gth 2011-12 Season log

[fuzz269]

Great catch on the lynx, I had a wolf checkin a martin box for me once so I set a 750 for him, never did catch him but I did pick up a nice tom lynx thow. I hope the martin pick up for you on your next run.

[white316]

Nice lynx gth.

[gth]

Picked up a few marten on the weekend but I think I will call it a season and pull traps next weekend.

The snow is finally here and I would really like to get some fox snares out and keep at it but I doubt I will do that.

I must have had a frozen trigger on this one? dont know how he got so far into the trap.



The bomb and the bravo. ;D




Got a mink in a marten box about as far from water as you can get on my line also?? Wasn't expecting that.

[wolf1199]

nice pics Greg. How is the bomb doing so far. Those bravo's are a nice machine. I had 2 of them. Is that a groomed trail your on?

[gth]

The bomb is not performing to expectations and it will be on the for sale block right after next weeks check and pull. It hasnt made me walk yet but it has been close. I think a Polaris WT or a Skandic or a VK is on the shopping list for next year. (I should get talking to Gibb to see if his Polaris WT has worked out OK)

Dads Bravo is a pretty good rig. Its good on gas, easy to start and those ski skins are really nice. Snow was hip deep in lots of places and it never skipped a beat breaking trail for me. ( I was pulling the sleigh with a pile of weight in it) Reverse would be nice though.

Oh, and yes. Thats the groomed trail, about a 25km stretch of it through my line. I run it a bit but mostly I'm on side trails.

I think they groomed the day before I went, but while I was there the logging company was running a D-6 down the trail. Totally destroyed the trail. Doesn't bother me one bit.

[sneakysnake]

Here I am complaining cause there is no snow and it has been warm all winter so far... And there you are trapping in hip deep snow... My Hat is off to you Sir... Sorry to hear that you are planning on pulling the line Next weekend, but I do understand.

[gth]

Jan 9, 2012 14:24:14 GMT -5 sneakysnake said:

Here I am complaining cause there is no snow and it has been warm all winter so far... And there you are trapping in hip deep snow... My Hat is off to you Sir... Sorry to hear that you are planning on pulling the line Next weekend, but I do understand.

I wish we would have had this snow from the get go. I found it hard to get the amount of snares out I wanted due to lack of snow. The critters werent on good trails they could travel to easily. Oh, well. thats what next year is for.

I have quite a trip to get to my line each week so I can only justify so many trips. Gas, vehicle wear and tear and time away from family has to be factored in.

[sneakysnake]

I fully understand..... I am running one short line with about a dozen traps and snares. If I do not connect real soon, I am going to have to pull it cause of the mileage roundtrip. Diesel fuel went up a dime a gallon today. Thankfully I filled up the tank yesterday, The other lines are close to home, within 2-3 miles and I can get everything ran in three hours

[white316]

What seems to be the problem with the tundra Greg

[gth]

Jan 9, 2012 17:52:43 GMT -5 white316 said:

What seems to be the problem with the tundra Greg

Its just not what I expected. I guess I really shouldn't complain as it has served the purpose I bought it for.

I havent had a skidoo since I was 16 and it was a 73 Olympic. After just a few weeks this year I realize I need a bigger machine that can cover some ground quickly. Most of my "trapping trails" I could go down at 50mph. The tundra is just leaving a lot to be desired is all.

[wolf1199]

You all done for the year Greg. How was your last check before pulling.

[gth]

Yep. All done. Thats it for out Westside adventure. We pulled traps on Jan 14th.

Its been pretty hectic around here the last little while and i havent posted much. I'm attempting a career change so i have been in the books and preparing for interviews. Plus my wife and I just found out that in August I will be getting another brand new trapping partner..........Parental leave here I come!

A bit of excitement. We ended up having our best shot yet at the wolves, but came up empty. They were all over one of my snare sites and I even had one snare pulled tight with a deer leg bone it (came from our bait pile)............that must have been close to being my first wolf. Oh, well there is always next year.

We ended up with a few more marten but still pretty slow. I didnt get any pics, it was -30°C and the camera just wouldn't work. I think Dad got a few pics and I will see if I can dig them up.

I did check out the east side of the line and it definitely looks more promising for marten. Quite a few more tracks over there even though it has been logged fairly heavily. The bush that is left, seems to have marten in it.. Not quite as heavy on the fox sign but lots of cat tracks............With a camp built to stay in by next i should be able to maximize effort and spend less time driving. That should help and I plan to hit it pretty hard there next year.

I was pretty much going in blind this year and I guess I gambled wrong by hitting the west side of the line. All in all with the odd weather what not I think we did OK. I should have caught enough fur $$ to cover gas and hopefully the majority of the materials to build my camp this summer.

I think the driving was starting to wear me out. I made 12 trips to the line between Oct 15 and Jan 15th. Thats over 80hrs in the truck....I didnt work as hard as I maybe should have the last few trips. But never fear, I'm already planning next years line and I have a few nuisance beavers to take care of in the next few weeks so I'm still hooked........Lots of good lessons learned this year.

[oldyote]

Thanks for taking me along on your line. I always watched for your posts.

[gth]

Our last check

Another large weasel


A nice spot on the south end of the line


Running the trail out to the road


Getting started skinning what we had thawed.

[white316]

Nice pic's.