If I could trap only one species of critter, it would be close to a toss-up between wolves or marten. I'd probably have to go with marten. Easy to catch, easy to prepare, real fine pelt for the auctions or to make your own garments (although not particularly good eating). Idaho's marten season gets underway on November 1, so we'll be gearing up and getting a few sets out on Monday.

There always a passion in marten trapping.
In the past couple of years I have been getting some with a new Ixodes tick species on them Ixodes gregory. So if anyone else comes across any please PM me.

North -

Are you finding Dermacentor as well?

Jack

No Dermacentor variabillis have been found on winter marten
I usually start mid Nov and end mid January as they get woolly much like your first photo of the marten
we do not have D andersoni in Manitoba

Jack, you make it hard for a grass lander to follow suite. I had to dig to find this picture I took a few years ago while I was doing some beaver removal.

Beautiful... As usual Sharon,,,

Garry-

Thanks Garry, but to me, it pales next to the real thing.

I think I can take liberty in showing a most amazing marten trapping machine , who gets astounding numbers and colours every season. The man who caught the fur that made my beautiful hat...Trapped4ever, in SE Alaska....this subject is so perfect for his specialty.

I've only done a little marten trapping. They are neat animals. Great pictures everyone. Those are some great catches.

This is what my trap line produced.

Only one I've seen in the wild was in our meat cache when elk hunting in WY. He was trying to nibble some meat off a front quarter, was neat seeing him perched on the quarter.

Getting fattened up on a bait pile after season!

That looks like a pretty one ! Like those classic yellow ocher with the dark dorsal and points .

Larry, that picture reminds me of an experience I had. I had my moose hanging from the meat pole and walked out one November morning to see Mr Martes chowing down on a hind leg.

When he saw me he ran way up a spruce tree...almost to the top. He stopped about 70 feet off the ground.... looked at me and tilted his head almost like your picture. I popped him with the 22. The bullet went in his left eye and out his right ear. Instant kill and no holes in the pelt

Good shot , Sir Ken . I bet they are like squirrels to shoot...quick and not holding still for very long.

Marten are pretty! Now that I moved to NB I'll hopefully be trapping some!

He did not say he got it on the first shot.

LOL ! You're right I didn't say that but the fact is that I did get him on the first shot.

Actually Sharon, they surprisingly do hold still and usually growl and huff at you while giving you the stink eye all the while

I would be so transfixed listening to all the griping and huffing , I would just stand there and watch Soaking in all that behavioral posturing .

Squirrels, on the other hand , make for becoming a good shot. I like going after them with my 22 semi auto Marlin .