A request for marten trappers .... I have wanted a trapper style hat of beautiful marten for a long time.

Specifically , thick and gorgeous coloured AK large marten . The darker sable browns , and the ochre yellows with deeper brown and black points and backs are both very attractive for me. I can alternate those deep brown hides against the more yellow ones.

Decent nice tails in length and rich brown/black , three of them, for the crown in the rear of the hat.

Also, any that have the deepest and brightest orange throat you have, I'd want too. The tassels at the ends of the ties sporting that bright gold/orange would make an amazing contrast against the soft deep browns , blacks and ochres of the hat. Even that throat patch cut from a hide that isn't from one of the bunch I will buy would be fine. Since the shorter fur from that area isn't used anyway in the body of those hats, if you have some hide sections that do have that bright colour, that would be great to include, if the furs that I would buy do not have it as Im desiring , for contrast.

What I would love, is sending five good furs to my furrier of choice to custom make one for me.

I am not in a hurry , this will be worth the wait for me.

If any of you hard working trappers have any fur already done and stowed away for future sale, or plan to trap marten this season, I would be interested either way. I would prefer marten trapped in either December and January .

It would be an honor for me to enjoy a hat from fur that I know and so appreciate where it all came from , and would be that much more special in its custom build.

Thank you for your time and consideration , and all the hard work you all do , in everything you trap.

Keep me posted, please, and watch for those marten you see with collars that have S for Sharon on them !

Hit me up at the end of December Sharon if your still looking, I could probably help you out.

Thank you, so very much, martenpine, for your kindness ! Splendid, and I look forward to that .

Also, I welcome anyone else who may see that they can contribute to my quest , as I understand different places offer colour variance, an open contribution in several possibilities, to what Im looking for.

No pressure that way, for anyone.

Several hands contributing to my enjoyment in my search.

I will be orbiting around your way the end of December then, martenpine ! Thank you again.

This journey is fun for me and I have already been learning about some of the different marten types in the world,even from south to north in the states and Canada, how their fur varies, and even behavior patterns and habitat differences. Thank you, Jack !

A beautiful work in art, being much more than just a hat. A unique path in life's education and fascination.

Generally marten with the "deepest and brightest orange throat" don't come from the darkest, nicest marten. The brightest orange , and the largest throat patches are found in marten from the lower 48 (martes caurina), they are quite a bit less expensive than Alaska marten too.

I'm attaching a picture I took a few years ago of some marten skins I have, the lighting was not good (incandescent which brings out the yellows).

Starting on the far left is a single Russian sable (Barguzin) the next two are from southeast Alaska, the next two from the interior of Alaska, the next three from Washington (caurinas) and the last single skin is from Sweden.

You'll notice that the Alaska have very small cream colored throat patches.

The last couple of years, I have taken a few odd ones.

Waggler, thank you for your photo ! I always enjoy observing the different types .

They are fascinating to me as I learn .

My favourite by far is Martes americana ( caurina) , and the ones from AK are my aim, indeed. Those big beautiful bodies, and long well furred dark tails.

Yes, in my learning about Martes zibellina, specifically from the Barghuzin region , in seeming to be preferred with buyers, with their shorter stubby tails, are pretty , but for me the AK critters have it, hands down.

Though with Jack's amazing observations of M. flavigula, I would be happy to own a couple of those big guys also. I doubt I will ever get to see one, much less have one in my possession to enjoy.

Stone Marten, Beech, yes, pretty, are others, with much lighter to Ivory throat colours .

I see exactly what you mean. Thats why Im more than willing to have thrown into the mix a cut from any marten with that bright orange/yellow patch, if possible. That contrast will look very stunning and artistic. If someone has an exceptional fur, with that very deep , bright, orange/yellow, that they insist on selling whole, well then, Ill buy the whole fur, and have the rest for my collection , or for my furrier to use , if needed.

I know surprises in colour variances occur in any area , too. Dark faces, for example, in AK along with the lighter grey tones.

Like AK Viking's !

What a prize you caught ! Look at that black face ! Makes those large white trimmed ears just shine . Deep black marbling with hints of ochre, and blue in the neck. Lovely !

Thank you both for those amazing educational shots . I really enjoy seeing them all.

Remember, look for the collars with the "S" on them , please

You should buy the fur in person at the Fling and fur sale.

Here is a couple different coloured ones Sharon.

Caldwellite, thats a great idea. Didn't think of that. It would be fun to go there . I have heard about it, and sometime Id love to. Thank you.

This time, Im thinking this trap season, someone may have some nice Alaskan marten for me , after this winter . And, appreciating where and whom they came from would be very special in custom enjoyment .

Boco, what a sweet photo ! That wee lass smiling out the window is priceless.

With that ermine , marten and fox outside !

Yes those two colours are strikingly different ! Thats just what Im hoping for too. I will alternate the colours to accent the hat.

Thank you all for the photos . It is exciting and educational - and fun . Sure enjoy seeing them all.

The above is a picture of a scarf made from Alaska marten. Plenty of variety in throat patches here.

What a unique and gorgeous scarf ! I dont think theres anything like that, which uses those wonderful colour throat contrasts like that- not that Ive ever heard of , or seen.

At times I have really wondered how that part of marten could be enjoyed in clothing .

I do see those varied nice colours. And you fit them so well all together , too.

I am hoping to find similar, nice tones in beautiful AK marten this winter . And I believe I shall

Thank you, Dirt, in sharing that lovely shot. Someone is surely so happy and proud to wear it.

Sharon here are a few examples of some nice throat patches from this years crop of marten from the eastern interior of Alaska. If you see something you are interested in P.M. me! Ted

Oh my , Ted, those are gorgeous ! Thank you for sharing your photo !

Thank you for your offer . I will keep these in mind, as meantime, I am in wait till the end of trapping season as well. I will be on lookout for nice yellow/orange patches to make the tassels in such great contrast with the browns of the hat.

Ill keep those in mind, Ted .

Interesting that you posted those black-grey marten Alaska Viking because I pick up one in southern Manitoba this year.

I know you've somewhat settled on the "look" of the marten you're after Sharon. Just thought perhaps you'd like to see a real oddity "throat patch".




Jack

Jack ! A one of a kind special individual indeed ! Feet and tail tip to match

Fur colour of that magnitude would make a splendid pair of tassels to stand out in stark contrast to the body of a hat....or even the hat itself , if it extended far enough into the body of the fur , cut and used .

You of all people surely have admired and mused over what unique circumstances transpire to result in such differences.

Thank you for the share - this goes for yourself as well.....if you trap any with what Im looking for, please inform me !

Amazing what a little peroxide will do !! Nice job !

So THATS how its done ?!

Always a fascinating learning curve for me with techniques ....Ill have to remember this, Sir Ken

My favorite part of marten - here's a hat from those beautiful colors!