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height of the bait, decreasing the chances that we will get diagnostic photos for identifying
individuals, and may even block the wolverine from the camera's view (see Figure 4). The bait
hanging from the horizontal cable should be the only bait at the camera site. However, we
recommend that some lure be used at the site for an attractant and that you should refresh the
lure during each site visit.
8. Set the camera high enough on an opposite tree (one that is no more than 10-12 feet
away – see Figure 1) so that the field of view is squarely on the area just above the end of the
run-pole and crosspiece. Take test pictures and make sure the head of the wolverine will not be
cut out of the frame. Try to get the end crosspiece of the run-pole in the frame as well.
Although the chest and head area are our primary focus, markings on the front feet of a
wolverine can also be useful for distinguishing individuals (see Figures 5 and 6). A laser beam
or pointer can also be used to help line up the camera.
9. Camera settings for Trail Watcher systems: Set flash to be ON at all times. Activity
Mode = OFF. Set time delay to 5 seconds with 1 picture per event. The best sensitivity setting
for the distance at which the camera will be from the end of the run-pole appears to be in the
"low to medium" range (this will need to be determined in the field at each camera station).
These cameras can take very high resolution photos (almost 4 MB each). 1-2 MB photos appear
to have enough resolution for us to make individual ID and determine sex and reproductive
condition. Only set the resolution higher than 2 MB if you know for certain that the camera
card will not run out of room (remembering that you can obtain several hundred photos in a 2-
week period).
10. Check time and date settings. Trail Watchers do not have an option for setting a time
and date stamp on the photo. But the camera does have an internal clock, and you must make
sure that is working properly so that the correct date and time are associated with the file
properties for each image that is taken.
11. Take a photo of yourself next to the crosspiece at the end of the run-pole, and hold
up a card with the station number written on it with a black sharpie (to make sure it can be
clearly seen in the photo). Before you leave the site, make sure the flash goes off (if the camera
system at that station has a flash; e.g., Trail Watchers), and that the lens retracts.
12. If you have enough cameras to set up 2 at a site (1 as the run-pole camera [Trail
Watcher] and 1 as a backup/general camera [e.g., Reconyx]), we suggest the 2nd camera can be
used to capture a wider view of the site to document whether a wolverine might be visiting the
site but not approaching the run-pole. See Figure 7 for an example of how to set-up this
arrangement.
Operating camera stations:
1. After the initial set-up, check the camera station within 1 week (without fail) to make
sure everything is working properly. Crews should always approach the camera stations
