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specifications below.
If possible, use Trail Watcher systems at all run-pole stations; i.e., these will be the
cameras focused on the run-pole. Trail Watchers take higher resolution photos than
Reconyx systems and have a flash that can be set to be "on" continuously. Trail
Watchers enable us to obtain high-resolution photos during both the day and night. This
increases our ability to identify individual wolverines, and our chances of determining the
gender and reproductive condition.
Survey period: Run-pole camera stations should be operated for as long as possible
during the winter months. Although run-pole camera stations have been successfully
operated during the snow-free period in Washington and British Columbia, the
probability of detecting a wolverine is greater during the winter than at other times of the
year. There is no maximum survey period; thus, surveyors should continue to operate a
station for as long as possible and regardless of whether a wolverine has been detected. It
is not uncommon for an individual wolverine to revisit a site weeks or months later or for
>1 wolverine to be detected at a single camera station.
Constructing the run-pole and setting up Trail Watcher cameras (see Figures 1 thru
8):
1. Pick a site with 2 suitable trees (1 for the run-pole and 1 for the camera system)
about 10 feet apart for Trail Watcher cameras (Figures 1 and 2). If you must use a
Reconyx system for the run-pole, the trees need to be about 11-12 feet apart. If the trees
are too far apart, we won't obtain the best possible photos. The run-pole tree should be
>11-12 inches in diameter (at breast height), and the camera tree needs to be sturdy
enough to support the camera system (note that the camera will need to mounted on the
bole of the tree above the height of the run-pole) and, more importantly, to prevent the
tree from swaying too much in windy conditions. Also, it is best if the camera is not
facing south (glare from the sun can interfere with the camera operation and quality of
photos) unless there is enough canopy cover to block the sun. The bait is hung from an
overhead horizontal braided steel cable (not rope) that is anchored to 2 nearby trees. You
can use any 2 suitable trees that put the overhead cable in the right position, including the
camera and/or the run-pole trees (Figure 3).
2. For the run-pole itself, use a log that is about 4 inches in diameter cut to 3.5-4
feet long (so that when it is bolted to the tree, it will stick out beyond the bole of the tree
about 3-3.5 feet). You want to be sure the run-pole is long enough that the wolverine
doesn't try to climb up the tree past the pole, and then reach out from the tree-bole to the
bait.
3. Attach the run-pole to the tree at a height that will be about 3 feet above the
snow surface. The run-pole must be level (not at an angle) in order for the camera to take
the best possible "straight-on" photo of the chest area (and so that the end of the pole does
not obstruct the camera's view of the chest area). If the site will get a lot of snowfall, it
will be difficult to get high enough on the tree bole to install the run-pole, bait, and
camera (because bait and camera need to be higher than the run-pole). In that case, just
install the run-pole as high as you can easily reach and then raise the height of the run-
