Hi everyone. Trapping has begun for us in Kotz, finally. Ice is still sketchy though. Got one beaver on a swinging Susan the other day. Lots of new lodges to check out.

I'm in Anchorage until Saturday. Does anyone know where I might find some 330s? New or used. Used would be just fine. Maybe you've got an old trapper friend or something who might have some laying around.

Lance

Well, I'm in the Kenai area now until the 20th. Quarantining. Got the Covid, I reckon. Anyone in this area know of any good lodges to trap? I took my boys to Alaska Range Trapping Supply in Eagle River and bought a dozen Sleepy Creek 330s on sale. I've had issues with the Bridger 330s. Their jaws are just not built well and consistent. On some the springs constrict all the way, on others they don't. Kinda hit and miss on them. Never tried SCs. We'll see. Still looking for used 330s down here on the Kenai Peninsula if anyone has any.

Inupiaq you might give ADFG office in Soldotna a call and see if any body has complaint beaver they want to get rid of. Overall not many beaver on the Kenai really. You might do better going after some river otter.
Also, big warning, be careful not to set anything on the Wildlife Refuge unless you jump through all their hoops and there are way too many to jump through. You are no longer in the Alaska you know and love!

^He's right. Not a lot of beaver around, and they've been decreasing for awhile. I don't know of a single active lodge to sic you on outside the refuge. All the ones I watch have gone dead in the last few years. I don't know why.

The best beaver population I've seen is in the closed "Skilak Loop Special Management Area," which has been a closed haven for decades. I hear there are some beaver holdouts in some remote places, like the east end of Skilak Lake, and some mountain lakes like Fuller Lakes. I wouldn't try hiking up there with this freezing rain though.

You aren't allowed to trap the Refuge without taking their class, which I'm sure has passed this year. Kenai city limits is also closed to trapping.

Probably your best bet for otter is looking for public (not refuge) land along the Kenai and Kasilof rivers. If you drive way out to Nikiski you could check out the Swanson River by the bridge.

By all means, call ADFG. They probably know something I don't . Message me if I can be any help.

Hey Inupiaq, I had one more idea for you. ADFG keeps a list of stocked lakes, which also all have easy public access. It might give you some places to look.
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportLakeData.main&StockingAreaID=22

Wow. Thanks, fellas. Boy, you guys have it rough down here! At least in the Valley there's a lot of beaver, otter, rats, etc. Not much down here.

Man, in Kotz right now the caribou are moving right around town. Can see them from my front window. 5 a day per person. No closed season on bulls. Got as many beaver, otter, and mink than you can shake a stick at. Hardly anyone else trapping around Kotz, really. Lynx are still hanging around. Can trap about 50 reds a year too, if one wanted to, had the patience for. Sheefish are super abundant 5 minutes from town. Can hook as many as you need through the ice. 20 pounders. Moose, pike, burbot, ptarmigan, you name it. Tons of firewood 15 miles away, bunnies are on the decline but there are still a few. Tomcod and smelt in the harbor or in front depending on the tide. We're very fortunate, I guess.

I'll tell you what gets me jazzed down there though is all that beetle killed spruce. I would be all over that everyday. I love getting firewood for some reason. Thanks again for yawls input. I think I'll just stay legal and not try anything down here. I go home in 4 more days.

Too many people and too many bunny-hugging feds here. I want to spend some time up north in the "real Alaska" some day. Just too established here, family, work etc. I've got some pockets for decent critters, but I have to work for them.

Beetlekill is spreading crazy fast here again. Firewood everywhere you want it. I enjoy cutting wood too, but I don't have much need for it. My house burns cheap natural gas. If work slows down this winter I might cut some to sell. Cutting wood is one of my favorite jobs, but it doesn't pay a lot. Hope you have a nice visit anyway. I've got the Covid right now. It's like a mild cold for me . Do you have family here?

Man, sorry to hear about your Covid. Mine must've been a false positive. No symptoms whatsoever. I had a good visit. My dad lives in Kenai. Dwight Kramer. Maybe we'll come back in May to fish halibut off the beach with him. We used to go in a boat but too many chickens nowadays. Not worth the cost to get launched and all. I'm home now and set 4 beaver lodges today right off the jet. Quite a few caribou tracks behind town. Hoping to set 6 more lodges tomorrow and run into caribou. We'll see. You have a good season. Be safe.