FUR FACTS 208 



Winning Method for Marten 



"I will give my ideas and methods of trapping marten. I will 

 first tell what I have learned about the nature of the marten on the 

 Pacific Coast. 



They most always frequent the north and east side of a mountain 

 that is pretty heavily timbered. About the 10th of December is the 

 tune to commence to trap, as the fur is fully prime by that time, and 

 stays good until about the latter part of February. Marten should 

 never be caught earlier or later than that on this Coast. Last year 

 I commenced to trap the 21st of December and quit the middle of 

 February, and caught forty-one marten. 



I use a No. or No. 1 Newhouse trap, as they are plenty large 

 and strong to hold the biggest marten, and much lighter to carry 

 around. I always take a supply of Funsten Animal Bait and Trail 

 Scent with me. Run your trap line around a mountain, keeping in 

 the thick timber. Make your sets about two hundred yards apart. 

 When signs are thick, set closer, as a marten is missing in the keen 

 scent that a fox or other animals have. I always make a set near 

 a dead snag or old log, for marten are great mousers. Fasten your 

 bait on the side of a tree or snag, with a single staple or nail, about 

 twelve inches from the ground, place some bark or boughs in the snow 

 on each side to force him in; if in the snow, place a wide leaf or bough 

 on the snow, about eight inches from the bait, set the trap on the 

 bough and cover with fine leaves or boughs. Put a few drops of 

 Funsten's Bait on meat or whatever you use. Take a piece of meat 

 about as large as your two fists, and cut several slits in it. Fill the 

 slits with Funsten's Trail Scent, and drag behind you with a long 

 string every time you go around to your traps. When the scent 

 wears off, put on a few drops more. I never had a marten cross my 

 trail but what he stopped and followed it one way or the other to a 

 trap. I have had them follow the trail after six or eight inches of 

 snow. It beats anything that I ever tried. I most always use a 

 piece of duck or bird for bait. Use plenty of Funsten Bait in cold, 

 freezing weather. To kill a marten, I always hit him a tap on the 

 head with my hatchet handle, to stun him, and then get hold of him 

 just back of the forelegs and smother him to death, for a marten is 

 hard to kill by striking him on the head. I have cut holes in the 

 hide by striking them too hard. Always skin them as soon as caught 

 and they skin much easier. Be sure and flesh the hide well, and 

 don't stretch too tight. Leave them on the board about four days 

 and then take off." 



JOHN P. FRAME. 



