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Anybody trapping wolves this winter?

lungdeflator
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leech~~ Grand Master

leech~~

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I drew a tag for the late hunting season, but was wondering if anybody drew a tag to trap them? What would be your plan of attack for trapping?
Didn't you see the bill boards?

Trapping is TORTURE! mad Good luck! wink

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Random guy Grand Master

Random guy

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I've never trapped a wolf, go figure. I'm thinking (purely guessing here) that it would be similar to fox or yote trapping. I'm thinking a good set would be your basic dirt hole with a #2 double coil and a drag.

This is just a guess.

You guess wrong grasshopper. As a state wolf controller I will tell you that #2 will look like a tractor ran it over if you find it and no wolf…if you are lucky enough to get those little jaws over that big paw. I have #3's they bent the jaws, snapped the spring shafts and separated the base on. For coils you better be looking at a solid #4 four spring with laminated jaws at minimum or a good offset jaw #3 double long spring with heavy jaws. Best traps would be a MB750 wolf, Bridger #5 or a Sterling MJ-800. I like the MB750 (Minnesota Trapline) as it is affordable and I really like the offset jaw design, plus made right here in Minnesota.

As for retaining the traps make sure the chain is AT LEAST 5 feet long. I run 8 foot of 550lb test machine chain with three crush proof swivels (yes they crush a normal swivel). I then cross stake at 5 feet with two 36” long by 5/8” rebar with a welded top. The cross stake bracket is doubled and welded. Then I run 3 more feet of chain to a heavy drag in case they pull stakes and they do. Every joint, swivel eye and ring better be welded. Standard coyote drags will not work, if they slow down enough to let the light coyote drag touch the ground they will just straighten it out. I make my own drags out of twisted and welded 5/8” cold rolled steel. Offset points that are sharpened like a pencil tip.

As for snares the law book tells you all about that, basically you are going to be hanging what looks like a TV antenna in the woods and wolf are not dumb.

As for sets your coyote sets are the basis but just super size everything. I think a lot of folks are going to be real surprised just how big and mean a wolf really is.

… and live wolfs in a trap are something else. I would rather be locked in the bathroom with a bobcat then walk up on what I thought was a dead wolf.

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Random guy Grand Master

Random guy

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I forget sport trappers the ground will be frozen; pretty hard to stake that. Then I either chain off to a tree. A tree at least 6” around, anything less they chew it off and leave. Or a tie to a drag, normally an 8 foot chunk of green timber just heavy enough I can barely lift it. Make sure the chain is double wrapped and wired to prevent slipping on the drag pole.

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goblueM Grand Master

goblueM

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It isn't just the size, it is how they're treated in the media and by our culture

Coyotes and wolves aren't that different, but wolves have been romanticized. You don't see billboards railing against coyote hunting and trapping

Fact that they were on the ESA plays into it quite a bit too

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i'majigger Contributor

i'majigger

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dam Johnny are you trapping wolves next to some nuclear reactor that went bad? Just kidding, I know how much just a coyote can tear up a trap site let alone something the size of a big Timber wolf. I have a tag for the late season but it is for hunting. This is going to be quite a chalange as these critters are not dumb but I am going to give it everything I have to try and get one in the sights and hopefully don't dump my pants and miss!!!!!

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Eric Wettschreck Grand Master

Eric Wettschreck

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You guess wrong grasshopper.

I stand corrected, and am fine wit dat.

Like I said, I've never trapped a wolf and everything i posted was purely guessing. Good info Jon. Down here in Dixie we don't see that many wolves. Actually, we don't see any of them so I was just shooting one into the air.

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Eric Wettschreck Grand Master

Eric Wettschreck

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My dad was pretty close to a coyote in a foot trap this last fall..He got a few pics - that thing look pist! Double or triple the size..Intimading i bet!

Been there, done that. On your dad's ground, aboot 200 yards from the back of my garage. You know the spot.

Guns are wonderful in this situation.

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Random guy Grand Master

Random guy

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hopefully don't dump my pants and miss!!!!!

Two things: Purchase good running shoes and remember wolves can't climb trees. But they have a vertical jump that is unreal...run fast, climb high and fast like a raccoon if you find yourself out of ammo. grin

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Random guy Grand Master

Random guy

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Coyotes and wolves aren't that different, but wolves have been romanticized. You don't see billboards railing against coyote hunting and trapping

But coyotes are close if not right in devolped areas and pose a threat. Now turn a couple of big northern grays loose in the suburbs and I bet opinions would change. Here we live with the wolves and repect the wolf and what it is capable of. Some that do not live with the wolf make emotional decisions and ignore the facts. There is a good reason for a wolf season, not just a bunch of trigger happy redncks looking for sport. Management is needed, no matter how pretty they may look or sound running across the ridge.

Could you imagine if the metro had wolves? I could see the headlines now, "Wolves now kill more dogs than trappers in the suburbs." smirk

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leech~~ Grand Master

leech~~

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quote=Eric Wettschreck]

I stand corrected, and am fine wit dat.

Thats right! Know your role prairie chicken! grin

Doouu! shocked

I think they call it Stockholm syndrome. Stockholm syndrone can be seen as a form of traumatic bonding, which does not necessarily require a hostage scenario.

Or Little Red Riding hood is starting to like the woffies now! grin

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Eric Wettschreck Grand Master

Eric Wettschreck

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Nah, Jon's just jealous of my........to quote Monty Python.......UGE TRACKS OF LAND!!!!!!!

On a more serious note, I actually wish we had a MANAGED pack of wolves in this area. I think they would do a wonderful job of keeping the yote, coon, and possum population in check. After all, they are native to the area. As far as livestock and dog losses, well, there isn't much livestock in the area anymore and the humans would have to adjust.

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