Seeing my foot was put forward to start last years so, if OK, here is the #9. Looking forward to all the posts of everyone's adventures in the upcoming months.

I guess Canada is a little more like Alaska than the rest of the US (except for your silly gun laws) so as a long time, but now expatriated Alaskan, I have no problem with you starting the newest "Almighty Alaskan" thread!

Haha. I got to start the first one! ;0)

And I made the last post on the first one, then it blew up and disappeared forever.

I wonder how many more there will be once I finally get moved....

HEHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAA, my students are looking at the screen while i am typing. They really like your fur hat wolfwoman.

The #9 thread needs some line photos to get going.
Beautiful -10 day for the first run on the marten line.
A few photos ...

Nice haul!

Finally some marten pictures. Seasons open but no snow yet. I'm hanging in for a couple weeks

Great pics! Looking forward to the first wolf.

Nice miner, I spend some time in the 40 mile country & had a feeling you were going to gloat a little this season after cruising through your hood during a few snow days. Glad to see your pinching some toes.

lol How about another?

We got dumped on here. Around a foot of fresh snow, and still falling. Fire up the blower, I guess.

Would love to move up there!

AV just got the photo from my daughter her 3 yr old was helping shovel put a nice pile of fresh snow in the covered part of the drive that had no snow

Ellis set on Monday and this was his check on Tuesday. As you can see, he's very happy!

You have created a fox catching machine! I was just wondering when you guys where going to start chasing them! Congrats on the fox!

He's figuring it out with Dad's help. It doesn't hurt that they run the same trails nearly every year.

Pretty cool Ellis!

Trapper for life! Way to Go Ellis

NICE! Took me a minute to figure out that wasn't IN the garage!

Got the net set and caught six of these on the first check today.



And I almost forgot.

New china Jeff?

I see your fork doubles as a knife with that serrated handle

Got out the good moose china from china,special occasion and all.

And that is a nice fork, it saws through bones too.

Got a small fm, camera wouldn't work on the line,

Good job Ellis. College money! Where you thinking on selling this year, Kusko?
mt

Way to go Clinton.

Those wolves don't stand much of a chance around you Clinton
You are leaving out the good stuff...
What type of set? How many others?
Thanks for sharing

Congrats! That smile on the young ones face says it all!

Kids & wolves ! Doesn't get much better.

Is that wolf thin in the hair department on her side or is that just the picture ??

It was caught off a moose hide out in the open with a #9 and some lure i made last yr, there were just two of them, she is a bit thin haired w17, camera lens wouldn't come out on the line

One less moose muncher !

they like it too, some of them finished their fur hats. Some are starting on fur mittens using beaver skins. Will see about posting some pics after they are done.

MT, he has been spending his money on guns and scopes. He owns a 20 gauge Stoger Condor and a Remington 700 XCRII in .300 Ultra Mag. The scope he bought is a Leupold VXII 3-9. His goal this year is to buy a VXIII 3-12 for that new RUM.

Nice wolf Clinton!

Kusko I put a 8.5 x25 x 50 Leopold long range on my 300 RUM 700 sendero . I love that gun . All my hunting partners not so much because when They here it go off they no there is somthing down far a way and in a hard spot to get . I tell them that is way we bring chainsaw and winches .

Yukonjeff, I can't even identify most of what is on that plate! Of course when I was guiding I always tried to feed the clients after dark.

Anyone got a # for JR? How is he doing and is he still selling #9s? Got a buyer. Thanks!

Doing good Steve. Got my feeding tube out this week and once that heals then I'll start getting back in shape. Working in the shop, building 9's and reloading now. Still real weak and weighing in at 160#s and gaining. 30 pounds to go. Good luck and be safe to everyone on the line this winter.

Takotna...
Good start! Finally got a few wolf traps set last week myself.

JR, good to see you back on here again! Best of luck with getting back on your feet, it's been quite an ordeal for you!

X2!!! What smalltime said!

Same here Jr. Was great to see that Thumbnail of you popup when I was scrolling.

Hey JR. Great to see you on here ! Ice cream and donuts ! Lots of bacon too !

JR, glad to hear your making progress and good to see you post!

Looking forward to your future trapline photos JR.

Take care.

Get Well soon,looking forward to your pics from the wolf line.

Welcome back JR.

Good to hear from you JR. I got into my cabin last night at midnight. First one out on the lakes. It looks sketchy but is safe. 24 deg and real windy. Waiting for daylight now to head out on the line. Not sure how far I'll get, hardly any snow. Looks like a lot of fox around this year. Might check back tonight. Be safe everyone, been a few accidents and ice is bad this year..

Glad you're feeling better JR, the wolves miss you!

Got another one of these beauties! Bunch of foxes around this year.

Nice! That is a good looking one!

Super nice cross ST.... good job !

JR welcome back. looking forward to you posts again.

Good to hear from you howler! I've been asking Santa for a couple #9s. Hopefully "Santa" contacts you before Christmas. Can't wait to see your pictures this winter.

Yep, there seem to be alot this year here as well already took 5 this year...

Man we started out hot here with fox as well, six first check, nothing now for two weeks. Well we have caught lots of wind. Having a hard time getting the foxes to commit to the sets. They walk within five feet of it but just walk right on by. Any suggestions? this past week tried switching out baits and orders some new lures.

Thurman- sounds like the fox are too full to go after bait. Lots of rabbits this year? Set a blind trap out further where they hang up or right on their trails leading to trap site. Snares are good for fox that don't go for bait too.

This one was in a blind trail set. Got one yesterday in a lynx cubby. Snared a couple around a bait pile. Seems like mine aren't real smart yet.

I called in two reds with a predator caller last night. Had a lynx come in too but couldn't shoot fast enough before he disappears back into the bush.

Thurman are you using traps or snares? Bait station draw with trail set snares to and from is always what I had my best luck on in the Delta.

FT trying both, with the same result. Its odd it doesn't seem that they are smelling anything or seeing something and getting spooked but at the same time just ignoring the whole set and bait. Im going to keep tinkering and hopefully something will work. will try and set a few trail sets.

On positive note saw wolf tracks about five miles from home so got some wolf traps out, cant wait to check them. Till then my wife wont be running our dogs that way haha.

Picked up a little variety today to break up muskrat monotony a little. These fellas about 50ft apart.





Now out to the shop to skin fifty something rats

Sweet! With this warm weather how is the holding up out there?

Happy THANGIVING..TO ALL..I HAVE A PULL CORD GONE BAD ON MY BRAVO.WOULD ANY BODY KNOW IF THE GAS TANK HAS TO COME OFF TO BETTER GET AT THE CASEING.....

As I recall it does. The tank under the hood.

Its pretty fine overall. Water on top of most of it at the moment. Made a lot of ice during that cold stretch. Of course the springs and bad spots that always open back up when its warm are opening back up. Like where that otter is in the picture. Previous check I chiseled through 6" to clear out the muskrats that plugged up both 280's. Now it's open there. Better for trapping. This is my kind of trapping weather personally. I took it very casually during that cold stretch. Worked a bit harder at it for a few days with this wonderful weather.

THANKS...WHITE17

Boy we got snow now! Had 9" overnight a couple days ago. 23" on the ground total.
Been out breaking trail and resetting stuff.
At least still picking up a few marten. Todays run...

Nice ones !!



I hope you will tag those and save the carcasses for Kerry Nicholson at the F&G office in FAI

I'm sending Kerry worms.
Good job on the marten!

Really not cool to find this on the line. Set on a p post, followed the drag marks across the bog for a bit, ended with this. Hard to keep stuff operational in my area, when you finally connect an ending like this isn't very satisfying! Marginal catch in that 750, minimal snow cover. Pan tension was pretty light, maybe that was the problem?



Got one of these, second at this spot this year.



One of these, at a p post.

Thanks trapperjoe!

Chickenminer- PLEASE send that white stuff down here! Congrats on the fur!

ST- That bites! You got some fur though! That is a big plus!

ST, I've lost faith in those 750's for wolves. We are going with #9's and #5 bridger Alaskans. Those Bridgers are way faster than 750s.

Anyway, the boy is still hitting them hard. Here is number 13 for him. He picked up another 3 today. He's getting alot better at skinning.

Congrats to that young man! Are you taking him on the big line this year?

Kusko, I have trapped a couple of wolves with the one Bridger Alaskan #5 I have. Both times they were good catches around the whole paw, personally I like the trap. MB 750 however, I still have to catch a wolf in one of those traps yet. I have 12 750's at the moment, hoping they do good in my country.

Yes, HFT, he will go along depending on the weather.

Nunamiut, I'm just not happy with their ability to come up through crusty snow. I love the way they lie flat, really flat, but they just don't have the power like those #5's and certainingly not like a #9.

I have had very good success with the 750 on wolves but I'd bet my snow is a lot different than yours. I think you may have way too much wind and crusty snow for the 750 to work well. In a sheltered spot you might be fine. They are dynamite on wolverines.

Yes, yes and yes!!

Quite the "killer" your raising KUSKO! He setting wolf gear yet?

Not yet Clinton, heck we haven't even left Bethel yet!!

I have a few of the #5 Alaskans, they seem to be decent traps, altho I haven't connected with one yet, except a fox in a wolf set. I like the big pans. I've caught a couple in 750s, but had this marginal one and another two fail to fire. Wish I had the jack to spring for a few more #9s, but I'll have to make due with what I got for now. Wonder how long it will take to catch up with this missing digit wolf.

I took the pan off my 5s and cut them down so more foot had to be in trap . Have lost wolves to the 750 not coming up through crust .

Stt. I lost one with a toe catch then caught it in a snare the next year. He'll slip up again.

What are you guys' thoughts on double rifles? I can't help but like them. I don't own any, probably never will, especially when you compare the cost of a serviceable bolt rifle to that of even the "double rifle for less" Sabatti. I watched a couple videos on Baikals, but they just seemed chintzy. It just seems like such a cool idea, especially in brush or up close on bait for a big browny.

for a double rifle, I would look at the online auction and sale sites....
gunbroker, guns America, pacific sporting arms, and such

There are typically used doubles, depending on brand, that go from $5-10k, and then get as froggy as you want...

if you don't care about a used double, with some "handling" marks, there are deals to be had.

I have seen some Krieghoff doubles in the $7,000 range, merkels in the $5-6,000 range.....

I still kick myself for not buying the merkel 470NE that was on "clearance" at Sportsmans when I first started there....

I have always wanted a double, but have never found a woman who could afford one.


I think they'd be great on brown bears at close quarters.

Or who would agree to it!!!

Well......yeah there's that too

Ellis picked up a Bethel rarity tonight. This lucky little dude picked up this beauty!






He was so excited, he came running to me "Dad, Dad, I caught a cross fox!"

Putting the smack down!

Way to go Ellis! You going to get it tanned for him?

Oh yes, it's getting tanned. He wants to hang it in his room next to his muskox.

That's a nice one !!

What a tail on that thing! SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!

Fox man always said they were one out of a hundred. I think his estimate was optimistic.

Way to go Ellis. Very nice catch and you will cherish that moment for many many years.

Way to go Ellis! You're going to be writing books on trapping foxes!

That smile says it all. Way to go guys!

Nice!

Good job Ellis nice catch ,you are hooked now.Way to get the youngsters involved Kusko.

Nice going for your boy, Kusko!

Any one have any experience with the bridger 150's for marten?

THOSE THE 5 X 5"?
If so they work really good for marten

Hey all, just checking in. Been gone for a while. How goes the battle?

Spent the last two years building our cabin on the Clearwater. Will try and get some pictures up when the internet cooperates.

-TJ

I was beginning to wonder if you had fallen off the face of the earth Jimmy. Did the family moose hunt go on as usual this last season?

Tj, is that the Delta Clearwater? We built a couple cabins on there a few years back for a couple bankers.

Another uneventful run today. Sure bleak for fur sign other than marten.
Even the wolves are avoiding my area like the plague!
Good thing decent marten population.
A few pics from today.




Someone had a thread about using marten carcasses for bait. I've been using them for years.
They have worked well for me only as a visual bait on pole set, worthless in a coni box.
Obvious they like the bait as I've had them chew up the marten completely while in the trap.
Here's a pic from today. Half marten for bait. I remade the set and what I'm holding is the
remains of the previous carcass. I've got the tail.

Yep, the family moose hunt made it this year. We ended up with 2 moose between three hunters. Not bad and was great to get back into the woods. Only thing that sucked is it rained and snowed almost the entire time. Thank god for the wood stove in the tent!

Yep, the cabin is on the Delta Clearwater. Love it down there and waited forever to get a lot down there. So nice to pull up to the cabin and not have to set up a tent or haul everything in and out. Only down side is we are on the other side of the river from the road, so no access in the winter unless I wanted to cut 5 miles of trail from the Tanana across who knows property. Just not interested in it that bad.

-TJ

Going to have to figure out my photo bucket password and get pictures uploaded so I can post them here. For some reason the system here just isn't working.

-TJ

Good to see you on here TJ. I thought you were still in prison.

I am just super enjoying all of the AK and NWT/Yukon posts, thank you, and Top Jimmy I can't wait to see your photos. That Ellis kid with his foxes is awesome. Here in Pennsylvania I hunt and trap our most remote, rugged area, and it is nothing compared to what you guys have.

I think Muddy missed you TJ. I believe he may have some international jewish banker conspiracies to share with you.

Really? Sure am glad I missed that user. What a waste of time.

LOL !! I think Muddy has those for everyone !

Couple little toads for an AK rat , or at least for me they seem big

finally getting cold out got my first ice ball of the season

Woo hoo! Glad you're getting out!

Way to go!

Nice" Ice Balls" is right on them dam catches.

Built a new Black Fish trap tonight,(dont mind the dead cat)