Here's a critter near and dear to my heart. I did many years of research on them in southcentral Alaska, then later hunted and trapped them in the interior. Fascinating critters. I found they were not smart around traps unless they had encountered a trap previously. If they were missing a toe or two, they were nigh-on impossible to catch.


Over the years, I harvested quite a few in footholds, often in wolf sets.



In the interior, I usually trapped with my airplane, so could cover a lot of ground.



This was an old, snaggletooothed male.



This was a research animal I had just captured by darting from a helicopter. Fun work!



I've hunted them a few times in the early spring from an airplane. They were not legal to shoot from the air, but it was okay to land and shoot.



When I was targeting wolverines on the trapline, I mostly used 330 Conibears in 5-gallon buckets, baited with a good-sized chunk of beaver meat or I used 1/8th-inch snares.



Sharon, you've simply got to add your artwork of the wolverine tugging at the marten in the trap. That's so classic.

Thanks for posting this Gulo. Very Interesting!

Before conibear time the museum paid trappers for the skulls and they picked up an impressive collection. What was interesting many had broken teeth biting the restraining devise.
There are more and more being caught below the 50th parr in Manitoba now since there is less trapping up north of that.

I surveyed three National Forests (in Idaho, the Sawtooth NF, the Boise NF, and the Payette NF) by helicopter more than a decade ago for the Forest Service. Wolverines were relatively common, unlike 50 years ago when they were virtually nonexistent. It it my feeling that their numbers are increasing in the lower 48. Numbers have always been good in Alaska, and in many parts of Canada.

Jack

There was one shot out of the town of Lincoln ND a few years ago. Lincoln ND is SE of Bismarck a couple miles. I heard a rancher shot it and claimed it was after his cows. It seems like it was in the spring. There is a lot of grass lands and crop between Lincoln and where ever it came from.

Great shots of life, Jack. I think, of all your adventures, the ones with your wolverines are among the highlights. I especially feel, this shot of you, holding your mini wuffs, that beauty of a plane behind you, and your rifle showcased in the snow, the expression on your face, is about the best shot of you ever.

I too, love wolverine, all their varied colours and temperament toughness , fascinates me. In finding a few shares, I was amazed that I didn't take any pics of the wolverine I have in frame to donate to the AKA auction this month, while I'm there for the Fling with JR. I suppose I need to do that before it departs from me to a happy bidder.

This first pic is JR's wolverine he caught, that I used as reference for the cover art for Trappers Post. That one is among my favorite colour tones, with a deep copper red mahogany diamond , rather than lighter blonde.


The next is your classic. I cannot imagine this original art with anyone else, than you.


I took the choice to try and tweak your photo a wee bit, in hopes of having details stand out a little lighter. This is a classic great photo of you.

Great shots and that is a heck of a tribute Sharon. I love reading these Friday contributions to the forum. Don't always comment but never fail to enjoy!

I love Fridays!!! Seeing what journey you are going to take us on next my friend. That picture of you and the plane is priceless. Thanks for sharing. And Sharon, your wolverine artwork is my favorite, simply awesome. Thank you for adding your work to Jacks posts. I’m jealous that you’re in Alaska. Have fun.

The coolest critter on four legs !!

Jack, is the rifle your 222?

Yes. It's a Savage 340D. Never been very smooth, but it shoots well.

White 17 if you’re gonna share wolverine pictures, how bout your photo of the wolverine and the marten both hanging off the same pole. One of my most favorite pictures of all time.

I'll see if I can find it Tater

I want to see the paper bag dispatch too!

4 Tater ))

That’s the one!! That picture is the coolest thing since sliced bread. Thanks for finding it again, appreciate ya!

Jack , Ken and Sharon that you for adding some great images to this post the difference in colors of them just baffles me .

Jack I also love shooting a .222 Remington !

Tater, you beat me to the punch on the marten / wolverine picture !

I’ve shot a .222 for many ( over 45 years ) ,back in the day I shot a 52 gr. Boat tail hollow point. What was your favorite bullet ?

cool read thanks for sharing

Really Fun Thread!!!

My go-to round for 'bout everything is a 50-grain spitzer hand-swagged by a buddy of mine on the Kenai. They are lead poured and swagged into a 22 rimfire metal jacket. My old gun shoots 'em well.

Jack