Wolverine trapped in Oregon

[Humptulips]

Trouble ahead for Oregon trappers.

http://ecotrope.opb.org/2012/01/do-wolverines-need-protection-from-wildlife-traps/

One of Oregon’s three known wolverines got caught in a leg-hold trap set for bobcat in the Eagle Cap Wilderness on Dec. 24, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed today.

The trapper reported the incident to ODFW and pulled all of his traps in the area, and the wolverine was released unharmed. But the incident has raised concerns from wildlife advocates, who are worried about other traps harming the rare and threatened species.

Wolverines were only recently rediscovered in Oregon after years of searching. They’re listed as threatened under the state Endangered Species Act, but until last April none had been seen since 1992. In 1936, the species was thought to be extirpated as a result of hunting and trapping.

Following the accidental trapping on Christmas eve, Steve Pedry of Oregon Wild and Wally Sykes of Trap Free Oregon sent this letter to ODFW Director Roy Elicker. It asks Elicker to restrict wildlife trapping in the Eagle Cap Wilderness to prevent other traps from harming wolverines in the future:

“Had the wolverine been trapped using a conibear trap or neck snare it would almost certainly have died. If wildlife trapping is allowed to continue in an area known to be used by this critically threatened species, such a tragedy seems likely to occur. That would bring a tragic end to one of the most significant Oregon wildlife recovery stories in decades.

Given that your agency is tasked with protecting wildlife as well as regulating hunting and trapping, we are writing to inquire as to what your agencies plans are for ensuring wolverines in Northeast Oregon are not harmed by such activities

Additionally, we would strongly suggest that wildlife trapping – especially lethal trapping – be suspended in areas known to be frequented by wolverines and practices modified in the larger landscape where the animal is known to roam. Elimination of the practice from the Eagle Cap Wilderness and adjacent public lands would be a logical first step. We look forward to your response.”

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Wolverine tracks in the snow, April 17. That's a glove on the left for size comparison. One of the ways ODFW suggests trappers can avoid capturing protected animals is to check for tracks first and avoid their known locations. But some want the state to restrict trapping in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, where baited cameras discovered three rare wolverines last April.
ODFW Conservation Communications Director Meg Kenagy said her agency hasn’t responded to the letter yet, and hasn’t had to take much protective action on behalf of wolverines because their existence wasn’t even certain until last spring.

She said wolverine researcher Audrey Magoun – who set up the trail cameras that discovered the species in the Eagle Cap Wilderness – helped release the trapped wolverine last month and recognized some of the markings on the trapped animal. Magoun took a DNA sample to find out for sure whether it is one of the wolverines photographed by the trail camera.

Kenagy also pointed me toward the state’s trapping rules, where I found a few clues as to how the accidental trapping of wolverines might be handled.

For example, coyote trappers are warned that it is illegal to harm or kill gray wolves as long as they are on the state Endangered Species List. ODFW’s trapping rule book provides the general location of known wolf packs and recommends hunters avoid them, it offers tips to avoid accidentally capturing wolves, and it instructs hunters to call the state immediately if a wolf gets caught in a trap.

It does not, however, forbid trapping in any specific areas to protect wolves from traps.

 

[Sitka_Blacktail]

I'd have like to have been there and watched that release!  A mad wolverine is nothing to scoff at.

If you're interested, a good read is a book called, "Staying Alive in Alaska's Wild" by Andy Nault.

Andy may have been the best wolverine trapper around in his day. Wasn't bad on wolves either. I had the pleasure of meeting him and sharing a few beers and stories with him when I first moved to Kodiak.  He was quite a guy.  He died from complications of a broken hip suffered in a fall on an icy sidewalk.  Pretty ironic because he first moved to Alaska to get away from bad habits that were ruining his health.  But he lived a long and full life before the accident.

The first two reviews here are pretty right on from what I remember of Andy.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3164985-staying-alive-in-alaska-s-wild

[dayn]

Woulda been nice if those wolverines coulda been released without fanfare, but I suppose (not having read oregons trapping laws, so I cant say for sure) that  its mandatory to report these contacts both on the user and goverment level.

I bet a rare oregon wolverine would fetch a good price on the open market  ( Bad Dayn!!)

[dayn]

Amazon has Andys book for about $14, I may have to break down and buy it, sounds like an interesting story...

[bugs n bones]

Oregon will be just like washington before long....the handwriting is on the wall now

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Here's a wolverine a buddy of mine trapped last week in Alaska.

[hillbillyhunting]

I dont want to raise any hackles, but I have to mention that I am very confident that I saw a wolverine in the olympics during the summer of 2010. 

[PlateauNDN]

Probably, WDFW got one on camera near Mt. Adams and also collared one I believe that traveled from the Canadian Cascades to SW WA. Cascades or something like that so veering east is a possibility?  I believe that was a couple years ago about that same time period?

[rfhd69]

Sitka_Blacktail  that's an awesome pic! My wife is from Anchorage and I love it up there. Still haven't taken a plane into the wilderness though. Someday! 

[CAMPMEAT]

I dont want to raise any hackles, but I have to mention that I am very confident that I saw a wolverine in the olympics during the summer of 2010.

Don't feel bad, I know I saw one near Curlew on Boulder Pass about 8 years ago.

[shanevg]

Seen one myself in the Mt Baker Wilderness, my dad has seen two (one in addition to the one I saw with him). My father-in-law found tracks. Ear the pyramid of Shuksan a couple of winters ago.

[dreamunelk]

I dont want to raise any hackles, but I have to mention that I am very confident that I saw a wolverine in the olympics during the summer of 2010.

Sure it wasn't a Fisher? 

[hillbillyhunting]

I dont want to raise any hackles, but I have to mention that I am very confident that I saw a wolverine in the olympics during the summer of 2010.

Sure it wasn't a Fisher?

Ya im sure... I got a good look at it  facing me and digging into a hillside.  Then as soon as it noticed us it turned and ran straight down hill snorting the entire way.  Kinda hard to mistake their run and snort as well as their contrast of blonde and brown.  The first thing my buddy said was "Is that a little bear?"  but it was obviously not a bear after we blinked a couple of times.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

They're as mean as a bear if not more. About as fearless a creature as there is.

[MikeWalking]

Spotted one one the same meadow my Avatar photo was taken on.  He didn't stop to pose, running like a cheap cartoon character.  Impressive sight even at 100 yards.

[Special T]

I think the wolverine will be the next endangered species to screw us out of hunting and other forms of recreation in the woods. 

[Ridgerunner]

I know there was a confirmed sighting in a pretty popular spot in the Glacier PEak wilderness about 3 years ago, they are around.

[bobcat]

My brother and I saw one just south of Cle Elum about five years ago. My brother also saw one up in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, this would have been about 20 years ago.

[Houndhunter]

i like how there listed as endangered when there is a million of them in ak and canada, just like wolves and grizzlys. kinda dumb but im sure the media will make a big mess of this

[Hornseeker]

A buddies unlce who has trapped all his life in the Bitterroot in Montana caught one a couple weeks ago... his first ever.

Funny, there is an article in the Billings Gazette about Wolverines today... I did a little digging and found some cool studies and information on the internet. They are certainly a cool animal. WIth as much poking around in the high country I've done in Wa/OR/MT through the years, I still cant believe I've never seen one. Its definitely on my list!

I wonder if BearPaw has ever had the fortune of treeing one?? I know a couple guys in the NE corner that have, but its been 30 yrs ago... I also know the guy (dead now) that made the last legal kill on one in Washington. Caught him with the hounds. Member here, cant remember who, is related to him...

[WAcoyotehunter]

I cut tracks and put out a carnivore bait station up here in the NE corner two weeks ago.  Hopefully I can get some photos of him.  The FS got a picture of one up here last winter.

Sorry to disappoint, but I have to agree that setting conibars in an area that is known range to endangered species is irresponsible management... I would rather see the management agencies prepared (with collars and chemicals to immobilize) to deal with animals caught in legholds.  I'm all for trapping, but I struggle with kill traps for that reason and because my hounds spend quite a bit of time in the woods during the winter months.

[carver52]

I'm certain that many species of critters have been and always been here in WA. and OR.  In 1992 driving a forest service road out of Troy OR. a lynx walked out in front of me and at 40 yards just stood there looking at me.  No doubt about what it was and this was when Fish and Game there was adament no lynx existed in OR or WA.  Yeh right!!!

[Humptulips]

I cut tracks and put out a carnivore bait station up here in the NE corner two weeks ago.  Hopefully I can get some photos of him.  The FS got a picture of one up here last winter.

Sorry to disappoint, but I have to agree that setting conibars in an area that is known range to endangered species is irresponsible management... I would rather see the management agencies prepared (with collars and chemicals to immobilize) to deal with animals caught in legholds.  I'm all for trapping, but I struggle with kill traps for that reason and because my hounds spend quite a bit of time in the woods during the winter months.

I developed a method of using conibears for trapping cats that is dog proof. I demonstrated it at the Oregon Trappers Rendezvous one year. It is possible to use conibears on land and avoid dogs. I don't think I could say the same about wolverine so I imagine they would put some restrictions on conibear useage in an area where wolverines are at.
I cringe at the thought of conibears baited and set on the ground. It is an accident waiting to happen and especially bad for trappers.

[dmr400]

Are Conibears large enough to be a threat to a dog legal to set on land in WA or OR? I know 330's are restricted to water only, I'd be worried about a 220 as well. I've never used anything larger than a #110 out of the water, and that was on ditch banks for muskrat.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I don't think conibers are legal at all in WA.  Some states allow conibers set out of water.  We have lost hounds in 220's in the Midwest.

[dmr400]

WAcoyotehunter,

Conibears are legal in WA (in water at least), provided a permit has been issued by WDFW.  Sorry to hear about your hounds, nothing worse than losing a partner.

[TeacherMan]

I use 330's out of the water all the time in AK. My choice trap for wolverines and otter. With that said I've seen several guys get otter, lynx, and wolverine in 120s!!! If an animal can fit there head or paw in the trap you have them.

[Machias]

I don't think conibers are legal at all in WA.  Some states allow conibers set out of water.  We have lost hounds in 220's in the Midwest.

I catch 90% of my beavers in conibears set under water here in WA, with a permit.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I knew you could under permit- I thought someone was wondering about them being legal in general.  I like the underwater kill sets for otter and beaver.  I just have concerns about kill sets where my dogs or off game could get into them.

[Machias]

Agreed, me personally I would never set a 220 or 330 anywhere near where a dog could get into them.  I know it's alot different in AK, but down here in the lower 48, nope, wouldn't do it.

[Humptulips]

In Washington as had been said they have to be underwater and then only with a special permit.
In Oregon 330s are only legal underwater. 280s and smaller are legal on land. I don't consider them much of a problem except when used with bait.

Biggest share of the bad press trappers seem to get is dogs caught in baited buckets. Most of that is happening in the midwest where guys are using them for coon. There is  legislation right now in MN and WI to make them illegal on the ground after several incidents.
Trappers back there are fighting it but I think they should give it up. There is too much bad press. If trappers help write the law it can be crafted to specifically target the problem and we lose as little as possible. Let the antis take the lead and it'll be like here where practically everything is illegal.

[jackmaster]

pound for pound the most ferocious animal alive, what a whoot that would have been turnin that fller loose..         

[dmr400]

In Washington as had been said they have to be underwater and then only with a special permit.
In Oregon 330s are only legal underwater. 280s and smaller are legal on land. I don't consider them much of a problem except when used with bait.

Biggest share of the bad press trappers seem to get is dogs caught in baited buckets. Most of that is happening in the midwest where guys are using them for coon. There is  legislation right now in MN and WI to make them illegal on the ground after several incidents.
Trappers back there are fighting it but I think they should give it up. There is too much bad press. If trappers help write the law it can be crafted to specifically target the problem and we lose as little as possible. Let the antis take the lead and it'll be like here where practically everything is illegal.

 

[Snapshot]

In about 2002 My hunting partner and I saw, from about 100 yards away, two critters frolicking on a steep hillside along the Cascade Crest east of Mount Rainier. At the time they puzzled me, looking 'badger-ish' in shape but several times larger. My partner thought they were yearling twin cub bears; and I just walked away confused, unable to reconcile what I'd seen. It occurred to be a few years later that they must have been wolverines.

[whitey]

I dont want to raise any hackles, but I have to mention that I am very confident that I saw a wolverine in the olympics during the summer of 2010.

I also have seen 1 above Stevens pass. It had a den under an ice cap. Had my rifle on him then figured out WTF it was. Pretty cool site and a very large critter.

[summit creek]

im sure you guys seen it on komo 4 a few years back the news copter was on the pass and got footage of a woolverene runing thru the snow and said theres not sapose to be woolverenes in wa i seen the clip on the news it was cool and that was the last i heard of that animal

[jackmaster]

that would be awesome how about we bring a crapload of wolverrines and turn them loose in the better parts of seattle where all the snobby *censored*s live, hell i bet we would get all are huntn rights back