AK trapping season has started!

[TeacherMan]

Well I bought an out of state trapping license last year and had a great time trapping. I can say the learning curve trapping in deep snow was fun. This year I've got started about a month earlier than last year. It just opened the 10th of Nov. in my area and I've managed to get out and have a couple footholds and a half a dozen snares out. It goes until the end of Febuary in my area, I should have around 35 quality sets out within the next month that I work during that time. I'm really focussing on fox, coyote, marten, and lynx this season. If I happend to run into a wolf kill the games will begin. Mr. Wolverine could happen in any of my sets. I run #3 northwoods on most of my sets. When I start to just get into cat area I jump up to a #4. I use 120's and #1.5 longsprings for marten.

I'll keep you posted on my season. Here are a couple pics from this last week. Like I said I only have a half dozen sets out and have had one check. The fox is a nice male, already skinned, dried, and ready to send off to the tannery, enjoy.

[Gringo31]

I love trapping threads!

Please keep us posted with lots of pics 

[Machias]

Awesome, looking forward to the updates.
 
Have you found and problems with your dirtholes set up against a tree like that?  When I was learning trapping back in the 70s I had an old timer tell me he had much better sucess when the fox or coyote could see over the backing.  Just wondering if you have noticed any difference in catch rates between the two?

[rasbo]

awesome hope you and dad fill the fur shed,Im not going to trap this year unless its wco

[TeacherMan]

Since we get so much snow and high winds I like to use large trees for a snow barricade. Plus all my dirtholes are also scent posts. I don't even have these baited. Just fox urine. When snows not an issue I do prefer flat dirt sets. Your making me think. I think I'll set a flat dirt hole set tomorrow on a drag burried in the snow, big old log or 50 pound steel plate.

[runamuk]

I'm just replying so I can watch this....my sister was supposed to go out and learn how to set snares for rabbits today, she is living with the tribe in Huslia for the winter.  I cant wait to hear from her how it went....

that fox is beautiful....hope your season is good to you....

[JackOfAllTrades]

Crimony! I'd probably get strung up myself just walking through the woods!  Nice sets.

-Steve

[Machias]

Since we get so much snow and high winds I like to use large trees for a snow barricade. Plus all my dirtholes are also scent posts. I don't even have these baited. Just fox urine. When snows not an issue I do prefer flat dirt sets. Your making me think. I think I'll set a flat dirt hole set tomorrow on a drag burried in the snow, big old log or 50 pound steel plate.

Great use of the trees.  I used to make my dirthole sets up against a flat rock, limb or a clump of grass, all on a little rise.  I also like to pick up any cow or deer bones and use them as a backing.  I always used fox urine at all my sets as a fear remover.  I hope you get a wolverine or few and would love to see you get some lynx.  Do you have to use diverters on your snares?

[TeacherMan]

No trapping laws are really open. Snare loop any size, no breaking point weight. I can even trap on exposed bait, all that does is get birds. Another strange thing, no trap check time. MOst guys run a few hundred mile line and check once a week.

[Machias]

I sure appreciate you letting us tag along.   

[carpsniperg2]

Thanks for sharing! Love to see the pics

[oldleclercrd]

 

[TeacherMan]

I've been really overloaded with work and my family but have had a little time to get out and make a few more sets. I got a female wolf on Sunday on the back side of Willow but she was COVERED!!! in lice, no camera with me  She stayed in the field. I got her in a 3/32 snare with amberloc slide. 14" loop. The pic was from a couple weeks ago when I set. Then today I checked my local line and got a nice cross fox and lost another. Both today on scent posts. We went from 10 degrees for highs to upper 40's this weekend and down to below freezing again today so ice has been an issue. Hope life is good in Washington!

[jager]

That cross is a beauty! 

[TeacherMan]

lol, the two pics of the juice container are not what I thought I was loading. Those are my new ermine boxes. They work great! I have rat traps inside them. I put my scent in the back cap area. Works great.

I'll repost the other pics.