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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[@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

[@Usmcengineerup]

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

[@user-mt6eh6bj4y]

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?

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@owenwoodruff14]

I was on my way to a wrestling tournament and I got the chance to meet clay on his way to this hunt, very very nice guy and it was super cool to meet him. It’s cool to see this video come full circle. I’m glad he enjoyed the part of Alaska I live in, looks like he got the whole southeast Alaska experience! Great video!

[@Oregon-airguns]

But did you win the tournament??!! That’s all that really matters haha what weight??

[@user-er8kz2jg6o]

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!!

[@aarontaylor6889]

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

[@user-er8kz2jg6o]

Definitely a role model

[@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.

[@user-er8kz2jg6o]

Clay puts out some of the best content.

[@simonbird6437]

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

[@AlaskaHaikuWarrior]

It gets lonely after a while

[@DavidBowCrazyBabyak86]

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

[@ecv03]

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

[@hisdukeness3037]

Anyone that hunts or traps, never want to see that animal disappear... People who never hunt or trap, will never understand that people that do.. really are the ones that help

[@Winston-xh6xn]

What would happen if humans weren't here shooting their fucking guns at anything? Would wildlife survive ?

[@backyardjungle4954]

​@@Winston-xh6xnsome cases no, look at the spotted owl

[@joshprice7349]

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

[@Will-jr8rf]

Meateater brings many interesting characters to the table, but I have to say, Clay is my favorite of them all.

[@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

[@jer6162]

Meat eater videos with clay are always great.

[@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.

[@christopherch7307]

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

[@KRYPTOSPOLLARD]

Episodes with Clay are 10/10.

[@mayersimchasandman9147]

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

[@rabbithomesteading3797]

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

[@deathdealerd2648]

Great video, Wolves and all fur bearers are a renewable resource. Wonderful explanation on wolf trapping...

[@CJ_outdoors_CT]

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

[@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.

[@MrKbarrow]

What an adventure. Clays the best.

[@yganator]

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

[@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 🙏🏼

[@cameronturner5082]

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

[@christopherch7307]

👍🐿👍 Thank you for the video Clay. ❤

[@patrickdonahue5348]

Awesome episode. Clay shares the sentiments of a lot of hunters out here when it comes to wolves.

[@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.

[@Smfe614]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@marktate4466]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@CatFarmAgriculture]

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

[@Clayman5577]

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

[@jameshawkins5707]

Clay is the man for the job. Well done crew

[@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!

[@jamesgranderson2890]

Conflicted but I understand why. Great episode. Thanks!

[@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

[@seedless-bud]

so cool seeing you guys come up to SE Alaska, my home around these parts.. stay safe and much luck on the Hunts.....

[@navid4024]

This was one amazing documentary, well done 👏🏻

[@fishduckdog]

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

[@JeremyReger]

Been waiting to see this glacier! More 👏 of 👏 these👏 conservation 👏 videos!!👏

[@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.

[@user-eg8hb8xt3j]

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.

[@gordonfreeman1700]

Clay Newcomb is my Hero, Thank you for the amazing American Legends and content. How beautiful this world we inhabit must be through his eyes and these Adventures!

[@SOMNIOHM]

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

[@WTF_Australia]

Fantastic video....Unbelievable scenery....Great result!

[@charleywalker2982]

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

[@DreamIt-69]

Great job Clay! Thank you for showing us this!

[@rickbel645]

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

[@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!!!

[@nathanm7859]

Definitely need more episodes and content with David

[@jdub12-8]

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

[@hcso2445]

Absolute gem of an episode

[@ericumberger175]

Fantastic video Clay and the Meateater crew!

[@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...

[@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.

[@trouttruffle1309]

Fine, logical episode fellas. Thank you!

[@nbarca]

That ends with a good message, you guys. ❤

[@AG-df2ey]

Beautiful glacier and mi respect the patience displayed

[@rodneysmith2442]

good job Clay!!!

[@chips2557]

Awesome video!! I've been waiting for another trapping video from the meat eater 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

[@Dream-season]

That place looks the absolute dream!!!

[@shiroikyojin]

fantastic episode. wolves are awesome!

[@itscodrut0944]

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

[@mrsockeye]

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

[@fredfred4086]

Awesome scenery! Interesting to see land management practices in Alaska. Hearing the technical details of setting traps reminded me of Clark McGhie's Wild Country videos on KZbin. He sets traps to control wild dogs in Australia.

[@bryanduchane2371]

So lucky to have found this channel!!! Subbed for life...

[@chadbooth4371]

What a great show!

[@user-ki2jj5gm9g]

I've been to alska ones i was out fishing at a lake and heard a wolf howling and it was pretty cool to be there

[@user-sw2gu9dr8u]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@mikebarker6628]

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

[@noahjanski4098]

Met clay at FAC here in Arkansas and he is the coolest and a awesome guy.

[@koelafo]

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

[@aaronadkins1919]

Great video. Beautiful, beautiful country.

[@jaket8947]

Felt the same way when I was in Alaska. Something about seeing a glacier first-hand, particularly when calving, that stays with you forever. Pictures won't do it justice at all, there's nothing like that kind of blue in real life.

[@CK-rr4nn]

Great piece . I love wolves but also understand management.

[@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.

[@carlsonmtt898]

Thank you

[@weekender38]

Awesome display of desire, dedication and determination by David.

[@user-hz5yf8wo2h]

Incredible guy.

[@ADVENTURESOFBZ]

Very very very very cool. But anything with Mr clay is cool. Well done as always

[@Stuckntherut1]

Nice work!!!

[@1981-A_R]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@Mike-tn2ic]

Really nice to see you using good management tools. Unfortunately large animal traps are banned in England and used the correct way they are very effective. Thanks for a great watch.

[@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