I'm interested in learning more about old Wolfers...I see this wolfer phrase used around the trapping community...

Can someone explain to me what a true wolfer might be?
I've seen it used in old writings and even in today's trappers young and old...

Would be interesting to read, any suggestions on a good book?

Thanks

Alaska’s Wolf Man, Frank Glaser

Wolfer can include coyotes. The old timers who made a living trapping wolves/yotes. Like Sampson Christie, james Mast, Homer Pickens, etc.

Bucko Snyder. Enough said.. http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/outdoors/2328014-i-know-wolf-trouble-if-i-go-after-it

I'm glad someone else mentioned Mr. Christie...I read his book and enjoyed it.

Extremely Good Book!

The Wolf Man of Alaska

Thanks for the input...great info....

Great read here...this is what I like in a story...can't find much more reading material on Bucko Snyder, I'd be interested in more..

"I'd hate to see 'em gone, but keep 'em away from where the hunters hunt," he said, sending a shot of juice to the can.

His face, weathered by a lifetime in the elements, was grizzled with two weeks' worth of whiskers.

He still sells the pungent potions, and his inventory is in a row of gallon jars that line his bedroom wall. It is this cache that gives Snyder's cabin its telltale aroma. The scent lure is as thick as molasses and the color of an overripe avocado.

"It's from the glands and different mixtures of coyote, bobcat, wolf and fox urine." Snyder said. "You gotta experiment. Nobody will ever know it all. I don't claim to. But I know a wolf is in trouble if I go after it."

Try project Gutenberg
Lot of good books on there
And they are free to download
Its worth a look

originally the term wolfer was used to refer to professional wolf trappers out west.most of the time they were hired out by large cattle ranches to kill problem wolves. A good wolfer would have mastered skills such as tracking and behavioral patterns and killing specific live stock killers.Hiw ever after wolves were thinned out they moved over to coyotes .

Thanks good info.

So what trappers in today's world would be considered
a wolfer?

Of all the old wolfers how many or which ones are still alive?
Names would help.

Thanks

Many of the original wolfers valued a shovel nearly more than anything. They were most effective in the spring during calving when wolf pairs were anchored by their own pups. Trapping was a part of things, shooting to a point, but digging out dens killed more wolves.
This applies mostly to range country, more open. a wolfers eyes and ability to track back to the den were the big keys.

Osky

As was mentioned before, a lot of the "wolfers" moved on to coyotes after the wolves disappeared. I guess now I would include coyote guys as wolfers...

Are you asking about professional coyote killers? Or would you include well-rounded trappers who excel at trapping large numbers of coyotes?

There are probably more of the latter than the former.

And numbers may not tell the whole story either.

I hate to throw anyone's name out, but I think Wayne Derrick is a former government trapper. He might be a good guy to ask.

Mike

Well from my reading, Craig O'Gorman,love em or hate him I probably the top wolfer right now. Then you got Randy Smith Casey payne and Wayne Derick n' lt grey to name a few

How ever one thing that's been noted about many a wolfer is that you will never hear about most of em

I like the gritty old trappers, Wayne meets this....I'm not into the Clint Locklear type at all, hope I'm not offending anyone or him...
Just looking for some good reading material to educate myself.....numbers are not my style, now a trapper that can take out a shifty wolf/ coyote is my interest....Andy Weiser comes to mind also....A few other members here also...

I might be missing something here, does Wayne have any reading material for one to read? I've listened to his podcast on Locklear.
Quite interesting....

I'm not sure if Wayne has any books out or not...

Off the top of my head I am guessing that he does not.

Mike

This^^^

There are guys out there who are absolutely slaying it day in and day out...and it's doubtful you'll ever hear about them.

Mike