The Wrangell sentinel., 1930-12-11
Leader Of Predatory Animal Control Tells Of Work In Alaska
WILL TAKE THE FIELD IN WRANGELL DISTRICT; KUIU AND MITK0FF ISLANDS FIRST

"As soon as a wolf learns your trapping trick you've got to find a new trick" This is the secret of success in controlling wolves, ae- cording to Harlan A. Gubser, lead CT of the predatory animal control of the U. s. Biological Survey, who arrived in Wrangell last week on the steamer Victoria.
 Tt is merely a question of out smanting the wolf" says Gubser.
 Gubser has just returned from summers work to the westward and in the interior. He covered the coast between Unalakleet and St. Michels in a fishing boat and spent two months in the Kokrines coun- try, posting himself on conditions there by talks with miners, trap pers and reindeer herders.
 Coyotes A Menace
 Aside from the menace of coyotes to the reindeer herds along the coast the situation is not bad, Gubser re- ports, and depredations are apt to decrease when rabbits and other TO- dents begin to come back. The his- tory of the coyote shows that he has remarkable adaptive qualities, and when small game is scare as the re- suit of epidemics which seem to run in cycles, the coyote preys upon reindeer and caribou.
 Gubser's investigations in the fare 0f tha White River have proven conclus- ively that the coyotes follow cari- bou migrations when other food fails. He found coyotes as far north as the Kobuk. They were preva- lent in the Melozi country.
 Brannin's Record
 Sidney A. Brannin, wo is assist ing in the control work, has been operating out of Wrangell since last March, and has Is wolves to his credit. He came to Alaska from Montana in 1929 and spent a win- ter on the Nebesna and Shushana rivers.
 There are not as many wolves in Southeast Alaska as many peo- pie suppose" Brannin said, when questioned regarding the number of wolves usually found in pack. "1 saw a pack of 15 wolves in Mon tana, but there are doubtless larg CT packs than this. Trappers up to the westward say they have seen more wolves than this travelling to- gether. It depends somewhat on the food supply. If game dies off or migrates, the wolves are apt to bunch up and follow the migrating herds"
 Brannin caught nine wolves near Anita Bay on Etolin Island about 20 miles from Wrangell. He caught two more on Deer Island and two at Clay Creek on the mainland be- low Ham Island. He reports a few tracks mean the mouth of Ayrens Creek.
 Brannin's Methods
 In taking the field against wolves Brannin's first task is to locate their trails. A glance at the map will usually indicate the divides where crossing may be found. He makes trail sets if there is not too much evidence of other game using the trails. He always conceals the trap and favors a double set-two traps. If one misses the other may hit.
 He favors the use of scents and believes that poison is highly eff fective in the hands of men who know how to use it. It is unlawful to use poison, however, and wolves soon learn to avoid it. The princi- pal objection to poison is it's lasting qualities. When the meat decays in warm weather the poison is ab sorbed by the bone and is effective for years.
 Both Gubser and Brannin ex- pressed their desire to cooperate with local trappers and they will be glad to give out any information which experience has taught them. The work of the biological survey is being carried on in cooperation with the Territory of Alaska.
 The men left Wrangell Tuesday on the Beilby, to return by Christ mas.
 A T.