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Update on the line

Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Update on the line - 12/30/20 06:08 AM

It's been a weird year. We've got a few coyotes and foxes (red, cross and silver), some cats, not targetting marten due to the market in the toilet. There aren't too many on my line anyhow, so farm them a little while the market is down. The wolves haven't been cooperating very well this year either. When they finally came back around, they hit several sets. Three different pee posts were hit, but had out of commission traps. One had a small drift over it, the other two were frozen down. All were #9s, which shows nothing is foolproof. Super frustrating.

You can see where they were all over this one.
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You can see the dog sprung, but the trap didn't fire.

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Here is another one that they were on, but trap did not fire through the crust.

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Had one get hooked up on a blind trail set, he hauled the root wad around for awhile that he was hooked to, then left me with this. (there is a toe in there, hard to see in the pic) This one was also a #9. So some mis fires and a bad catch in 9s this week. I'm gonna have to go back to school.

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We have a bait set on a lake, been there for a few years. Apparently there are some beavers living under the bank, they tunneled up out through this hole and were foraging for groceries in the willow patch behind where the bait is. Knocked down some snares in the process. There is a snare over that hole now, might get some fresh bail for the pile. Wish I had a 330 with me, but we'll see what happens. I'm thinking they are dumb beavers, didn't stock up enough for the winter. We've been on this lake for several years, never seen beaver sign there during the winter.

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They had a pretty good trail dragging stuff down that hole.

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Minor consolation, got this nice cat on a remade wolf pee post. Caught in a #9, thankfully got to him before he messed himself up. Pretty cool cat, has white toes on all four feet, and a little white patch on his chest. I'm thinking a taxidermist will love him.

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Got stuff working again, hope the wolves hang around and play nice with me. They won't have anything to do with my baits, they avoid them. I'm hoping they weren't educated too much hearing that dog pop on the frozen pee post.



Posted By: white17

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/30/20 04:20 PM

Nice cat !! Bummer on the conditions !!

I had a beaver situation like that. Put a 330 over the hole. When I skinned the critter his meat was a bluish purple with no fat or muscle tone. Rather than being oval like a football he sort of flowed like pancake batter once his hide was removed. It was Late February so I believe he was frozen out of his grub pile
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/30/20 04:40 PM

Tough break on your line but hopefully the weather, sets and animals cooperate on the next check. Nice looking lynx and some interesting beaver issues there.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/30/20 05:09 PM

Yeah this weather has been crazy! Bites about losing the wolf and having your gear froze down. All part of the game smile Hopefully you will get cooler temps and some fresh powder! Thats crazy with the beaver, never seen that and hope you connect with it, Good looking kitty!
Posted By: yukon254

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/30/20 05:42 PM

Same type of weather here Nate. I havent gotten out yet. Like you Im not going after marten this year. I will go out in Feb/March and concentrate on wolves though. What are you using to cover those #9s ? I use foam that goes under laminate flooring and rarely have a trap freeze in anymore.

You might run into Tim, he's down on the peninsula near Tony's for the next few months. He texted yesterday and said he's building a cabin down there. Apparently he forgot how hard logs are to peel when they are frozen so if you go for a visit take your drawknife!
Posted By: FL cracker in AK

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/30/20 06:31 PM

I've caught 3 like that through the years, in every case, after freezeup the water dropped, creating a new layer of ice and keeping them from accessing their feed pile. Like White 17 said, no fat on them. I could see where wolves had already killed a few before I got there.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/30/20 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by yukon254
What are you using to cover those #9s ? I use foam that goes under laminate flooring and rarely have a trap freeze in anymore.


I was using some stuff that came with some traps I bought from an estate sale. It is like wax paper, but not wax paper. It was a pain the butt to use, but when I was out setting it's what I had with me. It will go directly to the trash. I saw your post awhile back about using that packing material, sounds like a good option. It's even the right color!

I might have to change my handle to 'toecollector' or something like that. I've got a couple from a snare a year or two ago as well. A few years back I harvested a toe in a pee post, then got its owner a few weeks later in a trail set. Hope to see the rest of this guy some time, too.

Weird thing on the beavers, I didn't see evidence of a feed pile in the lake. I was by there during hunting season and didn't see any beavers. We had lots of snow last spring and a cool, wet summer, so water levels were high. Will be interesting to see what's up if I get to skin one of these.

Another beaver thing, I caught one in the fall that had probably ten holes in the hide. Lots of trauma in the back area. It was caught in a drowner setup, so no 330 damage. I know that the juveniles get some nips when they are being escorted out of the nest, but this was worse than that. It must have had a run in with a predator and managed to extend its life a little bit. I didn't even flesh it yet, not sure what I'll have left when I do.
Posted By: Chickenminer

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/31/20 12:29 AM

Cheer up .... we all have days like that. Thankfully they are not ALL like that smile
Those cats with white feet are always neat to catch.

We've got 20" of settled snow on the ground, looks like you guys could use some!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/31/20 01:16 AM

I had the same thing happen last year, only the wolf went into a wolverine cubbie! The NO B.S. grabbed a toe, and held on long enogh for the wolf to destroy everything within reach.
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Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/31/20 01:35 AM

Looks like the trap survived the storm! Those things are tanks, I've got a few of them.
Posted By: rosscoak

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/31/20 02:02 AM

No BS are amazingy tough. Had one that got used as a "drag" for a Bridger 5 that caugt a 91# wolf by the back toes on Sunday. Slowed the wolf enough so we could find him after trailing him in the dark for an hour.. reset the No Bs...the #5 needed shop work.

ST, are you night latching those 9s?
Posted By: mad_mike

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/31/20 02:04 AM

Originally Posted by smalltimetrapper
Looks like the trap survived the storm! Those things are tanks, I've got a few of them.

Agreed. I have held four wolves in the last two seasons in them and they held up fine. One KO Extreme took the wolf and two wolverine with out me having to tinker with it at all. They were set at wolverine cubbies. With that I will say that there is no way I would set one targeting wolf.

smalltime, keep pressing forward, it’s what we do.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/31/20 02:20 AM

Mine 9s are not night latched.
Posted By: SE.Current

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/31/20 02:23 AM

How long did it take the wolves to cycle back onto your line? Mine take 3-5 weeks. Seen fresh sign on Nov 24th and they just showed back up on Dec 29th. They punkt all my sets and got a free meal. Not happy. Ready for 2021 already
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/31/20 02:48 AM

Those dates are about the same as mine. I set that line right after Thanksgiving and they showed back up in force last week. There seems to be a couple straglers around too, as there are some random single tracks from time to time.
Posted By: SE.Current

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 12/31/20 02:58 AM

When I catch a random single it’s usually a young female trailing the main pack. The carcass makes a good curiosity bait for the pack when they return.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/15/21 07:32 AM

I thought I would give a little update on my line. The wolves have been really lucky this year, but I did manage to catch up with a couple of them. I got this beautiful big grey today. 100lb male, nice color and hair. He was in a snare that I set last week, frozen solid. It is nice when you get a quick reward when the voice in your head tells you to stop and hang a snare.

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Got this female a couple weeks ago. The wolves will have nothing to do with bait this year, she got hung up in a snare on a go around trail by a bait station. Can anyone say waterhead.

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I ended up with one beaver out of that hole. I should have taken a pic before I pulled it out. The head and shoulders were out of the hole, frozen hard. The back half that was still underground was soft. His buddy had chinked dirt and sticks around his butt to seal up the draft. After I pulled him out I came by the next week and whoever was still living there had stuffed up the hole and hasn't been back out since. Got a 330 waiting if he does.

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Had this cannabalized cat a few weeks back. I used it to catch his mom, I think.

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A few things I've noticed.
-You should always have snares with you handy and go ahead and set one if you think you should. Cost me a wolf when I didn't do this and the next week came back and they had used that trail again.
-The wolves seem to be more random on low snow years. They don't run trails as much it seems.
-When you use drifted snow and break it up to bed traps it seems like it is more prone to freeze up. I've had some really bad luck with frozen traps this year and that is some of what I attribute it to.
-This year it's been impossible to make the wolves do what you want them too. I just have to follow their lead and try to get ahead of them.

Got a few weeks left, hope to get a few more. Buddy flew over my area a couple weeks back and saw a pack of 9. I've got 2 of them now.

We had lots of rain last summer. There are some areas with bands of trees in open bogs that I usually catch marten in. I've seen no tracks, I'm thinking that the rain was hard on vole populations and consequently hard on the marten. I haven't set one marten trap this year, giving them the year off while the market is down.

Last year a lot of the coyotes I got were kinda ugly and ratty looking. This year, same areas, they are much better looking. Got 3 that were really exceptional. Don't know what makes the difference one year to the next.

Here's to Valentines Day bringing love in the air for the start of mating season. Seems the critters move around then. Good luck!
Posted By: rosscoak

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/15/21 08:05 AM

It's the season. Great post Smalltime, good tips as well.
Hang em high and hang alot! Lol
What cable and lock are you using?
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/15/21 08:18 AM

3/32 1×19. Locks are Berkshire. My new snares have a kill spring (the dead male), female was in an old snare without the spring.
Posted By: bfisch

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/15/21 05:20 PM

Nice catches! I agree that the wolves are much more sporadic in their movements with less snow this year.
Posted By: white17

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/15/21 06:33 PM

Good stuff Smalltime ! I agree. If you have a hunch that you should set someplace.........do it.

I have heard reports from others that marten populations are way down to non-existent .
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/15/21 07:43 PM

Good to see your connecting! Bites about the kitty getting ate but at least you got the culprit! That is crazy about that beaver! Looks like some good fur on it and I know it is good bait! Good to hear about the yotes, hopefully you got all the bad ones outta the system for a spell! Hope thigs pick up for you! Thanks for sharing!
Posted By: Oh Snap

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/15/21 08:30 PM

Another hunch about a spot to put a trap or snare is redoing or removing because it just doesn't look right. Leave it alone cause that instinct is usually wrong I have found...LOL
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/15/21 10:01 PM

Good work Nate
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/16/21 08:42 PM

Nice catches on your line. That beaver is something else.
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/18/21 01:24 AM

Nice catches.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/22/21 01:59 AM

Got a little more snow and wind this week, so had to do a little maintenance out there. It was a beautiful day, if a bit cold. A moose popped a #9 at a pee post, fortunately did not get a grab on it. I got this cat at a wind blown spot that keeps the set working all winter. Set this in November and haven't touched it since. Not even scent added.

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This is an 80lb female at a pee post in a #9. You can see the marginal catch. I need to adjust the pan tension on that trap, it's pretty floppy. This set is in a spot that is kinda drift prone, but I like it because it is where a small trail joins the big trail in a big open bog. I like intersections for set locations. It had snowed and blowed a bit after this was caught, so I had to do a bit of hunting to find her. It's about 15' of chain on a grapple. I had hooked the grapple around a piece of deadfall, but it had worked itself loose. She had dragged it down the smaller trail about 400 yds. Snow had covered up all the tracks up to where she was hung up. Once I got close enough to see the marginal hookup I didn't waste a lot of time with pictures. Did have the video running for the occasion tho.

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I tried the trench set, was inspired by bfisch. This is a run through the woods where the wolves have traveled a couple times in the last month. I modified the set a little and used my drag to try to help direct foot placement. I blended everything in after the picture, see how it goes. I've got a pee post about 1/4 mile from here, maybe get a couple if they decide to come through here again.

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Posted By: HFT AK

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/22/21 02:22 AM

Congrats on the wolf and kitty! I'll be watching to see if you or bfisch connect on that set, hope one of you do smile
Posted By: bfisch

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/22/21 07:30 PM

Nice work on the wolves! I like the idea with using the drag as a stepping stick. Hope you connect!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/23/21 05:11 PM

I saw a guy on a facebook trapping page make an attachment on his pull behind sled to leave a trench so he didn't have to dig one. Plus it got the wolves used to traveling in the trench for a great length of time so they were comfortable with it.

Can't wait to try the trench next season, would have tried it this season but the caribou were traveling our tracks non stop. Couldn't even keep them out of peepost.

Nice wolf and lynx.
Posted By: martentrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/24/21 04:28 AM

I assume if you make the trench right, you can drive over the trap without springing it? Seems a little chancy to get the wolf foot to step in just the right place.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 02/24/21 05:35 AM

Yes on driving over it. Trench is a little narrower than the track on snogo. Hoping the drag in the trail will help place the foot. I used a Bridger #5, as it is a little narrower than a 9 and the pan sits level with the jaws. I've had issues with 9s on trail sets, as the pan sits so high that in order to cover it you end up with too much packed snow over the jaws when you drive over it.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/01/21 04:49 AM

Saturday was beautiful, but since we were supposed to get a bunch of snow Saturday night I waited to run the line. I wanted to make sure things would be halfway working for the week instead of buried in snow. I took a walk and shot this coyote at just under 400 yds. That's always fun.

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I'm glad I waited because this big girl got hung up sometime this morning. 97 lb female in a snare by a bait station. This is the biggest female I've caught. It was a fairly old wolf I think, teeth worn down and heavy thick claws. Pretty crazy, I think the rest of the pack was hanging around and ran off when they heard me coming. It was snowing, but their footprints were pretty visible. They had hung around and packed down the area, probably after the wolf was caught. They made a couple real nice trails for me to set. I wish I would have got a picture of one, the tight willows were covered with snow except for the dark line through them where they went through and knocked the snow off. Got some sets in there for when they come back. This wolf has just recently expired, ears and feet not frozen yet at about 0 degrees. This is the second wolf I've caught with the little kill spring on the snare. No water head, not much struggle, it was hardly tore up. Not sure where all the blood is from, will find out tomorrow when I skin.

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You can see that spring crushed down. Seems to help a bit. I've had trouble with the Berkshire type locks bending, but the last two wolves with these springs were right about 100 lbs and no issues.

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It's nice the wolves are cooperating now after some frustrating weeks earlier in the season. I dug the new snow out of my trench set from last week before I ran over it. Looks pretty good now, I hoping the wolves come along and try it out.

Last day of marten season, kinda weird to not be pulling traps. Didn't set any this season.


Posted By: Boco

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/01/21 04:56 AM

Thats a good catch - right up behind the jaw like that they go out pretty quick.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/01/21 06:21 AM

Good looking wolf and yote! Hope you connect with the rest!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/01/21 07:07 AM

Good looking critters! Surprised to see so much open water in the coyote picture. Also doesn't look like you have much snow on the ground.
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/01/21 10:17 PM

Nice catch.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/02/21 06:31 AM

Man, I'm glad I got to that wolf when I did yesterday. Earlier would have been better. The pack had beat her up pretty bad. There were puncture marks in 3 legs and a couple around the neck, and bad trauma and blood shot goo along the back and neck. Not sure if they would have eaten her, but definitely were working her over. One of her back legs had been broken at some point. It was all healed up, but there was a big knob on the bone where it grew back together. Probably kicked by a moose or something. Those critters live a violent life. Other than that, a real nice pelt, one of the nicer tails I've gotten on a wolf.

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Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/02/21 08:02 PM

It sure is amazing what animals can live through and continue to prosper with despite medical care. Thats one healthy female!
Posted By: bhugo

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/04/21 11:22 PM

Very nice!
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/08/21 05:02 AM

It was a good day on the line today. A couple of my girls wanted to go with me which I was fully in support of. I told them after today they will have to go more often. The day started out pretty good, hit wolf tracks pretty early on the trail. I was getting stoked for my trench set to connect, but they jumped off the trail about a half mile early. We got about 2" of powder a few days ago, so seeing new sign was pretty easy. I was stoked when the wolves got back on the trail just before hitting this pee post. A moose had popped this one a couple weeks ago, so it was freshly remade and ready for action.

Wolf #5, 97 lb male. #9 pee post. This guy had a lot to say when we rolled up, got some video. I was stoked to get something when the girls were out there. He's got real nice hair, should have got a more close up pic. There is a weird deal on his back femur right above the knee. Looks like it was either bruised or broken, will check it out when I skin tomorrow. Bfisch tells me that there is a market for healed up bones, I may look into that.

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Usually have a great view of the mountains from this spot, but it was a little overcast. It started snowing lightly, the big fluffy kind, which was great for remaking sets.

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The wolves stayed on the trail, avoided one set, then hit a side trail set that I was planning to redo this trip. I figured it would be out of commission, but apparently it was still operational. wolf #6, 98 lb male, #9 trail set.

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The trap had a hook drag, but I wired it to a little standing burnt black spruce to slow him down a bit. It backfired a little, he wound the chain around that tree before tearing it out, which made a real short drag chain. He only made it about 250 yards, so not too bad. He was only caught by a couple toes and was fighting hard, so I dispatched him pretty quick before getting pics. I was slogging through the snow covered tussocks, the girls were behind me with the extraction machine. They didn't get to see him live close up. I used the trap to make a pee post near where he was originally caught, will see what happens.

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The wolves stayed on the trail, peeing every 100 yds or so. I have a pee post along the trail, they stopped there but didn't work the set enough to hit the trap. I juiced it up a bit.

Wolf #7 was in the trail that I set last week near the female I caught. 90lb male, #9 trail set. As I was driving up to this spot there were a bunch of wolf trails going off the trail and a bunch of ravens in the trees. I figured there must be a kill over there, so after dispatching the wolf I took a bucket of snares and went looking for it. I told the girls they could drag the wolf to the sled if they wanted to while I was gone. Youngest daughter managed to get the 9 off him and they drug him out to the sled.

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Moose kill was across the creek. Lots of the trails were in willow and burned black spruce, so no good anchor points. I hung some snares in the trails coming off the creek, so hope they come back. Also planted a couple traps in their trails were they left my trail to cross the little meadow and then the creek to the kill. Probably have a decent chance to get something off this kill.

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A pretty good day by my standards. Took a little longer than I was planning, one of the kids had to come home and finish her homework, lol. Told them they are my lucky charm and will have to go more often.

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Seems like I had another pack move in. Buddy flew over a few weeks ago and saw a pack of 9 around where I've gotten several this year. I've taken 7, and there are a lot more than 2 wolves running around out there by the looks of things. It was fairly sparse earlier in the season, but things have picked up now. Hope to give them heck for another 3 weeks then probably pull everything. Depends on the weather...
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/08/21 06:29 AM

That is totally awesome that the youngsters were there with you! Congrats on the fur and I hope you connect with a bunch more!
Posted By: Aknative

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/08/21 07:31 PM

That's awesome!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/08/21 07:33 PM

Awesome run and good sized wolves! It makes it that much better that your girls were with you! Hope you are able to enjoy another run with them before the season ends and that you keep nabbing the wolves.
Posted By: Chickenminer

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/08/21 07:46 PM

Sweet trip ! Glad you are making good use of those 9's !
My best run this winter was 4. Always nice to come home with a sled full.
Posted By: martentrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/08/21 09:45 PM

You don’t like to put snares on drags?
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/08/21 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by martentrapper
You don’t like to put snares on drags?


I've done that on occasion, but yesterday was more about running short on time than anything else. I think I got enough stuff there to have a decent chance at 2 or 3 of them.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/09/21 04:56 PM

What a great day on the line and what makes it even better is your girls being out there with you!
Posted By: white17

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/09/21 08:26 PM

Great stuff Nate!!!
Posted By: Bruce T

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/10/21 10:02 AM

Nice catches.
Posted By: bucksnbears

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/10/21 12:47 PM

What a great day!
Posted By: Oh Snap

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/10/21 03:05 PM

These are the best conditions, fresh snow to cover your tracks and the luck your daughters brought you!
Can’t get any better!
Posted By: backroadsarcher

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/12/21 01:36 AM

Nice pictures. It's nice to see how things go up in that country. Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: rosscoak

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/12/21 07:33 AM

Nate, kids are like that. .luckycharms
Great times and memories
I think you are out of the smalltime once you get off one hand with the wolves number wise.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/12/21 05:03 PM

Yep, I made that smalltime handle years ago when I was walking a few traps behind my house. I guess it still works because I'm pretty short, lol. Best year for wolves was 9 a couple years ago, might break that this year.
Posted By: Oh Snap

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/12/21 06:10 PM

I am hoping for you!
Posted By: martentrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/14/21 04:25 AM

Go, Nate, go!,
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/15/21 02:26 AM

What a beautiful weekend! Clear skies and new snow make for blinding conditions out there. There were some fresh tracks out on the big line, but not where I had gear. The wolves didn't come back to the kill yet. A couple smaller dogs were working it, fortunately they didn't plug up my sets. I set some more stuff out there, so should get another chance at them before pulling my stuff.

My partner checked a short spur line we have and picked up #8 at a bait station. Nice looking wolf, 91lb male. He had worked over that snare cable, down to the last few strands. Glad it held! This was one of our old snares, didn't have the kill spring on it.

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Here's one I boarded today. Female I got a few weeks ago.

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Another successful weekend. Hope the moose are happy, I expect to bag a big bull in September as a token of appreciation!
Posted By: NorthenTrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/15/21 02:56 AM

Very lucky on the snare cable what thickness do you use on the one without the kill springs on them?
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/15/21 03:37 AM

They were the 1×19 3/32 snares from the snare shop, if memory serves. Same size cable I'm currently using.
Posted By: NorthenTrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/15/21 03:53 AM

The kill springs must put them down quick, How often do you have to check the kill snares. I would think it would be more than one day unless you have beaver wolves, or I'm vastly underestimating their teeth.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/15/21 04:06 AM

We don't have mandatory check times. I generally check once a week, unless something major comes up that makes me skip a week. According to tracks and snow fall this wolf had probably been there about 4 days.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/15/21 04:18 AM

Good deal on the wolf! The one on the board looks good! Hope you get a few more!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/15/21 05:10 PM

Way to go! Just think how many moose you saved. The moose may thank you now, but their story may change come September. Ha!
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/18/21 03:21 PM

Nice work this year Nate. Looks like you are getting some good fur too. Nice trip for the girls. Keep it up. Heading out to pull my line this next week.
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/18/21 05:02 PM

Congrats on good timing with that wolf working through the cable like that.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/21/21 07:10 AM

Today was another beautiful day. Weather is staying pretty cool, been -20 at night, so trail and snow conditions are staying great. This will be the latest close up time ever for me. As long as I can manage it I'll probably stay after the wolves. I saw this track out there today, stinkin' huge wolf, I'd like to catch him before it's over. He was running by himself here, looked like he split out from the pack and was by himself on the trail for about a mile.

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Got my buddy in my beaver set. I haven't messed with that trap for awhile, it had sort of drifted over the hole where the beavers were going in and out. He hasn't been at this spot for awhile and forgot about it. I was nice and left his face out of the pic, lol.

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Not sure what happened here. Seems I've got a new pack that moved in from somewhere. I set this pee post last week, tried an experiment and gave it a shot of Essence de Nate, as I've heard of that working. Well the wolves were all over it, not sure how they popped that #9. It was still sitting in its bed. I might have had it a couple inches too close to the pee. Big bummer, figured I would have one, as that pack was pounding the trail in this section. Hope to get some out of this pack, there are a few sets for them to check out.

Nothing had visited the kill site. This pack of wolves had gone within 1/4 mile of it and not gone to it. I'm thinking that it is not their kill.

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On the last trap of the spur line where my partner got the wolf last week we had this 86lb male. Pretty crazy, this was a pee post that I set for lynx almost 2 months ago. Bridger #3, full mod. I haven't run this line in weeks, been running the big line. I figured this trap would be out of service, since no one has maintained it for weeks. When he was pulling lynx gear last week he left this set, as he wasn't sure where it was. Glad he did. Last set of the day, kinda surprising to find this guy in it. Not sure how that trap fired, maybe the wolf smelled that pee down there and dug a little. I imagine it must have had a few inches of snow over it. Pretty crazy, #9 pee post missed, then get this weeks old set with a #3 Bridger to grab one. Never know what you're going to find out there! #9 in a #3.

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Trap is a little wonky, but still operational. I figured these things would hold a wolf for awhile. Judging by tracks and snow cover he was here at least 2 days, probably more like 3 or 4.

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Really nice hair on this guy. Not a big one, but a pretty one.

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Good day overall, I think I'm going to go out and set some more stuff where I got this guy. The wolves are pounding it pretty hard, maybe they'll hang around for a bit.
Posted By: bearcat2

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/21/21 01:32 PM

Nice! You have more confidence than I would in the #3, to go ahead and take pictures before dispatch.
Posted By: white17

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/21/21 05:20 PM

I'm surprised he was still there. Need to get the welder on that J hook!

Beautiful country & critter !!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/21/21 06:49 PM

Keep getting after them! It is addicting!
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/21/21 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by bearcat2
Nice! You have more confidence than I would in the #3, to go ahead and take pictures before dispatch.


He had one shot in him at this point, that had taken most of the spice out of him. I was positioning for another shot. I was plenty nervous before that shot, he hit the end of the chain about 3 times. Could see his foot was in there ok, but wasn't sure about the trap and rigging holding up.

White, I don't weld my cat trap rigging, but probably should be more selective with what I use for pee post sets. Occasionally get wolves through this particular area, but not enough to count on. Live and learn.
Posted By: Ryan McLeod

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/21/21 09:19 PM

Nice catch in a #3. I had a sneaky black wolf try to get the bait one year while hauling wood. On my way to get a third load there was nothing and 45 minutes later on the way to the cabin he was caught. Wouldn’t have held very long in a soft catch. Good job
Posted By: mad_mike

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/21/21 11:01 PM

Congratulations on the catch. I ditched all of my #3 Bridgers after having a lynx twist the heck out of one. Many have told me they are a stout trap, maybe just had one that was built on a Friday?

Nice wolf! You are getting after them this season.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/22/21 02:50 AM

Awesome and congrats on another wolf!
Posted By: white17

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/22/21 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan McLeod
Nice catch in a #3. I had a sneaky black wolf try to get the bait one year while hauling wood. On my way to get a third load there was nothing and 45 minutes later on the way to the cabin he was caught. Wouldn’t have held very long in a soft catch. Good job


How do you get those wolves to haul your wood ?
Posted By: muskrat411

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/23/21 08:00 PM

Excellent questions White17. Yeah Ryan how you get wolfs to haul you wood? Man I wish I was smart like you.
Posted By: Ryan McLeod

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/24/21 12:36 AM

That’s w
Originally Posted by white17
Originally Posted by Ryan McLeod
Nice catch in a #3. I had a sneaky black wolf try to get the bait one year while hauling wood. On my way to get a third load there was nothing and 45 minutes later on the way to the cabin he was caught. Wouldn’t have held very long in a soft catch. Good job


How do you get those wolves to haul your wood ?


I share a lot of my tricks without hesitation but I’ll never give that one up.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/28/21 07:04 AM

Got a late start today, was thankful for the long evening light. Pretty nice running with lighter clothes on, enjoying the trip. Everything is pulled except for wolf gear, really streamlined to just be racing out to the wolf area. The wolves were on the trail all over the place, missed my gear by a couple 100 yds in some places, had a snare knocked down where a bunch of them finally came down a trail they hadn't used for awhile, stepped over a trail set in another place. Just as well to not have one in a snare this time of year.

Got #10 in one of the sets that had one with my girls a couple weeks ago. I had straightened out the dog on the trap and planted the dirty trap back in the bed. This guy didn't seem to mind. 97lb male, AK #9 pee post.

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Had a miss on this pee post. Didn't quite step in the right place.

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The wolves went right past several pee posts. Not sure why, but I guess they don't hit them all every time. I freshened a few up with my special blend, still working on that experiment. Wolf #11 was in a pee post that had a couple close calls over the winter. That #9 was frozen a couple times, wolf missed pan by an inch or so another time. Kept it maintenanced up and finally connected with this 77lb female. I didn't know it at the time, but in this photo you can almost see #12 on the other side of the lake.

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This guy was in a sorta snow hole set that I put out there about 5 weeks ago. Tried something different and put a little piece of bait under a bush with a #9 in front. The wolves had hung out on that side of the lake, looked like they had a party there, so I put that set there in case they came back. Glad I did, I didn't mess with this set at all, just let it mature, fortunately the trap was still working. I was pretty stoked, finally broke the 100 lb barrier. This guy is a real pretty 106lb male.

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He's got real good color, white belly, real nice hair and tail.

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Little bit of skinning to do. I hurt my hand hanging a door the other day, so skinning is going to be a chore!

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I'm pretty happy to break my old number! I saw a bunch of sign and couldn't help myself, put some more sets in. Was debating pulling stuff this weekend, but figured I'd let it go another week and see what happens.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/28/21 09:23 AM

Awesome job! Your putting a hurting on them that is for sure! Hope you connect with a few more on your next run!
Posted By: bfisch

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/28/21 04:54 PM

A sled full! Two bug dogs! Putting out more sets! Like I said. . . It is addicting!
Good work!
Posted By: white17

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/28/21 06:17 PM

Cool stuff Nate ! That one is a real beauty !!
Posted By: Boco

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/28/21 06:30 PM

Those LT Tawneys are a nice colour-My highest ever wolfpelt at auction was a LT Tawney.
Posted By: Chickenminer

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/28/21 07:46 PM

Neat you broke your personal best record. Setting a high bar for next season smile
Posted By: AKHowler

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/29/21 06:59 PM

Great work buddy. I'm in town for a few days if ya need help putting them up. Give me a call
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 03/30/21 12:10 AM

Thanks JR, I think I'm good for now. Little slower, but got these sold green skinned, so not quite as much work.
Posted By: smalltimetrapper

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 04/01/21 06:00 PM

I made a hasty run yesterday to pull my gear. Fortunately my buddy saw the small print in the regs about restrictions on traps for wolves starting April 1. I haven't had gear out this late before, so wasn't tuned up on that. Wolf season goes longer, but restricted gear. Fortunately avoided becoming an April fool, lol. There was a few inches of wet heavy snow coming down, so was a wet affair. It's a revelation when you pull in a few dozen traps and tackle at one time, that stuff adds up to a few hundred pounds on the sled. Now to get stuff sorted out and put away, tuned up, etc.

All in all a good season. Dozen wolves, 7 cats, a few fox (some were nice cross and silvers), bunch of yotes, some beaver. Might try to get a couple more local beaver this spring, but pretty much wrapped up.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 04/01/21 06:42 PM

You had a awesome year! Congrats on the fur and thank you for sharing!
Posted By: broncoformudv

Re: Frustrating day on the line - 04/02/21 12:26 AM

What a great season and some darn nice looking wolves!
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