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Wolverine trapping #3908540
07/25/13 01:51 PM
07/25/13 01:51 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,017
Alberta
B
Bushman Offline OP
trapper
Bushman  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,017
Alberta
I took in a seminar on the weekend by a BC trapper on wolverine trapping. Carl (you know him Trapper Ron) traps in an area with a good population and harvests them consistently year after year. His beliefs are that snares and footholds have too big a failure rate and chances of loss. He also believes most wolverines have been smacked by a 120 marten set by the time they encounter their first wolverine set. He also believe the average set just kills the dumb or desperate wolverines. this has led to the legend of the uncatchable wolverine.

Carl advocates using a log set for all wolverines. Pretty sure we've all seen these. Cut top slab off 4-5' log section. cut out inside to fit 330 bodygrip and accomodate bait cavity. After trap is placed the top slab is nailed back in place. the trap is set at least 2 feet inside the entrance so that the wolverine has to crawl in and receives a good smack.

The trap was modified to have a foot pan and also a striker bar was welded to top jaw. Typically a whole beaver is placed in bait cavity a couple of feet past the trap. His trap cable is on swivels and secured tightly to the trunk.

Any thoughts on this set?

Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: Bushman] #3908576
07/25/13 02:11 PM
07/25/13 02:11 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,886
Bethel, AK
Kusko Offline
"Mr. Mayor"
Kusko  Offline
"Mr. Mayor"

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,886
Bethel, AK
Sounds like a lot of work to catch a critter.


"There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin." Linus Van Pelt

www.alaskafinandfur.com
Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: Bushman] #3908597
07/25/13 02:28 PM
07/25/13 02:28 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,255
Homer, Alaska
Family Trapper Offline
trapper
Family Trapper  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,255
Homer, Alaska
Would like to see some photos for discription. The big question for me would be problems with marten. Probably trap local marten first. Have others sets for them nearby. Can you set the pan trigger to not snap with a martens weight. I have decided it is best to find interception points that are void of marten.

Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: Bushman] #3908636
07/25/13 02:54 PM
07/25/13 02:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,104
james bay frontierOnt.
B
Boco Offline
trapper
Boco  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,104
james bay frontierOnt.
Sounds like a timesaver on a registered line to have those sets where wolverine frequent year after year.
Just throw the bait in set and go just like trapping marten.
You need a big tree though.
I seen that set in the NAFA mag years ago-probably same guy.

Last edited by Boco; 07/25/13 02:59 PM.

Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: Bushman] #3908783
07/25/13 04:37 PM
07/25/13 04:37 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,102
McGrath, AK
W
white17 Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
white17  Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
W

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,102
McGrath, AK




I think many wolverines may have been smacked by a 120 if they are in an area where people are making sets on the ground. Small diameter pole sets discourage most wolverines from investigating marten sets too closely. I also think that the more different traplines a wolverine encounters, the better his chances for being educated. Most people are too lazy to approach it correctly, IMO.

I would disagree about snares and footholds having a high failure rate if a guy uses the proper hardware and thinks about what he's doing.

I can honestly say that the last wolverine I lost from a foothold was in 1993. It was from a #3 victor in a cat set. It was plenty of trap for a cat, but not gulo, and my mistake was not anticipating his arrival.

The last snared gulo I lost was about 1998. It was from one of my snare poles and he got his back feet on the ground and twisted until the cable broke. I should have realized the set was too low. Now I know.

I do agree with him that a myth has grown up around these animals. But it isn't because they are smart or cunning or magical. It's because we are lazy and don't think through all the possibilities.



Mean As Nails
Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: white17] #3908935
07/25/13 06:39 PM
07/25/13 06:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,757
Wy
Cattrax Offline
trapper
Cattrax  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,757
Wy
Theres NOOOO way that could be you in that picture White17, they didn't have traps invented like that when you were that age!!! grin

Good reading, sure makes a low lander want to move up north!!!


"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
-- Thomas Jefferson




Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: Bushman] #3909145
07/25/13 08:37 PM
07/25/13 08:37 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,102
McGrath, AK
W
white17 Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
white17  Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
W

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,102
McGrath, AK
That's me three years ago. I just look young due to clean living.


Mean As Nails
Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: Bushman] #3909171
07/25/13 08:52 PM
07/25/13 08:52 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,990
Gnome, Alaska
Alaskan Offline
"AMY SUE"
Alaskan  Offline
"AMY SUE"

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,990
Gnome, Alaska
Its just comes with the proper tools and the proper knowledge of how to use them.

I use buckets, can leave out just like the log. I also like to throw in a few snares and foot holds here and there as well. I think most don't "know" what they are doing and hang a snare anywhere...or put a foothold and figure "that should work."

I'm sure there are some educated wolverine out there, but I think that their gut (staring at a chunk of beaver) will override their brain eventually.


"Goats pee in the water sheep drink."

Life member: NRA, NTA, AkTA, AkFTA, WiTA, MnTA, MoTA, OrTA
Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: Bushman] #3909249
07/25/13 09:37 PM
07/25/13 09:37 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,886
Bethel, AK
Kusko Offline
"Mr. Mayor"
Kusko  Offline
"Mr. Mayor"

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,886
Bethel, AK
The bears chew the crap out of our buckets if we leave them. The wolverines and the bears chew up our marten boxes too....


"There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin." Linus Van Pelt

www.alaskafinandfur.com
Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: Bushman] #3909268
07/25/13 09:49 PM
07/25/13 09:49 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,793
100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat Offline
trapper
bctomcat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,793
100 Mile House, BC Can
IMO the hollow log set is just a cubby the wolverine cannot tear apart to get the bait. Yes it works but is a lot of effort to construct. Better yet IMO is a 2-3 ft double end 330 conibear(culvert) cubby with the bait in the center. It's my experience that if the critter can see its way out the other end they seldom hesitate to enter the set. Yes it requires two traps but is worth it IMO to catch a $300+ value critter.


The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.






Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: Bushman] #3909269
07/25/13 09:49 PM
07/25/13 09:49 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,102
McGrath, AK
W
white17 Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
white17  Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
W

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,102
McGrath, AK
The old timers had the right idea. None of that new-fangled plastic stuff. Just a trap on a stick. Of course they probably didn't catch as much fur either


Mean As Nails
Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: Bushman] #3909319
07/25/13 10:19 PM
07/25/13 10:19 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 288
Circle, Alaska
Birchcreekkid Offline
trapper
Birchcreekkid  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 288
Circle, Alaska
I've seen people use metal drums for a cubby as well as spiking logs together to build cubbies, I don't have trees with enough diameter to make a set like that mostly black spruce.......


I once held the yardstick of another's perfection, I threw it down and carved my own........



Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: Bushman] #3909368
07/25/13 10:46 PM
07/25/13 10:46 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,421
Yukon
Y
yukon254 Offline
trapper
yukon254  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,421
Yukon
I agree with W17 on the foothold & snare issue and Len brought up a good point about problems with marten. I know what thats like. I think the guy is right in that most wolverines are likely to have been smacked by 120s.....that why I prefer snares. I miss few and have only lost one. But there is no question the set would work, its just in my area at least marten would be a big problem.


do unto others as you would have them do unto you

www.grizzlycreeklodge.com
Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: white17] #3909396
07/25/13 11:02 PM
07/25/13 11:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,549
The Panhandle of Alaska
M
mad_mike Offline
trapper
mad_mike  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,549
The Panhandle of Alaska
Originally Posted By: white17


I do agree with him that a myth has grown up around these animals. But it isn't because they are smart or cunning or magical. It's because we are lazy and don't think through all the possibilities.


I agree W17. One part of trapping that goes by/over most trappers is that when Gulo comes by your set everything has to play out just right. It is just as easy to over think the set as it is to be lazy in the details, both can lead to a refusal or a miss. But, their lust for wandering is a double edged sword. They are seasoned to sets, but are perpetually hungry.

For what I do a natural brushed in cubby with heavy rocks and logs funneling towards stepping sticks with a foothold is the way for me and my location. My footholds have a decent amount of pan tension and rarely do I catch marten in these sets. Baited buckets have not worked, yet. I have made catches in BG's in natural cubbies. When setting these I shape the trigger wires to minimize catching marten.



Advice? Wise men don't need it. Fools won't heed it.
Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: mad_mike] #3909503
07/25/13 11:57 PM
07/25/13 11:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,997
Kelowna BC Canada
trapper ron Offline
trapper
trapper ron  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,997
Kelowna BC Canada
I do know a few trappers that use that set, Carl being one of them. Does not take a really big log if you use a 280. With the right cuts you can make this set with a 6 foot log in about 30 minutes or less and the set is there for a long time. The bottom cut can be made just like the top cut only you do not cut the slab off. The pan modification and the trap far into the set is an added touch for sure.

This can be made as a double ender also. Most of the wolverine taken in BC are in boxes with a 330 or 280. The trap needs to be secured in the box or cubby so the wolverine can not pull it out.

Wish I was in wolverine country again. frown


Member BCTA
Trapping Instructor

"It's what you learn after you know it all that really counts."
Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: trapper ron] #3909506
07/25/13 11:58 PM
07/25/13 11:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,549
The Panhandle of Alaska
M
mad_mike Offline
trapper
mad_mike  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,549
The Panhandle of Alaska
I thought Bushman was talking about you.....


Advice? Wise men don't need it. Fools won't heed it.
Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: Bushman] #3909521
07/26/13 12:05 AM
07/26/13 12:05 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,017
Alberta
B
Bushman Offline OP
trapper
Bushman  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,017
Alberta
White the set is identical except the trap is in deeper. Carl also uses only one scent for wolverine which is unique to those sets. Right now a Forsyth wolverine lure. The idea is the scent is different then all the other marten fisher set lures and acts as an attractant.

Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: Bushman] #3909538
07/26/13 12:15 AM
07/26/13 12:15 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,102
McGrath, AK
W
white17 Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
white17  Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
W

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,102
McGrath, AK
Well there is sure no doubt in my mind that they have amazing noses and excellent memories.


Mean As Nails
Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: white17] #3909605
07/26/13 01:25 AM
07/26/13 01:25 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,549
The Panhandle of Alaska
M
mad_mike Offline
trapper
mad_mike  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,549
The Panhandle of Alaska
I have caught a few with missing toes. They probably lost them in BC or the Yukon to have made it here. I think their hunger is almost always their demise. I have yet to do the rodeo with a super smart one, so I am thankful for every dumb one I catch. They don't come easy and every one of them I bring home is truly special.


Advice? Wise men don't need it. Fools won't heed it.
Re: Wolverine trapping [Re: Bushman] #3911269
07/27/13 01:06 AM
07/27/13 01:06 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,321
Fairbanks, Alaska
Pete in Frbks Offline
trapper
Pete in Frbks  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,321
Fairbanks, Alaska
The most sucessful wolverine snare guy I'm friendly with, builds his snares with multiple swivels in them.

"I Know Heimo....!"

Pete

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