Go Back   Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum > Main Category > Trapping Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-23-2012, 03:14 PM
Brian Bildson Brian Bildson is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,107
Default Wolverine Trapline survey

Hi folks. As I mentioned a while back, the Alberta Trappers Association in partnership with the Alberta Conservation Association is conducting a wolverine research project here in Alberta. We have several trappers contributing to the pilot project out in the field but any trapper holding a RFMA is encouraged to fill in this survey.

The survey can be accessed here: http://www.albertaoutdoorsmen.ca/images-projects/wolverine_status_questionnaire_Final_electronic-1.docx

Once completed, email to: mike.jokinen@ab-conservation.com


It's just as important to know where the wolverines aren't, so feel free to fill it in regardless.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Gulo ID 4.jpg (92.8 KB, 564 views)

Last edited by Rob Miskosky; 02-23-2012 at 03:25 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-24-2012, 07:24 AM
outdoorsmen101 outdoorsmen101 is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 334
Default

I filled mine out. The video on the ACA website is really cool! It is unfortunate but most of the RFMA holders I have talked to are reluctant to fill these out because of the wolf study being discontinued in mid stream after some trappers contributed alot of time and effort and the lynx study which seems to have fallen off the plate as well.

It didn't help either when Gordy Klassen refered the wolverine as the next quote..."poster child" animal to be put into the endagered species list by SRD. This was in his presentation at the recently held Large Carnivor Seminar hosted by the MD of Bighorn.

I hope all the trappers fill the ACA forms out and we get some information on an unique animal that there appears to be very little known about.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-24-2012, 07:51 AM
RockyMountainMusic RockyMountainMusic is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Grande Cache
Posts: 595
Default

Just sent the survey in to mike this am, I know when i talked to Bill he mentioned wanting gps coordinates and what the wolverine was doing and so forth but there is nothing on the survey that asks for it? Brian do you know if your seeing them then if they ask for more info? I sent some info in the email anyway as i recorded most things in a journal this year. I am glad there is people still wanting to make a difference and i can tell already this isn't and pathetic excuss of a study like the grizz was. I dont know much about the wolf or lynx study perhaps outdoorsmen you can fill me in a little?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-24-2012, 09:27 AM
outdoorsmen101 outdoorsmen101 is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 334
Default

I hope this study is allowed to be completed. The wolf study (Nordegg) was curtailed when the next phase involved neutering. The lynx study (Nordegg) just seemed to fold up. Nothing new on their website for at least a year and a half. The trapppers I know that submitted fur snippits for dna samples have never heard anything back. The cougar study (Nordegg) done seems to be the only one so far that was completed and has some interesting data out. I don't believe it but quite a few of the trappers I talked with are saying this is just a study to get the wolverine protected and off the quota system. From what I have seen so far I don't believe it and will continue to help where I can. I was suprised at Klassen's comments about it at the seminar mentioned above.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-26-2012, 12:19 AM
Brian Bildson Brian Bildson is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,107
Default

This is our study and if it fails it will because we trappers didn't step up. However that's not happening, we are having good results. This study was brought about by the ATA and the ACA, (who have proved to be a friend to the trappers), because of the concerns you guys are stating.

Gordy is probably right. There will be an element inside of ASRD who would see the wolverine as a charasmatic species and not above using them to accomplish their own agenda. So what else is new?

Well what's new is instead of being run over by that agenda we're doing the research needed to start finding out the true story of wolverines in Alberta.

As a trapper I do not want to trap any animal that is in trouble but I am convinced we have a sustainable population and the present quota system is not based on science, and we're doing a poor job of wolverine management. Many traplines could sustain increased harvest.

We all logically know that habitat change is the biggest threat to wolverines not trappers. I'd suggest that trappers fill out the basic survey but add in what ever additional information you'd like. Track locations or sightings would be awesome.

Thanks for all the interest and a big thanks to everyone who has filled in the survey. Heres the pic of the day.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Gulo Feb 25.jpg (53.7 KB, 586 views)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-24-2012, 11:40 AM
turbo mulcher turbo mulcher is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: cow town alberta
Posts: 751
Default

I have a few pics from my line.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DNA pics 186.jpg (114.5 KB, 673 views)
File Type: jpg DNA pics 243.jpg (112.8 KB, 608 views)
File Type: jpg DNA pics 194.jpg (114.6 KB, 557 views)
File Type: jpg DNA pics 233.jpg (114.6 KB, 525 views)
File Type: jpg DNA pics 227.jpg (114.3 KB, 578 views)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-24-2012, 12:01 PM
outdoorsmen101 outdoorsmen101 is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 334
Default Fantastic!!

WOW, nice pics. That's a fantastic specimen of a wolverine. Good Job!!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-24-2012, 12:27 PM
outdoorsmen101 outdoorsmen101 is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 334
Default

Turbo, I imagine there were lots of other pics over the time the wolverine was there. How long do you think he was at the bait?
Also Brian, by the length of the camera time how long did your hits on baits stay around?

In the case of both wolverines did they take all the bait eventually to stash it or just eat a bit off and then go?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-08-2012, 10:44 PM
Brian Bildson Brian Bildson is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,107
Default

wolverine hung around for a couple hours at a time. They mostly chewed away but when they could get larger chunks they hauled them off and I assume stashed them
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-30-2012, 12:13 PM
The Spruce's Avatar
The Spruce The Spruce is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: North Eastern Alberta
Posts: 891
Default

Just saw a wolverine South of Bonnyville...1/2 a mile from my house. Very surprized to see one that far South, and that close to houses, mine is not the only one. Unfortunatly no pic, I was checking for Mink sign along a creek on private land.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12-04-2012, 04:30 PM
Brian Bildson Brian Bildson is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,107
Default

Wow that's unusual but seing them in Airdire and St Albert so who knows. You physically saw it?
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 12-06-2012, 10:47 AM
The Spruce's Avatar
The Spruce The Spruce is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: North Eastern Alberta
Posts: 891
Default

Yes, Deer hunting right by home. Neibour said he saw it a couple days earlier, and I didn't belive him until I saw the unmistakable tracks in the snow. Then there it was, same area my neibour saw it in. Must be a carcass under the snow in the area that it is feeding on. Hopefully some clown doesn't shoot it because he has never seen one before.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-15-2013, 07:51 AM
Ilikemoosemeat Ilikemoosemeat is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 95
Default

I have enjoyed looking at the pics posted so far. Anything new with this study? Any new pics to be posted?
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-23-2013, 08:35 PM
Optics Optics is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 21
Default

Just came across those pics - outstanding. I'd love to see one.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-23-2013, 09:31 PM
Brian Bildson Brian Bildson is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,107
Default

The study is going again this winter. We have 30 trappers with camera setups across Alberta. I've been getting video and photos and will post some later.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 03-24-2013, 05:23 PM
nwt fly fisherman nwt fly fisherman is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 3
Default

we have lots up north here.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 04-02-2013, 09:25 PM
Brian Bildson Brian Bildson is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,107
Default

NWT - seen a few over the years hunting caribou on Gordon Lake Winter road
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 08-30-2013, 08:38 AM
Big Grey Wolf Big Grey Wolf is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,230
Default Local Wolverine

Guys, just for the record, had a wolverine in my horse pasture by Wabamun lake last year. I believe they are more common than we think. Probably moving into the fringe boreal forest as result of heavy logging in foothills.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 09-02-2013, 10:29 PM
Brian Bildson Brian Bildson is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,107
Default response

interesting grey wolf Did you see it personally?
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 09-03-2013, 08:34 AM
Big Grey Wolf Big Grey Wolf is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,230
Default Pasture Wolverine

Brian, yes my wife spotted it first, I took out the binoculars so got a very clear positive ID.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 11-06-2013, 10:26 AM
martinnordegg martinnordegg is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,271
Default Funding Shortage

I see in the last ATA magazine there is a shortfall of funds for the Wolverine Study for this year. This study sure got off to a good start and some real good data, pictures and encounters recorded. I find it fascinating what has been discovered about wolverines so far. See the ACA website for project information.

Brian maybe a sticky on AO would help generate some funds. I hope this project will keep going to give us a much better understanding of the wolverine and it's behavior.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 12-01-2013, 09:12 PM
Brian Bildson Brian Bildson is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,107
Default

All research is funded from different revenue streams and I volunteered to raise money from the trapping community. I've been some what successful but we can use more funds.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 12-10-2013, 07:31 AM
Brian Bildson Brian Bildson is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,107
Default

So far three females and two males have been collared. Great results in a short time.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 12-10-2013, 07:35 AM
martinnordegg martinnordegg is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,271
Default

Good show!! That should obtain some interesting information! How far apart were the captures? I guess what I mean is are they from totally different areas? (North Alberta, Foothills etc.)
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 12-23-2013, 05:43 PM
martinnordegg martinnordegg is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,271
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by martinnordegg View Post
Good show!! That should obtain some interesting information! How far apart were the captures? I guess what I mean is are they from totally different areas? (North Alberta, Foothills etc.)
I guess it's all a secret...LOL
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 12-23-2013, 10:29 PM
thumper's Avatar
thumper thumper is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Canmore
Posts: 4,740
Default

National Geopgraphic has an interesting show with great footage on a wolverine raised by humans. There's a short video segment at
http://channel.nationalgeographic.co...the-wolverine/
__________________
The world is changed by your action, not by your opinion.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 12-24-2013, 07:00 AM
martinnordegg martinnordegg is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,271
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by thumper View Post
National Geopgraphic has an interesting show with great footage on a wolverine raised by humans. There's a short video segment at
http://channel.nationalgeographic.co...the-wolverine/
I saw that one. Very interesting and well done.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 12-24-2013, 07:10 AM
Brian Bildson Brian Bildson is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,107
Default

Sorry for delay in response. 7 wolverines collared now. All are located in NW Alberta in the Rainbow Lake area for now. Also doing work up in Bistcho Lake area.


While Steve's tame wolverines are cool to see in action, they're fat and domesticated. Doubt they could survive on their own.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 12-24-2013, 07:25 AM
martinnordegg martinnordegg is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,271
Default

Thanks Brian! It's going to make for some very interesting data!!
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 03-29-2014, 09:05 AM
Big Grey Wolf Big Grey Wolf is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,230
Default Trapline cabin

Brian, enjoyed your latest article in April AO on your line cabin build with your family. How did you handle the permit with Forestry/F & W, or did you just follow the 98 guidelines and let them know your plans. Please PM me with details. Thanks Wolf
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:17 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.