Re: Marten die offs
[Re: rick olson]
#7104844
12/25/20 01:49 AM
12/25/20 01:49 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,593 Alaska and Washington State
waggler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,593
Alaska and Washington State
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I have a question for you interior guys. Not exactly germane to this thread, but sort of.. During March of 2004 I believe it was, I was helping a guide friend of mine (the famous, or infamous, wolf killer from Healy) haul hay from the highway up the Yanert river up over the divide into the Wood River drainage and then down stream for several miles. It was probably close to 50 miles each way by snowmachine. I have no experience in south-central or interior Alaska with marten. However, the country we were going through for the most part looked to me like great marten country. But, I never saw one marten track. What's up with that?
"My life is better than your vacation"
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Re: Marten die offs
[Re: rick olson]
#7104975
12/25/20 07:22 AM
12/25/20 07:22 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,898 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
"On The Other Hand"
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"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,898
Idaho, Lemhi County
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martentrapper -
Sharon was referencing my somewhat disparaging remarks in my previous post. Those disparaging remarks were directed towards certain members of the "scientific community" that tend to look down their noses on us "mere trappers" because we lack statistical rigor in our observations. She and I have had previous discussions on the validity of certain of these "scientific" papers which, too often, ignore the reality of what trappers have known for decades, because it doesn't fit with their "science". I have laughed at the way they pronounce the word "research", (which is often "RE-search" rather than "re-SEARCH"). I don't want to RE-search anything if it's already been re-SEARCHED. Sharon was merely saying she trusts the observations of trappers over those peer-reviewed scientific contributions of "scientists". She wasn't dis-ing anyone participating in this thread.
Merry Christmas to all.
Jack
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Re: Marten die offs
[Re: rick olson]
#7104985
12/25/20 07:35 AM
12/25/20 07:35 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,451 Manitoba
Northof50
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,451
Manitoba
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Gulo you got it all wrong, those should be pronounced " Me-search" as the spotlight is to shine on them.( I'm a DR and you don't talk up to me... attitude)
Last edited by Northof50; 12/25/20 01:01 PM.
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Re: Marten die offs
[Re: rick olson]
#7105053
12/25/20 08:53 AM
12/25/20 08:53 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,898 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
"On The Other Hand"
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"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,898
Idaho, Lemhi County
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I was hoping trapped4ever might weigh in on this discussion. Now that trapper has some insights regarding marten...
Jack
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Re: Marten die offs
[Re: waggler]
#7105119
12/25/20 10:02 AM
12/25/20 10:02 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,631 Armpit, ak
Dirt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,631
Armpit, ak
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I have a question for you interior guys. Not exactly germane to this thread, but sort of.. During March of 2004 I believe it was, I was helping a guide friend of mine (the famous, or infamous, wolf killer from Healy) haul hay from the highway up the Yanert river up over the divide into the Wood River drainage and then down stream for several miles. It was probably close to 50 miles each way by snowmachine. I have no experience in south-central or interior Alaska with marten. However, the country we were going through for the most part looked to me like great marten country. But, I never saw one marten track. What's up with that? Maybe you were in front or behind the "wave"? The "wave" Oh! It's Real! The problem with the "wave" is it blows a hole in the home range theory.
Who is John Galt?
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Re: Marten die offs
[Re: Gulo]
#7105157
12/25/20 10:27 AM
12/25/20 10:27 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,421 Yukon
yukon254
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,421
Yukon
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I was hoping trapped4ever might weigh in on this discussion. Now that trapper has some insights regarding marten...
Jack Yes he does. From what i've gathered, his population doesnt cycle like it does in the interior. Probably because of the constant food supply the coast provides?? I would be interested to hear others thoughts on lemmings ( bog) as a food source. Some of the highest densities of marten tracks Ive ever seen were in an area with an unbelievable population of lemmings. I have never trapped that area, but have hunted it extensively. Late in the fall when the snow comes the marten sign is incredible. Dirt, I have questioned the home range theory too.
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Re: Marten die offs
[Re: waggler]
#7105291
12/25/20 12:29 PM
12/25/20 12:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,596 McGrath, AK
white17
"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
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"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,596
McGrath, AK
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I have a question for you interior guys. Not exactly germane to this thread, but sort of.. During March of 2004 I believe it was, I was helping a guide friend of mine (the famous, or infamous, wolf killer from Healy) haul hay from the highway up the Yanert river up over the divide into the Wood River drainage and then down stream for several miles. It was probably close to 50 miles each way by snowmachine. I have no experience in south-central or interior Alaska with marten. However, the country we were going through for the most part looked to me like great marten country. But, I never saw one marten track. What's up with that? Just from my observations.............I suspect it was just crappy marten habitat. For several years I trapped an area that I really had to work hard to take 20 marten. It was great fox country though. But evidently there was something missing that a healthy marten population required. I moved about 60 miles southwest and got into an area where 100 marten by Christmas was easy. I have thought a lot about the difference in those two areas over the years. The only OBVIOUS difference that I can see is the different soil types. Along with that, I THINK, must come different plant life as well as small mammal species and density. Even in this newer area I have a section of 8 or 9 miles that is like a biological desert. I don't know what is missing there but something clearly is. Eventually, I set up a line that ran from area one to area two. It was really evident while traveling northeast toward the old area that there were fewer tracks of everything except fox. Fox density increased moving that direction. Cat density,while never great, also increased . Moose density in the new area was much higher and I suspect that supports, somewhat, my comment about soil differences. There may also be a slight difference in temperature regime . It MAY be that the newer area is slightly warmer statistically than the old area.
Mean As Nails
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Re: Marten die offs
[Re: rick olson]
#7105344
12/25/20 01:12 PM
12/25/20 01:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,898 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
"On The Other Hand"
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"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,898
Idaho, Lemhi County
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white17 and Northof50 -
Very interesting observations. I've never really given soils types (or underlying bedrock types) much thought. Guess I'd better change my evil ways. Good food for thought. Thanks.
Obviously, soils dictate the vegetation type and lushness, so it makes perfect sense to assume it would affect the small mammals that reside thereupon, and, in turn, the predators.
Last edited by Gulo; 12/25/20 01:15 PM. Reason: afterthoughts
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Re: Marten die offs
[Re: rick olson]
#7105364
12/25/20 01:30 PM
12/25/20 01:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,989 Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
Sharon
"American Honey"
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"American Honey"
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,989
Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
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martentrapper,
I sure am glad you mentioned your concern on my comments to Jack...this allows me to gladly explain to you what I meant, though Jack covered that completely.
The last thing I ever want is misunderstanding...and my mind nor heart wasn't even thinking about all the great experienced trappers , in any state, that know their land and animals intimately when I made my comment.
Matter of fact , I did state somewhere in this sandbox of trapped4ever , who is in SE AK, of his amazing depth of knowledge as an awesome trapper , and one who has harvested astounding numbers of marten for years on his longlines , who knows how to take such good care of the population of marten . I too would love to see his input here. I'm also pestering him for a couple more taxi skinned marten , this time to admire on my wall , instead of made into a garment.
JR is another trapper who comes to my mind , his energy and knowledge of the land, and enjoying everything he sees , the artist in him, is endless , Sir Ken is another man like that , I could go on and on with others.
So yes, I do happily acknowledge and so much appreciate all the trappers who, in my opinion, really reflect the heartbeat of the land and its animals more than some of the others who in their occupation,have sat behind a desk more than have true years of experience in the bush.
So actually, I was saying just the opposite , and defending trappers.
Thank you, martentrapper, for allowing me to explain my intent , to you, or anyone else that it may apply. One thing you can double Arkansas guarantee about me, is that I always defend trappers , and fearlessly and patiently explain the trapper's high value on this earth to anyone who doesn't know about them, or who gives erroneous comments in anti trapping thoughts. I love when I can skillfully speak with them to success.
I never intend to dis anyone . I am glad to explain so that no one may misunderstand what I meant.
Jack, I did have that backwards ! RE search !! Ha !
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Re: Marten die offs
[Re: rick olson]
#7105528
12/25/20 03:52 PM
12/25/20 03:52 PM
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Oh Snap
Unregistered
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Oh Snap
Unregistered
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2 answers 2 more questions....typical professor.....job security.....LOL
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Re: Marten die offs
[Re: ]
#7105603
12/25/20 05:04 PM
12/25/20 05:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,451 Manitoba
Northof50
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,451
Manitoba
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2 answers 2 more questions....typical professor.....job security.....LOL Sorry this was before Google came on the scene. He was someone who lost from Alaska and pardoned 40 years later. (Pruit) ie The Fire Cracker Boys Sharon you cant back petal on this one; it will cost you to post one of your marten prints here; to get a Out of Jail Card
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