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bones hanging down, as this will change the 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 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.
