Conservation Northwest protects and connects old-growth forests and other wild areas from the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies, vital to a healthy future for us, our children, and wildlife. Since 1989, Conservation Northwest has worke
Issue link: http://conservationnw.uberflip.com/i/810819
65 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 carefully, checking for potential wolverine tracks and genetic samples (hair and scat; see #8 below) and avoid disturbing any potential wolverine tracks in the area. 2. After the initial 1-week check, check cameras every 2 weeks (3 weeks maximum) – do not check the camera or replace the bait more frequently than every 2 weeks. The bait needs time to age (like a carcass would), and a 2-week check schedule will also minimize disturbance at the site. 3. Every time the crew arrives at a camera station, have 1 person walk over to the end of the run-pole to trigger the camera and take a photo of that person before anyone checks the camera. Same process if there is also a Reconyx system at the site – make sure you trigger it before you check the camera. If a camera is not working, record that information on your data form so that there is a permanent record that the survey period was shorter than expected.