When prices were up 10-15 years ago, Dad, my ex and I took our limit and averaged right at $350 on the 15 animals. Those were the days!

Bobcat prices were really good there for 8 years,just like the coyote were for about the same time period!

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I recognize that place.

I recognize that place.

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That's a Super cool first Marten!!!!

Dang Jimmy that’s a big marten. Dad pulled empty traps this morning, said there were ATV tracks everywhere, he was covered up with other trappers pulling their line. I guess that’s what competition does, either you get them or they do.

Still a fun year, can’t wait for next year! I guess I’ll do some beaver control for the farmers until things freeze up down here.

I just measured the two big male marten,I've never measured until they are dried to see which ones will go 2x pretty sure both of these will.One was 27" the other one with a little longer tail went 28".They should dry at 23" plus without trying for sure 2x's.23" to the base of the tail....

Ricks Marten^^^

Thank's Scott,it snowed about a 1/2" and now it blowing 30 mph with gust of 40 mph.With these winds I don't think there will be anything moving tonight,hope it calms down later tonight.This wind will be interesting for the big lake,all the ice might be blown up on shore by morning,fair amount of open water out there.Have a good night,I'm calling it a night.

The winds are howling here too and after the rain yesterday, some beaver ponds opened up partially. I fell through twice today, once knee deep and the other chest deep. Hopefully this cold will tighten them back up.

When the lake freezes over it's going to be a rough one.

It's gonna be tough on snowmobiles.

LOW is having 25 knot winds right now, going to for some big ice jams happening

Why would you look at the teeth? In Alaska everyone looks at the skull after skinning. The muscles on top of the skull grow together over time. Young of the year have an eighth of an inch of skull showing. As the animal ages those muscles grow together. Once they meet they get thicker. Also, the older a marten gets the larger its sagital crest gets.
Teeth are sliced to get an actual age, but a trapper doesn't really need that detailed of info.

Yes I know about the skull and the muscles,just wondering if he looked close at the teeth for wear pattern.

Hello everyone. I have been stalking this site for a while now trying to soak up the knowledge from you old trappers out there. This will be my second winter in the interior of Alaska after moving from Alabama. I have a remote property of 5 acers that I own and am just starting out on a very small scale to try my hand at catching marten and fisher. I currently have 5 pole sets out with #120 conibears, using grouse carcasses for bait and the stinkiest marten lure available to me. Lows have been dipping down to -40F and to say I am super stoked to begin my first trapping would be an understatement. Wish me luck and any tips you could send my way would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

welcome d rebel, good luck on your line, and keep posting letting us know how you are doing

If there is sign there you will catch one,those cold temps they whole up till it warms up here or moves durning the warmest part of the day.Good luck and welcome.8 above here ,with the STRONG winds we had most of the night I really don't think I will have anything today,but you never know.

Welcome to Tman

Good Morning Rick
you never know about the sneaky Big foot cat

Morning again,the temps keep dropping 0 now 15 for the high today,then warming up during the night.Heading out in about an hour to see if anything moved in the gale force winds last night.

Didn't expect much with the winds,a few wolf tracks and a fox track,no cat sign today.Tonight should be a better movement night,saw two marten tracks also.Thinking the big track should be back tonight,find out tomorrow.