Post by: Humptulips on January 30, 2012, 10:42:20 PM
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.
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on January 30, 2012, 11:17:54 PM
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
Post by: dayn on January 31, 2012, 01:18:37 AM
I bet a rare oregon wolverine would fetch a good price on the open market ( Bad Dayn!!)
Post by: dayn on January 31, 2012, 01:31:00 AM
Post by: bugs n bones on February 01, 2012, 08:12:55 PM
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on February 03, 2012, 10:46:25 AM
Post by: hillbillyhunting on February 03, 2012, 10:54:47 AM
Post by: PlateauNDN on February 03, 2012, 10:59:46 AM
Post by: rfhd69 on February 20, 2012, 08:32:09 PM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on February 20, 2012, 08:39:33 PM
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.
Post by: shanevg on February 20, 2012, 08:44:47 PM
Post by: dreamunelk on February 20, 2012, 08:58:14 PM
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?
Post by: hillbillyhunting on February 21, 2012, 08:28:38 AM
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.
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on February 21, 2012, 11:23:15 AM
Post by: MikeWalking on February 21, 2012, 11:39:03 AM
Post by: Special T on February 21, 2012, 12:14:58 PM
Post by: Ridgerunner on February 21, 2012, 12:27:15 PM
Post by: bobcat on February 21, 2012, 12:31:39 PM
Post by: Houndhunter on February 21, 2012, 12:47:56 PM
Post by: Hornseeker on February 21, 2012, 12:59:32 PM
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...
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on February 21, 2012, 03:56:03 PM
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.
Post by: carver52 on February 21, 2012, 04:24:22 PM
Post by: Humptulips on February 21, 2012, 04:32:23 PM
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.
Post by: dmr400 on February 27, 2012, 08:04:50 PM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on February 27, 2012, 08:26:54 PM
Post by: dmr400 on February 27, 2012, 08:51:54 PM
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.
Post by: TeacherMan on February 27, 2012, 08:56:27 PM
Post by: Machias on February 27, 2012, 09:27:01 PM
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.
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on February 27, 2012, 09:37:35 PM
Post by: Machias on February 27, 2012, 10:08:37 PM
Post by: Humptulips on February 27, 2012, 11:14:49 PM
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.
Post by: jackmaster on February 29, 2012, 03:28:44 PM
Post by: dmr400 on March 19, 2012, 04:34:19 PM
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.
:yeah:
Post by: Snapshot on March 19, 2012, 08:48:40 PM
Post by: whitey on March 20, 2012, 04:52:35 PM
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.
Post by: summit creek on March 22, 2012, 11:05:34 PM
Post by: jackmaster on March 23, 2012, 02:11:09 PM