Otterman, so glad seeing the talent in Temple right away, years ago . Often it takes an artist to see the potential of another in the making. And it is daunting to admire the refined talents of others , when just starting out learning a craft , young or older.

Encouragement from people as yourself means all the world to give it your best try. In his videos and speaking with him, I can tell he is very conscientious in his accomplishments .

We are all proud of him and look forward to his shared life in videos.

T4ever, that's right, it has been some time, though profound and rare good things, that offer once in a lifetime happiness , are worth the wait to attain .... worth every mile....

I'm sure it is fun for you to see how your furs make such beautiful things . Just as sometimes I too get to see how a client has matted and framed one of my illustrations , how nicely it goes with their decor.

I can only imagine a coat made of those colourful guys that you trap ! Contrasting trim and design, they wouldn't need to be dyed as so much modern fur is for varied reasons with designer styled garments .

Yes, AV, sometimes it does take a village , adds to the fun !

Here is the colour variety where I trap.

Very good colour variety, Scooter ! You really accented that by presenting them in tone order.

Marten variety are among my favorite animals, along with wolverine.

Thank you for the share .

Anyone who catches or has others , and just info, are sure welcome to continue this sandbox addition , and share them here . I enjoy it all .

I was not going to trap marten this year, due to the low market, but Sharon has inspired my trapping partner and I to make hats for our families. I've always wanted some, and with the market like it is, there's no better time.

Crikey, Cracker, you're in for fun times and wonderful journeys.

Yes make hay....er catch fur while the sun shines in opportunity.

The skies the limit on arrangements, hide colours and styles .

I'm sure all here would love to enjoy the fun along the way , too

Here is an odd one for you, Sharon. This white line continues out of the chest blaze, wraps around the side, and nearly goes up to the dorsal line.

That is unbelievable !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When OkieKajun came up and trapped with me in 2010...I think.........he caught a marten with that exact same mark in the exact same place.

Might even have a picture somewhere.

What are your theories ?


Was it a male ?

T4E, I want him !!!! Save him for me ! With feet , mouth and those ears please ! Taxi done. (without the fleas,lice and scorpions )

Just to hang on the wall , not for actual taxi work.

Old coni wound?

T4E, I see how it flows out of that necklace bling ! Love it ! Hes mine ! Thank you T4E....I knew your artist's eye would know what I like !

W17,
Depigmentation, possibly due to an old injury or skin irritation? Maybe genetic, like the occasional white footed marten?? Depigmentation can occur, even if there is no open wound, from pressure against the skin, so maybe at some point he got something wrapped/ tangled tightly around him? Gulo is probably the guy to ask...... I didn't notice any obvious healed injury/ scar.

AV,
If it was a coni wound, judging from the "strike" location, I would say he was one lucky marten!! Maybe someone forgot to unhook their safeties, and he just got smacked there, and the latched safeties let him escape??? HA!

Sharon,
Sorry, to late!! He is already skinned, and boarded in the normal manner, minus feet/ claws. It's been so wet this season, I can't really even try to "grade" out the type of marten you like, since they pretty much all just look like drowned rats, this year!! Maybe some winter weather will hit yet??? He actually has a stripe going up the other side too, but it doesn't extend as far. Since it seems to originate from the chest blaze, maybe it is just a unique chest marking? I can still save it for you, if you want it, minus the feet......

This is the other side....

The more I looked at the one Okie caught the more convinced I became that he got stuck trying to force his way into a nest cavity in a tree........something with a round hole that left an injury or cut off circulation long enough to change the hair color over time.

I don't see any possibility in this case of the marten having encountered anything man made..... considering the location

Yes T4E, I want him ! We will see this season who else you get too, that I can enjoy the feet too. No worries ! Once the fleas, lice and scorpions jump off they will fluff up nicely and we can admire them . You will see what I want before I will

Jack !!! Ping !! What do you think of this beauty ? Amazing pinstriping on this wee muscle cah !