So my bait freezer went out, low on marten bait, anyone try coyote as marten bait? Figure I’ll give it a try. I’m sure the heart and liver would be good, not sure if the rest would put out much smell, but that’s what lure is for. I figure they should eat any protein they can find as it’s getting colder. I do have some fresh beaver but not as much as I would like.

wws

I personally would try anything else. Canine carcasses seem to linger for weeks when I dump them. I’ve read of trappers using empty boxes and catching marten. I would not rely on empty boxes but lure, a scrap of ungulate hide, beef or chicken scraps, jam, almost anything would seem to appeal to marten more than coyote meat in my opinion. On the other hand, I’ve never tried it so let us know if it works!

When I trapped in Alaska, I had years I ran low on bait. Also had years of abundance. When I had plenty, I also ran bait dump sites. I put out all manner of carcasses and trimmings. The last things to get hauled off or even chewed on were anything canine and otter. The wolves would sometimes drag those into the brush, but that was it, for me.
If I ran out of beaver and waterfowl and grouse carcasses, and somehow also deer scraps, I tried fish. Herring was a decent bait and put out a good odor even when frozen.
If I were you, at this time of year, I would get to hunting ducks. The breasted carcass will yield many sets, and the wings are the best attractor out there. And ask all your buddies who hunt waterfowl to save the carcasses for you. The bird carcasses are excellent...as good, or better, than beaver.

Haha I agree 100%. When I skin in the field, I make sure to check the carcasses so see if it’s being visited but anything, both out of curiosity and to see if I can set a legal distance away for some bonus fur. Bobcats, gone by the next check. Grey fox, normally picked apart by jays and ravens. Coyotes……..maggot stuffed jerky haha. Not even the ravens will go for a coyote carcass.

ODFW...It is unlawful for any person to trap for furbearers, predatory animals, and/or unprotected mammals using the flesh of any game bird, game fish, or game mammal for trap bait.

Herring are game fish here? Anyway, the feathers annd wings alone sre excellent marten "bait".

I would consider the breasted carcass of a game animal to still contain flesh, but maybe it depends on the OSP officer on that. I wouldn't risk it though.

I agree. I would suggest using the skin with feathers and the wings, which are favorites and all some very successful marten trappers use. Marten hunt and eat a lot of birds, (though not likely waterfowl, that won't matter).

I’m going to give it a try, I’m getting low on bait already, I have a coyote here I already glanded. so it’s going into the bait bucket. Maybe some Backbreaker will fool them into thinking it’s beaver.

wws