Footholds and Marten. That's what I'm asking.

I'd like set info and options, and pics if you are so inclined.

And yes, I know there's a little about it in the archives, but I'd appreciate hearing and seeing more on the use of footholds, exclusively.

Thanks.

When I was a kid (early 70's) there was little information about marten trapping other than FFG articles and a couple rather archaic general trapping books written by great guys, but guys who had little or no practical experience with marten.

Back then almost all of the books, and FFG articles written by far north trappers, described the running pole set, and that seemed to be about the only set ever mentioned. So of course that's the set I tried. It didn't work out for me though. The area I was trapping in the Cascade mountains of Washington State is extremely heavy snow country, day after day of several inches to a couple of feet of snow per day is normal conditions.

I soon found that footholds set on the ground in a natural cubby formed in the cat-face of a big old growth evergreen tree was a great set. Sets in and around big old growth trees serve two functions; those big old trees with their cat-faces and other holes are just naturally good attractions for marten while at the same time providing good protection from the heavy snows.

When I first started using footholds I found the #1 longspring to be just fine, 1 1/2's are much too big and heavy imo.
In later years I switched to Victor #1 coil springs, I found them to be about the perfect foothold for marten. I now use 120's almost exclusively though.

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4122878/Marten_set_tutorial

Lots of great information on this thread, foothold and otherwise.

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3542780/Footholds_for_marten

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2775804/marten_traps

Same with these. Some posts are about body grips, but lots of good foothold information as well.

Yup. Read the tutorial...and the "footholds."

But hadn't seen the "marten traps.."

Thank you both.

Unless you're in an area that's extremely cold where the marten will expire quickly in a typical foothold set such as the leaning pole set, I wouldn't recommend a foothold. Especially where it might be seen by the general public. Just curious why are you set on using footholds?

Waggler,

Hope all is well with you today. Thanks for the response and questions.

It's cold enough, hovering around the zero mark give or take a few degrees.
There's no public around, so that's not an issue.


Footholds. The reasons why.? That could take pages. But speed, weight, efficiency,their fur friendliness, as well as I don't care to see the signs of ecchymosis or other undue damages. On a more personal note, I've always liked the challange of getting the animal to place his foot in an exact spot. Besides snaring, footholds are how my grandpa rolled, and it could be that I'm just a little sentimental.

I do use conibears, they are my main beaver trap and have worked well for me in raccoon sets. I'm not opposed to them in every situation. They have their place.

Best to you, Waggler.

Scott

^^^^^^^^^
"On a more personal note, I've always liked the challange of getting the animal to place his foot in an exact spot. Besides snaring, footholds are how my grandpa rolled, and it could be that I'm just a little sentimental."

I hear ya.

Waggler,

Thank you.

May your shed be filled.

Who is Wrangler?

Good call grey dog.!


Jezzz, that was embarrassing

Here's some from this year...a couple small finish nails help keep trap on the pole. Works well when you have a good setup and it stays below freezing

Chunk of deer hide for bait nailed lasts most the season.

rosscoak,

I see it, and I like it.

Great picture too...I love the scene of the sun in the background.

About the horizontal pole.... do you think it adds to the attraction...I could see something like a block, or a couple 20D nails (or a Hagz) supporting the trap under the bait instead of wiring up a pole...but I wonder if that pole is adding to the visual effect..and then there's the issue of the "swing"....so the pole serves...cool.

Thoughts.?

I like this too...thanks.

I like that entire set.

I never thought of finish nails to hold the trap, I find already leaning trees and add bait wired under the pole (eagle reasons) and just tie the trap to the pole with flagging tape which I always have. The strike and weight breaks the tape and it's done. Never had a fail or miss knock on wood. I run 12 or so of these sets and 150 boxes with 110's or 120's. I prefer the boxes.

Yup. I am thinking "box style" also (well nothing as big and bulky as a box) More like pots,or cans, or some other stackable lightweight container just as would be done with a conibear. But......with a foothold instead right underneath as a standing platform as he attemps work the bait. Two #10 nails into the Hagz (or similar) and I'm on to the next set. If I'm relegated to a pitchy tree, a pole next to the set with a nail and wire to hold one end of the pole in order to swing 'em.

No need to go bigger than a #0, #1's work too, but more trap than needed, sometimes with the associated issues. Ground sets should be checked frequently, you'll have dirtier marten, but higher catch rates than elevated sets. I usually camo them with moss, or a hemlock branch tip. I prefer pole sets with the trap off the end of the pole, out in space.

Really to much to cover, with such a broad question. Basically, just about any set you can conceive of with footholds will consistently catch marten, if they are around and hungry. If they are ignoring your elevated sets, try some ground cubbies, flag sets, root holes, snow holes, etc, just check them FREQUENTLY, so as to keep from getting clipped fur, cannibalized, scavenged, or having them in traps for a prolonged time.

Limb sets are another QUICK, simple, efficient set, same as pole sets, I prefer the trap off the end of the limb, no snow build up on jaws, and about 90% left front foot catches. The #0 jumps are a really nice light trap for ground sets, if you have a snowshoe line.

Don't make things anymore complicated than they need to be. The best way to catch large numbers of marten is to make sets that are in good marten country, that stay functional even after a big dump of snow, and make LOTS of them, the faster and simpler you make these sets, the better. No need to get caught up with unnecessary equipment and gear. Hatchet, wire, traps, pliers, bait, and lure. Think efficiency, always try to figure out how to make things faster, which means more sets run. I like 2 or 3 traps per location, minimum. Pre-season work, and/ or scouting pays off.

I don't know how much area you have, habitat, number of marten you have to target, etc. Avoid pitchy trees if at all possible, with both elevated or ground sets. Such a broad topic, it's to much for me to really type. Do you have more specific questions?

You've about nailed it T4E. Thank you for the post.

Just really wanting to keep weight to a minimum and speed to the max.

Stay elevated, or solutions to quick flip ups that won't take up a lot of time if setting low, (maybe precut poles durring scouting. But that again is time.)

Bird proof containers over those #0's, plus they keep snow off that trap. I don't want to lugg around a bunch of bulky boxes.

Attachment points that will swing in conjunction with a system that attaches the trap in a platform type mannor on the side of a vertical tree. (This I'd really like some ideas about) Thinkin dock spikes with the heads cut off threaded between frame and jaws and spring or Hagz.

Where ya finding #0 jumps.?

Think i've seen your branch front left foot set with the spring giving tension around the end of the branch...like it.

Thanks again.

Scott,

One thing to be aware of. I've trapped marten with footholds and with body-grips for nearly 50 years in a variety of locations in Alaska and several places in Idaho. I've also necropsied literally tens of thousands of marten carcasses given to me by many dozens of different trappers. If you want to farm your area for marten, keep your traps elevated well off the ground. With very few exceptions, ground sets will result in higher proportion of females in your harvest than elevated sets. You want the males on the boards, you want the females out there reproducing...

Jack