2012 Wolverine Status in Alberta
The Alberta Trappers’ Association is collecting information on wolverine populations in the province. The Alberta Conservation Association will assist in summarizing and interpreting this trapper-produced data. If you absolutely do not have wolverine on your trapline, please at least answer the trapline profile, questions 1, 9, 11 & 12, as well as the personal information section at the end, as this information is equally valuable. Thank you.
Trapline Profile
Registered Fur Management Area number:______
How long have you trapped on your current RFMA? ______years
How long have you trapped in Alberta? ______years
What we’d like to know about wolverines:
1. Have you ever encountered wolverine sign/tracks on your trapline? Choose all that apply
Yes, I have observed wolverine sign in the past
It is common to observe wolverine sign on my trapline
I personally haven’t but previous records mention wolverine on the line
No, I haven’t seen and have no knowledge of wolverine ever being on my line
No, I haven’t seen wolverine sign on my trapline yet; it is relatively new to me
2. Do you harvest wolverine on your trapline?
Yes, I harvest a wolverine regularly
Yes, I typically harvest a wolverine every other year or so
Yes, I have harvested wolverine in the past
No, I have not harvested wolverine on my trapline ever
No, I have not harvested wolverine yet, but the trapline is relatively new to me
3. Do you feel confident with the ability to identify wolverine tracks? Choose all that apply
I find them easy to identify
Sometimes they could be confused with other species (lynx, fisher) if not looked at closely
It’s sometimes hard to tell when the tracks are old
Without good snow/weather conditions, it’s hard to identify tracks accurately
I can still identify wolverine tracks when conditions are not optimal by observing other clues
4. If you do have wolverine on your trapline, how do you feel about them? Choose all that apply
I want wolverine to always be present on my trapline
I want wolverine on my trapline so I can continue to harvest them
I want wolverine on my trapline because they signify true wilderness
I don’t spend any time targeting wolverine, but don’t mind them being there
I feel neutral towards wolverine on my trapline; it’s neither good nor bad
I don’t like having any wolverine on my trapline
I’d like fewer wolverines on my trapline because they typically cause trouble with other sets
5. When have you detected wolverine tracks/sign on your trapline? Choose all that apply
I’ve detected wolverine on my line this trapping season (Nov 2011 onward)
I detected wolverine on my line this past summer (2011)
I detected wolverine on my line last season (Nov 2010-Mar 2011)
I detected wolverine on my line the season prior to last (Nov 2009-Mar 2010)
I have not personally detected wolverine on my line within the past 2 years
6. How likely are you to detect wolverine (tracks/sign) in your trapline area during any given trapping season? Choose all that apply
I thoroughly cover my area and if a wolverine is present, I will detect it
I cover at least 2/3’s of my area and would likely detect wolverine if present
I am not on my line regularly but have a good chance of detecting them if present
I don’t even travel 1/3 of my trapline, so I could miss some wolverine in the area
I may easily miss sign of wolverine
7. In your opinion, state whether you have observed a decrease, increase or no change in the number of wolverine on your trapline, Choose any that apply
Wolverine numbers continue to increase on my line
Wolverine numbers appear to fluctuate among years
Wolverine numbers appear to remain the same/stable
Wolverine numbers seem to be decreasing
There appears to be far fewer wolverine on my trapline than there were in the past
I don’t have wolverine, or I’m unsure what populations are like on my trapline
8. Select the forms of human disturbance on your trapline that have impacted the areas commonly used by wolverine, Choose all that apply
Timber harvest Off highway vehicle (all season)
3D Seismic Off highway vehicle (summer only)
Drilling/wells Forms of non-motorized recreation (all season)
Roads (all season) Forms of non-motorized recreation (summer only)
Roads (summer only) Other ______
Seismic lines or cut lines
9. Some people record information about their trapline/trapping success and on animals they don’t necessarily even harvest. This information may be extremely helpful in understanding animal trends across Alberta. Do you keep an annual record of your experiences/observations while on the line? Choose all that apply
Yes, I keep detailed records of everything I see
Yes, I keep detailed records of unique animals/observations
I’ve started keeping records but they don’t go back very far yet
No, I don’t keep records but I can tell you what I have observed, when and where
No, I don’t have any record of what’s on my trapline
Yes, I keep records and I am willing to share the information I have
Yes, I keep records but am not willing to share the information
10. Would you be willing to document and share all wolverine observations on your trapline this year? This would mean documenting any wolverine tracks that you encounter while working your line (ideally using a GPS, documenting location, time and date), providing the number of days and distance traveled (one way) each day and estimating the time/date since last snowfall. Choose all that apply
Yes, I am interested in helping with this
Yes, I am interested but I am not sure whether I will be on the line very often
I’m interested but likely won’t be working the areas that typically have wolverine
No, I am unsure whether I will have the time this upcoming season
No, I am not interested in this
11. How much of your fur management area do you cover during the trapping season? Does your typical travel route provide access to your entire area?
I commonly travel a route that passes through 1/3 of my trapline area
I commonly travel a route that passes through 2/3 of my trapline area
I commonly travel a route that passes through most of my entire trapline area
I don’t even come close to covering the majority of my trapline area
The area I cover any given year varies too much to choose any of the above
12. Could you provide the linear kilometers of trail (one way) that you typically travel on your line?
Yes, I travel ______kilometers exactly (GPS or odometer derived)
Yes, I travel ______kilometers roughly (best guess)
No, I don’t know how many kilometers I run
What we’d like to know about you:
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. Your information is important! This information will help to identify wolverine distribution in Alberta. Your participation in this survey as well as future surveys will be a critical step in identifying the status of Alberta’s furbearers.
We could save over $2500 if we had the ability to conduct future surveys digitally. Would you be willing to participate in future surveys using your email address or an online survey?
Yes, either is fine
Yes, email is preferred
Yes, an online survey is preferred
No, I prefer it done this way
No, I am not interested in future contact
Please provide your contact information below
First Name: ______
Last Name: ______
Address: ______
______
______
Postal Code: ______
Phone Number: ______
Email Address: ______
Thank you! If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Mike Jokinen
Alberta Conservation Association
1609 - 3rd Ave. South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 0L1
Tel: (403) 388-7760
Cell: (403) 715-0211
Fax: (403) 388-7769
Email:
Bill Abercrombie
c/o Bushman Inc.
21061A Wye Road,
Sherwood Park, AB, T8G 1C7
Tel: (877) 446 0204
Email: