Re: Marten trapping in deep snow
[Re: Trapper.38]
#7733110
12/02/22 11:07 PM
12/02/22 11:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,220 Alaska and Washington State
waggler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,220
Alaska and Washington State
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I used to use foot-holds for marten in the cascade mountains in Washington, very similar snow where you are I imagine; Cascades?
We got four feet of snow just this last week, the kind of snow we get makes it very frustrating trying to keep leaning poles operable; I gave up on them in the late 70's. Before I started using 120's in boxes (late 80's) I would seek out big old growth hemlock or other conifers with hollow catfaces, it was really good if there was a lot of rotten dry wood inside the catface, they make perfect natural cubbies that will protect a foothold well. Cubbies under overturned trees or big root-wads are great locations also, marten naturally hunt those places, they offer protection from the snow, and they are natural hunting areas for marten; if you have any marten tracks near such location you are guaranteed to connect.
If at all possible get yourself some 120's and make some boxes, you'll be glad you did.
"My life is better than your vacation"
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Re: Marten trapping in deep snow
[Re: Trapper.38]
#7733129
12/02/22 11:25 PM
12/02/22 11:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,220 Alaska and Washington State
waggler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,220
Alaska and Washington State
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Find small creeks and gullies that cross the roads and go to the uphill side and find where overturned trees are bridging the ravine, build cubbies under the overturned trees. If you find a set of marten tracks crossing the road find a suitable site for a cubby as close to the tracks as possible; the marten is almost sure to come back to the same location on it's next rounds. Use beaver or bird for bait; grouse, duck or maybe chicken feathers and scraps. Where you are, beaver would be my first choice if you have access to some. Any decent lure will help also, but location is key.
"My life is better than your vacation"
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Re: Marten trapping in deep snow
[Re: Trapper.38]
#7733147
12/02/22 11:51 PM
12/02/22 11:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,217 Oregon
beaverpeeler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,217
Oregon
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Polly Rosborough who famously trapped the Cascades for over 50 years used to hammer a couple of spikes into a tree and secure a #1 long spring with a one and half twist of thin copper wire then bait it above. That was his favorite set. The very slight twist of the wire was so that after a small struggle the marten would dislodge the trap and hang until dead. The et is easily adjusted higher as the snow rises. Make sure you set it up on the north-east side of the trees.
Last edited by beaverpeeler; 12/02/22 11:59 PM.
My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
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Re: Marten trapping in deep snow
[Re: Trapper.38]
#7733159
12/03/22 12:02 AM
12/03/22 12:02 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,514 Orergon
alaska viking
"Made it two years not being censored"
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"Made it two years not being censored"
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,514
Orergon
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Marten on the ground is not the way. Leaning poles, horizontal poles, that is how you do it. I use Belisle 120's only, though I used about every other 110 and 120 made for a couple decades, before switching completely. If yo go to the Wilderness archives, you will find information over-load on marten, and I suggest you do that.
Just doing what I want now.
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Re: Marten trapping in deep snow
[Re: Trapper.38]
#7733196
12/03/22 12:56 AM
12/03/22 12:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,220 Alaska and Washington State
waggler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,220
Alaska and Washington State
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^^^^^ I agree, but the OP seems to be set on using foothold. I was just trying to give him some advice for using foothold in heavy snow country. I never experienced vole clipped marten if I checked the traps often. I also agree though that he would have a better experience using 120's in some sort of box, flowerpot, etc..
"My life is better than your vacation"
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Re: Marten trapping in deep snow
[Re: Trapper.38]
#7733224
12/03/22 02:24 AM
12/03/22 02:24 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064 Wasilla AK
HFT AK
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
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I get a little snow I pretty much run all 120 flowerpot sets now but have used footholds in the past like this. Tack a piece of lathe to the tree loose enough that a flowerpot will slip over it. I like flowerpots because you can pre bait them and stack them. I leave the lathe there at the end of the season just pulling the pot and next year's set up is even quicker. I take a 6 inch piece of 2x4 and cut a line in both ends big enough for a set long spring, bottom portion of the sping to slid in and hold the trap. If you plan on using coil springs take the piece of 2x4 and screw 2 3inch screws into the 2x4 to create a base for the trap to set on. The marten will climb up and stand on the trap to work the bait. With the flowerpot over the trap the set is pretty much bomb proof no matter how much snow you get. The only thing I will caution you about is if you set on a spruce/pine tree try to do so with a ig branch that you can secure the trap to so the marten swings away from the tree when caught, helps keep pitch out of the fur.
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Re: Marten trapping in deep snow
[Re: Trapper.38]
#7733516
12/03/22 12:21 PM
12/03/22 12:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,200 Armpit, ak
Dirt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,200
Armpit, ak
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I have a really great opportunity to trap some good marten country this year. A road that previously is deep snow all winter is being plowed all winter because they are thinning some trees in spots, this opens up about 20 miles of pristine marten country that hasn’t been trapped in years. I got permission to take a 4wheeler up there and I’m pumped up. I plan on using foothold(it’s what I have) on leaning pole sets. I was wondering what you guys do to keep these working? I’m nervous that 5 inches of snow every other night will ruin them. If I could maybe see a photo example that would be great. Thanks!! Sounds like you might need snowshoes to keep them working. I have visions of a plowed road and somebody having to climb tall berms on the side of this road to step off off the firm berms and be wallowing in waist deep snow to get to a set. At least that is how a plowed road in deep snow works here. Probably should cut your poles ahead of time and drag them in with you.
Who is John Galt?
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Re: Marten trapping in deep snow
[Re: Trapper.38]
#7733566
12/03/22 01:35 PM
12/03/22 01:35 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,510 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,510
james bay frontierOnt.
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^^^ Good advice right there. And get the rubber bindings that you can slip on and off quickly. Did you ever ride the bravo with your snowshoes on Dirt?
Last edited by Boco; 12/03/22 01:37 PM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: Marten trapping in deep snow
[Re: Boco]
#7733572
12/03/22 01:42 PM
12/03/22 01:42 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,200 Armpit, ak
Dirt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,200
Armpit, ak
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^^^ Good advice right there. And get the rubber bindings that you can slip on and off quickly. Did you ever ride the bravo with your snowshoes on Dirt? Yes. Not very much as the brush catches the shoes. The brush catches everything including me.
Who is John Galt?
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Re: Marten trapping in deep snow
[Re: HFT AK]
#7733595
12/03/22 02:06 PM
12/03/22 02:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,220 Alaska and Washington State
waggler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,220
Alaska and Washington State
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I get a little snow I pretty much run all 120 flowerpot sets now but have used footholds in the past like this. Tack a piece of lathe to the tree loose enough that a flowerpot will slip over it. I like flowerpots because you can pre bait them and stack them. I leave the lathe there at the end of the season just pulling the pot and next year's set up is even quicker. I take a 6 inch piece of 2x4 and cut a line in both ends big enough for a set long spring, bottom portion of the sping to slid in and hold the trap. If you plan on using coil springs take the piece of 2x4 and screw 2 3inch screws into the 2x4 to create a base for the trap to set on. The marten will climb up and stand on the trap to work the bait. With the flowerpot over the trap the set is pretty much bomb proof no matter how much snow you get. The only thing I will caution you about is if you set on a spruce/pine tree try to do so with a ig branch that you can secure the trap to so the marten swings away from the tree when caught, helps keep pitch out of the fur. Ingenious set-up, I like it. Good idea with the swivel and cable anchoring too.
"My life is better than your vacation"
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