I appreciate the suggestions and comments from my questions a while back. Marten trapping was much easier than setting out a coyote line
Next year I plan to build a bunch of marten boxes and set those. Hoping to have 30 locations with 2-3 boxes per stop

I have a couple hundred 110 conibears,,, Ill just rob a spring from some and make it a 120's.
One thing I discovered I need a little help like a spring clip to keep a spring compressed while setting the trap
Why do marten like such a big chunk of meat for bait?
Any secrets to keep bears away?
How do you clean and prep 120 conibears?
do you use a drying floor wax or speed typ dip on the springs? ( we use to paraffin wax the springs and hinge pin sides of our 330)

I use a deep U for trigger shape with center placement ,, is there a better position or should use a pan adapter
I used wire this year while it worked ok Im thinking I need a faster and more flexible system for trap attachment ,, wire is a bit of a hassle for me ,,, Neuropathy limits my finger dexterity
I prefer to have the trap[attached to the front of the box.

This year I set of the sides of 4 miles of FS road, 11 locations 2 checks, 6 days, 155 trap-set nights, 4 the first run a single on the pull ( plus I think a bear took one martern) In what I would consider marginal marten country. Nect year ill set another region that will be easier setting and checking

Do you prefer more of a leaning pole or up and down tree


How does a marten get that far into the trap?
I saw on a you tube some trapper was setting the trap out from the spring slots over an inch .
Should the slots be deeper ? or the trap set out further




Bear tok the trap and marten

I need to add I have a bit of physical limitations , The box hight was where it was the easiests for me to work/set the box

the 2nd marten I was kneeling to set and reset ( back just hurt too much

One other question
Any good ytubes on handling marten..

Congrats on the marten.
Try to help out on your questions.
Bait- think they see a large chunk and get greedy. I have caught them on smaller pieces of beaver but have way more success with big chunks.
Bears. Luckily I haven't had to many problems with them but know a few guys that get hit pretty hard. I would assume location helps me out and don't think many smells deter bears.
Trap prep- I cleaned the oil off and just spray painted them all and it's kept them pretty good for several seasons. I don't wax or anything beyond the paint.
Your trigger set up sounds about like mine.
Trap anchoring- I attached a longer cable to all my traps that I can loop around the tree and attached a quick link to them.
Slots. I do about what you have for spring slots but set the trap out near the front so it doesn't hit the back of the box. That could (launch the trap back) causing not ideal catches.
Converting 110s to 120s. I went that route when I started marten trapping and have nothing but problems with some of them and it was a pain to add the springs. I am waiting for Duke to come out with his new 120 pros and replace all of mine. I have some hand problems and done dealing with the converts.

Here is a batch from a couple years back. As for put ups i have not seen a good video of it. There are some folks on here that do an amazing job. I really like putting them up and have had a buddies show me when I started.
Hopefully this helps some.

Lots of good info on marten trapping and handling in the Wilderness archives.

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/21/1/wilderness-trapping-and-living-archive

i set all my boxes low because of the habitat I'm in currently.

shrews will easily access low-hanging marten but a big chunk of bait wil keep them busy long enough. I wrap bait in cheap metal mesh so they can eat it but it takes them a lot of time.

It is also good to trample down snow right around thr box, especially in colder weather with little snow in the forecast.
Microtines like to be unseen because owls prey on them when they eat bait, so they often dig tunnels in the snow around the catch to access and chew on it. The puffy snow also keeps them warm.
Packed snow doesn't let them do that and encourages them to focus on the bait in the box instead.

Also, having a messy circle of packed snow in front of the box seems to deter foxes, they don't aproach as closely as when everything looks pristine.

Congrats.Nice catches.I always preferred the straight up and down trees myself

Why,,



And what about some you tubes where trap and opening face up another why

Straight up and down trees worked better for me(more effective).I liked the opening facing down myself.Worked great for me and never tried facing up.

😂😆😆
🙈 G jmacks catch,, I hadn't even thought marten were fur out.

Can I use mink stretchers?
Feet ,/toes on or off
Tails like a mink, in reverse


White17 thank you .

You replied to questions I had years and years ago,
My health went South and seems to be coming back.

Snow can put a leaner out of commision.

I have done both with the feet but haven't seen much difference in price from the auctions. Mink are a little small but would work in a pinch ( i have used them on female marten). Tails layed flat and either pinned or layed over with mesh fabric. I also pin the ears flat and front legs trimmed short and pinned flat.
I use boxes vertical on the tree with opening down so snow doesn't fill them up.

Used a few leaner poles but snow levels can make them harder to keep running.

How long do you guys keep a location set?.


When I used to run mink traps a set might be at a location for 10 to 12vdays

Four weeks at least

I will leave my sets out all season if I am catching males and seeing sign and close down if i start catching females. Most my lines are 10 to 30 miles so moving everything takes awhile. I will rotate lines and try and leave them alone for a couple years to give them sometime to rest. I am having a lot of encroachment of other trappers so trying to leave a line untouched is getting really difficult. I have moved into so.e really tough county that hasn't been trapped and it was showing really good results but unfortunately I messed my neck/back up and had to pull after a week of trapping this season. Hoping to get it fixed soon so been ready for next season.

How long I run a line depends on" whether." " Whether" I am making any money. There are exceptions, like showing use, and endless trail cutting.