Alaska Wolf Management with Clay Newcomb

Clay Newcomb ventures to southeast Alaska in search of wolves and Sitka blacktail deer with his friend and outfitter, David Benitz. Traveling aboard sea boat and skiff, Clay shadows David along his expansive traplines across the vast coastal Alaskan beaches. David shares his art for trapping along with his love and appreciation for the wolf and desire to manage them as a natural renewable resource. After discovering a few empty sets, they change their attention towards blacktail deer. But finding deer in country that's riddled with predators proves difficult. In the end, persistence pays off with multiple successful sets and hides for the mantelpiece. Presented by ‪@weatherby‬
#fueledbynature #meateater
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[@TheCajunSurvivor]

Clay perfectly voices the majority of hunters opinions on game management. Thanks Meateater for bringing Clay to the masses.

[@fattybourgeois1014]

His humbleness is great. This episode with Steve wouldn't have hit as hard

[@بنقريش-ث7ص]

amazing way kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHK4cpZ_gc6Cj6c

[@skate5930]

you're delusional if you think how he voices is perfect. you're so far from truth and reality

[@hcso2445]

I wouldn't say opinions on conservation. I describe it on "facts" of conservation. Wolves need management. Period

[@GorillaCrewWarGaming]

@@skate5930 Why?

[@jacobrivera2113]

Seeing Clay get all confused over kelp gave me a chuckle. Not a lot of bull kelp in Arkansas

[@thatkoakid]

wait til finds out you can eat it haha

[@Yetified_Mayhem]

He's wearing his new First Lite 😂 Looks good, great camo for down south. Completely unnecessary in this country

[@WHiT3_SHAD0W]

Does look like an alien to me so I would react the same

[@skypieper]

Cracked me up too.

[@CalebLanfranco]

We get the same stuff in Victoria Australia big white sharks in it hunting seals

[@davidmcneil1550]

Love Dave’s comment, “it’s a renewable resource, we just need to manage it.” Ain’t that the truth.

[@riverratriverrat2638]

It’s a shame most states you can’t manage them.. I live on 200 acres in Wisconsin. “ i earned it “ I haven’t seen a deer in 4 years.

[@davidmcneil1550]

@@riverratriverrat2638 My guess is you live in NW Wisconsin. I’m NE. 35 deer per square mile and 0 wolves. Rarely do they cross the ice.

[@riverratriverrat2638]

Yes ruined all the livestock and deer.

[@drsnooker1776]

@@riverratriverrat2638It’s a shame, wolves need manadgement rather than annihilation. It’s ridiculous the government can’t see this and allow hunters to keep a balance.

[@yeldesouki3886]

Ain't you

[@jeffw6224]

Predator hunting or trapping can be controversial. It’s strange how the level of controversy can be predator specific. The Meateater organization does a good job of explaining the situation. Thanks for not shying away from the subject. In addition the camera work and editing showing that gorgeous and unique country was exceptional. Thank you for documenting and sharing the story!

[@bighorn6964]

Eating a meat eater is never a goid thing since they contian prions and that can cause issues and cancer

[@charlesphillipson1236]

The respect these guys show for the wild places and things is so far from todays norm . Just so refreshing. No bloodlust, no ego, just respect.

[@Hein690]

Trapping animals live for days with hurting traps? Are you seriously? That’s not fair hunting

[@AT-mm2em]

you think trapping animals in wild is repsect? that's just lazy and pathetic way of hunting.

[@bigneal6407]

@@AT-mm2em you must hate crabbing too then

[@skate5930]

@@Hein690 exactly. in terms of ethics trapping is lazy at best. AK is not his to decide to take away natural animals that have been there before any of us and the world needs to respect that if you want to kill wolves, take the time to put your safety in jeopardy and take them with a rifle. the ignorance of trapping is gross but what can you do. stupid people exist in large quantities

[@GorillaCrewWarGaming]

@@Hein690 They aren't "hunting". They are trapping. Stupid....

[@chadjohnson86]

Clay's narration and story telling is unrivaled. Love his episodes.

[@WhiskeyBravo_Outdoors]

Clay Newcomb + Alaska always means a great video. Hats off to everyone who put this together.

[@PacWestFish]

Clay came off as arrogant and rude. "No Wolf." Do you think you have to freaking say that in outfitters face 100 times? I would take your ass back home, rude MFer.

[@Boone9269]

Clays voice is perfect for narrating and this content is top notch.

[@jacobolsons929]

Been hearing clay talk about this trip for a while, glad to see it in video.🔥

[@JeremyReger]

He didn’t show him eating a piece of the glacier haha

[@Joe-d3t1t]

Clay is top notch!! One of the best at MeatEater

[@jeffmertens9790]

Yup, the two Clays make Meateater top tier!! Homegrown, honest, and entertaining. Rinella needs to get his running shoes on to keep ahead of those guys!!

[@Joe-d3t1t]

Clay puts out some of the best content.

[@Terpedup925]

I truly enjoy listening to and watching clay. Idk what it is but he get me interested in things i thought I wouldn’t. I wished I had more teachers like him growing up.

[@DavidBowCrazyBabyak86]

I don't know about anyone else but the videos with Clay in them are my favorite for sure

[@aarontaylor6889]

Clay has become one of my all time favorites. He is just an all around great man.

[@Joe-d3t1t]

Definitely a role model

[@simonbird6437]

What an incredibly beautiful place. I could only dream of seeing a landscape like that.

[@AlaskaHaikuWarrior]

It gets lonely after a while

[@RD-ph8mh]

I got a wolf while deer hunting this past season. The camera man captured Clay’s reaction perfectly. I was immediately drawn to the paws also. It was a surreal experience I felt gratitude and some remorse initially but was affirmed that it was ok from my hunting mentors. There is no closed season, no bag limit where I live. I see wolf highways in the snow; often out numbering the amount of deer and moose tracks I see in certain areas.

[@jer6162]

Meat eater videos with clay are always great.

[@Clayman5577]

Greatest meat eater episode ever . Hail to the trappers of America!!!!not much I get jealous of , wolf trapping does it .

[@joshprice7349]

I love watching a fellow Arkansan get to go on these awesome adventures. Awesome video clay!

[@thornehauser9511]

I really like the way you put that last line n the video. It makes a lot of sense and I think both sides of the wolf argument can see where u are coming from. Awesome video

[@Steven-lq5bn]

Man I actually had tears,but for multiple reasons,because they are detrimental and because they are dangerous and because they kill actual food for humans but also because they are so beautiful and amazing animals!!!Such a beautiful thing you guys do!!!Great work!

[@JasonWWallace]

Last year I spent two and a half months in SE AK , 5 weeks consecutively aboard a power troller fishing for salmon. These views bring back memories. Alaska is such a wild and beautiful place. While I was there, I visited Le Conte glacier. Video does not do it justice. It a very powerful and moving experience for sure.

[@KRYPTOSPOLLARD]

Episodes with Clay are 10/10.

[@justinwilliamson5500]

Wolf conservation is even something I, as a wildlife conservationist struggle with. With that being said, I know it’s necessary in certain parts of the country, especially Southeast Alaska. Most people don’t understand how difficult predator hunting and trapping can be. I appreciate Meateater and Clay going into a bit of detail about these topics.

[@Paul-q3m7k]

I don’t think anyone likes killing them but many of us have seen what they can do if left unchecked. there is no balance in nature , the wolves will breed and eat everything on site until they eventually run out of food and slowly Starve . After their numbers drop the game animals slowly come back until the cycle repeats again

[@davidcolon7540]

The biggest issue is that wolf's don't just kill when hungry, they kill everything they see.

[@justinwilliamson5500]

@@davidcolon7540 agreed. I’ve personally seen it. It’s a tough call to put one down when called out to do so. But it’s definitely necessary. It’s why I live in the Southeast now and only deal with small predators.

[@AntiVaganza]

@@justinwilliamson5500 Good episode, but as a journalist and someone always hungry for more info, I am with you on "the bit of detail" they went into. Yes, Clay is great and the visuals stunning but there really wasn't enough context for my taste and needs on the subject. I learned more from just these comments three right here than I did from the video.

[@mikebarker6628]

Hey y’all, if you don’t like it, don’t watch it. Simple as that. Have a wonderful day!

[@nickwolfe1690]

Interesting look into a tough trapline. I appreciate that Clay isn't spewing any anti-wolf hate. Apex carnivores are needed on the landscape and they aren't the only reason ungulates have decreased in some areas. Let's find ways to live on the same landscape. Oh, and can we please get a video with Ryan and Clay together? They are my favorite down to Earth MeatEater personalities. Cheers!

[@Makrel94]

I agree.. Alltho those traps did make feel a little uneasy tbh. Gin traps are pretty mean devices if you ask me.

[@nicktritz8808]

@@Makrel94 Gin trap? You must not be an American? We call them a foothold trap. They are not what tv makes them out to be. A modern foothold trap for wolves is The same foothold trap we use for beaver. There are no serrated teeth on them. I have had my hand in them and it is no big deal. No cutting or broken bones from the trap. Trappers take care to make sure their traps are ethical and humane just the same as when we hunt and fish.

[@drsnooker1776]

@@Makrel94They really ain’t that bad, it’s like a tight wedding ring.

[@Makrel94]

@@drsnooker1776 I don’t think that has any truth to it my guy.. When steve-o put his arm in one, it certainly seemed like it was quite alot worse than a “tight wedding ring”

[@drsnooker1776]

@@Makrel94 It’s not in a trappers interest to grab the animal too hard, a broken leg = an escaped animal.

[@CJ_outdoors_CT]

Came to this channel because of Steve, but I'm staying because of Clay, love this guy

[@CatFarmAgriculture]

The way you handle your weapon and shoot accurately is fantastic. Outstanding!

[@mountainlifewithdavidkelsie]

Great video guys as always! I hope the state of Washington opens it soon! I am a tribal member of the Colville reservation here in Washington and we have been doing our best to manage them since our tribe has opened wolf hunting/trapping. Wish you all good health and happiness

[@keithkester8574]

When Dave said “You got another one, you’re pretty good at this” gave me a good laugh lol. Great video Clay, your home is beautiful Dave and you’re a hell of an outdoorsman 🙏🏼

[@hcso2445]

Absolute gem of an episode

[@marktate4466]

What a combination, the quiet, down to earth Alaskan, and the poetic rambler from Arkansas.

[@SOMNIOHM]

*_The BIG Key to success for trappers! _**_25:01_* _("It's not easy to get where were at right now!")_

[@jamesgranderson2890]

Conflicted but I understand why. Great episode. Thanks!

[@mayersimchasandman9147]

What an amazing episode, I love how you guys address how people can love wolves but still want them to be managed.

[@itscodrut0944]

Amazing adventure in an ethereal place. Long live Clay Newcomb and Meateater!

[@rabbithomesteading3797]

David is genius! Never heard of him but holy cow I learned a lot here!

[@yganator]

This is the best Meateater content I have ever seen, and I've been a fan since the sportsman channel days.

[@weekender38]

Awesome display of desire, dedication and determination by David.

[@ClayNewcomb-n8i]

Incredible guy.

[@thesaltysergeant4103]

This is great. There is nothing better then a wolf hunt. And the importance surrounding the management of both these and Deer.

[@DreamIt-69]

Great job Clay! Thank you for showing us this!

[@MrKbarrow]

What an adventure. Clays the best.

[@dimensionsofearth]

Love Clay, what a truly wild place. To have 200 miles of trapping seems like a huge area, to access by boat no less. I'd love to see how these guys treat a fur during the initial trip out of the woods

[@CPT_ERBZ420]

I'm a Newcombe from Toronto!!! Not everyday you meet/find another Newcomb(e). Met one dude from Leeds England and discovered we had the same birthday!!! that was crazy and there is a Sean Newcomb in the MLB right now , pitcher for Oakland. Now Clay...good to have found you. I'll be watching for sure

[@kraigholdren8106]

Whole lot of em in Idaho

[@jameshawkins5707]

Clay is the man for the job. Well done crew

[@DuckButter123]

It is weird that people have this preconceived notion that predators are somehow these cute cuddly woodland creatures. But if you ask them about deer elk sheep ect they really don’t give a damn. It’s wild to me they believe what they’re told and not what they see

[@christopherch7307]

David Benitz Thank you for your time brother. 👍🐿👍

[@fishduckdog]

Growing on me C.N. Thank for sharing! I’m glad you have made predator management a hot topic for balance/management.

[@ecv03]

We need more videos with Clay. God Bless you brother.

[@nathanhoffman9579]

What an awesome surreal experience. I am a hunter and trapper myself and what I would not give to experience what I saw on this show in real life. I am envy of you guys.

[@Soondite71]

Interesting to see everyone’s comments. I hunt. Not out of necessity but more because it connects me more to nature. As a hunter I’ve seen and understand more about the balance of nature than any non hunter will ever understand. Hunting is our biological right regardless of how someone might feel about the necessity of it. I never hear the protests when new neighborhoods irreversibly destroy wild life habitat. As a hunter every time see land developed I fully understand that the life it supported is gone forever. If you truly care about ALL of the natural world you should redirect your passion and start to protest urban sprawl. That’s the biggest negative impact to nature caused by humans.

[@czwirner]

Id give this 100 more thumbs up if i could. Where i live, if its green, they're putting houses on it. I truly hate it.

[@thecoyoteguy9098]

Well done, Clay. A lot may disagree, but I believe the work you are doing with Steve and the Meateater team is beneficial to all hunters. And I hope it will help to keep us hunting for years to come...

[@ericumberger175]

Fantastic video Clay and the Meateater crew!

[@Thenarrowpathoutdoorsmen]

Awesome content. We can live vicariously through MeatEater. Who better to bring it to us than the boy who cried “No wolf!” Clay Newcomb.

[@RiverJoe-f3o]

As a dog owner I feel bad for the wolf. But... As a survivor it is life ... Rrrr River Jo

[@Smfe614]

Alaska is one amazing place. Just a endless land of beautiful wilderness

[@melissaferina1506]

Is no one else going mention how pearly white that wolves teeth were?

[@rickbel645]

Pullouts feel worse than missing a buck. They haunt you longer and harder

[@VaultBoy1776]

We enjoyed this very much, thank you for sharing the experience.

[@Dream-season]

That place looks the absolute dream!!!

[@zachsatrum2872]

Hearing the guide use the phrase “down here” when referring to moose hunting in the area caught me off guard 😂 every time I think Alaska it’s “up there” What a cool place. Hope I get the opportunity to go some day. Thanks for sharing with us!

[@turkeybird7679]

I agree these animals need close management, but it was a tough episode to watch....even as a hunter. Something about seeing these big boys go down is hard to watch.

[@ryantelemko2313]

Can’t agree with you more. I understand the science and ecology behind it, but still it’s a hard one to watch.

[@SG-ig2th]

Get over it, nancy. They’re nothing like your dog at home.

[@turkeybird7679]

No need to be rude. I said I was a hunter, and I am more than conditioned to killing and gutting. These wolves are just more majestic is all. Take a stress tab. @@SG-ig2th

[@drewallen2565]

Im really enjoying the videos of Clay, Janis and Cal. they are far superior to any thing steve is in.

[@annaliesebenson7319]

Great video! I love and yet fear the wolf. I believe we can all coexist in the right way. This was a great viewpoint for conservation of both wolves and deer.

[@christopherch7307]

👍🐿👍 Thank you for the video Clay. ❤

[@trouttruffle1309]

Fine, logical episode fellas. Thank you!

[@hunt_trap_fish]

I completely understand the necessity of keeping wolf populations in check. My conflict comes from two things: the first is that they look so much like my dogs that it's hard for me to want to pull the trigger on them (or coyotes, here in SW WI). The second comes from the fact that the meat isn't really utilized. And that is massively hypocritical of me because I do trap beaver and muskrat, both of which are edible, and I do not use the meat for that. I usually use muskrat for mink bait -- also not edible -- and beaver I give to a guy who's dogs love it. Being human is an exercise in hypocrisy. This episode was real cool, and congrats to Clay and David on a successful trap check.

[@sharkfin154]

I look at it like this. Most people kill a deer and throw away the bones, glands, and fur and only keep the antlers, meat and maybe a cape and skull. Wolves you can use the fur, skull, and glands and you throw away the meat and most of the bones.

[@cameronturner5082]

The moment at 13:05 when the music and Sitka fawn calls match up is beautiful

[@garretwitterholt5842]

Dude must be a millionaire to have that much time and money to fuel up those boats for a few wolves. Awesome stuff

[@paaapppermaker]

Dude I was thinking the same thing!

[@klappy803]

Yeah a rich guy, but a rich guy that knows how to actually do something tangible, I like it and respect a guy like that.

[@stikineguideservice7428]

Haha. I wish. I just choose to spend my money doing the things I love. The boats are used year round for various occupations.

[@mrsockeye]

Very good episode. It's definitely a necessity to control wolves to maintain the balance that we strive for as cognizant stewards.

[@herboize]

im from south america, dont have big game aorund here, but have watch all the videos of this channel , still this one broke my heart, i dont criticize but damn

[@JeremyReger]

Half a million views in a week.. 🎉🎉 congrats clay that’s a big deal bro

[@emowalter1]

imagine being out on a gorgeous remote alaskan beach adventuring in the summer and stepping on a wolf trap. LOL

[@Northwoods208]

Our wolf trapping season closes in April. Summer in AK is just june, july, and august

[@russell7386]

1993 goose creek Alaska.my neighbor was a trapper.he pulls up to the gas station with a frozen pony in back of his truck.a pack of wolves had came into the subdivision and he was gunna trap em with pony set.He woke me up one day to show two wolverines he had just got.

[@HataKreataz]

Great piece, gentleman, fascinating watch and I learned a few things. Thank you!

[@navid4024]

This was one amazing documentary, well done 👏🏻

[@romesaw]

fantastic episode. wolves are awesome!

[@1981-A_R]

Love anything with Clay in it! Just grabbed a couple beers , foods out the oven , lets go!! 😊

[@jeffmertens9790]

"Do you remember your lines?" I about fell out of my chair!!! 😂

[@rotaman8555]

I live in Alaska. I’m a hunter and have no problem with trapping. But I have wandered around the beach in the areas these guys are working and it never occurred to me there would be traps around! Especially not along the beach. Have you ever had a human get injured by a trap? What do you do to prevent humans being hurt?

[@ctl9563]

There's people trapping every where in Alaska, you best just stay in your house

[@rotaman8555]

@@ctl9563 Wow. I ask a reasonable question and get mocked for it. I wasn’t expressing fear. I am genuinely curious.

[@sharkfin154]

Foothold traps don't have much crushing power. Stonger springs help it close faster, but the real genius of them is the mechanical leverage of the two levers on the sides. They're pretty easily pushed down, but without pushing them down, the trap jaws wont open. With traps this size it's incredibly unlikely that you'll actually get caught, but rather it will spring push your foot up or pinch the sole of your boot and scare the crap out of you.

[@westonmeredith9036]

Meat Eater Team! Watch this cinematic beauty that undoubtedly is some of the finest content ever put out by meateater, then watch that pig video with the element guys. This end puts hunters in a more positive light and is content anyone can enjoy whether they hunt or not.

[@davehood2534]

I’ll second this,show some respect and restraint

[@aaronadkins1919]

Great video. Beautiful, beautiful country.

[@AG-df2ey]

Beautiful glacier and mi respect the patience displayed

[@PatrickSlonski]

So far from anywhere - What an impact the predator makes on the great wind open!

[@blakewestcomb9541]

Great clip in the life of a professional!

[@KennethJones-d9h]

Great to see folks enjoying Alaska and keeping the wolves knocked down. If anybody wants to adventure in Alaska hmu

[@stephen.oreilly-nugent8293]

Real good to watch, love the life these boys live, fishing, hunting, trapping. I know I am conflicted about taking the life of an animal like a wolf or bear, but I don’t disagree at all with the sentiments and Dave’s reasons for participating. Good luck to both men, I hope the upcoming seining season is a good one for dave.

[@nbarca]

That ends with a good message, you guys. ❤

[@kangalmaster1087]

Southeast alaska might be the coolest place to watch. I could literally just watch all of meateaters videos if it was just southeast. He should also do a show on bigfoot in southeast. Definitely a place I hear about and could see them living there

[@josiahcaminiti4336]

Meat Eater needs more trapping videos!

[@PatterningNature]

It was nice hearing some insight from a fellow Wolf hunter (David) - Also I believe his theory is the same here in North west Ontario... These Wolf numbers seem to climb every year & we continue to see more & more of them. After taking 5 Wolves myself just by sitting over a bait pile... a trapper where I am could easily get a pack of 12 & keep setting traps to get more... Just seems like they multiply the moment you remove 1 from the pack. 2 years back we counted 12 Wolf pups in one pack alone - This is a pack that we bait so the survival rate of those pups is darn near 100% at that point... When this pack lights up howling, its like an orcestra!!!

[@idaho2ndgens240]

This is an excellent video about wolves and trapping. As a trapper here in N. Idaho and having seen the impact they have on our elk, deer and moose, it is rewarding to help keep things in balance. We will never get rid of all of our wolves here and don't want to either. They are an amazing animal, just like the others we have.

[@koelafo]

Just stumbled on this account and I'm hooked after a couple if skinning vids

[@jdub12-8]

What a beautiful animal that’s so cool. Alaska is so awesome.

[@nathanm7859]

Definitely need more episodes and content with David

[@jaredadams8294]

This was just awesome. Everything about this video was hit just right.

[@charleywalker2982]

Awesome footage , thanks for sharing and keep your videos and podcasts coming please.

[@DavidMcclucas]

Thank you for being real

[@haroldmikesell2101]

Great story of part of the eco systems in the great and vast Alaska. South East Alaska is a gem of its own. The beauty yet ruggedness of the land,the Weather, the waters,the people and the predators is a very fine balance of survival. Reverent and respect full management makes the whole experience of Alaska, Alaska. To learn more of wolf's in Alaska, I would recommend the Book Frank Glasser, The Wolf man of Alaska.

[@Davieboy694]

Really enjoyed watching this 👍🏻