanging a trail cam back there, pretty easy to get to when there is snow on the ground and it is froze up, but once it is gone it is pretty boggy. Cant get a wheeler to it and if you walk in the junk is between ankle and knee deep. I will know what has been back there come next season smile Firm believer in topping off bait stations at the end of the season to help the critters through the toughest months.
Posted By: isnarewolves

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/15/21 08:45 PM

was the 750 a Ben Hopson trap?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/15/21 11:29 PM

Isnarewolves, nope, JR only has 1 of those and it is in his collection. He had picked up a bunch of gear from a old wolf trapper out of Healy that had about a dozen Helfrich 750's.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/22/21 03:29 AM

Went up and saw Ted the past few days, I always hate this time of year, between March and April there ain't much to do down here except get ready for bears, beaver, and fishing. On the plus side I got out of spring cleaning with the wife smile

Well Ted had a little skinning that needed done.......

[Linked Image]

Always enjoy spending time up there, just BS ing about trapping, making fishing plans, and of course ALOT of skinning smile

[Linked Image]

I picked up a few new things to add to skinning game as well. He showed me a new method of doing yote ears for taxidermy.

[Linked Image]

And this happened....... I broke the golden rule of using a knife, always cut away from yourself. I was trying to knuckle a wolf toe and was having a hard time, instead of pushing I pulled. Well I got the knuckle undone smile But when it popped I kinda poked myself.

5 Stitches and a tetanus shot later I finished that dang wolf smile

[Linked Image]

I got a lot of ribbing over that stupid mistake, the daughter actually called me a rookie smile But seriously I got very lucky, so with that said, just a friendly reminder to always follow the golden rule of cutting away from yourself.
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/22/21 03:04 PM

Oh man! Lucky I guess !!!!!!! Glad you're ok!


Skinning a deer with my FIL one time. He was squatted down and skinning down the side of deer. Snagged up on a tendon.........gave a jerk and buried the knife clear to the hilt in his thigh ! He passed out cold !

Got him in the truck and to the hospital. He made it but had a nasty infection. Just missed femoral artery
Posted By: drasselt

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/22/21 04:53 PM

Good aim! You missed your eye
Posted By: Oh Snap

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/22/21 05:39 PM

That’s too close, Glad it wasn’t worse!
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/22/21 06:12 PM

Glad it wasn't worse. Might want to wait a while before you shoot any big guns. Scope eye would about duplicate that scuff, and likely cause some discomfort, lol. And add to the Frankenstein look! Glad you are ok.

It would be nice to do some skinning with an experienced guy like Ted, probably pick up a few tips. I need to get faster.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/23/21 12:41 AM

Sounds like you had a good visit. Glad you missed your eye! What is the dark thing at the top of the critter picture (not the trash bag)?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/23/21 04:30 AM

Yeah I was very lucky, things happen and we got to poke fun at me, there wont be a next time smile

bfisch that was a pretty black wolf
Posted By: waggler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/23/21 05:30 PM

It is amazing that we don't have serious knife accidents more often. I was once opening an ammo can that had been zip tied with a really heavy duty zip tie. I was using a long thin boning knife, pulling it very hard towards me, the zip-tie finally pops and the knife comes straight back into my upper eye lid burying the tip in the back upper part of my eye socket. Very sore for several days, just happy I still had my eye.

If it would have been 3/4 of an inch lower it probably would have gone through my optic nerve, into my brain and resulted in a very embarrassing way to die. I can hear it now; "I always knew Wagner was going to die doing something stupid like that".
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/06/21 02:58 AM

Well the wound healed up good, got the stitches out last week smile

A friend had wrote me and said they had seen swans down by the river, sure enough Saturday morning I had 5 of them come cruising by the house, Spring is just around the corner smile

Got my gear all set and ready for open water. Ted stopped by today and dropped of the final thing I needed smile

[Linked Image]

I decided to break down and give these beetles a try for cleaning skulls, I got enough chow for them for a while so we will see how they pan out.
Got a otter skull in there now.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/06/21 04:00 AM

Share the skulls results when they are done. Where did you get the beetles? I wish open water beaver trapping was more of an option for me, but as soon as breakup happens a lot of the beaver are just too hard to get to.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/06/21 05:21 AM

bfisch, got them from this place............

http://bonesandbugs.com/purchase-de...ys4URajCRlspXO-uqZVq4KMNcu4vjjOUxIvD5fyA

I hear you on the bev. Been watching Dunlap updates as he traps spring beaver, it kills me!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/06/21 06:43 PM

What a pile of critters up at Teds. Glad you missed your eye, we all get way lucky using knifes and other sharp objects.

The beetles are a lot of fun and do a great job of cleaning skulls. I noticed my skulls seemed to have less oil with this method then they did when using maceration. Removing the brains or as much of the brains as you can also helps speed up the beetle process, they don't seem to like the brains so it starts to smell and take way longer if you leave them in. Keeping them in a moderately warm area speeds them up also but don't let it get too warm or they start flying.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/28/21 11:48 PM

Well finally had the river closest to me open up and decided to go set a few traps for the beaver. The weather down here has been pretty nice, highs in the 60's and lows in the 30's. Got caught up on stuff around the house so it was time to get busy and break the ice. Not a lot of sign but did manage to find a few spots.

Took this young buck with me, he got a nice one smile

[Linked Image]

Picked up two younger ones, one at a cross over and the other at a castor mound set.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Not bad for only having 6 traps out.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/29/21 05:33 AM

Looks like fun! Geese are coming back, but it might be a few days/weeks before the river breaks here.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/29/21 07:54 AM

I got a pair hanging around my little pond smile The past few days have seen alot of geese headed north. The ducks down here are in full mating cycle, I got three pairs nesting around that little pond smile

[Linked Image]
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/29/21 03:34 PM

That big fatty filled the 330!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/13/21 08:08 AM

Well I did a float trip that I had been wanting to do for some time. Not as productive as I had hoped but it was still an adventure smile

Gotta have a supportive spouse that is willing to drop you off early in the morning and run 20 miles to pick you up smile She actually figured out to to back a trailer up this time around smile

[Linked Image]

Took this young stud along with me, showed him some new country and I think he had a good time smile

[Linked Image]

We had some pretty good weather on this trip. Today there were hundreds of geese flying north.

[Linked Image]

Found this big boy laying along the bank. Always hate seeing dead moose after break up.

[Linked Image]

We ran all coni's on this run. The first section of river we hit there was alot of old sign but nothing produced. I think they either got trapped out or froze out. From the look of things along the river ice out did a pretty good number on the banks. We ended up catching 11, no toads all young ones.

[Linked Image]

Got one more run I want to make if I can convince my buddy to go smile Be safe out there!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/13/21 09:01 PM

Good to see you out and about still catching fur!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/14/21 12:41 AM

Thanks Rob. Still got a few more I need to get, have a agreement with a guy that is tanning a few bear hides for me smile Got my bait station in for yogi and fishing should is just around the corner smile On a side note...... I got a pair of cranes that are calling my pond home smile

[Linked Image]
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/14/21 01:04 AM

Nice work on the beaver! Now for the skinning. I am curious. Why do you float rather than boat? Sometimes I just want to go for a canoe ride rather than motor around.

Keep us posted on the trapping and bear baiting.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/14/21 01:59 AM

bfisch, the river I ran is small and skinny. You can run it with a jet when the water is high, but when it is low your not making it. With a canoe I can go from one landing to another approx 42 river miles. The big rivers boat only smile and right now I am waiting on a part for my motor, the recoil spring broke. In the past me and a buddy would run hard and stack up the beaver, 40 plus on a three day run.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/14/21 05:36 AM

Good for you! That is more beaver than I would want to put up (the 40 or the 11).
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/14/21 05:42 AM

Hahaha smile The guy I deal with only wants them fleshed out, saves me from boarding them smile He takes them and drops them right into his tanning solution.
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/15/21 02:30 PM

Great pics HFT,Nice job on the beaver.
I also like to barter whenever possible.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/06/21 02:39 AM

Well it has been a spell since I posted last. My plans for chasing beaver kinda got squashed, had some medical stuff pop up that took a little time. Been chasing bears but the only ones that have been coming in have been brownies. They will be nice and fat when the season opens next month. Got to spend a little time with Ted down in Valdez and up at his fish wheel smile Other then that just been taking care of things here at the house and making plans for a few hunts. Hope everyone is having a good summer!
Posted By: Wolverine Hunter

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/06/21 03:29 AM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
Well it has been a spell since I posted last. My plans for chasing beaver kinda got squashed, had some medical stuff pop up that took a little time. Been chasing bears but the only ones that have been coming in have been brownies. They will be nice and fat when the season opens next month. Got to spend a little time with Ted down in Valdez and up at his fish wheel smile Other then that just been taking care of things here at the house and making plans for a few hunts. Hope everyone is having a good summer!



Stay healthy. I need you in October! Maybe September too. I got a bone to pick with Hank...
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/06/21 06:09 AM

You whinned about the goat I can just hear it when we get a moose! smile
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/06/21 11:09 PM

Thanks for the update! I was wondering about your bear hunting.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/08/21 07:01 PM

bfisch alot of this......

[Linked Image]

We cut blackie track the beginning of the season and have not seen any since. Blue berries are starting to come in so hopefully they will show up running real low on my bear burger smile
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/08/21 10:22 PM

Sounds like a tough season. Hopefully your fall hunt goes better.
Can you hunt grizzlies where you are?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/08/21 11:52 PM

Yep, season opens back up the 10th of Aug.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/21 04:18 AM

Well I got a A for effort when it comes to chasing the bears this year. For the life of me I couldn't get on one, always next year smile I did hit it pretty hard for moose though. Went up to TOK and hunted with Ted, helped him get one opening day. Spent a lot of time out with my buddies Crucible6 and Cory around here, then took another buddy out the last week to my moose camp and he connected on the last day on a nice 53 incher.

I passed on three different bulls. The one I couldn't 100 percent say he was over 50 and of course he was a 2x2 on the brow tines. One looked like a spike but he wouldn't budge from behind a willow for me to get a better look and when he did move it was with a quickness. The third one, well I might have screwed that on up. I had just walked back into camp. It had started raining and the wind had kicked up pretty good. It had blown the tarp off the tent. So as I was standing there fixing it I looked up river and there stood a moose looking at me! I grabbed the gun and ran over to a tree for a rest got it in the crosshairs as it started walking across. It was about 200 yards away and when I first looked I thought it was a cow. Then I saw that it had a button! I grunted and he stopped and looked at me. When he turned his head sure enough on the left side he had a spike! I decided that if he kept going I'd pop him on the far bank, if he turned around I wouldn't have a shot and he would walk. Well you can guess what happened smile

A few months ago Wolverine Hunter asked me to go on a Brown Bear hunt with him after he picked up one of those coveted Kodiak Brown Bear tags.
I never been there so I figured what the heck sounds like a great adventure and I get to shoot blacktail deer to 🙂 Well I bit off more then I could chew!
I have hunted brownies for a few years now and have taken a few. I thought I had a pretty good understanding of how they operated their habits and such. Make no mistake I respect those animals and the power that they have. I totally never realized their aggressive nature though especially when they are really hungry!
I met up with him and his son in Anchorage, flew to Kodiak, then hopped on a Beaver ( float plane ) that flew us to the head waters of a bay. It is pretty country there! Huge mountain ranges, snow capped, and tidal flats that were covered in grass.

The amount of ducks and geese we saw made me kick myself in the butt for not taking a shogun along! We got camp set up the first evening there, the second day it poured so we hung out at camp till the following day.
The next day we started scouting to find a good spot to glass and look for bears. We headed up one river drainage and there were bear track all over! Seemed like alot of 6-7 footers based on the size of the track.
From there we cut across the tidal flat. The amount of sign we saw was like none I had ever seen! Fish heads all over the bank as we followed streams that drained into the bay.

Once we crossed the flats we continued up another river drainage. There was a knob on the map that looked like it would be a good place to glass from. As we approached the knob I spotted a nice blacktail walking down the river! We held up and when it was 70 yds away I harvested it. It had dropped right beside a big log which was perfect for placing the meat keeping it outta the sand and getting it ready to be packed out.
When I started the butchering process WH and his son decided to go up the knob and look around. It was a good over watch of were I was at and honestly I had no fear of a bear coming around in broad day light after I had shot. That was a huge mistake on my part!

I had laid all the meat out on the log, the back straps, the quarters, and one side of ribs. I was working on getting the last rib section off when I heard a whistle. I looked up at the knob and seen WH and his son both pointing down river. I didnt know what they were pointing at. A deer, a bear? Well I figured I better hurry up and finish what I was doing.
From WH's point of view.... They saw the bear about a quarter mile down river chasing the zombie salmon. (spawned out and dying salmon). When all of a sudden it lifted its head and put its nose into the wind. Once it caught wind of the deer it went into a dead run following the smell! It ran directly below them headed towards me when they shouted at me the second time!

When I heard the shout I looked up the knob and all I could see was a big bear coming at me full tilt! The first words and thoughts were OH S***!! I dropped my knife, grabbed my day pack and gun and started running away from the deer. My thoughts were the bear had seen the deer and that it would go directly to it.
Well I was dead wrong. It went past the deer and kept coming right at me. It is a pretty scary feeling when you see an animal full of blood lust bearing down on you. The look on that bears face, the huffing it was making I knew it wasn't going to stop.

It was at that split second I knew I had to strand my ground or get balled up by this bear. I stopped and started yelling at it and at 40 yards it got its one and only warning shot. It feels pretty humbling when your standing there facing a 800 lbs plus bear with a little .223.
Well the warning shot worked. The bear stopped dead in its track realizing I wasn't a deer, turned and ran right over to the deer that I had laid out like a chef! It grabbed the carcass and made a bee line into the brush. I made a bee line down river from that dang bear 🙂

WH said he had a bead on the bear and that if it had gone another 10 yds he would have shot. The season didn't open till the next day and I am glad he didn't shoot it then. Long story short the bear got my deer, and 3 knives.

The next day we went back to that same location and guess what was there, yeah the same bear 🙂 We were down wind and were able to get within a hundred yards of it. We waited for about a half hour until the bear gave WH a a good shot and he harvested the bear.
Now after what happened the day prior we decided that 2 of us would work on skinning the bear and one would keep watch. Sure enough WH's son was standing on that log scanning the river when out walked another bear! It made a bee line for us!

We all grabbed our guns and stood about 10 feet apart and started yelling and waving at that bear! At 60 yds it decided that there were to many of us and that we weren't giving up the chow so he lingered for about 20 minutes before he moved on. I am grateful and appreciative that WH's son stood watch and spotted that joker when he did. If it wouldn't have been for him that bear would have literally popped out 20 yds behind us due to the brush.
WH and his boy went back two days later to see if anything had messed with the carcass and sure enough about a 9 footer had dragged it up into the alder thickets and buried it!
We tried to hunt for deer the remainder of the trip but the thought of having another negative encounter kinda hindered that 🙂

Still got 2 hunts that are on the table, one for Montague for deer, and one up on the Taylor when the bou come in, in numbers.
Did a little beaver trapping, picked up a couple for bait.
I am all set for trapping season, traps are waxed and dyed, snares all set up and ready to go, and I have been collecting as much bait as I can. Now all I need is some freaking cold weather and snow!!!

Headed out in the am to do a little scouting. Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Oh Snap

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/21 04:45 AM

HFY

What a trip! Glad you all made it back safely!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/21 04:45 AM

Thats a great Narrative of your Hunt HFT.
Felt like I was there taking a bead on a charging grizzer.
Posted By: Wolverine Hunter

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/21 04:58 AM

See, I told ya he made good bait! grin
Posted By: Slick Pan

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/21 05:09 AM

Hunted in grizzly country most of my life. Stories to tell yes many. Lessons learned not really because I am always ready. Dead game on the ground is a big issue. Hunting with buddies is a must. Be prepared and ready for anything. Carry a big piece. Forget bear spray.
Posted By: 30/06

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/21 07:07 AM

Great story, well told. Reckon you'll bring that .223 again on your next trip to Kodak?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/21 03:25 PM

30/06, honestly, probably will never go back there. Plenty of places with deer and far less bears smile
Posted By: Wolverine Hunter

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/21 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
30/06, honestly, probably will never go back there. Plenty of places with deer and far less bears smile


Don't forget, there's mountain goats on that island, and you can shoot two of them!
Posted By: Wolverine Hunter

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/21 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
Well I got a A for effort when it comes to chasing the bears this year. For the life of me I couldn't get on one, always next year smile I did hit it pretty hard for moose though. Went up to TOK and hunted with Ted, helped him get one opening day. Spent a lot of time out with my buddies Crucible6 and Cory around here, then took another buddy out the last week to my moose camp and he connected on the last day on a nice 53 incher.

I passed on three different bulls. The one I couldn't 100 percent say he was over 50 and of course he was a 2x2 on the brow tines. One looked like a spike but he wouldn't budge from behind a willow for me to get a better look and when he did move it was with a quickness. The third one, well I might have screwed that on up. I had just walked back into camp. It had started raining and the wind had kicked up pretty good. It had blown the tarp off the tent. So as I was standing there fixing it I looked up river and there stood a moose looking at me! I grabbed the gun and ran over to a tree for a rest got it in the crosshairs as it started walking across. It was about 200 yards away and when I first looked I thought it was a cow. Then I saw that it had a button! I grunted and he stopped and looked at me. When he turned his head sure enough on the left side he had a spike! I decided that if he kept going I'd pop him on the far bank, if he turned around I wouldn't have a shot and he would walk. Well you can guess what happened smile

A few months ago Wolverine Hunter asked me to go on a Brown Bear hunt with him after he picked up one of those coveted Kodiak Brown Bear tags.
I never been there so I figured what the heck sounds like a great adventure and I get to shoot blacktail deer to 🙂 Well I bit off more then I could chew!
I have hunted brownies for a few years now and have taken a few. I thought I had a pretty good understanding of how they operated their habits and such. Make no mistake I respect those animals and the power that they have. I totally never realized their aggressive nature though especially when they are really hungry!
I met up with him and his son in Anchorage, flew to Kodiak, then hopped on a Beaver ( float plane ) that flew us to the head waters of a bay. It is pretty country there! Huge mountain ranges, snow capped, and tidal flats that were covered in grass.

The amount of ducks and geese we saw made me kick myself in the butt for not taking a shogun along! We got camp set up the first evening there, the second day it poured so we hung out at camp till the following day.
The next day we started scouting to find a good spot to glass and look for bears. We headed up one river drainage and there were bear track all over! Seemed like alot of 6-7 footers based on the size of the track.
From there we cut across the tidal flat. The amount of sign we saw was like none I had ever seen! Fish heads all over the bank as we followed streams that drained into the bay.

Once we crossed the flats we continued up another river drainage. There was a knob on the map that looked like it would be a good place to glass from. As we approached the knob I spotted a nice blacktail walking down the river! We held up and when it was 70 yds away I harvested it. It had dropped right beside a big log which was perfect for placing the meat keeping it outta the sand and getting it ready to be packed out.
When I started the butchering process WH and his son decided to go up the knob and look around. It was a good over watch of were I was at and honestly I had no fear of a bear coming around in broad day light after I had shot. That was a huge mistake on my part!

I had laid all the meat out on the log, the back straps, the quarters, and one side of ribs. I was working on getting the last rib section off when I heard a whistle. I looked up at the knob and seen WH and his son both pointing down river. I didnt know what they were pointing at. A deer, a bear? Well I figured I better hurry up and finish what I was doing.
From WH's point of view.... They saw the bear about a quarter mile down river chasing the zombie salmon. (spawned out and dying salmon). When all of a sudden it lifted its head and put its nose into the wind. Once it caught wind of the deer it went into a dead run following the smell! It ran directly below them headed towards me when they shouted at me the second time!

When I heard the shout I looked up the knob and all I could see was a big bear coming at me full tilt! The first words and thoughts were OH S***!! I dropped my knife, grabbed my day pack and gun and started running away from the deer. My thoughts were the bear had seen the deer and that it would go directly to it.
Well I was dead wrong. It went past the deer and kept coming right at me. It is a pretty scary feeling when you see an animal full of blood lust bearing down on you. The look on that bears face, the huffing it was making I knew it wasn't going to stop.

It was at that split second I knew I had to strand my ground or get balled up by this bear. I stopped and started yelling at it and at 40 yards it got its one and only warning shot. It feels pretty humbling when your standing there facing a 800 lbs plus bear with a little .223.
Well the warning shot worked. The bear stopped dead in its track realizing I wasn't a deer, turned and ran right over to the deer that I had laid out like a chef! It grabbed the carcass and made a bee line into the brush. I made a bee line down river from that dang bear 🙂

That's a better description of how it happened. I was hoping you'd tell the story, since you were the bears focus and had the most excitement.


WH said he had a bead on the bear and that if it had gone another 10 yds he would have shot. The season didn't open till the next day and I am glad he didn't shoot it then. Long story short the bear got my deer, and 3 knives.

The next day we went back to that same location and guess what was there, yeah the same bear 🙂 We were down wind and were able to get within a hundred yards of it. We waited for about a half hour until the bear gave WH a a good shot and he harvested the bear.
Now after what happened the day prior we decided that 2 of us would work on skinning the bear and one would keep watch. Sure enough WH's son was standing on that log scanning the river when out walked another bear! It made a bee line for us!

We all grabbed our guns and stood about 10 feet apart and started yelling and waving at that bear! At 60 yds it decided that there were to many of us and that we weren't giving up the chow so he lingered for about 20 minutes before he moved on. I am grateful and appreciative that WH's son stood watch and spotted that joker when he did. If it wouldn't have been for him that bear would have literally popped out 20 yds behind us due to the brush.
WH and his boy went back two days later to see if anything had messed with the carcass and sure enough about a 9 footer had dragged it up into the alder thickets and buried it!
We tried to hunt for deer the remainder of the trip but the thought of having another negative encounter kinda hindered that 🙂

Still got 2 hunts that are on the table, one for Montague for deer, and one up on the Taylor when the bou come in, in numbers.
Did a little beaver trapping, picked up a couple for bait.
I am all set for trapping season, traps are waxed and dyed, snares all set up and ready to go, and I have been collecting as much bait as I can. Now all I need is some freaking cold weather and snow!!!

Headed out in the am to do a little scouting. Be safe out there guys!


That's a better story, and I was hoping you'd do that. It's better from your perspective, since you were the focus of the bear, and had the REAL excitement.
Although I won't deny it was a real nail biter up on that knob. Guys - looking down from above - my crosshairs were just behind the shoulder blades in the center of the back. I was taking up the slack on the trigger and within a second of firing. Ben was too, and would have fired if I did. Your warning shot saved the bear, if only for one more day. But yeah, it was going to do that 40 yard dash in about 2 seconds! From all I've seen and read - it just appears that the bears on that island are a different breed with a different attitude altogether. I think in many ways, it's a totally different animal than what you would find on the KP for instance, or inland more. I believe they are very hungry, are the most aggressive, and have the least fear of man.
Posted By: drasselt

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/21 05:49 PM

I've had similar scenarios with lean spring bears whereas fat fall bears seemed less hungry/aggressive? Just goes to show - again - don't turn your back!
Posted By: AK TRAPR

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/21 09:23 PM

Sounds like quite the adventure
Posted By: Top Jimmy

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/21 10:16 PM

So how big was the bear you harvested? Enquiring minds want to know.. smile

-TJ

Edit: I hate bears. Have been charged multiple times and I just throw the underwear away after. For the first time in the 30 years we have been at our moose camp, we had one outside our tent the last night. Nothing like waking up to snow crunching as it walks right outside.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/21 10:57 PM

TJ, It was WH bear. I think he said it was 7'6". Respectable, especially considering he was competing with 2 different guides and their clients. I am jealous of the hide, pretty fur!

I hear you on hating the bears. Have not had that happen yet but we always talk about it and prepare for it.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/08/21 12:37 AM

Thanks for the story HFT. Those are the kind you remember! Glad you didn't get balled up. I had an encounter with a bear on Kodiak a few years back. He didn't get a chance for a warning shot. Won't ever forget that.
Posted By: mad_mike

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/08/21 12:58 AM

Quite the adventure, HFT And WH.
A rule of thumb I have lived by, a bear gets about two seconds to make the right choice. That would be to exit. From moment of meeting one in the timber or brush, two seconds is an amazing amount of time.
Coastal bears are quite different than the interior bears.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/08/21 02:08 AM

What a time! Sounds like a rush, but not the one I would go seeking. Good luck on your hunts to come!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/09/21 07:10 PM

That was a heck of a bear hunt! Glad everything worked out and you had some steady partners in the field with you. Its pretty unnerving having your head on a constant swivel listening for every sound while working on a downed animal.
Posted By: Aknative

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/10/21 07:17 AM

Yikes! Glad you made it out, too bad about that blacktail but better safe than sorry. Those little things are darn good eating.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/12/21 12:00 AM

Well made it out this past Sunday just to poke around on the line and see what the conditions were. Didnt make it to far on my trails walking, no snow, skim ice. The porkies done a number on my boxes this year, so switching over to using flower pots. Did a little blocking on a few areas in prep for the opener. Was pretty certain I would be riding the wheeler again this year.

Didn't make it out yesterday, but I did get a otter and mink set out down by my pond.

Woke up to this this morning smile Soooooo glad I didn't set yesterday!

[Linked Image]

Time to go break some trail!!
Posted By: Wolverine Hunter

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/12/21 03:32 AM

We got a couple of inches of fresh stuff here today, too. I'm looking forward to getting out in a couple of days, spending all day out there, looking for tracks, and making some sets. feeling a little cooped up already.
Posted By: Aknative

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/12/21 04:15 AM

Good luck!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/12/21 06:29 AM

Definitely a slow start this year.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/13/21 02:32 AM

Well the office is officially open smile Got out and broke trail. Had to take a Motrin when I got home. Bouncy and bumpy as heck!!! Always love the fresh powder though smile

[Linked Image]

I picked up 2 newer sleds this year. The one is still in the shop getting serviced and new skis put on it. Should be out in a week or two. I picked this little gem up from a guy in Anchorage. His father had bought it brand new in 1989 with the intent of trapping. Well I guess things didnt go his way and it sat in his shop till this past week. Less the 200 miles on it smile I told the wife I was getting it for her, but it is my back up sled smile Runs like a champ!

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

I run about 8 bait stations and always top them off at the end of the season. My thoughts are that the ones that survived will find it and they will bring their pups there in the summer for fur and bones. I took two bags of bait in with me today and rolled up to this......

[Linked Image]

Looked like fox and yote were poking around smile I had to set it smile

Other then that didn't see much for track but that is kinda normal after a big dump of snow like what we got.

Hanging snares tomorrow!

Be safe!
Posted By: Ryan McLeod

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/13/21 02:57 AM

Right on. I broke down and set 5 snares this evening too.
Posted By: Wolverine Hunter

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/13/21 07:04 AM

I'm a little Jelly about that skidoo. Good for you.
Posted By: crosspatch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/13/21 12:31 PM

Cheyenne. Good skidoo with a good engine. Make sure to put ski boots on (the ones that are wider than the ski not the skins that just mirror the ski).
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/15/21 01:20 AM

WH- wait till you see the other one smile

crosspatch that is the plan smile

Finished putting in snare lines and bait stations today. Should have been done yesterday but some knuckle head had went through a portion of my line and cut a bunch of my snares. Pretty sure it was a moose hunter, they have a camp that sits center along the river. Only about 2 dozen snares and I was going to change them out this year anyhow. Is what it is.

I put in a bait station last night and rolled up on my first yote of the year this morning smile

[Linked Image]

Not seeing much of bunny sign, not like last year anyhow.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Northof50

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/15/21 02:29 AM

The first couple of tanks of gas through that " antique skidoo " and the change of filter should be good for quite a run afterwards.
Bozo's with leatherman are dangerous, sorry for you loss of snares.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/15/21 06:31 PM

Bummer about people messing with what they shouldn't be messing with. Great catch!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/24/21 06:28 AM

Just got in from a deer hunt that took a few days longer then planned due to crappy weather.
Was a awesome hunt, good company, 4 vets hanging out together is always a good time smile I got to watch my buddy get a nice buck and was the high light of my trip.
We ended up getting 7 deer, I got 4 smile
One of the biggest draws for me and this hunt is the scenery and the serenity.
Started out with about 6 inches of snow and left there with it being above my knee.
The last day I had a huge buck come in and stand there and watch me before I realized he was there. He will be bigger next year smile

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

The freezer is full and it is time to get busy getting gear out smile

Be safe out there!
Posted By: Aknative

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/24/21 07:41 AM

Nice! Between work and the kids not taking care of business I haven't gotten much drive to get out since grousing, but I sure enjoy seeing other peoples' pictures and reading their stories. If this week goes smooth maybe we can start some bait piles this weekend.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/24/21 07:03 PM

Good deal! You have put in a lot of time hunting this fall!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/21 02:27 AM

Pretty good run today. 1 lynx, 1 marten, 1 cross, 2 reds, and 3 yotes. They wiped out 3 bait stations and at one for the life of me I can not see how they missed hitting a snare! Got them re baited and starting to put more gear out in the am.

[Linked Image]

Picked this up from the shop today smile Exactly 198 miles on it smile Just waiting for some real snow!

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted By: scootermac

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/21 02:54 AM

I see your hammering the canines again, good stuff!
Posted By: AK TRAPR

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/21 03:12 AM

thats a nice haul nice sled
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/21 04:05 AM

Smack-down!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/21 05:51 AM

Wow! Keep it up!
Posted By: Wolverine Hunter

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/21 07:49 PM

I think you got enough snow machine for me too :-)
Congrats.
I am especially jealous of the Lynx and Cross.
I think you got more critters caught there than actually live on my entire trapline!
Fun to go from one thing and wade right into the next.
I can tell you're busy. No time to tell stories properly like you sometimes do :-)
Happy Thanksgiving.
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/21 09:00 PM

WOW that's a really good start John !
Posted By: martentrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/21 09:31 PM

Freeride, right? 550 eng.? That should help with the bumps! Can't make us that jealous till you tell us what you paid for them!!
Nice mixed bag catch!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/21 10:28 PM

Thanks for the kind words guys smile Was going to head out today but decided to do some prep work. K9 sets tomorrow then marten mink and otter the following day. That is my plan anyhow.

martentrapper, picked the 503 Cheyenne and a trailer up for 3k. It only had 839 miles on it. The guys dad bought it brand new with the intent to trap but it ended up sitting in his shop till he passed.
The Freeride 550 only has 198 miles on it, the gentleman that owned it rode it one winter, he is 72. Paid 5k for it then dropped another k getting new wider skis, serviced, new belts, and tow hitch.
I gotta run fan cooled sleds down here, the weather swings are pretty wild and liquid cooled sleds dont cut it. I looked real hard at some of the brand spanking new sleds and just couldn't justify it. Paid less for 2 then what I would have paid for 1 smile Aint running that Freeride till we get more snow down here, my trail is pretty hard on tracks and sleds in general until we get at least a foot of powder.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/26/21 11:08 PM

Well got out this am and got some steel in the ground for the fox and yotes. Was able to actually put in some snow holes this year for as cold as it is, and of course a few haysets smile Checked some gear and picked up a nice lynx and yote.

Ted’s Meowch struck again smile

[Linked Image]

Got this joker on the bait station were they missed all the freaking snares. Knew it was just a matter of time.

[Linked Image]

Got a bunch of skinning to get done then headed back out in the am to get gear out for marten mink and otter.

Be safe out there!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/27/21 12:21 AM

Hammering the fur HFT.
Good to have 2 snowmachines so no downtime on the line if one needs repairs.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/27/21 01:16 AM

Very nice start!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/27/21 04:17 PM

John you are off to a running start! Love all the critters and those new sleds should give you a smoother ride.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/30/21 04:20 AM

Finished getting the line out today. Still have a few places I want to set up form the fox and yote but I am at 90 percent smile

Had this little guy show up this morning in my shed smile That bucket was full of beaver chunks. Might have the wife trap it so she can say she actually caught something smile

[Linked Image]
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/30/21 04:40 AM

I love those little guys. And you won't have vermin issues with it around.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/01/21 11:57 PM

Last run I went up a creek to one of my favorite places. Kinda worried about running that creek this year. It had flooded pretty good and then froze. I found this drop out right above one of my lynx locations. I could see were the otter had come out on the right. Today I blocked it in and set 2 330's. Now it is just a waiting game and hoping over flow dont bite me! We got about 4 inches of fresh snow and temps are suppose to drop. Hopefully the critters will move!

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/02/21 01:11 AM

Cool looking set HFT.
Otters always seem to be able to find a place to get under or on top of the ice.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/21 12:30 AM

Thanks Boco! It took a little work but I think it will pay off smile

I love the color of this one smile

[Linked Image]

Here is a question for you guys. Growing up in PA the critters loved sheep and goats, pigs on the other hand nothing would touch. Up here it seems to be the opposite. Last year I got two baby goats that had passed away and wired them to the base of a tree as bait. Didn't get anything and today driving by that area those dang things are still there! Anyone else have a similar outcome or experience?
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/21 01:41 AM

I would have thought a black bear would have snagged those in the spring at least.

I had a porkie in a 330 that I didn't want to try removing from the trap. I hung it on a low branch so it could be reached from the ground. It hung there two years. Even the flies weren't interested.


On the other hand, I knew a gal in Red Devil who kept a couple of goats just to keep the bears away. Maybe the goats were just too different to interest anything
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/21 02:48 AM

Don't know about goats, but have had poor luck with porky meat. Been a few times when bait ran low, so harvested porky, skinned and placed in sets. No takers.
I know marten, wolverine, and fisher hunt/kill them, but I have had zero luck using them for bait.
Posted By: Ryan McLeod

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/21 02:51 AM

Good looking otter set.
I shot a moose a couple years back in February. Had no fat on it and had a funny smell. Tried eating some and it tasted awful. Not sure exactly what was wrong with it but the pooled up blood had a whitish oily looking film on it. Even the wolverines wouldn’t touch it.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/21 07:50 AM

white, I thought at least the bears would get them as well, plenty of them out there! Interesting about the gal and the goats, maybe a new bear deterrent, goat spary smile

av, I think a critter gotta be pretty dang hungry to eat one of them or maybe there is a certain time of year that they hunt them. I harvested one for a friend, skinned it out and let the carcass at the base of a spruce, nothing touched it, the skeleton was still there the following fall.

Ryan, that would bite! All that work for that moose! It must have been pretty sick if nothing touched it. I have heard that domestic animals that have been given antibiotics and then passed critters wouldn't touch it. I was given a horse once that had got sick, they doped it up pretty good with antibiotics before it passed. I chunked it up and put it at a bait station, not even the ravens would touch it. It seems that when the birds dont mess with it nothing will.
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/21 04:06 PM

Yeah the gal I knew said the stench of the billies kept the bears away
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/21 07:13 PM

man you all bring up some good questions in regards to what animals wont eat. I always thought spring bears would eat anything but it seems even they are picky at times.

Never seen anything eat a porcupine, they just sit there and rot away. Eagles and ravens are others I have not see anything eat.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/21 07:20 PM

Interestingly, I couldn't count how many marten I have taken with quills in them. And pretty much every wolverine, as well.
Of course that doesn't mean they eat them.
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/21 07:34 PM

Same here. I suspect they do eat them.Why else take the risk of killing them ?

One winter I took to following wolverine tracks all over the place. I found several porky dens I never would have seen in a lifetime. Over the years I have noticed many wolverines checking out those same locations year after year.

I believe wolverines are like bears in that respect. Once they find food in a location they check it out on every trip through the territory. That is an exploitable habit.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/21 08:23 PM

white that is some good info on the wolverine.

Got a call from Fish and Game to come pick up a moose for trapping bait. When I got there they had three on a trailer. I asked what happened to them, they were all bulls and missing their heads. Some jack wagon had poached all three. mad They said the troopers were on them and fixing to lower the hammer. Pretty bummed about where they were shot at, within 3 miles of where I hunt. Makes me wonder oif that is the reason I saw so few bulls this past season.

[Linked Image]

Anyhow I got some bait that will last a spell.

Be safe out there!
Posted By: nooksack

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/21 08:32 PM

Interesting on porkys, I can’t count the number of coyote, wolverine, wolf,I’ve skinned with quills in them. I also know Andrew Berg’s book he fed his dogs, and ate them himself preferring the meat. I’ve had wolf and otter carcasses go untouched, but had them devoured on other occasions. Probably has something to do with other contaminants acquired between skinning and dumping on the bait pile.
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/21 08:33 PM

Despicable. I hope they hang the poacher.

Good for you though. How long had it been dead ?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/21 08:47 PM

white, I hope so to. The bellies were bloated and they got some stink so a few days at least. I will let it freeze up then take the sawz all to it and get chuncks that I can carry.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/04/21 12:17 AM

The wolves here are quite happy to haul away an otter carcass. Wolverine, too.
Posted By: Ryan McLeod

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/04/21 03:09 AM

I’ve seen porcupine eaten by wolverine before. Eaten from the belly and all that’s left is a neat little shell of hair and quills. Got a few wolves full of quills too
Posted By: muskrat411

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/04/21 05:14 AM

I took my dog Musky up to the gravel pit one time. He spotted a porkypine and went to town. Before I got him off of it he was al quilled up.
Posted By: Allan Minear

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/04/21 01:45 PM

Great pictures and stories I enjoy your post a great deal HFT !

I also wish I had a dollar for every fox , coyote and from time to time even bobcat that had porcupine quills under their hide .
It appeared as if they would roll on them for whatever reason , interesting behavior for sure .
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/05/21 04:51 AM

That's a good amount of bait! I must live in hungry country. Every carcass I throw out gets eaten.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/05/21 07:10 AM

Too bad about the moose poacher, hope they nab him.
Posted By: Wolverine Hunter

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/05/21 08:13 PM

We had a dork down here by Anchor Point that got caught doing that last year during hunting season. He kept shooting moose that were sub-legal, and then leaving them lay. Pretty trigger happy. Eventually it caught up with him. Hope they get the poacher. Let us know if they do. Should be newsworthy. In some ways I could see someone poaching a moose out in the boonies if they were desperate and starving and would put it to good use, but just cutting off the head and leaving it? Yup. String em up, figuratively speaking. Anyways I'm sure you will put the moose bait to good use. Hoping for something similar down in my neck of the woods.
Posted By: MT bowhunter

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/06/21 12:32 AM

Porkies make pretty good bobcat bait down here. As a kid I trapped a lot of them with 330's in cubby sets.
Posted By: Top Jimmy

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/06/21 02:36 AM

It seemed otter carcasses never got touched on the dump pile. Not even the ravens, but they would eat coyotes, fox, and lynx all day long out of the same pile.

Caught an ermine one year with a porky quill through his foot and another into his midsection.

-TJ

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Trailblazersteve

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/06/21 03:41 AM

I trap quite a few fatty otter every year and the carcasses NEVER make it back out into the field. Birds won’t even touch them and I’m in some hungry country..

I would loose at least half a dozen traps a year without my metal detector.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/06/21 03:52 AM

Very interesting about otter carcasses. Here, I dump them, they are gone next visit. Typically wolf tracks all around.
Birds pick at them, but the wolves carry the whole thing off.
Same with wolverine.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/06/21 04:00 AM

Well made a quick run today and picked up a ermine and a nice marten. Like the flower pot set up smile

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Not looking forward to this and the reason I was asking about marking............

[Linked Image]

We will see what comes of it. Be safe out there!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/06/21 07:58 AM

Good catches! Hope you don't lose any traps.
Posted By: bearcat2

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/06/21 09:37 AM

I've never used porky for bait, but I know here fisher, marten, bobcat and lion all hunt, kill, and eat them. By the way they go out of their way to get them, they appear to consider porky a delicacy. All will start eating them from the belly side, and I've seen where bobcats have eat them and left a perfect skin, with the feet still in, but cleaner of flesh than I would skin, without a hole in it.

Otters on the other hand, can lay in a pile of bait and while everything else is gobbled, remain completely untouched. They will eventually melt down, long after everything else is ate or packed off, but nothing will touch an otter here, maggots will barely eat them.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/09/21 02:01 AM

Well I am beginning to think the weather channel is fake news. All the hype about that storm and we got maybe 2 inches! The critters moved a little while it was warm.

Picked up my first mink of the season.

[Linked Image]

I love my Montana Specials! Caught this joker in a hay set with Lenons fox lure and a piece of deer fat.

[Linked Image]

Running a snare line I came to my turning point and was looking for a snare. I knew it was there but I wasnt seeing it. Got a little closer and found it smile

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there!
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/09/21 03:59 AM

Nice work John. Made it across the river today. Heading out this weekend. Be safe and keep piling it up.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/09/21 04:13 AM

Good check! The one in the snare looks wolf like from the picture.
I was really hoping we would get 10 inches like it forecast. We got four inches and a couple skiffs since then. Still rough going but nothing like it was.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/09/21 04:36 AM

JR good to hear! Look forward to hearing about your adventures this year! Hope you have good weather and get alot of gear out!

bfisch, I wish that was a wolf smile That pic of the yote in the trap, I had one come through there last year. They are a rarity on my line. Yeah we both know the snow will eventually come, I hope it is just gradually and not one big dump smile
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/09/21 06:28 PM

Have gotten over 50" here, already. Now drizzly, freezing rain. Dropping into single digits this weekend. I will be chipping and digging out the sets I just put in, 3 days ago.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/09/21 07:27 PM

You are stacking them up John!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/10/21 12:19 AM

av, Hate it for you! The coast is getting hammered pretty good with snow!

I am trying Rob smile

Ted’s Meowch struck again!

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there!
Posted By: Ryan McLeod

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/10/21 03:30 AM

You’re doing good buddy.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/10/21 07:52 AM

Nice fluffy looking cat!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/12/21 01:52 AM

Got a little variety today on the line smile

I think I caught the worlds smallest fox, still had milk on its lip smile

[Linked Image]

Picked up a nice marten at a set that I didnt think would produce.

[Linked Image]

Little ermine smile

[Linked Image]

The hay sets are paying off for me this year smile

[Linked Image]

And Meowch struck again for me smile

[Linked Image]

Now here is a question for you guys. I cut these tracks today and I am scratching my head to what they belong to. Bigger then a marten and a different stride. Any Ideas?

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Hodagtrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/12/21 03:01 AM

Looks like a fisher but not sure if they are in your area.

Chris
Posted By: mad_mike

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/12/21 03:30 AM

Nice work! You are doing well on the cats this season. Looks like fisher to me also.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/12/21 05:41 AM

Marten, maybe carrying a mouthful.
Posted By: bearcat2

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/12/21 04:19 PM

Is the snow wet and packy where you took the picture of the track? The stride and pattern looks like fisher to me also (we have quite a lot here) but like marten, fisher have hair on their pads and toes can seldom be seen in tracks unless the snow is very wet and packy.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/12/21 08:47 PM

madmike, Thanks for the kind words!

bearcat, No fisher here. Dry fresh snow.

av, I think you might be right in that whatever it was is carrying something. Maybe that could explain why the track is so much bigger then normal. What is confusing to me is that I cut those tracks about a mile further down my trail and they were the same size and pattern. I didnt have time to investigate and run the track, but next run I will be following its trail to see what is up. -17 here so they aint going anywhere smile
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/12/21 09:22 PM

Are there four toes or five in that track ?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/12/21 09:29 PM

white I see 4 which would be a marten, and if it is a marten it is a toad !
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/12/21 10:16 PM

Catch it HFT,then you'll know
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/12/21 10:35 PM

Yeah John I have seen that strange pattern when they are loping and then switch to waking or vice versa.

It also seems like a marten wouldn't "post hole" in that deeper snow unless it was really fluffy and especially if he is carrying something
Posted By: TAtrap

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/13/21 03:24 AM

[Linked Image]
Here's some marten tracks I came across a couple weeks ago, super dry fluffy snow. No detail for toes, but the shape and size look pretty close to the ones in your picture.
Posted By: Chickenminer

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/13/21 04:27 AM

Marten can make some funny track patterns at times.
[Linked Image]
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/14/21 02:03 AM

Appreciate the input guys! Boco that is the plan, next run dropping some more gear smile
Posted By: Northof50

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/14/21 02:57 AM

Old collectors moto
" what is missed- remains a mystery- Butt- what is hit- is history "

So get you BUTT out there and get that gear in place for some history.

one foot not being used all the time could have been an old injury and it is favouring it ;ie porky quill or snapped trap...
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/16/21 01:37 AM

Pretty chilly run for me today. -22 when I headed out. I know that aint much for most of you guys but my body just cant handle the cold like it used to. Things always seem to wanna break in negative weather. I must have hit a knob head the wrong way cause I broke a front suspension spring.
The dang birds hit me pretty hard and wiped out three bait stations. The ice cubes I dropped today hopefully will last a little longer. I am about out of snares at one bait. I keep dropping 3-6 everytime out there and the dang fox or yote finds a different entrance. Just got to be a little patient.

Picked this little yote up by a bait station. Didnt seem to hardly fight the snare at all and decided to hang out.

[Linked Image]

Should have had 2 yotes today but this joker decided to come in on the back side. The yotes are really digging that Lenons fox lure I got from Ted!

[Linked Image]

I followed that set of track for a spell. I am not convinced that it is a marten, sure aint a wolverine, but I am thinking it might be a little lynx. Either way I dropped some gear for when it passes through again.

Be safe out there!
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/16/21 02:30 AM

I wondered about a lynx kitten too. That's why I asked how many toes in the track. Hope you figure it out
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/17/21 05:34 AM

Man! You are having a good season! Keep rolling!

Got to watch out for those tussocks. I hit one with the ski and the handle bars jammed my wrist.
Posted By: martentrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/17/21 06:54 AM

Felines and canines have 4 toes. Weasel family has 5. Looks like your getting something every time out. That would satisfy me, at least for a while.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/17/21 04:40 PM

Those tussocks are hard on us and our machines.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/21 12:02 AM

Well got a big goose egg last run, nothing moved and we picked up about 3 inches of powder. Snowing right now and calling for about 5 inches so will be digging gear out come tomorrow.

Went to Three Bears today and look at what is there now!!!!

[Linked Image]
Posted By: drasselt

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/21 02:22 AM

I was in 3bears looking at the eggnog and made a comment to a lady nearby. It was near the trapping supply section and skunk was in the air. She said something about the eggnog then gave me a hard look and said she smelled pot. I tried to explain about the trapping lure but she said that didn't make sense because there are no skunks in Alaska. I laughed and moved on.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/21 04:18 AM

To my trapping buddies, voice your opinion to Fish and Game. If people followed the leash law and maintained control of their dogs there wouldn't be any incidents. You give them an inch they will take a mile, look at how much they want!!!!

Copied from another group. If you utilize trails in the valley and are concerned about trapping along the trail systems you may want to comment here:

There is a proposal before the Board of Game this year (proposal 199) to regulate 50 yard no-trap setbacks from multiuse trails in the Mat Su area.

The Board of Game makes all the decisions about trapping regulations, including if people can trap on trails like Knik glacier, so if you have thoughts on this issue you can write a comment to the Board of Game before January 9th here :

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=process.comments

The Board won't consider any chances in regulation for the Palmer, Mat Su area for another three years, so this is your chance!

You can see the trap setback proposal (proposal 199) here: https://static1.squarespace.com/.../AWA+trap+proposal+199...
Posted By: BillNye

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/21 07:28 AM

50 yards ultimately ain't that far but do they really think anyone is going to be walking off leash dogs 10+ miles back on some of these trails or across rivers? I feel like they might have had more luck with a more reasonable proposal...
Posted By: drasselt

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/21 11:42 AM

Proposal 99 by an anchorage lawyer wants to close more areas including the entire Hayflats Refuge. Comments to oppose 99 and 199 are due by January 9 I believe.
Posted By: Allan Minear

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/21 11:46 AM

Granted Bill I may not live in Alaska however down here I've ran into people walking dogs close to 10 miles off a main gravel road it wasn't very often but it only takes one bad instance to get bad press for trapping and trappers .

The saying death from a thousand cuts come to mind , a what seems a small loss here a small loss there and all of a sudden no one is trapping .

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone !
Allan
Posted By: BillNye

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/21 07:09 PM

Allan, I guess my thought was that during most of the trapping season up here walking anywhere becomes quite difficult due to deep snow. I run a snowshoe line and it's a lot of work punching in a 3-5 mile loop. Not really the point I guess. They're asking for a big blanket ban and a it seems to me that it would leave the Mat-Su only a half step from Juneau where you can hardly trap without a boat. Especially when the only thing that really endangers dogs is 330s set close to trails and doing that already violates the ATA ethics codes. The proposal cites all of one fatal incident that was widely condemned by the trapping community (330 right next to a well used trailhead) and a few more where a dog was snared or held in a foothold and released. While any dog being killed is a shame, it's definitely an overzealous response to a fairly insignificant problem
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/21 07:13 PM

That link for proposal 199 doesn't work for me
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/21 07:58 PM

white I have tried copy and pasting the link. This is the link on the ADFG site.

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=gameboard.proposalbook&fbclid=IwAR37sG4GSTR24e6c13zG0-goAccuhh-ZMSteZ-6saWY1ZNvdcT5lMRYOglQ#,fixed
Posted By: drasselt

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/21 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by BillNye
Allan, I guess my thought was that during most of the trapping season up here walking anywhere becomes quite difficult due to deep snow. I run a snowshoe line and it's a lot of work punching in a 3-5 mile loop. Not really the point I guess. They're asking for a big blanket ban and a it seems to me that it would leave the Mat-Su only a half step from Juneau where you can hardly trap without a boat. Especially when the only thing that really endangers dogs is 330s set close to trails and doing that already violates the ATA ethics codes. The proposal cites all of one fatal incident that was widely condemned by the trapping community (330 right next to a well used trailhead) and a few more where a dog was snared or held in a foothold and released. While any dog being killed is a shame, it's definitely an overzealous response to a fairly insignificant problem


Agree. Seems silly for them to ask for so much?
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/21 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
white I have tried copy and pasting the link. This is the link on the ADFG site.

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=gameboard.proposalbook&fbclid=IwAR37sG4GSTR24e6c13zG0-goAccuhh-ZMSteZ-6saWY1ZNvdcT5lMRYOglQ#,fixed



I can see the link to the proposal but I can't get it to open even on F&G site. But I see it is proposed by AWA. That tells you all you need to know
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/21 11:15 PM

Well, here in Juneau, it has been a long, hard slog. It is still highly restricted here, but with the tireless help from a former B.O.G. Chairman, I have had some success in getting at least some regulations eased. Common sense rules that benefit trappers, while also holding other user-groups accountable.
My deepest thanks and respect to Ted Spraker.
Posted By: trapperbobs

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/23/21 09:00 PM

I don't believe Proposal 199 is going anywhere, but I sent comments.

"As a trapper who uses and traps along these trails for the last 25 years, and has no negative encounters with other trail users, I recognize no benefit in this proposal 199 for any users. I often trap near multi use trails and find very easy to avoid conflict. The only traps that have made contact with other users are those that were intentionally set off by individuals interfering with legal trapping. A 50-yard setback would not only impact and reduce legal catch of furbearers as they travel trails just like all other users. It would also be impossible to enforce and patrol. These trails paths vary widely from summer to winter, and year to year with no real measurable edges. Furthermore, as I am often the only user in winter of vast sections of theses trails my path becomes the multi-use trail as it is maintained/ broken trail. If I maintain a trail 50 yards, or any distance from any of these trails it will become the trail for all users. A 50-yard setback from what line in a trails route is a question with no enforceable or obeyable answer. Not to mention the vastness of this question when you include all the trail on this list."
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/25/21 05:27 PM

Merry Christmas! Hope everyone has a wonderful day with family and friends!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/25/21 06:16 PM

You too, John. So.good to see you getting after it.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/03/22 08:35 PM

Well not much to talk about out on the line. This weather has put a damper on the season for alot of us I think. Interior hammered by rain and huge dumps of snow and soon back to -40s. The southern portion of the state hammered by record snowfalls and frozen bays.

Between the snow/rain and now wind seems like every run I am digging gear out.

Last night the Borough put out a stay in place order, lots of people without power, a section of the highway shut down, and tons of wind damage. Suppose to let up tonight. Just waiting for a dang break in the weather!

2022 sure is not starting off on the right foot!!

Be safe out there guys and Happy New Year!
Posted By: teacherman

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/03/22 08:55 PM

was wondering how the winds were treating you!
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/04/22 01:49 AM

Yep, seriously considering shutting down a good portion of my line for the year. Takes the fun out of it when you are constantly battling the elements. I got a bunch of stuff dug out, but with the amount of snow we have and the winds we get, it will all be out of commission in short order. There is a pretty big stretch of drifts to contend with in one area. Nothing like JR deals with, but when you are a weekend warrior with a full time job you've only got so much time! I was out on Friday for the first time since the storms, lots of trail cutting, digging, overflow on the lakes, floundering through waist deep snow, etc. It was exhausting! That ice crust over about 18" of powder, then covered with another 10" was a real treat. Had to get a mountain sled to break trail. Bait was gone on all the marten sets, the rain had encased the traps in ice.

Yes, I'm whining, lol.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/04/22 04:55 PM

smile It aint whining, tough year for a lot of trappers here in AK.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/04/22 05:23 PM

Glad you haven't blown away John, good luck getting your sets back in working order and critters in them.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/06/22 01:49 AM

Well the weather has calmed down a little and the critters moved hard smile

Ted's Meowch struck again for me smile

[Linked Image]

The shelf ice is collapsing, and I found a few spots were the otters are coming out smile

[Linked Image]

Hoping the weather hold and everyone gets some tight chains! Be safe out there!
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/06/22 02:01 AM

Big cat !! Back foot catch ? Your population must be on an upswing ??
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/06/22 02:07 AM

white yep back foot. I think last year was my areas peak this year winding down, the bunnys are really thin number wise this year.
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/06/22 02:11 AM

Well at least they are cooperative !
Posted By: martentrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/06/22 05:11 AM

Looks to be an exceptionally large cat, John. You get him on a scale? W#hen the lynx are on a downward slide, it's the adults who remain alive I believe!!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/06/22 05:26 AM

The scale says 26lbs but he is solid smile
Posted By: scootermac

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/06/22 05:27 AM

Very nice cat, I'm hoping they moved for me when I get out on Friday.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/11/22 01:38 AM

scootermac I hope they do for you!!!

Last week I got a moose from the Troopers and since it was -20's I decided to wait to go get it until it warmed up a spell. Chainsaws and blood at freezing temps like that in the past have made a huge mess. So I headed out today +22 with the hope it was froze solid and the plan was to top off two jackpots and a bait station. Well the best laid plans dont always work. Had to call the wife and have her bring out another chainsaw as the one I had with me decided to blow a cylinder.

After I got the other chainsaw things went smooth and quick. Took the first load and topped off the jackpots. Went back and got the second load and headed out to my biggest bait station. When I walked in I saw something big off to my right and my first thought was "Oh great a freaking eagle,,,,, "

As I got closer through the spruce this is what I found smile

[Linked Image]

Now I might get lucky and have a wolf come through once a year but it is always random and never the same route, so this really tickled me smile

[Linked Image]

Well furred 70 lbs female

[Linked Image]

For my yote snares I run 11 gauge wire and not 9. The ones with pigtails I always do 7 wraps. This was a 3/32 x 1/19 with a slim loc and Senneker kill spring. I got lucky that she wrapped up quick!

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/11/22 02:37 AM

Way to go. Congratulations!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/11/22 02:48 AM

Nice wolf HFT,good colour on the belly(no red stain).
I never trust wire to tie off for wolf,I always use cable extension safety.
But I guess you got him in a coyote snare?
Posted By: mad_mike

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/11/22 03:38 AM

Nice wolf, HFT! Congratulations!
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/11/22 05:24 AM

Good deal John, that's awesome! Glad it hit the right snare, pretty cool to get her to stick its head in a yote snare!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/11/22 05:46 AM

Thanks guys smile

Boco yes it was a yote snare. I had raised all my snares up prior to the last big dump of snow that never happened and decided just to leave them alone instead of adjusting them.

smalltime, yeah she hit the right snare for sure! I got lucky with that one but aint complaining. smile Now if I can just get one to step in a trap....
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/11/22 08:27 AM

Now that right there is awesome! Beautiful critter! Glad your snare held out.
Posted By: drasselt

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/11/22 04:42 PM

Nice wolf John and I'm glad that pigtail held on. My experience has been that wolves tend to go down a lot quicker than coyotes since they're so much bigger they cinch the snare down so much harder.
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/11/22 05:25 PM

Very nice !! Great belly for sure
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/11/22 07:14 PM

Congrats John, that catch had to make your season!
Posted By: Ryan McLeod

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/11/22 07:18 PM

Right on! Nice catch.
Posted By: scootermac

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/11/22 11:23 PM

That's awesome! Congrats on a nice wolf.
Posted By: Northof50

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/12/22 12:25 AM

Nice wolf
now maybe the moose can sleep with one eye closed now for awhile.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/16/22 12:53 AM

Thanks for all the kind words guys!

This weather has been crazy!!!! Yesterday it was +42, today +30 and snowing! Nothing seems to want to move right now except for the otters.

Picked this one up in a Bronce set. Had it right beside a choke point with a 330. He wasn't going anywhere smile

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/16/22 03:14 AM

Glad to see you are still getting some tail.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/16/22 03:46 AM

smalltime smile there was a 220 over a hole in the ice beside a 330 that choked down the channel. It hit the 220 and spun around into the 330
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/16/22 04:16 AM

Nice. I had one that was going around a 280, (after seeing a buddy get caught there, earlier), so I put a V-14 in the go-around, a foot to the left of the 280.
Next check, it hit the V-14, then dove into the 280.
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/16/22 10:52 PM

Always pays to gangset even if two traps are on one critter-like insurance policy,lol.
Posted By: drasselt

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/16/22 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by alaska viking

Next check, it hit the V-14, then dove into the 280.


Anybody ever had a wolverine do this? A wolverine in a foot trap is a gamble, one in a 330 not so much!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/16/22 11:38 PM

Hope your weather evens out. Nice looking otter!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/17/22 12:55 AM

Nope but I did get one in 2 footholds. One by a front foot, and one by the tail!. To make matters worse, I didn't see that happening, and had 10' of chain on both traps. What a mess!!!
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/17/22 03:25 AM

Since I switched to MB 750's I have never lost a wolverine. I have had them in both a snare and a 750.
Posted By: Wolverine Hunter

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/18/22 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by smalltimetrapper
Glad to see you are still getting some tail.


I thought the same thing.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/19/22 07:26 PM

If you have time could you take a picture of the wolf on the board or once you have it off. I would like to see it again!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/20/22 03:09 AM

Well the weather isn't cooperating to much for trapping! Last run it was snowing pretty good they said 1-3 inches. Today it was snowing all freaking day and we got maybe a foot. In between the storms the critters ran hard! But of course my gear was buried smile And now they are calling for 5 days of ......RAIN!

Did manage to pick up a little red.

[Linked Image]

I had placed a 220 over a crack in the ice on a creek knowing something was gonna come out of it. Sure enough walked up and saw it was fired got all excited thinking it was a otter only to pull up a muskrat smile

[Linked Image]

Going to wait for this chinook to bow to dig gear out again.
Besafe out there guys!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/20/22 04:46 AM

Looks like a fluffy muskrat. We have five days of snow coming. I guess I'll take it over rain. Sounds tough!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/20/22 08:29 PM

Yeah the rat is well furred. Hung that fox last night to thaw out, went to get started on it today and found this.

[Linked Image]

Looks like something tried taking a bite out of it. Of course it gotta be right on the back frown
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/20/22 10:41 PM

Hat material now HFT,or Mitt/hood trim.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/21/22 10:17 PM

Boco I am getting plenty of that especially after today!

I run a little swamp back behind my house. Normally I catch anywhere between 8 to 20 fox a year back there. This year has been totally off. Picked these two up today. The light one decided to hop through a snare so hip caught. The pretty one the voles decided they were hungry and went in right behind the left shoulder blade!

[Linked Image]

The chinook arrived and it is warming up pretty good here +39!

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/21/22 11:22 PM

Man that muskrat is fluffy. Bummer about the damage to the fox.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/22/22 11:29 PM

Well decided to make a run today and hit half of my line. Talk about miserable! +39 and raining. I hit the creek and it was already starting with overflow, not looking forward to hitting the lakes next run.

This is a Bridger #5, I had re made the set Wed that is how fast the snow is going!

[Linked Image]

Did pick up a little ermine smile Got to have something to put in Fur Rondy smile

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/23/22 01:47 AM

Pouring rain here, as well. About 3-1/2", yesterday. Flood watch.
Really been a challenge, this year, 'eh?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/23/22 01:52 AM

av indeed it has!
Posted By: chasing eyes

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/23/22 05:21 AM

HFT the weather has been terrible checked the line today with 35 for the Temps and rain. On my line I had about 3and 1/2 feet of good hard packed trail but (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) was it soft today . Seems like it's been a struggle for me all season with low fur (guessing more my inexperience )and dealing with way more snow then I'm used to and constantly being stuck or trimming low snow covered alders. But I did find a place to run a line this year and have caught a little fur.
Really enjoye reading your journal you are doing great
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/23/22 10:47 PM

Good to hear you found a spot! Yeah I drove across the flats today it is bare ground!!!! I am land locked until this junk freezes back up, hopefully by the end of the week!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/24/22 05:03 AM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
Boco I am getting plenty of that especially after today!

I run a little swamp back behind my house. Normally I catch anywhere between 8 to 20 fox a year back there. This year has been totally off. Picked these two up today. The light one decided to hop through a snare so hip caught. The pretty one the voles decided they were hungry and went in right behind the left shoulder blade!

[Linked Image]

The chinook arrived and it is warming up pretty good here +39!

Be safe out there guys!

Lots of fur on those fox just the same HFT,Nice and prime too.
Posted By: waggler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/24/22 05:09 PM

Crazy weather, it seems like I've been saying that more and more in recent years.
From Washington to Alaska the winter started out extremely cold and wintery. Now I wonder if spring is here?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/24/22 07:07 PM

waggler I know right! It has been in the mid 40s here with a good wind.

This is a pic of the pond behind my house right now. I hate getting wet! But at least there is still a little snow. I think about 8-9 years ago we had a chinook roll through around Xmas that melted all the snow.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/24/22 07:37 PM

We are supposed to be below zero again by the weekend. 31 here now. frown
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/24/22 09:44 PM

Ditto^
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/24/22 10:22 PM

Good for the woodpile.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/25/22 07:18 PM

Crazy weather!

From this.......

[Linked Image]

To this.......

[Linked Image]

Got 2 inches and it is still coming down!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/26/22 01:01 AM

Well it stopped snowing and we picked up 5 inches or so.

[Linked Image]

After plowing out the driveway and taking care of critters I decided to make a run out back to see how things were and to dig out a few kitty sets. Walked into the tree line and cut fresh kitty track!
Picked this nice female up on Teds Meowch!

[Linked Image]

I was talking to Ted earlier today, pretty excited for him, MTP is going to start carrying his Meowch and his H.O.T. latches!

Hit a few soft places but seems like if I stay on the trail it is pretty solid. We will see what the main line is like tomorrow.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Aknative

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/26/22 06:58 AM

Woo hoo! Hope the weather levels out for you. It'd be nice if we didn't get too much more snow here, it's waist deep in the clearing if I break through. Made remounting the Pig a bit of a climb!
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/26/22 05:09 PM

I have 14 below right now so maybe it will spill over the mountains towards you.

We have a lot of cats running around here. Looks like that cold rain at Christmas may have whacked the bunny population.
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/26/22 07:47 PM

Nice work John. Man do you guys get some crazy weather down there. Congrats on the fur and be safe.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/26/22 08:02 PM

Nice catch John!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/05/22 11:54 PM

Been fighting the weather the past few weeks. Between the wind and the snow it seems like every trip I am digging gear out. The snow is starting to get deep, but it sure is pretty!

[Linked Image]

Did manage to connect with a yote at a bait station.

[Linked Image]

Been getting fur ready to turn in for the ATA auction at Fur Rody and Ted is headed down this way next week to run my line with me smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/07/22 12:54 AM

Picked this pretty boy up today. Stinky would be a understatement, grateful he wasnt rubbed up yet!

[Linked Image]
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/09/22 12:36 AM

Well Ted made it down and he ran my line with me smile Grateful for my buddy Jeff running with us as well.

Us hitting the trail head....

[Linked Image]

Putting Ted to work smile He showed me his set up that he uses up in TOK for the kitty's

[Linked Image]

Ted putting in a pee psot for the kitties. Something that I have never even considered but with them blowing by cubbies looking for a mate it only makes sense.

[Linked Image]

Ted hanging a snare at the back side of a cubbie.

[Linked Image]

I appreciated Ted coming down and running with me. Always enjoy seeing how others do business sharing knowledge and adventures on the trap line smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/09/22 02:00 AM

Good stuff, guys.
Hope all is well, and try to keep the mis-adventures to a minimum.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/09/22 06:26 AM

Looks like a good day with friends! I always am interested to see how others do it.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/09/22 08:28 AM

AV there was only one mis adventure smile But you'll have to ask Ted about that smile

bfisch if you ever have the time come on down and take a ride with me smile
Posted By: martenpine

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/09/22 08:49 AM

isn't that the guy who was selling some of his wife's trapping gear out of her car at Walmart the other day?
smile

Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/09/22 05:06 PM

Can't wait to hear how the pee post works out. Have to remember to try that myself.
Posted By: Wolverine Hunter

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/09/22 05:55 PM

This is all good, but I was secretly hoping for three snowmobile and sled loads of fur coming out.

Just sayin' grin
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/09/22 06:21 PM

mp Yeah that was the guy smile

bronco A kitty has run that trail twice were he put in a pee post, hopefully it will run it again before the end of the season. Went to a trapping meeting last night and was asked about a bronco set smile I think it is going to stick smile

WH I hope for that every time I head out ! smile It was a good run with awesome company smile
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/10/22 12:31 AM

Of course after Ted takes off I ran a spur line and ...... another lynx on Meowch!

[Linked Image]

Little female with white back toes smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/10/22 03:29 PM

Nice catch
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/10/22 04:08 PM

Nice work John.
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/11/22 08:44 PM

Great stuff HFT.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/15/22 11:59 PM

Well we have been getting hammered by the weather the past week. I dont mind snow but I despise the wet stuff! Going to start shutting down portions of my line tomorrow and continue to chase a few critters. Sitting here watching it rain right now and they are calling for another dump o snow tonight.

Good time to get fur ready for turn in for Fur Rondy smile

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/16/22 01:07 AM

That is some hard work and dedication right there Brother....
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/16/22 02:10 AM

Nice job!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/16/22 02:38 AM

Hope they fetch some good $$$
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/16/22 07:44 PM

Nice bunch of fur
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/18/22 05:41 PM

Well I went out yesterday and that was horrible! At least 2 foot of snow, the wet slushy kinda crap and raining!. I got stuck more times then I could count and I am glad I brought a shovel. Got a little gear working but I think for the most part it is time to start pulling gear and shutting things down.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/18/22 05:59 PM

Yeah you guys really got some bad crap these last few days !
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/18/22 07:23 PM

This weather has been crap for days now. Bet you got a workout in getting unstuck in this stuff.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/18/22 07:46 PM

Sounds rough! Hopefully it goes better next time.
Posted By: martentrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/19/22 12:19 AM

You think it will all sell at the Rondy auction?
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/19/22 12:30 AM

Nice bale of fur there HFT.
Is there a couple tanned ones in the pile?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/19/22 02:28 AM

Things are getting difficult flooding out pretty good.

Boco yep a few otter and kitty's in that batch.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/25/22 06:23 PM

With this warm weather the snow is finally starting to settle. Made it out and got my short line pulled. Looking forward to the Fur Rondy Auction this weekend! The high light of the week was getting my ATA hoodie and Fling tickets in the mail smile

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/25/22 09:23 PM

I see the feet are on one of the tanned cats.
Do you leave the claws on too or just the feet?
I have done them both ways.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/25/22 09:57 PM

Boco yep I leave them on there. Have had no issues with getting them tanned through Moyles as far as holes or tears. My wife sells them and tourist and out of stater's love the claws on them smile
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/27/22 03:22 AM

Went to A Town today for the ATA Auction at Fur Rondy. Ran into a few people I know smile

[Linked Image]

I hung out for about a hour and a half. Pretty cool watching the auction and it is a little exciting to see your fur get up there and people bidding on it smile I had a nice big tom lynx (raw) go for $185, and another (raw) for $165. Then 2 of my yotes (raw) popped up and they went for $105 each smile

Just for clarification, raw means put up. I have alot more fur in there raw and tanned and from watching items were moving pretty good and prices were pretty awesome smile

I appreciate the ATA for doing this event, and for Brian and Melvin who head up the crew to make it happen!

Be safe out there!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/27/22 03:37 AM

Do you put a reserve price on your pelts for that type of a fur auction HFT?
Do you let loose when you get to town?
Back in the day when we got out of the bush to a town things got pretty lively,lol.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/27/22 03:48 AM

Boco, Yep I put a reserve on my stuff. I honestly think I low balled a bunch of my fur but it is a auction and anything can happen. My lynx are not the best, always dark and dirty and very little clarity on the underside. But keeping those feet on there for that auction helps smile The reserve I would have been happy to get anything else is always a bonus smile
Nope I didnt let loose smile To old for that and I gotta drive. smile Now I might have a few with friends when I go to the Fling in a few weeks smile
And what you wrote is why there is a Fur Rondy, at least they are keeping that tradition alive smile
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/27/22 05:34 AM

Sounds like a great deal all around HFT.
I hope FHA starts up their convention again next year.

Our Provincial trappers convention is a go this summer.It moves around the province every year so everyone gets a chance to attend,
This summer its in central Ont.on Georgian Bay.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/28/22 02:32 AM

Well my day started off pretty good. Nice hard pack on the snow was able to zip around and dig gear up and get some gear back into action. It was a pretty day smile

[Linked Image]

And then I ran up my creek and that all changed frown No problem going up but on my return the overflow got me good. The top layer was solid but there was three feet of water under it.

[Linked Image]

I messed around with it for almost an hour before I knew I had to make a call cause I wasnt getting it out by myself. Now if I had a come along, a pole, and rope it would have been easy peezy. Todays adventure was to break trail and I left the pull behind sled at home. That was a mistake.

Called a good buddy Matt (AK TRAPR) and asked if he could come rescue me smile He had ran my line with me 2 years ago and had a general idea were I was. He said sure let me get my gear and I will head that away. Called the wife and had her drop off rope a pole and a axe at the truck for Matt to grab on his way out. Plus he is on the Valley search and rescue team so this excited him smile

Long story short he showed up 2 hours later and 5 minutes later we were out and cruising the rest of the line smile

Ran into this tree across the trail and Matt decided to try out my new axe smile

[Linked Image]

Blessed to have people and friends in my life that when you need help the most they are johnny on the spot smile

Be safe out there!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/28/22 03:32 AM

Slush is nothing to mess around with if you dont have stuff with you to get out.
Good thing you were able to call someone.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/28/22 06:42 AM

Glad you had a rescue option available! Stuff always happens when you don't have the right piece of gear along with you.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/28/22 06:51 AM

Boco yeah my back is feeling smile

smalltime I try to always have that option available smile I have had worse things happen and have had my butt saved a few times by fellow trappers and friends:) And that last statement is the truth!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/28/22 11:44 PM

It was a pretty morning out there today smile

[Linked Image]

Glad I went with those 4ft bambo poles as markers for my k9 sets. Yep that is a 4ft pole.

[Linked Image]

I'd say we got dumped on a little smile

[Linked Image]

Been waiting for this joker to come back through. Pretty nice otter!

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Still got a few traps to dig out along with some other gear but slowly getting there.

Be safe out there!
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/01/22 01:01 AM

Nice catch on the otter.
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/01/22 02:45 AM

Nice work John. Those fur prices are pretty sweet too.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/01/22 06:10 AM

How do you deal with resetting when a trap is that far down? Do you shovel the snow away or raise the set?

Great pictures and catch on the otter!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/01/22 06:58 AM

Thanks guys smile

bfisch this aint a normal year snow fall wise. The last two storms came back to back, I run 12inch cable attached to a fox hollow earth anchor and then 3 foot of chain on my traps. Normally that gets me through the year. I raise the set every time I redo them. Been pulling alot of gear and should have everything dug up tomorrow. Only have a few otter sets, 1 bait station, and 1 wolf set out. Gotta have something out till the end of the month to keep me occupied smile
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/01/22 04:59 PM

Thats some serious snow! I will have to get some of those bambook sticks for next season, they would be handy at times. Nice otter!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/01/22 06:42 PM

Thanks for the reply!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/01/22 07:25 PM

Good job on the otter,HFT.
The snow looks good for travel,your machine is on top.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/07/22 11:30 PM

We got a few inches of snow over the weekend, the wet sticky stuff. Today was a awesome day to run though! Beautiful out!!!!!

[Linked Image]

I love seeing track in the fresh snow! Yote and fox.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Picked up another yote on a trail set smile

[Linked Image]

The otters didn't come out to play this run smile Got one more section of line to close down. This weather makes me want to just take a long and go exploring!

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/08/22 01:42 PM

Way to go.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/15/22 02:48 AM

Pretty day out on the line today smile Only got stuck once and took about an hour to get dug out. Ran the last of my bait out to the one bait station I still have up and running.

[Linked Image]

Always love seeing fresh track at the end of the season smile I have to walk past one of my lynx sets that I pulled to check some otter sets. I left a huge chunk of bear there and sure enough have a little female marten chowing down smile Seed for next year!

[Linked Image]

Picked this boy up at the ait station. Put in a pee post a little ways down the trail from the bait station. They are running around peeing on everything so we will see. No sign of the otter this run.

[Linked Image]

I am a avid duck hunter smile Took this picture yesterday down in Wasilla by IHOP smile I guess they were hungry for pancakes smile

[Linked Image]

The snow should stay hard this week with the cooler temps. Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/23/22 10:49 PM

Had a awesome time up at the fling smile I ran on Friday before I headed up and conditions were pretty good. Sunday and Monday it really warmed up and I decided to pull everything today. Pretty day out there.

[Linked Image]

This was the driving force for shutting things down. The trap burned out of the snow and a few of my coni's had melted into the ice.

[Linked Image]

Good season overall smile Time to start prepping gear for spring beaver and bear season.

Looking forward to seeing how things pan out at the FHA auction. The fur shed is officially empty smile

On a side note as of Monday night I am a Pop smile My son's wife gave birth to a beautiful little girl smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/23/22 11:30 PM

Congratulations!
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/24/22 12:09 AM

Congrats John!
Posted By: Northof50

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/24/22 02:51 AM

Congrats with the new family member
Seems those mallards are 50/50 ratio between curly tails and suzies
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/24/22 03:11 AM

Congratulations!
Looking forward to hearing about your spring bear season!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/26/22 06:35 PM

I sent in some fur to FHA to open an account and to test the waters. I always seemed to better at the NAFA when it came to mink and marten. Mink I kinda expected to be low, glad I only got 2 this year. Marten I aint complaining. The yotes it is what it is.

Next year everything minus the marten, mink, and any rats I might get are going to the ATA auctions.


MINK
LOT# DESCRIPTION STOCK # QTY PRICE EXTENDED
20010 1X-LG I-II XDK-BRN 102020021 1 $7.00 $7.00

Average: $7.00 Sold: 1 Unsold: 0 SubTotal $7.00

SABLE
LOT# DESCRIPTION STOCK # QTY PRICE EXTENDED
30007 3X-2X SELECT & I PL 2 102030053 1 $70.00 $70.00
30030 1X SELECT & I PL-XPL 3 102030073 1 Unsold to be re-offered
30126 1X I PL 102030119 1 $47.00 $47.00
30130 1X I PL-XPL 3 102030127 1 $39.00 $39.00

Average: $52.00 Sold: 3 Unsold: 1 SubTotal $156.00

COYOTE
LOT# DESCRIPTION STOCK # QTY PRICE EXTENDED
150107 1X-LG II HVY A-B 102153240 1 $37.00 $37.00
150148 1X-LG II HVY C-D 102153169 1 Unsold to be re-offered

Average: $37.00 Sold: 1 Unsold: 1 SubTotal $37.00
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/30/22 03:53 AM

Well I ran through the beaver gear over the past few days, replaced a few triggers and got everything ready to rock and roll. Now I just got to wait for the open water smile

[Linked Image]

Sure am glad for the ATA doing the auction at Fur Rondy and the one up in Fairbanks. Grateful that we have FHA as a outlet for fur but dang those prices were not the greatest. Hope the market gets better for us trappers.

I saw 3 swans out on the flats last Monday and today I saw my first butterfly smile Still got over 2 foot of snow and ice on the ground but spring is coming smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Allan Minear

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/30/22 12:12 PM

Great pictures and stories to go with them , yes the prices for fur could be better for sure .

Congratulations on the new addition to the family hopefully mom and baby are doing great !
Yes grandkids are a lot of fun !

I hope you have a great spring beaver season !
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/02/22 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
[Linked Image]

The snow should stay hard this week with the cooler temps. Be safe out there guys!

Alot of mallards.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/05/22 06:59 PM

Well we had a pretty good stretch of warm weather and the snow was melting pretty good. The end of my pond opened up and sure enough the ducks have arrived smile

[Linked Image]

Had about 20 of them down there this morning smile
Posted By: Slick Pan

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/05/22 10:25 PM

Don't see as many ducks at your place as IHOP. Must be they had an all you can eat special going on there or your vitals are not as tasty. grin
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/06/22 02:51 AM

Haha that is a good one smile They love that dry cob but pancakes would be way better smile
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/08/22 02:23 AM

Well linked up with a fellow trapper and went and did a little exploring in some new terrain. The weather was perfect the snow solid and the scenery splendid smile Cut a bunch of track and looks like this place has potential smile

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

As you can see still waiting on open water.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/08/22 04:28 PM

Great pics HFT,love exploring up the creeks when conditions are like that.
That country looks very similar to here.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 04/15/22 02:46 AM

Well the freaking snow sure is taking its time melting. Still no open water to play in. Got invited to go along with a buddy that is still chasing the wolves. Different terrain and some pretty views from up in the mountains. A pretty sunny day!

[Linked Image]

We rolled up on a spot were the wolves had dug a huge hole about 4 ft deep, apparently it was either a winter kill or a previous kill. There was a lot of moose fur they dug out. Next run he says he is going to drop a pee post there.

[Linked Image]

He had a bait station that got buried during the last two dumps of snow, of course mr wolverine found it. The wolverine had dug a den in the snow right beside it an was obviously there a few days. I thought that was pretty interesting. I have seen marten do that but didn't expect a wolverine to do that.

He is having alot of burn out on his traps and is running every three days to try and keep ahead of it and not educate them.

We found a spot were 3 different intersected and he dropped a pee post in.

[Linked Image]

Pretty fun day out in the woods smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/04/22 03:08 AM

Well break up sure is taking it's sweet time!

Last year I had 1 crane hang out here at my pond. This year I have a pair smile I love hearing them when they call.

[Linked Image]

The pair of geese from last year came back. There is another pair that have been trying to take over the pond. Funny watching goose wars on your back porch smile

[Linked Image]

Got out to set a few beaver traps and found these guys smile Sure are a bunch of the hanging around this year.

[Linked Image]

Made a run down to 20 mile and did a little dip netting for hooligan smile

[Linked Image]

Finally found some open water and got the first beaver of the season smile Gotta love Paul's Back Breaker smile

[Linked Image]

Still got a week or two for the big river to open up enough to get the boat out.
Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Aknative

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/04/22 07:02 AM

Living the dream!
Posted By: TRAPPER TOM

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/04/22 12:09 PM

Looking forward to coming to lazy mountain at the end of the month and spend 10 days in the area
Posted By: Allan Minear

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/04/22 12:11 PM

Thank you for sharing with us I've really enjoyed your posts , pictures and stories !
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/04/22 05:38 PM

What do you do with the hooligan?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/04/22 06:46 PM

bfisch I tried smoking them, they are ok, a little oily. Some people fry them. Mostly I will use them for halibut bait and shrimp pots. And rot a gallon or so down for trapping season. Pretty stinky stuff smile
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/04/22 08:33 PM

I have heard they are pretty oil. Seems like they would make a good fishing bait.
When I lived in MN we would seine net smelt out of the lakes as soon as the ice went out. Most were only about 5-6 inches long. Very oily little fish with huge teeth for their size. Anyway we would cut off the heads, gut them, batter them, then deep fry them. At that point you could simply pull out the back bone and ribs all together and enjoy. Smelt also make good bait to catch pike.
Posted By: Top Jimmy

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/05/22 05:11 AM

I love them smoked. Just have to brine them right. So oily they remind me of Yukon King strips with how they would drip oil. I miss getting those.

-TJ
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/05/22 07:06 AM

TJ care to share your brine recipe for them? The ones I smoked last time I didnt put in a brine just tossed them in the smoker. They were ok but always willing to try something new that could improve the taste.
Posted By: martentrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/05/22 09:05 PM

HFT brines can be whatever you want. Usually involve salt and lots of folks like to add sugar. Brown sugar is good. You can also attempt to put hot sauce in the brine. I have benn trying for a few years to get a jalapeño flavour into a brine. So far unsuccessful
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/06/22 01:08 AM

Just smoke a pound of lard.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/06/22 02:59 AM

martentrapper I know it can be whatever you want but if TJ already has a good brine mixture for hooligan that he is willing to share why reinvent the wheel smile I got it down for the salmon, well I should say the wife does, I just catch them smile The jalapeño flavour sounds interesting. I bet that would be yummy one with meat.
Posted By: mad_mike

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/06/22 03:07 AM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
martentrapper I know it can be whatever you want but if TJ already has a good brine mixture for hooligan that he is willing to share why reinvent the wheel smile I got it down for the salmon, well I should say the wife does, I just catch them smile The jalapeño flavour sounds interesting. I bet that would be yummy one with meat.

We used to use red table wine, Yoshida’s, and a bit of salt as the brine. We would gut ours before brining. I know many don’t bother gutting their hooligan.
At best, I could only stand a few, to munch on.

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AV knows a pound of lard. grin

Posted By: Top Jimmy

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/06/22 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
TJ care to share your brine recipe for them? The ones I smoked last time I didnt put in a brine just tossed them in the smoker. They were ok but always willing to try something new that could improve the taste.


Let me see what I can dig up. Been a long while. Primarily was salt, but also a hint of brown sugar. The salt is what really helps. We would head and gut them and then brine. After smoking, just peal the skin and pull the spine out and eat, usually on crackers or just shove in your mouth.

My father in law used to cook them up whole in some marinara sauce.

-TJ
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/07/22 01:04 AM

WOW! Blast from the past!
Posted By: RdFx

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/07/22 01:46 PM

Hooligans look like smelt here in great lakes
Posted By: Hankit

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/11/22 06:50 AM

Tried hooligan for the first time tonight. We bought a 5 gallon bucket full and the wife fried a bunch up. Pretty good.
Posted By: Top Jimmy

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/13/22 03:24 AM

HFT, I can't find it. It also seems that other recipes I had seem to have been "misplaced" mad Wife appears to have done some sorting of the cook books and the one I had with most of my recipes in it is "missing". I haven't done them in so long, I can't remember the amounts of fish/salt/brown sugar/water that went into the brine any more.

Muttered under my breath tonight that maybe someone needed to go to the White17 wife school and got a direct glare. Better go prepare my couch/bed for the night now....

-TJ
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/13/22 06:43 PM

Those red heads require special handling ! I'll check to see if we have an opening in the remedial special-ed department.

Wife School
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/15/22 06:58 AM

No worries TJ smile Sounds like she didn't care for those recipes smile Good one white!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/20/22 04:32 AM

Took a buddy down to Homer to see Wolverine Hunter and do a little bear hunting, always a pretty view form his place!

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My buddy got a nice one. Him and Wolverine Hunter bailed outta the boat to look at a flat. 100 yards up and I watched him and my buddy jump from the river bank into the water and start moving at a fast pace, I knew they had spotted a bear. 5 minutes later I watched them pop up on the flat move about a 100 yds kneel behind a log, and BOOM. smile Bear down smile

We hunted two evenings. The first evening I was sitting and watching a flat when a bear walked out about 500 yds away. I slipped from my hide and tried sneaking in as close as I could for a shot up a little tidal drainage. Well the sun was killer that evening. right in my face and the drainage I took ended 265 yds away from the bear. I took my time and had one of those moments.... you know when you squeeze the trigger and you already know you missed.... sure enough right over its back.

The following night I went back to that same flat and decided to move closer to were the bear had come out the night before. Problem was there was no place to really sit and I decide to just lay down on top of a grassy knoll. It was beautiful out there, sunny and mid 60s smile In the course of the evening I hear a squirrel a few times in the wood line off to my right. About 10pm I hear crunch crunch, something walking towards me off to the right. I was thinking it might be that dang squirrel I peeked up over the grass and a dang bear was standing there less then 30 yds from me. I reached over and switched my safety off of the gun and the bear hear the click! He stood there for a few minutes looking my direction an them started eating grass. I rolled up my knees an and that was all she wrote for that bear smile

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Always love a good hunt with good people smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/20/22 05:17 AM

Nice! And brought them out whole!!!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/20/22 05:28 AM

Great hunt HFT-
Hides must be nice.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/20/22 04:15 PM

av we have one of those skidko's, the new version of the Army litter. Made out of UMV it is pretty slick smile Both of them bears were about 2/3 hundred yds from the boat easy movement on the tidal flats.

Boco Those hides were pristine. The bears were just waking up smile
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 05/21/22 04:11 PM

Good story and hunt! Thanks for sharing!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 06/05/22 10:56 AM

Not the biggest bear in the woods but it will put burgers on the grill smile

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I have not gotten a hit this season. Every three days I check the bait and sit a little and do a burn. Walked in tonight, no hit. Set up a burn Baitem 907 Jelly Donut and climbed in the stand.

That was about 7pm. Around 930 I decided to pack things up and head to the house. Had just turned the Thermacell off when I heard a stick break off to my right. I decided to wait a little more and 5 minutes later saw a flash of black in the thicket.

Didnt have a clear shot so I waited. The bear tried to circle behind me but the blown downed spruce trees prevented that. It had no choice but to circle right in front of me. Lights out smile

Got 10 more days for a brownie to walk by......

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Allan Minear

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 06/05/22 02:03 PM

Congratulations on a successful hunt ! I hope a brownie stops by for a extended stay as well !
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 06/05/22 07:40 PM

Glad you connected!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 06/06/22 04:14 AM

Way to go! Glad you got one!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 06/17/22 01:23 AM

Did a little run with Ted down to Valdez to chase halibut, had a blast an caught a few smile

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The view at Thompson Pass never gets old.

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The smoke from all the fires made it up to TOK. Made for a pretty sunset.

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Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 06/17/22 03:31 AM

NICE FISH! Long run for Ted, and you as well. Worth it, I'm sure.
Great pictures.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 06/17/22 04:31 AM

av Very much worth it smile Good company and awesome conversation smile

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Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 06/23/22 06:08 AM

Well got invited down to a friends fish camp for a little set netting. Never done it before and they wanted someone that could run a boat so spent 3 days down on the Kasilof chasing reds. Couldn't ask for nicer weather!

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The sunset for summer solstice was excellent smile

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Of course I got to limit out it smile Even though they limited the fishing from 11am to 5pm we managed to get a few smile

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I been worried this year about the ducks. Normally around June 7 they show up on my pond. Tonight when I got home I glanced down there and sure enough saw a few swimming around smile Was also greeted by a new baby goat and some baby bunnies smile

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Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Aknative

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 06/24/22 05:53 AM

Nice! Miss that set netting.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/07/22 12:31 PM

Well fish and game opened brown bear season in the unit I hunt to no closed season. To many bears and not enough moose. Tonight I harvested a big old boar and hopefully saved a few moose smile

I am grateful for the friends I have. I made 2 phone calls at midnight and had 2 buddies come and help me get this toad out. That was a chore! Gonna be alot of burger and brats in the freezer smile

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Joker has some claws!

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And some choppers!

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Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Allan Minear

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/07/22 01:21 PM

Thank you for sharing your adventures good looking halibut and very nice brown bear !
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/07/22 02:50 PM

Nice bear HFT.
Guaranteed you saved some moose.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/07/22 03:24 PM

Good job! That will keep you busy for a while!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/08/22 04:41 AM

Thanks guys.

av Indeed it will smile Spent today skinning it out and butchering it. Tomorrow off to Fish and Game for sealing and to the processor for burger and brats smile

8'2" tip of nose to tip of tail.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: mad_mike

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/08/22 05:54 AM

Solid bear. Nice shooting, Wild Man.
Posted By: Aknative

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/08/22 10:36 AM

Way to go John!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 07/10/22 01:19 AM

Awesome! I am glad you were able to finally get one after all the work you have been putting in, Sounds like fish and game made a good call.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 08/13/22 09:46 PM

Well hunting season has finally kicked off for me and my neck of the woods. Went out scouting for moose the other evening and as I was standing there on a knoll glassing a flat a little bunny came running by me about 4 ft and hot on its tail was a ermine! About 20 yds away I heard a tussle and the cry of the bunny. Pretty cool to see!

Been on the bears, keep hoping for a blackie or two but the brownies keep rolling in. They are on fish now so unless it is a toad like the last one it will walk.

Look at the time stamps. Is this a smart moose or a lucky one?

Me calling it a night...

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Momma moose and calf.....

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Same...

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See the eyeball behind the barrel? Middle of picture.

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Mr Bear...

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Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: patrapperbuster

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 08/14/22 01:00 AM

Bottom swiveling those DLS will help with the slide wire problem
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 08/14/22 08:51 AM

I will have to look into doing that. TY for the input.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 08/22/22 01:01 AM

Well I got the skull back from a local beetle guy. Was hoping I didnt do to much damage but that was not the case. His skull has some character smile Turned out to be a really good eating bear smile

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Passed on one last week that was over 9 ft. His fur was just coming in, hoping our paths cross again in a few weeks.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/04/22 12:25 AM

Spent the past few days out chasing moose, honestly more of a recon then hunt. Of course I seen and bumped more freaking brown bears then I did moose in a unit where I cant shoot them. Came back out yesterday and Team V had sent me a package from Glacier Bear Products from up in North Pole. Really excited to get some of this stuff out there and see how it preforms!

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I read a few reviews on their FB page and hear good things about their bubblegum burn concentrate. The stuff is different then what I have been using, it simmers in a pot with water with no smoke. Seems like it would last longer then a normal burn.

Anyone have experience using any of these products?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/08/22 11:51 PM

Well with the weather we had in September wasn't good. I had to change my game plans to chase moose. The floods and high rivers put a damper on things here in my neck of the woods and moose season was a bust. The last week me an a buddy saw 13 bulls and not a dang one was legal. Didnt even hear a moose grunt it has been so dang warm. Always next year though smile

Did a little exploring with this guy smile He is a lurker on here and hopefully he will start catching things this year and start posting. He ran me up into the Cache Creek mining district. Pretty country not much wild life out that away for sure. He did manage to trap 1 beaver smile

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Ran with another buddy out to one of my favorite rivers to chase beaver. Saw plenty of sign and got a few the first night and then of course the sky opened up and the river went up a foot washing everything out.

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But I did manage to get a few smile

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And of course gotta have that tailgate shot smile

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Got a week left to chase the brownies an then focus on the ducks. I am actually ahead of the game this year an have all my gear ready to roll. Just hoping we get a freeze in before the season opens!

And I got a new addition to the family smile This is Dutch smile

[Linked Image]


Be safe out there guys!

Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/09/22 12:28 AM

Sounds like a tough season! Neat that you got into some new country. My wife and I always enjoy the opportunity to do that, but barely made it out of the village on boat this fall. Looks like you got a good amount of trapping bait with those beaver or more for the bears. Hope you success in both and duck hunting as well. I didn't shoot a duck all year.
Posted By: Aknative

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/09/22 05:59 AM

Hi Dutch!

When the herd in our house thins out I'm going to get a big blockheaded slobbering Chessy and name him Ghengis! I told my brats that, oldest teased me back "yeah, and when your minibike breaks down you can have him tow you back! Mush Ghengis!"
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/16/22 10:11 PM

Good job HFT,great pics.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/17/22 12:30 AM

Thanks guys smile

Well bear baiting is a wrap for the year. just couldn't get the joker to show up when it was light enough to see him. And of course for the first time since I started baiting I had to haul bait out! The pigs will eat well and is a little incentive for next year I guess smile

Had the pleasure of teaching at the ATA trapping school yesterday for the South Central Chapter. Pretty good size class and alot of youngsters! Looking forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday for the first general meeting of the year.

Been chasing the ducks an getting bait together for the season. Pretty much my focus right now.

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Aknative

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/24/22 10:50 AM

Dang, too bad the bruin didn't come out.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/04/22 03:53 AM

Well we finally got a little snow smile

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Still waiting on a few parts for one sled but the other is ready to go.
Traps are packed in the totes and the bait cut up and wired.
Plan on breaking trail and doing a little maintenance on a few snare lines prior to the season kicking off.

The only thing lacking is big baits. Not a lot of moose getting smacked on the hwy which is a good thing. So if you know of anyone looking to get rid of any dead critters hit me up smile I will travel within 100 mile radius of Wasilla.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/08/22 10:17 PM

I have always heard set on sign....I found a cow path packed down with track!!!! Do you think my trap placement is correct? smile
Getting a little bait for the fox and yote smile

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Looking forward to tonights meeting of the AFTA at the Palmer American Legion at 630pm!

2 more days till go time smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/11/22 04:20 AM

Well today the season opened up down here. smile

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We have some snow but right now it is that wet sticky junk. There is maybe 2inches of ice under it enough to hold the sled but one step off and up to your ankle or knee. Got the main line broke and set a few sets. Only did a few snares and that is were I saw sign. Calling for rain this weekend so saw no point in burning the energy. Not alot of track an especially very little bunny sign. Could be because it is so warm right now we will see once the temps drop again,

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And of course, when things are going smooth you find the only place that has skim ice and then snow,,,,,,, that is my sled with my totes in the back of the pic.

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/11/22 06:32 AM

Excited for ya! Wet snow here too, but probably more so there. Hope to head out early next week. Supposed to get a few more inches this weekend and then cool a bit.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/12/22 02:21 AM

bfisch I hope you good conditions when you head out!

Not targeting mink out on the main line, not really a market for them and last year they were pretty thin so I plan on giving them a break.
But here at the house it is a different story. I got to many ducks and chickens running around and I enjoy seeing the babies in the spring both domestic and wild.
Got home last night and dropped 2 blind otter sets and a mink box on the back side of my pond.

First catch of the season smile A little female mink.

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In the past 2 days 2 of my buddies got stuck pretty good. One had to walk out, recovery ops planned for tomorrow, the other got unstuck but is feeling it tonight.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/17/22 02:49 AM

This past weekend the temps went up to the low 40s we got rain followed by snow and rain followed by sleet Sure glad I didn't hang snares like I normally do. Froze up Monday night and stayed below freezing figured I'd give it another day and rolled today.

Picked up the first marten of the year. A nice dark one which aint normal on my line, normally they are orange smile

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Last run I saw track on a bunny trail picked up this guy.

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I knew something would run my trail when it froze over. Sure enough nice dark red.

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Ted's Meowch struck again smile Had another kitty work a cubby from the back side and stole my bait, That was a first for me.

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My trail is pretty solid now, Dropped all my snares and pretty much got out the gear I want for right now,, I am land locked untill we get a hard freeze. The river and creek is still wide open.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/17/22 04:13 AM

Great start!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/17/22 05:45 AM

Awesome start and variety!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/17/22 02:19 PM

Great start HFT,I went out for a skidoo ride yesterday got enough snow here now to make a base.Ice is thin though.
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/17/22 03:09 PM

Nice work John. Be safe this winter
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/17/22 10:13 PM

Good deal. Get the party started.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/19/22 12:14 AM

Thanks guys!

My buddy Laramy hooked me up with a moose that he got off the trapper list this past weekend and after getting the permit decided to make a run and dump some bait and set a few otter sets.

It was a pretty day out there smile

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Saw a bunch of these guys. When I talked to Howler when he got back in he said all the big bulls had dropped their antlers. I bumped one group of 7 and 5 where sub legal bulls all with headgear. Really hoping they drop them in the area I seen them!

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Decided to set a few otter traps and run a few kitty sets. This dude wanted to play peek a boo smile

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This cat surprised me smile Ear tag and collar. My buddy had caught one last year about 5 miles away as the crow flies that was collard and had the same color tag. So I am thinking it might be part of the same study. His cat was collared on JBER / Anchorage.

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Meowch struck again for me smile

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Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/19/22 03:26 AM

Pretty great day! Hope you get some of those moose antlers.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/19/22 05:57 AM

bfisch I hope so to. It seems when it hits the negatives is when they drop them here. Isn't any of that in our forecast for a spell.
Posted By: chasing eyes

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/19/22 06:22 PM

John was great talking to you at the meeting and good info on the snares.
Nice job on the kitties great pictures you will have to keep us posted on what you find out about the tag and collar would be cool to know where he's been.
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/19/22 11:40 PM

Good looking cats HFT.
Too bad about the one with the collar-must have rubbed some fur?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/20/22 04:05 AM

chasin eyes you will have to catch me at a meeting and I will tell you smile

Boco yeah it is rubbed and honestly that has been the sorriest looking cat I have caught on my line over the years. Still pretty cool to connect with one and hopefully the info it provides will help F/G. That one will go on the wall.
Posted By: crosspatch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/20/22 11:51 AM

Good going' and would be good to find out history of that cat and post. Awfully interesting how animals get about.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/22/22 12:13 AM

Ran today. Pretty warm with a few showers, suppose to cool down starting tomorrow and stay that away.

Picked up another kitty on Meowch smile I think they are going to crash no bunny sign anywhere.

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This just flat out ticks me off. I posted these signs at the beginning of my line at to different places.

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Rolling in this am I see ski tracks and dog track, the dog track was all over the place obvious not on a leash. They skied right past this sign.
Now what responsible pet owner would continue?
Well they did and a half mile later found a jack pot. catch circle and a cut snare....Ok.
Do you think they would turn around after catching their dog the first time? Nope.
Mile later they hit a snare line and from the looks of it I caught that dang dog 3 times. 3 more cut snares.
I think they were bunny hunting they didn't mess with the snares that were right beside the others.
This just ticked me off. Is what it is and I hope they dont come back.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/22/22 11:57 PM

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Well went and turned in the collar and got the lynx sealed at Fish and Game.

Got a call from the bio from the Anchorage office. That lynx had been caught and tagged 3 years ago up in Artic Valley right outside of Anchorage.

He said it had traveled from there to the valley twice and totally disappeared last year when the bunnies crashed there. 2 others that were trapped during that same time frame, one was harvested in Haines, and the other down on the Kenia. Pretty amazing how far these jokers will travel.

Of course I had to ask what lure he uses to get them smile He said "Meowch" is his best producer followed by Spicey Purrfect, go figure smile

If you know me you know where it was caught if you don't it was within a hundred mile radius of Willow smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/25/22 11:29 PM

I took a buddy out with me today to show him how I set up for lynx. Pretty day out there, fresh snow and low temps.

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Number 5 on Meowch, smile

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Cruising down the trail we cut fresh yote track crossing the trail and sure enough, must have just got her a hour or so before we showed up.

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It snowed maybe inch out there last night was good to see some fresh bunny and yote track!

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/26/22 01:29 AM

You are stacking up the fur. Very nice!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/01/22 12:45 AM

Well the temps have dropped in the negatives over the last few days and is starting freeze things up pretty good. Not much movement out on the line this check but i manage to catch a yote in a trail set, same place I caught the first fox of the year.

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Was able to run up the creek and dropped a few kitty sets in and a few haysets. I thought the water was high last year, it is way the heck up there this year. Going to try and push out to the lakes this weekend.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/01/22 02:12 AM

Well done! I wish I could hang snares like you. They just don't connect for me. But I keep trying!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/01/22 02:36 AM

Safety in numbers AV smile Except for cats. If I set a snare for a lynx I won't get him, Set one for a fox or yote and I do go figure smile
Posted By: chasing eyes

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/01/22 03:19 AM

Nice job John
Can't believe that guy continued down your trail continuing to catch his dog what the (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) !
Got a few traps out but haven't connected yet not much sign in the new area .
Keep up the great work and I should make the next meeting
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/22 11:09 PM

Well today had it's ups and downs. Hit my trailhead and saw that one of those Sherpa rigs had been through. Figured they were chasing moose and a few miles down the trail sure enough found the gut pile and the hide. Moved it all to the closest bait station.

Nothing bites more then walking up to a lynx set and seeing two sticks and a tuff of fur stuck in the trap. Somehow, he knocked the blocking over the trap or it fell over before he stepped on it, either way the kitty got away.

Picked up this nice looking red at a bait station.

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Headed out in the am and pushing back to the lakes to drop more gear.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/04/22 01:00 AM

Nice colour on that fox HFT.
A moose hide draped over a leaning log is a great draw for wolves at a jackpot-they go nuts over that.
Wire or nail it down good though,if they get the hide loose they will drag it all over the place back and forth and knock down all the snares.
Posted By: Slick Pan

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/05/22 12:04 AM

Heavy furred prime Alaska fox- very nice.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/11/22 03:38 AM

Thanks guys! Boco I had to dig that hide out of the snow the other day we got pounded pretty good smile

Well I made it back to the lakes last Sunday and sure enough Tuesday night we got hammered pretty good with between 14-20 inches of snow out on my line. I went out Thursday and dug half of it up and it totally kicked my butt! Today I ran light and ran the rest of the line.

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Of course, the only gear that was working was the flowerpot sets! They are bomb proof! And I picked up a few smile

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

I had made a Bronco set in a creek and for the life of me I couldn't find the dang trap. I felt like a idiot because I didn't have my spud bar and I was poking around with a dang stick. I don't like looking for coni's when I know they are under the snow and this one was a 280. I poked and I couldn't even find where I had wrapped my anchor cable! I looked down stream about 10 ft and I saw another hole in the ice. I looked in there and sure enough I could see a otter foot! Somehow the clip I had attached around the tree came undone. Lucky but I will take it!

[Linked Image]

Running the final stretch of the line and I cut a set of kitty track on my trail headed towards a set! Walk up to the set and the dang trap was sprung! Don't know if it was a kitty or a bunny. Figured I better at least check the next set about a 100 yds away and sure enough Ted's Meowch struck again smile

[Linked Image]

They are calling for another big dump between 8 and 14 inches tomorrow night and then.......RAIN on Tuesday!

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: teacherman

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/12/22 10:03 PM

You guys are getting pounded with snow! I bet the critters are really starting to run your snowmachine tracks.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/13/22 01:35 AM

Yeah we went from 14-20 this past Tuesday ................

[Linked Image]

To another 18 last night..................

[Linked Image]

And they are calling for another foot between tonight and Thursday!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/16/22 01:14 AM

Well the storm passed throuh last night and dumped another foot of snow. Currently sitting at 31 inches according to my yard stick. Should be interesting getting out on the line.

[Linked Image]

Last year Mr Ermine showed up at the house right at the beginning of trapping season and chowed down on a bunch of beaver I was prepping for the line. Didn't mess with him because he is a mouse killing machine. smile He finally showed back up the other day. Tossed a deer neck out there and am watching him chow down on it as I type this smile

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/16/22 02:37 AM

Good luck opening your line back up! That’s going to be a workout.

Wish we had an ermine hanging out providing entertainment like that.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/17/22 12:39 AM

Well the best laid plans dont always work out. Had a buddy with a Tundra long track come out with me today to try and get my trail busted out. Needless to say after a mile and a half we had to call it. The snow is chest deep out there and after digging out a dozen or so times we called it. Pretty bad when a long track gets stuck!

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

On our way to my trail head I follow a side road. Cruising down it I saw what I thought was a trash bag but wasn't a 100 percent sure what it was. Stopped the sled an started walking towards it and a heap popped up! It was a little calf moose. The snow is past thier bellies out there and I dont think they are going to have a easy winter. Saw several moose along the train tracks which is never a good sign.

We had finally reached a point where we said the heck with this and where attempting to turn around when my buddy missed a call. Then my phone rang and sure enough Fish and Game called for a trapper moose smile He was ticked he missed that call smile I was nice and gave him half after we went and got the permits from F/G. Ended up being a small calf we picked up in Palmer.

[Linked Image]

We are going to try again on Sunday, my buddy is bustin out the mountain sled smile Hopefully the snow will settle, and we can get the trail open if not then I am going to have to wait till a chinook comes through or it hardens up.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/17/22 01:49 AM

Thats some rough going John! I am heading back out on mine Sunday as well, got a friend coming along with his mountain sled to help break it open.
Posted By: bearcat2

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/17/22 04:32 AM

I've buried those long track Tundras lots of times. Why I just bought a SWT. Not that I haven't buried one of those to, but it usually takes more work to get them stuck... And to get them unstuck.
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/17/22 04:38 AM

That looks like a heart attack waiting to happen-stay safe HFT.
Might have to snowshoe it first.
Thats where the big Albany shoes shine.
Only got a foot of snow here.Supposed to get another foot or so the next 6 days.
Posted By: yukonjeff

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/17/22 07:34 AM

Wow You guys got alot of snow already. wonder how deep by spring, hopefully melts down at some point.
Not much snow out here thankfully.
Posted By: Dirt

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/17/22 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by yukonjeff
Wow You guys got alot of snow already. wonder how deep by spring, hopefully melts down at some point.
Not much snow out here thankfully.


I'm just happy they are getting my snow. These are my normal conditions, especially if the wind now blows all those trails in. frown

Sometimes it is simpler to wait for the snow to set up. Hopefully, it does.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/17/22 06:35 PM

Rob - I hope it works out for you and that you get it all open!

Boco - We have never had this much snow this early in the season with dumps back to back. Slow and steady wins this race and I try not to over exert myself smile That is why I brought a buddy along smile I hope you get a little more snow makes it alot easier running a snogo an gets the critters moving smile.

bearcat2- you sound like my buddy who talks smack about how his wide track can go through anything smile He is plan C if the mountain sled cant break in the trail:)

yukonjeff - I am hoping for a chinook, years past it seems that there is one that would always blow in around Xmas, but with the way the weather has been this year who knows. The moose are really hurting. Since yesterday afternoon 5 of them of been whacked on the hwy. Feel for the little claves.

dirt - waiting is plan D smile I feel you on the blown in trails. The flats I cross it happens every time we get a fresh snow and the wind kicks up, and if you go off the trail you submarine. Fun times smile
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/17/22 06:54 PM

That looks like snowshoe time. Drive to the end of the trail and hump it from there. Rinse and repeat for several days. No fun at all !
Posted By: victor#0

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/17/22 08:14 PM

[Linked Image]

Reminds me of last year, we got 30" in a couple days................
Posted By: bearcat2

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/18/22 03:14 AM

HFT, My last sled was a wide track Arctic Cat, and I've done plenty of shoveling with it. I've ran other peoples SWT and had them stuck a time or two, but it does take more to get them stuck, if you learn how to drive them. Unlike a regular snowmachine you drive them more like a pickup, slow down and lug it and let them climb up on top. But when you get them stuck you are in for some work, unlike one of the little old Tundras you aren't grabbing one end and lifting them up or yanking them around. wink I always pack a shovel and a winch that go on either end... or roll it back over if it is belly up and I can't.
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/18/22 04:35 AM

Pack a couple extra belts.
Posted By: Northof50

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/19/22 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Boco
Pack a couple extra belts.

and a bottle of Ibuprofen

Wow that is snow, well in August they said the ocean current had set up different for this fall's weather.
Sure looks like that long handled shovel is getting a work-out
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/19/22 08:36 PM

Thanks for all the encouragement and advice guys smile
Plan B didn't happen yesterday. My buddy ran his line on Saturday about 10 miles from me and when he got back in we talked, -22 and the snow conditions had not changed at all. He got stuck more times than we did when we went out the first time! So I made the call to scratch it.
So it is on to plan C.
My other buddy will be down here on Wednesday with his super wide's. It is supposed to warm up. +7 and the wind is kicking today so hopefully that will be in my benefit.

Bearcat my buddy is picking up a new winch tomorrow. Hopefully we wont need to use it on Wednesday but if we do I will get some pic's.

Got the ATA meeting / potluck in Eagle River tomorrow evening and looking forward to seeing some fellow trappers!

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: chasing eyes

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/20/22 03:27 AM

Good luck breaking trail
Was planning on making the potluck but am in seward working till Wednesday
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/22 03:35 PM

chasing eyes you missed out on some good grub last night! But a man gotta make the money, I totally get that! It was good seeing so many people there though especially the youngsters smile Even got to give bronco and my buddy Laramy a hard time smile

Pushing my run out a day. My buddy ran his line yesterday, broke his hitch on his pull behind and cut smoking hot wolverine sign without any gear. He has been chasing that dang thing for 2 years now so of course he wants to get back out there and get it set smile

bearcat2 this is the wench he picked up. Operates using a cordless drill.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Anyone have any insight or experience using one of these?
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/22 06:03 PM

Bring lots of batteries, and keep them warm.
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/22/22 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
chasing eyes you missed out on some good grub last night! But a man gotta make the money, I totally get that! It was good seeing so many people there though especially the youngsters smile Even got to give bronco and my buddy Laramy a hard time smile

Pushing my run out a day. My buddy ran his line yesterday, broke his hitch on his pull behind and cut smoking hot wolverine sign without any gear. He has been chasing that dang thing for 2 years now so of course he wants to get back out there and get it set smile

bearcat2 this is the wench he picked up. Operates using a cordless drill.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Anyone have any insight or experience using one of these?




I wonder how strong that is?
I seen a winch attachment for a chinsaw-it looked strong the guy was using it to skid big logs.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/22/22 12:59 AM

Boco I believe the one he got is rated for 750lbs. Hopefully we wont have to use it tomorrow, but if we do I will give some feedback.
Posted By: bearcat2

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/22/22 03:09 AM

I don't know, I have an atv winch on a receiver hitch, and quick connect wires on it so I carry it in my box and just put it on front or rear when I need it and plug the wires into the quick connect that I run from the battery and have come out under my windshield. Haven't got the receiver mounted on the front yet, but I have a foot long loop of cable I can loop around the front bumper if I need to. Mine is a 3500 lb Harbor Freight model, which is overkill, but I like that model better than the smaller one (small one has a cordless remote that takes a watch battery and I always figured I'd either lose or the battery would die when I needed it) and I've ran that model on a snowmachine and a fourwheeler for years without an issue on either one.

Might have to shovel a ramp to help that little winch out, but as long as the batteries hold up it should help a guy quite a bit.

Boco,,
those chainsaw winches are strong if they are geared right, I've seen guys winch pickups out with them. And the batteries won't die on them either. Heavy and bulky though.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/23/22 03:01 AM

Well my buddy Laramy showed up as planned and we were able to knock out 17 miles of trail, about half of my line.
Pretty impressed with his Skandic 24 inch super wide, that joker didnt skip a beat and he only got stuck once and that was my fault. Told him to by pass some trees across the trail and well there were those little trees that like to catch the skies on the other side.
I on the other hand got stuck a bunch of times. Not use to driving those tanks smile Pretty easy getting out, Laramy would back up, hook up the strap, pop and we were on our way.

On a positive we only had to use the shovel once and that was as we were headed out, right at the highway.

We used that winch twice after I slid off the trail and sunk the sled. Laramy was pretty impressed with it and state numerous times that it beat a hand come along tenfold.

Here is Laramy mean mugging me after getting stuck smile

[Linked Image]

It dont look stuck but it is sunk up past the running boards smile

[Linked Image]

He is going to come back down early next week and we are going to get the rest of the line open. Plan on letting the trail set up and go dig gear out on Saturday.

Saw a few kitty track and even some yote tracks. We checked 2 sets and both were buried under 2 ft snow, but they both had kitty track near them go figure smile

Then I came home and read this.........................

Weather Alerts-Wasilla, AK
Blizzard Warning
From Thu 8 pm until Fri 8 pm AKST

At least it is just high winds blowing the snow around.

Appreciate you Laramy for coming out and busting trail!

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/23/22 07:03 PM

Good to see you all breaking your trail back out. Hope this windstorm doesn't mess all that hard work up. The wide tracks and SWT's take a different approach when it comes to riding them. Well sometimes they just have a mind of their own and you are along for the ride. LOL.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/23/22 09:21 PM

bronco wish I knew how to upload a video, this wind is crazy! Hopefully it will hard pack everything out there on the line.
Posted By: Wildman37

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/24/22 06:17 AM

You ain't just a kidding I went back out today in the blizzard and my trail was drifted over. Almost tipped the big girl over a couple of times it was a work out keeping it right side right
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/25/22 03:08 AM

Well the blizzard blew in some of the trail but it was hard packed enough to run on an I only got stuck once smile Got all but two kitty sets dug out and up and running. Still have a bunch of snares to dig out.

Picked up a little ermine.

[Linked Image]

I was able to reset 2 sets when we broke trail, sure enouh one connected smile

[Linked Image]

I hope everyone has a Merry Xmas!

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/25/22 03:36 AM

50% on cat sets is pretty good! Merry Christmas!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/29/22 03:53 AM

Thanks bfisch smile

I got schooled the other day by a lynx that hit three different sets, 2 he pushed in on the sides of the cubby got a wiff of what he wanted and move on, the other set he walked in but just angled away. I think that might have been the one I pinched earlier in the season. Talking to Ted he suggests putting in a few pee posts at those sets so if they dont hit the bait they at least try to mark the area. Gonna make that happen tomorrow.

Spent the past few days digging gear out and today my buddy Laramy ran with me and help break the last 17 miles of line and get that gear up and running. Managed to pick up a marten, it chowed down on a duck at a lynx cubby and created a marten cave smile Once he finished that off moved over to the marten set 10 ft away an tried for the beaver smile

[Linked Image]

Alot of critters got free meals on that last section. Missed a lynx a marten an a few fox and yotes due to traps and snare being under freaking 2 ft of snow. Fuels the fire for the next run out there smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Aknative

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/29/22 07:40 AM

Glad you got'er broke out John!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/03/23 01:53 AM

Well the chinook finally showed up, 37 headed in today and the snow was getting pretty soupy by the time I got out. Not alot of critter movement with it being so warm but still a pretty day smile

[Linked Image]
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/03/23 05:23 PM

What an outstanding sunset!
Posted By: victor#0

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/04/23 05:23 AM

Yes, nice view from the office wink
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/05/23 04:28 AM

Ran some bait out today. The moose calves are getting hammered down here pretty good. Picked one up the other day and sure enough F/G
called this morning and had 2 more, they were looking for trappers to go get them.

Did a few change ups on my lynx sets. Hung a few snares around them, made 2 walk through sets with a strip of moose hide and beaver castor, and made a trash set. Got the idea for the hide and beaver castor after reading through the achieves from Gator Jr. Also decided to try tissue paper over the trap. We will see how that all pans out. I have a lynx that I probably pinched earlier this season that just dont want to play by the rules smile

Still freaking pretty warm here 36 today but it is suppose to drop back down to the mid 20's and teens which is a good thing smile Cut some fox and yote track but of course no where near any of my gear.

Did get a little bait robber smile Prior to the dumps of snow I had a marten robbing the bait so tossed a 120 out there for him in hopes that he returns.

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: otterman

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/05/23 07:11 PM

HFT i hate tissue paper it just gets wet and freezes I discovered the deli papers that they use to wrap a sandwich in work awesome for the big footholds one uses for both lynx, wolverine and wolves I currently am working my way through some of these they work really well in our freeze thaw conditions we get in SW i put one under and one over the trap

https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Stix-Deli-Paper-10-500ct/dp/B071G113V2/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=2I4OA1GLGVW3X&keywords=deli+paper+sheets&qid=1672945770&sprefix=deli+paper%2Caps%2C253&sr=8-4
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/05/23 07:42 PM

otterman thanks for the link! Will have the wife order that today smile
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/06/23 12:48 AM

otterman I like that deli paper idea. Have to give it a try.

John sounds like you have your bases covered for that tricky lynx. Bet you get it soon.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/06/23 01:36 AM

When did wax paper quit working?
Posted By: bearcat2

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/06/23 02:00 AM

I think the deli paper is just precut wax paper. I'm cheap, or old fashioned, or something, I just pack a roll of wax paper and rip off what I need.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/06/23 05:26 AM

av it is waxed paper smile Just comes packaged differently then on a roll. One sheet torn in half will cover top and bottom of the trap. I tend to trash rolls especially when it gets wet the and box falls apart. I am thinking if I tape the box up on these it will last a little longer an be more convenient for my needs.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/06/23 03:54 PM

Got it. I sympathize with your freeze-thaw, freeze woes. Hope your weather stabilizes.
Posted By: 3 Fingers

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/06/23 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
av it is waxed paper smile . I am thinking if I tape the box up on these it will last a little longer an be more convenient for my needs.

That’s what I do. Cover whole box except the top slot with duct tape. Not bomb proof but works well
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/12/23 01:27 AM

Well it has been pretty slow and this weather isn't helping much,, Last run it was -15 todays run was +34 pretty crazy.
Did pick up another cat though. Last 3 runs I seen it's track and knew it was a matter time before it hit gear.

[Linked Image]

A first for me smile That #4 Duke swallowed those paws smile

[Linked Image]

This set has taken 3 lynx this season, I think it is on location smile

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/12/23 01:42 AM

Man, how good is that?!!
Posted By: Aknative

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/12/23 06:31 AM

Sweet! Dang tough keeping gear working in those changing conditions.
Posted By: crosspatch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/12/23 11:27 AM

Had same thing happen one time. Snow sign said a lynx was checking out a mink box. On the chance that it would come back set the only thing I had on me at the time which was a # 2 double long spring. Next check had the cat by one toe from each front foot. Was back in the day and so had no camera to document. But it sure happened.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/12/23 05:51 PM

That trap has some jaw spread to fit both those big feet in it.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/26/23 03:17 AM

Things have been really slow down here. Picked up a little ermine an that has been it.
Pulled marten gear today.
Finally have some yotes hitting a bait station. With all the dead moose around pulling them in seems like a chore but the birds are getting fat and happy smile.
This weather is no help. 3 inches of the wet heavy stuff followed +40 yesterday and rain. Got all the kitty sets cleaned up and relured, gonna give it a few days for colder temps then redo the k9 sets.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/26/23 04:20 AM

That weather sounds like a real pain the rear. Hoping it didn’t hit my line too badly. Couple more weeks then it’s time to pull it all up for me.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/11/23 12:08 AM

Well I shut down the office today. I had a great start to the season but since the big dump of snow we had at the end of December things have been pretty much dead.

All the moose pushed out of their normal winter range and the calves took a hammering this year. I picked up 6 another buddy 22 and another 8. Not a good year for them.

For the lack of K9 sign I saw this year I was thinking something had to have happened. After speaking to my buddy that traps on the other side of the river he kinda confirmed what I thought. Right before the big dump he rolled up on a yote that had matted down fur, missing all but a tuff of hair on its tail and was just out there in lala land. He gave it to F/G and they told him it had lice and mange. I wouldn't be surprised of distemper didn't make a run through the area as well.

Other then the 1 otter I caught and the 2 mink at the house I saw zero track or sign.

Had a few of these............missed the pan by an inch.

[Linked Image]

This one was spot on.

[Linked Image]

After checking his leg out and determining he was good I ended up letting him go, seed for next year,

[Linked Image]

Got to help out at Fur Rondy and see how my fur faired, I cant express how grateful I am for the ATA and this auction. Sold everything and watched 2 of my lynx go for $270 each. Enjoyed working with the youngsters smile and guessing how much things would sell for.

[Linked Image]

Not the greatest of seasons with 3 fox 3 yotes 4 marten and 8 cats. I did enjoy the time I got to spend out there and was a cheer leader for a few of my buddies that were connecting smile Got to spend some time with Laramy, Matt, Jeff, Cory, and even had Ted come down and do a run with me.

Looking forward to the fling and hope to see a bunch of you guys there!

Time to start getting ready for beaver and bears smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/14/23 09:02 PM

Sorry your season went the way it did John. Hope the fur comes back for you next season. Thanks for all your support!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/04/23 11:10 PM

Hope everyone had a good spring and summer!

Mine didn't go as planned this year.

My cancer raised it's ugly head again the end of February. For whatever reason the medicine I was on stopped working. Doc put me on a new one and last scan showed it was kicking butt pretty good. That put a damper on getting after the spring beaver.

I smacked a nice little brownie the end of June and while cleaning it managed to sink my fillet knife into my fore arm. Took a trip to the ER got 4 stitches and a shot. 10 days later my fore arm swelled up from a infection. Ended up spending a few days in the hospital.

End of July came off the river from fishing for silvers and ended up at the ER this time for a heart attack. 2 stints and a week in the hospital finally got out.

Hoping everything is back on track before the trapping season kicks off.

So that is the negative........

Here is the positive,,,,,,,,,

Got to go down to 20 Mile and do a little hooligan fishing with Laramy. That guy is a hoot to hang out with smile

[Linked Image]

John from Team V here on T man hooked me up with a bunch of bear baiting stuff from Glacier Bear Products out of North Pole. I can not express enough the gratitude I have for his generosity. I am forever hooked on his bubble gum formula. His burn stuff is a liquid that you add to water and simmer, 1 bottle and you get at least 8 burns out of it. His cover scents linger like none I have used before. I had over 8 different brown bears and a dozen different black bears come in on my stand alone. I shared with a few of my buddies and they are hooked as well!

[Linked Image]

I got to spend last week up in TOK with Ted chasing moose. Saw one legal bull but it was dark and when I realized that yep it is legal it stepped out of sight. Always a good time and conversation with Ted smile His HOT Latches and Meowch will be available through MTP year! Pretty excited for him!

And it is never to early to start advertising for this!!!

[Linked Image]

Hunting season is pretty much in full swing through out the state. Be safe out there guys and I hope you connect!
Posted By: victor#0

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/05/23 12:20 AM

Wow what a summer, hope your fall/ winter goes better! Never tried any of that commercial bear baiting stuff sounds like it works well though. Are hooligan the same as " candle fish "? Someone gave me some dried whole candle fish once and it was awesome! Good luck " looking around " out there.
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/05/23 06:12 AM

Good to see you back on the forum HFT,Take care out there bud.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/05/23 07:41 AM

Thanks for the update! Are you going after bear this fall?
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/05/23 05:59 PM

Shoot John you have had enough health issues! Glad you are on the mend once again and I hope it stays that way for you. Despite what life throws your way, you always make the best of it and dont let it stop you from enjoying your passions.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/06/23 01:33 AM

victor #0 I have no idea if they are the same as hooligan or not. If you ever decide to try commercial bear stuff Glacier Bear Products will be well worth your money.

Boco you be safe out there as well and hope you get to run further this year then last!

bifisch Yep on them right now, Jokers keep wiping me out! Trying to connect before I get serious on the moose smile

bronco yeah the wife is calling me a roach, nothing kills me smile Hope you have a productive hunting season!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/16/23 01:00 AM

Earlier in the season as me and my bear hunting buddy Cory were cruising up the HWY to go check bear baits and we found this little red teddy bear laying along side the road. My thoughts where it was a sign from the bear spirits and would bring us good luck! At least that is what I was thinking smile Cory on the other hand thought it was possessed and that is why someone tossed it smile

[Linked Image]

So I hung that lil bear at the bait squirted it down with some of Glacier Bear bubble gum cover scent and looked what showed up!

[[Linked Image]

Last night my buddy Cory connected with a nice 7.5 boar. Another moose eater down smile

[Linked Image]

Pretty much done with the bears and focusing on the moose now.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Allan Minear

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/16/23 01:24 AM

Very nice bear !
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/16/23 01:31 AM

Way to go. Glad you are feeling better.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/16/23 03:17 PM

Ok I would have agreed with Cory on it being possessed but either way it worked out!
Posted By: mad_mike

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/16/23 11:29 PM

Nice bear and congratulations to Cory’s success. Skinning is winning!
Our fall bears can be pretty raunchy smelling from being on salmon. I hope you were spared from all of that.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/26/23 01:17 AM

mad mike yeah that one wasn't to bad smile Hands down the worst one I have dealt with was the one Wolverine Hunter got down on Kodiak. It took a bit to get rid of that smell smile

Well I didn't have high expectations for moose hunting this year especially after the winter kill that we had. Did manage to call a few bulls in but nothing legal. Seed for next year smile

Anyone here run the Iron Dog? If you do you know were moose hunt smile

[Linked Image]

Nothing like waking up to beautiful weather like this moose hunting smile

[Linked Image]

Standing on a bluff looking over a meadow when all of a sudden I hear a twig snap behind me. Turn around and see this joker bum rushing me smile For a split second I thought it was a brown bear cub. Happy that it was not smile

[Linked Image]

Time to focus on gettin a few beaver.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/26/23 06:15 PM

Good to be out and on the land either way. Moose was tough this year with the highest water in 10 years. Most the places I like to walk back into were full of water. Good luck with the beaver!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/27/23 01:54 AM

Great pics HFT.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/29/23 10:21 PM

Well got out yesterday and was able to put in a few bever sets with my buddy Cory. Funny how the water was way high during moose season and is now the lowest I have ever seen it!

TeamV sent this stuff to me to use for bear baiting. My nose told me to save it for beaver trapping smile

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

It worked smile

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Gotta love those duke #4's smile

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We only got 8 sets out due to water conditions and lack of sign. But we did bat a 50/50 smile

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 09/30/23 03:40 AM

You are skinning, now! And good bait.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/01/23 03:28 AM

AV skinning is winning smile

Buddy Cory wouldnt let me use the pic of us both. He had a weird face going on from the wind smile

[Linked Image]

Got everything pulled and called it on the big river. Managed to squeeze one more out of the area.

[Linked Image]

Might hit a few other spots off the road system before freeze up.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/03/23 03:31 AM

Well got out there today and set a few traps for beaver. Hit the bear bait as well and got that back up and running. There is a toad out there, It ate just about the entire bear that my buddy shot 2 weeks ago. Hoping he sticks around for a spell and slips up.

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/06/23 02:12 AM

Well my buddy picked up this beaver that will be used for the skinning demo the weekend after next.

[Linked Image]

Looking forward to this!

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/08/23 06:03 AM

Glacier Bear Products out of North Pole, TeamV 's bear butter strikes again smile

[Linked Image]

Thought I had a bear come through tonight at the bait station. I been missing a barrel for about a month now. The jokers broke the chain and drug it off smile Tonight I heard something beatin up a barrel about 200 yds away, pretty sure it is the one that is missing. Hopefully they will hit the bait in the next day or two getting pretty close to the season closing.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/08/23 08:20 PM

Hoping you get'em!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/15/23 03:41 AM

Did the SCCATA trapping class today, We had 18 or 19 students! Loved seeing the youngsters there and all the new trappers! I always learn something new listening to my fellow trappers teach. This is one of those things that when I leave I always have a big smile on my face smile

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Slick Pan

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/15/23 04:18 AM

Neat! Not much for the trappers education mandatory class in Montana. Should be something like this school, more trapping oriented rather than just teaching ethics because they want to appease the antis.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/17/23 12:23 AM

SlickPan any education is better then none IMO! It gets fellow trappers together and creates connections.

Well the baiting season came to a close yesterday. Pretty much spent the day packing out gear with my buddy and cleaning up the mess that bears tend to make.

[Linked Image]

Plenty of seed for next year unfortunately for the moose.

Just a few, for some reason some sd cards wont upload on this site or maybe it is my computer.

[Linked Image]

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Got our first meeting tomorrow night for the SCCATA Chapter! Looking forward to seeing friends there!

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/22/23 01:27 AM

For the past three years Ted has been hounding me to come up on his birthday and do some spear fishing for the white fish. It was a beautiful night with the northern lights on full display! Ted actually did pretty good and got a dozen and a half. I only the other hand on got two smile

For a dude that is 64 years old he still got it in him smile

[Linked Image]

Saw some that had the full rainbow spectrum but for some reason my phone only picked up the green.

[Linked Image]

Ted made a offer for me to come up and trap with him in his AO. Since I aint got the wolverine or wolves in my area an since I aint getting any younger I decided to take him up on the offer. Going to run a line up north with him an run mine down here. Hauled the first load of bait up to his place since it is already well below freezing up there and wont rot..

[Linked Image]

Not often you get to see 4 rams right along the highway! Pretty cool to see.

[Linked Image]

Prepping gear and gettin ready for a fun filled season!

Be safe out there!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/22/23 03:56 AM

Sounds like great times! I have wanted to spear whitefish but haven't got it figured out yet. On the other hand I can spear pike all day some years, but this year is off to a slow start. I am looking forward to hearing about your lines this year!
Posted By: victor#0

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/22/23 04:05 AM

Nice pile of bait, you oughta be able to call something in with that.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/24/23 04:33 AM

Stacking up the bait! Another load for up north!

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Ryan McLeod

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/24/23 05:37 AM

Lots going on. Good to see some trapline prep leading up to the season.
I’m sure looking forward to get back into the trapping routine. Eat, skin, take Tylenol and check traps again. Sleep when able to.
Posted By: Thurman

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 10/24/23 07:13 PM

Good looking bait. Whitefish are some of the best smoked fish in my opinion just got to deal with all the bones.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/01/23 05:47 AM

The boxes an traps are ready to go.......

[Linked Image]

Put Ted to work chopping bait smile

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Bait wired and ready to go................

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Sleds ready to roll...........

[Linked Image]

Tomorrow we start setting gear!

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/01/23 02:55 PM

You are on it! Opening day, (and the day before), sure can be exciting.
Good luck!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/01/23 03:38 PM

Have fun John and Ted!
Posted By: Slick Pan

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/01/23 05:09 PM

Good to have a partner. Makes trapping a ton more fun. Good for you guys for teaming up.
Posted By: victor#0

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/01/23 07:15 PM

Good luck out there. They're calling for freezing rain here and we still don't have enough snow, ice isn't frozen up enough either frown I'm chomping at the bit though!!!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/02/23 04:40 AM

Talk about a crazy day!
I have never seen so much marten sign as I did today!

[Linked Image]

Ted set the gear I hung the bait an lured.

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Pretty cool seeing older sets by new smile Ted said that box was about 30 yrs old.

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Put in a set went down the trail looked back an saw a marten cross the trail right to the set! Not even 5 minutes! First one of the year!

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Ran out of gear. Ran back grabbed some more an checked the gear that was already an picked up 3 more!

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Good way to start the season!

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Chickenminer

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/02/23 05:07 AM

Way cool ! Great start .... some good marten sign over this way too.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/02/23 05:33 AM

That is a great day!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/02/23 05:48 PM

You two are on a roll!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/02/23 10:56 PM

Looks like you will have a bumper crop of marten this year.
Posted By: Ryan McLeod

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/03/23 04:44 AM

Great start
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/04/23 05:51 AM

After connecting so well on opening day we decided to make a run tonight.

Does it look bigger when I hold it out? smile

[Linked Image]

First one on this run.

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Picked up 8 more marten and 2 ermine.

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Getting snow right now so hoping for a smooth ride on the sleds Sunday an seeing fresh track!

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/04/23 01:09 PM

Nice run. Looks like you two are in for a great season. Trapping with a good partner makes all the difference in the world.
I notice you are setting your boxes close to the ground. Not worried about vole/mice damage? Snow depth not a concern?
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/04/23 03:18 PM

Your season has started off with a bang!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/05/23 03:56 AM

Awesome you guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/05/23 03:59 AM

av Ted says it is a rarity to have vole/mice damage. All the ones we got were good. I know back home if I let them even get close to the ground they would get chewed up. We are only targeting them till mid December and the snow shouldn't get that deep by then, historically smile Totally different up here, That fine powder not the wet sticky stuff I am use to smile

bronco it has for the marten for sure, Headed out tomorrow to start chasing the big critters smile
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/06/23 04:36 AM


Smoker of a day! Got a bunch more gear out, seen a bunch of fresh track, spent good time with a good buddy, and to top it off 5 marten and1 ermine 🙂

[Linked Image]

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Should have had 1 more marten but someone forgot the safeties on the 120.......... smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/06/23 02:09 PM

That's fantastic. You must be having a blast. Love following your journal, and chasing marten with Ted makes it even better.
Posted By: Slick Pan

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/06/23 05:11 PM

How does a person contact Ted? I sent a PM ? thru Trapperman about some snare parts and got no response. No longer need parts but maybe some day again I may want something.
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/06/23 05:41 PM

Nice work John. Be seeing Ted at tomorrow's ATA meeting in Fairbanks. Be safe
Posted By: Paul Dobbins

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/06/23 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by Slick Pan
How does a person contact Ted?


Click on his banner at the top of this page.
Posted By: Slick Pan

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/06/23 11:41 PM

ok-I will try email. I though he might answer private messages but that did not happen. Thank you.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/23 01:39 AM

He is usually easy to get ahold of. I would try again.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/23 01:46 AM

Slick Pan the best way to get hold of him is to call. He is to busy making wolf snares to sit an play on the computer smile

AV it is a blast smile Ted has run with me twice on my line, World of difference running his line and seeing how he does business. Big wild country up there smile

JR he is looking forward to it smile I am going to try making it up there for this months board meeting.
Posted By: Slick Pan

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/23 05:09 AM

[quote=HFT AK]Slick Pan the best way to get hold of him is to call. He is to busy making wolf snares to sit an play on the computer smile

I figured since Ted had an ad on the computer at the top of the page and I saw you were promoting his business on the computer that would be the best way to contact him. I am sorry to hear he is to busy to offer customer service this way.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/07/23 04:57 PM

No reason to be sorry.
The start of trapping season, high demand for his products, filling orders daily, and building snares has him pretty busy right now! And that is a good thing smile
He'd eventually get to your email but if you pick up the phone and call or text him you would get a response sooner.
Posted By: Pete in Frbks

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/08/23 03:56 PM

Ted was in Fairbanks for the monthly ATA general membership meeting last night.

He gave a great presentation. (And your name was bantered about a time or two as well...!)

Pete
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/08/23 07:15 PM

Pete Oh I am sure he busted my chops smile He is pretty good at that smile
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/11/23 01:26 AM

Well opening day here smile Figured I would break trail and at least get my signs up.

[Linked Image]

We got hammered the past few days with that wet heavy snow. It was above my knees! Calling for a bunch more come next week. Everything is still wide open as far as creeks and rivers go.

Out of a 17 mile run I only saw these and cut two other set of moose track. Last years winter hammered them pretty good. Not much for other track but this storm just blew out so I think a couple days before anything moves.

[Linked Image]

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: FL cracker in AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/11/23 02:34 AM

Envious. Can't wait to get back to the Lower Yukon and get ready for the season. In South East right now. POW.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/13/23 04:12 AM

A pretty awesome day! started out at +6 an stayed that way all day

[Linked Image]

Nothing like seeing fresh wolf track headed toward your gear!

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And then to find this smile

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One moose muncher down smile Now picture two old guys looking at each other and saying oh crap how we going to get this toad back to the trail :D)

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Ted gets this one I get the first wolverine and the next wolf smile

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A pretty sunset to end the day smile

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12 ,marten 3 ermine a squirrel and a wolf smile Actually had a marten eat into a ermine. Never seen that before, pretty hungry country!

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We think there were 3 wolves in on the bait were we got the black. They wipe that bait out quick! Cut a another pack of about 5-7. Time to be dropping steel smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Alder

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/13/23 05:23 AM

Heckuva start! One set of wolf tracks, one dead wolf 👍🏻
Was that a snare on a natural funnel or was it baited?
Placed an order with Ted last week, anxiously awaiting it.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/13/23 05:51 AM

TY smile That was a bait station with over 2 dozen snares {Safety in numbers smile ) set in areas it looked like a wolf would pass through to investigate the bait about 50 to 100 yds away from the bait. Ted says that in years past he has seen them come up out of that particular drainage.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/13/23 03:31 PM

You guys are on a roll! That wolf looks incredible.
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/13/23 05:12 PM

Great run HFT,those black wolves are selling good.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/13/23 06:51 PM

You guys are doing awesome! I can imagine the rush seeing the wolf track heading toward your gear and then finding him. Now to get to skinning.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/14/23 05:52 PM

Its nice you two are able to run the line together. Having a partner on the line makes life quite a bit easier and more entertaining. Not to mention lightens the load carrying a big wolf back to the sleds!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/15/23 08:19 AM

Got to go to the Delta Junction Chapter of the ATA meeting tonight smile Always enjoy listening to trappers share their adventures and stories.

[Linked Image]

Thye had this beautiful Newhouse that they are raffling off. Of course I ha to get a few tickets to support the cause smile

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Going to go put out more bait tomorrow an run some gear.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/18/23 04:21 PM



Made a bait run Wednesday evening and checked some gear, pretty crappy weather but picked up a few marten and an ermine. Headed out this am to drop some steel for the big boys.

Be safe out there guys!
[Linked Image]
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/18/23 09:09 PM

Hope you find some good spots for wolves and wolverine!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/19/23 04:55 AM

[Linked Image]

Pretty day out there on the line smile -14 and clear. Picked up 8 marten 1 ermine and a dink red. Cut wolf track cutting across the trail at a different location this run.
Dropped some steel and hung a few snares for the jokers smile

Bfisch I think we are on the wolves playing the chess game right now trying to get one step ahead smile As for the wolverine opening week we cut 2 different track about 10 miles apart and dropped boxes there. Hoping they eventually come through again.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: victor#0

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/20/23 06:29 AM

looks like you guys are having a blast!! Always nice to have a partner to enjoy the experience with and save your bacon.....................
Posted By: martentrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/22/23 12:37 AM

Is this a new line Ted has opened up? If it's a regularly trapped line, how were the marten numbers last year?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/22/23 02:03 AM

Same line he has been running for years. Last year numbers were a little below average. The vole / mice population exploded and it seems the marten followed suit.
Posted By: victor#0

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/22/23 02:46 AM

Vole/ shrew numbers have been stupid high here the past two years.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/24/23 10:34 PM

First kitties of the year smile Both on Meowch and duck.

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Pretty miserable weather down here right now. 40 and freaking raining like a big dog. Not seeing much for sign. Couple kitty track but only one set of yote and no marten track. Hoping it is just the weather and things are hunkered down.

Be safe out theee guys !
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/24/23 11:17 PM

Nice work! I'm not a fan of rain and especially not when it is supposed to be winter weather. I finally got a few sets out. Trail conditions have been very poor here with a very slow freeze up and lots of overflow.
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/24/23 11:51 PM

Rain/mild weather in winter means lots of work when it gets cold again to get the sets working and ready.I hate when that happens.
I bet the animals will move good as soon as it gets cold again.
Nice cats.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/26/23 04:58 AM

Bfisch looking forward to seeing you post on your adventures smile

Boco that is what I am hoping as well with the critters. This wet stuff is for the birds!
Posted By: Dirt

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/26/23 05:32 PM

Splish! Splash! I have been taking a bath! Welcome back to the unstable side of the AK Range.
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/26/23 07:13 PM

Keep it there please !
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 11/27/23 05:02 AM

Come on Dirt we live in the banana belt smile white I can’t control that smile

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Picked up 6 marten and an ermine this run. Had as many refusals as what we caught. Guess they wanted a warm meal vs cold grouse Time to change to a sweet lure 🙂
The wolves were out playing this past week. Had what looked like a pair come back to the bait station looking for their buddy. Of course they skirted around the snares we had set. So dropped a few more.
Had a loner at another set hit my track before he hit the snare and veered off. Then at a pee post one came from the other side.
Put in another bait station with something different:) We will see what happens before I say what it is 🙂
Gotta love the game of chess 🙂
Be safe out there!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/23 04:38 AM

[Linked Image]


Decent run on the marten today picked up 8 . Plus 3 ermine 2 red squirrels and a flying squirrel. First one Ted has ever caught 🙂
The big boys didn’t come out to play this run hopefully next run.
Finally had 2 lynx come through. One dodged a snare then stepped on the jaw of a trap. The other circled a wolverine box but didn’t want to poke his head in there.
Hopefully with the new moon and colder temps things will start to move a little harder.
Be safe out there!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/23 05:35 AM

Those look like some big ermine. I don't catch a lot of them but I have yet to find a good market for them.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/23 05:45 AM

Sent you a message
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/23 01:52 PM

Nice run HFT.
Those ermine do look big.
They are easy to tan and come out nice. Native Pow Wows are a great place to sell tanned ermine and Otter..
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/03/23 08:40 PM

Fingers crossed the bigger animals start working your area over soon. Till then the weasels and squirrels are keeping you two going.

I agree those ermine sure look larger than the ones I catch.
Posted By: victor#0

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/04/23 12:18 AM

We always tan our ermine as they make nice gifts, look nice in women's hair, and look great on trapper hats.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/07/23 02:32 AM

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Picked up a pretty marten and a dink fox here at home. Not seeing a lot of sign of critters and they are calling for more snow.

Be safe out there!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/12/23 03:29 AM

[Linked Image]

Pretty crappy weather up here in TOK the past week. Between snow and -30s not much moved. Did manage to pick up 7 marten though 🙂.
Be safe out there!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/19/23 04:40 AM

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Picked up kitty #3 and the first yote of the season. Got dumped on pretty good between 12-18 inches of the heavy wet junk. Makes you work for it!

Had a kitty come up to a snare pen and of course with all the snow they were way too low. He walked to one side then the other and finally found a spot big enough to get his head in there to sniff the bait.

Got the South Central pot lock tomorrow night! Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/19/23 05:10 PM

Good to see you all are still picking up animals despite the cold and snow. See you tonight.
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/21/23 01:03 AM

Nice work John. You are getting spoiled up there with Ted. How was the Pot Luck. Happy Holidays Brother.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/23/23 03:18 AM

[Linked Image]

Picked up a nice buck mink. Got schooled today by a smart kitty. Walked all in front of the cubby just would not commit. Then to add insult to injury walked behind the cubby hit the snare that was there and backed out. Time to change the game for this one and toss in a pee post.

Gonna try and get back out on Sunday and drop some k9 gear cut plenty of track today along with some otter sets.

Be safe out there!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/24/23 06:41 AM

My plan for the holiday was to run up to Teds the day after Xmas, so Ted got his grandson to make the run with him today. He called me up as I was out Xmas shopping with the wife smile I normally put 1 or 2 guard snares around marten sets and manage to pick up a few fox and yotes when they come in and circle the set. I did that when we set our boxes out at the beginning of the season and today it paid off big time smile
Ted said the wolverine came into the marten set and popped the 160 and when that happened it took off and ran dead smack into the snare smile
Nothing more satisfying then building a snare, setting it, and connecting with your first wolverine smile
Glad Ted had his grandson along for the experience! Gonna make a trapper out of him yet smile

[Linked Image]

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Posted By: Pete in Frbks

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/24/23 11:45 AM

Could have used a couple more swivels on that cable.

Wasn't much more than your good looks keeping that guy from breaking loose!

Pete
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/24/23 12:26 PM

Way to go! And a nice looking gulo, at that. Congratulations.
Posted By: white17

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/24/23 06:19 PM

Looks like a great wolverine. They sure like to spin !
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/24/23 06:57 PM

That's awesome!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/25/23 03:29 AM

Thanks guys smile

Well we got dumped on this am with 6-8 inches of the heavy wet stuff so ran out and redid gear and added a few sets.

I always tell people to try different baits. I have a buddy otter trapping down in PWS and loaded up on otters and I am never one to pass on bait smile The birds are going to town big time smile

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Wanted to get a few otter sets in but got stuck like a big dog. The snow is waist deep on my line now and I managed to find a soft spot. Did get one in along with a mink set.

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When I went to the ATA meeting in Delta Junction there was a older gentleman talking about using used kitty litter. He said he has caught everything using it. Had the wife get unscented litter and cleaned the box out yesterday. Has good eye appeal and stinks like a dang cat smile Put that in where the lynx circled my set. We will see what happens smile

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Be safe out there and I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/25/23 05:25 PM

Nice work John. Merry Christmas from North Dakota
Posted By: BeLiSlE330

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 12/28/23 03:04 AM

Those all look like very fun adventures! Thanks for sharing!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/01/24 03:16 AM

Well made the last run with Ted yesterday, and pulled all the marten gear. Was in the -30s all week so not much seemed to move. Got that wolverine weighed 34.2 lbs, it is in the shed thawing out along with the few critters we did get smile

Thought of you victor#0 when I saw these guys smile Of course the 3 of them were all perched right above two wolf traps so they got a pass smile

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Last marten for us smile Ended up with 3 on this run along with a ermine.

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Had a blast running with Ted this season. Always good company and very knowledgeable on the critters in his neck of the woods smile I appreciated him sharing his little piece of Alaska with me and look forward to doing it again next season smile

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Ended up with 68 marten, 12 ermine, 2 fox, 1 black wolf, and a nice wolverine smile

Time to focus on my line here at home smile

Be safe out there guys and Happy New Year!
Posted By: victor#0

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/01/24 11:18 PM

Looks like guys had lots of fun and I enjoyed following along on your adventure. To bad on those sharp tails they are good eating. Happy New Year..........
Posted By: g smith

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/02/24 03:35 AM

Thanks for the ride and pictures .
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/08/24 12:35 AM

Well I see now why I aint catching anything smile They must have read the sign when they walked by smile

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Picked this yote up at a bait station, not to sure on the fur quality. Pretty matted down from snow and ice. This freaking +34 degrees is for the birds!

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The lynx are pretty humbling this year. Had one hit 7 snares, over, under through, around, and the worst one he backed out of one! Got fresh bait at all the sets now and the bait stations are topped off. Just need for the weather to get cold again.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: victor#0

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/09/24 04:37 AM

What do you do with your yotes, are you able to sell them?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/09/24 05:29 AM

victor#0 yep sell them at Fur Rondy smile Last year avg was $75. If they don't sell there I get them tanned and use CL.

Well sure enough I knew something was off on that yote, The matted down fur just didn't look healthy or right. Went to cut the snare off and he already had one that he chewed out of. Not mine but that sure was nasty!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/09/24 10:46 PM

That coyote looks to have a real bushy tail on him,looks like a fox tail.
Posted By: Thurman

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/09/24 11:48 PM

Ive only every caught a handle full of coyotes but all of them were the worst smelling animals Ive ever dealt with.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/10/24 12:17 AM

boco it did have a nice tail smile

Thurman I have got plenty of them the ones that stink the most are the ones with mange and lice, The Matsu Valley k9's are going through distemper/mange/ and lice right now. A buddy got one last week, hung it in the garage to thaw out and in the morning his wife was yelling at him to get it out smile Said it was the worst one he had seen/ smelt,
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 01/13/24 11:53 PM

Always love rolling up on a set looking for the springs sticking out and they aren't there smile

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Had a fox and yote work the back side of a bait station, just a matter of time before they screw up and get caught smile Cut one set of kitty track, have no idea where it came from but his direction of travel is towards gear smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/05/24 03:43 AM

This weather is kicking my butt pretty good. Got 18 inches last Sunday then the cold front moved in and it stayed in the -30s all week. It finally broke last night and warmed up but it also brought another 16 inches of powder!
Did manage to connect with a yote at a bait station and got pretty much everything dug out, Hopefully next run will be better,

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Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Ryan McLeod

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/05/24 03:53 AM

I like watching for springs sticking out of marten boxes too. No shortage of snow here as well. It’s been taking some serious effort just to keep the trail open.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/05/24 07:13 AM

Always looking for those springs and tight wires on the snares smile The snow last week was that fine powder stuff that gets sucked in the air intake,,,,,,,I despise that stuff!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/08/24 04:11 AM

Was getting geared up to head out to the line when I got a phone call from Fish and Game asking if I could pick up a moose in town. Called my buddy Cory and had it back at the house a hour later. Felt bad for the moose nothing but skin and bone, Be the last one I take this year with the season coming to an end. I like topping off the bait stations end of season to help feed the seed for next year 🙂

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Finally got out and sure enough connected with a nice looking yote at a pinch point.

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Cut a set of marten track which makes me happy that there is seed out there for next year!

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: teacherman

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/08/24 04:24 PM

Do you take any meat off a cow like that before you add to your bait pile, or are they just for bait purposes? Looks like she would've had something on those hind quarters? Alaska isn't being very forgiving to the wildlife this year with its deep snow and relentless extreme cold weather...
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/09/24 12:53 AM

Actually that is a mature bull, When I get them from F/G I don't take any meat off of them for consumption because they don't know how or why it died. They determine them as un edible for that reason and there is no salvage requirement.
Same rule applies with the critters I raise, if I don't know what killed it I dont eat it.
Now the ones I get from the troopers off the road kill list I salvage all I can.
The weather was worse last year ( snow depth ) as far as kill off of moose, if we get significantly more snow this year it will be just as bad, I have not seen a single calf out on my line this year.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/11/24 02:50 AM

Been playing cat and mouse with this big guy all season and his 9 lives finally ran out. 🙂 Last time he visited a set he dodged the snares and just circled the cubby. Changed up bait and lure and dropped a blind set in for him. Sure enough tried doing the same thing as last time 🙂

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Funny how a week ago it was -32 and today it was +43 a 70 degree change in temps! Switched everything back to haysets, just hoping we don't get any rain!

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/11/24 03:10 AM

Nice cat HFT.
I have never seen a winter like this one here.
I call it the winter that never was.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/13/24 02:10 AM

I had the dangest thing happen today!

I bought a used F150 in Anchorage back in 2020 and today the alternator went out.

So I am at my shop tearing things apart to replace it and I open up the air intake......

Imagine my surprise when I found these in there! At first I thought it was a bird and after pulling them out there were 3 grouse wings cut at the joint shoved up in there!

Obviously a trapper owned this vehicle before me, so the question is who? smile

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Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/13/24 06:57 PM

Sure makes you wonder why they stuck them in there?
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/13/24 08:33 PM

Redneck air filter,lol.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/14/24 12:29 AM

-30s week ago, +44 today! Not good trapping weather! Hard to believe it is still February!

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Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/17/24 02:38 AM

Made a quick run today to drop some bait, a farmer gave me 4 goats that died over the last cold spell. Started shutting down segments of the line and slipping snares, Picked up one of the smallest dang fox that I think I have ever caught, I think it would fit on a dang coon stretcher!

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On the way out I decided to make a run along the railroad tracks. There is a huge open space that parallels it and it is pretty easy to see track of critters that are headed towards my line. I came a round a bend and there was a moose trail with blood, then a bed with blood, and then there goes a moose with chunks of meat dangling off his rear leg. Pretty gross. Called the troopers and they said let nature run its course. I can only assume it got smacked by a train or a car. I will keep an eye on the area its in and see how it plays out.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Northof50

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/17/24 04:23 AM

Weasel hiding the wings in an off season would be my guess
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/18/24 10:13 PM

23 inches from tip of nose to the butt. Pretty dang small but a pretty cherri red smile

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Was going to run today but it is raining and almost wiped out at the end of the driveway so decided to stay home and get fur ready for Fur Rondy next weekend.

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/20/24 05:28 PM

Thats a good looking red!

This rain is a hot mess.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/23/24 01:43 AM

Well after a week of warm weather +40s and rain I think this Chinook is finally blowing out. Running today I have snares that are 2 foot off the ground and every hay set and snowhole the trap was a good 4 inches above the surface.

I hate running when the snow is crap! The hump in the trail slides you into the soft stuff and you submarine smile Take a step off the trail and it is waist deep! Hoping it freezes back up with the cold that is coming in this weekend.

Mr Wolf decided to make an appearance and of course the one spot I didn't set this year is where he passed through. I cant help but wonder if he was running that moose from last week.

Looking forward to working the fur auction at Fur Rondy this weekend and hope to see some of you out there!

Be safe out there!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/23/24 06:16 PM

That sure makes for some tough traveling.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/27/24 03:05 AM

Well the first weekend of the fur auction at Fur Rondy was a big success IMO! Saturday was slow due to weather, it snowed all day and the crowd just wasn't there, Sunday was another story! Clear skies warm temps created a big crowd!
That little fox ended up bringing in $120 smile I think the trappers that turned in fur for this auction are going to be pretty pleased with the end results smile
Next Sat is the last day for trappers fur and the Sun is the Hide and Horn auction. If you got time come on down and support the auction!


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Posted By: trapped4ever

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/27/24 04:14 AM

I saw you working diligently, at the back tables, in the live feed. I want to personally thank YOU, and ALL the other volunteers for EVERYTHING you all do on behalf of us ATA members. Without all the volunteer hard work you all put in, the Fur Rondy wouldn't be the success story it is!! Unfortunately, some of us bush dwellers live too far away and remote to attend and help out. So a big THANKS to you all for your efforts on all of our behalfs!!
Posted By: martentrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/27/24 04:14 AM

Will there be Musk Ox horns in the hide and horn auction?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/27/24 11:04 AM

trapped4ever I appreciate the kind words and will share them with the others smile It is a pretty solid core group of volunteers that bring all the pieces together and I am happy to help smile We even had Randy down here working all day Saturday shuffling furs smile The best is having those youngsters up there show casing fur for the crowd. The excitement and smiles on their faces are priceless smile

martentrapper From what I see on the items listed for that auction, no. There might be some sheep horns added but other then that all moose antler, The list for FBX might have some,
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/28/24 01:54 AM

It was a pretty day out on the line! The snow settled and got hard once again and the temps were in the teens.

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It always amazes me how you can go weeks without seeing anything and the BAM there they are smile

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Picked up a nice cherri red smile Starting to get rub and wasn't targeting them. Focusing on yotes.

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Mr Otter finally made a appearance, First track I seen all season going cross country.

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And then there was this, obviously the trap froze down from the thaw last week. First time I have had a Montana Special fires with nothing in it.

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Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: teacherman

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/28/24 03:46 AM

Absolutely gorgeous weather!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/28/24 05:20 PM

John they sure stomped all over that Montana Special trying to get caught. Thats how my sets used to look minus the sprung trap when I trapped out of Palmer.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 02/28/24 08:22 PM

Rob all we can do is try smile I keep flip flopping between snowholes and haysets. Last week when you stepped off the sled you went waist deep, yesterday you could walk on it. looks like we got cold weather in the forecast for 2 weeks so I will keep chasing yotes and hope the wolf comes back through.
Posted By: g smith

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/02/24 03:01 AM

Thank you . smith
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/04/24 05:59 AM

Worked the SCCATA fur auction on Saturday and the Hide and Horn auction today.

I think there will be a few happy trappers with everything that was sold smile

There were only 3 wolves left 1 tanned 2 raw. We moved some wolverine but the crowd was more focused on tanned vs raw.

We started out with A LOT of lynx and we got about half sold. Same with beaver. Everything we had pretty good clearances.

I am targeting ermine next year for this auction! smile And if you were there or got to watch any of the live stream you know why smile

The Hide and Horn auction we sold everything and put some monies in the coffers for the organization smile The highest for a grizzly was 1400. That was alot of work!

We appreciate everyone that put in fur, attended, supported and volunteered this event. We have a phenomenal team that I am happy to be part of smile

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Headed out in the am to be away from people for a bit smile

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/04/24 06:55 AM

Where was the live stream? I would have enjoyed watching. Thanks for the update!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/04/24 06:20 PM

bfisch Brad had it going on the SCCATA FB page.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/05/24 01:28 AM

Oh okay. I'm not on that page. Thanks!
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/07/24 12:30 AM

Well it is the end of the season for me. Went out Monday and topped off bait stations with the last of what I had here at the house and closed alot of my snare lines.
Today it is bright and sunny and +36,

In this picture you can see how high the snare is from the snow melting and yes those are yote tracks right under it smile

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Rolled up on this pee post, looks like a mating pair of fox had teamed up, seed for next year.


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This is a snow hole, see that nice flat spot to the right of the little spruce were it didn't step? That is where the traps is smile Go figure, glad I didnt get it though, more seed for next year.


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Rolled into my favorite swamp area and sure enough fresh kitty track smile


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Got everything pulled and shut down smile Time to start cleaning gear and getting ready for next season. Spring beaver and bear next on the hit list smile
Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: Boco

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/07/24 02:57 AM

Thanks again for the ride along HFT
Land fur done here now except for wolf,which finishes end of march.
Got a few snarepoles down for beaver,conditions are good.
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/07/24 06:23 AM

Thanks for the ride a long John. Even hay sets freeze now and then. See you up here next week.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/08/24 01:32 AM

Nice to know you left some for next year, they'll be waiting for you.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/11/24 06:34 PM

Got the opportunity to run down to Seward this past weekend and chase some winter halibut, windy and a little nippy but a successful trip.

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Edward Hutzel of Hutzel Trap Company made this trap for the ATA's 50th anniversary! It will be up for auction at the fling! Talk about craftmanship! This trap is bueatiful!

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Looking forward to the fling and auction this weekend up in FBX!

Be safe out there guys!
Posted By: teacherman

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/11/24 10:54 PM

How deep did you have to go for the butts?
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/12/24 02:51 AM

teacherman we were only at 250 ft inside the bay, way to windy to be on the big water.
Posted By: teacherman

Re: HFT_AK Journal 2020 -21 - 03/12/24 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by HFT AK
teacherman we were only at 250 ft inside the bay, way to windy to be on the big water.


That’s amazing! It’s hard finding fish inside these days. I have burnt a lot of gas looking. 20 yrs ago you could get them off the docks.
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