Embarking on the second week of the 2022 trapping season I was with high anticipation that my coyote line was starting to connect, the previous weekend I was able to connect with a personal best sized boar raccoon and my first U.P. Badger. Things were starting to pick up nicely as the weather was getting colder and on this particular day, I decided to have my girlfriend tag along with me. We had checked two sets before making the 2-mile hike loop I have in one area. As we make our way into the "bone field" (as we always called it growing up) things were just a normal as always and I could tell one of my two sets were empty. I continued walking and as I rolled the corner of the kidney bean shaped area, I seen the flash of a canine's rear end and tail. I excitedly took another set forward before realizing that not only did I catch a canine it was an adult wolf. I immediately snapped my head backwards and told Kiana that we have a wolf in the trap, and she chuckled and kept walking towards me until she looked up and realized the situation she was in.
My catch pole was over 1/2 a mile away in my pickup as I was only anticipating on a coyote if the luck was in my favor. I handed my .22 long rifle to Kiana and procced to fix myself up a stick with a Y near the end so if I needed to pin the paw down I could do so without getting too close. Once the adrenaline set in, I felt numb and or emotionless. I slowly proceeded towards the wolf wielding the branch and calmly softly talking to it. When I was in a position to make a move towards the trap the wolf looked away and showed no indication of wanting to attack.
The trap came off with ease and the wolf had no visible injuries on its paw, no blood, no limp. The wolf remained in place for a minute or so before running on into the brush. Throughout the rest of trapping season, he made his presence known around my sets when they weren't in the ground. I've had one on camera 1/4 away from this location a few months back but not much other activity.
Brandon Olson
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