FUR FACTS 201 



captured. Where the tree trap is not used, most trappers re- 

 commend the building of a small abode and setting traps inside. 

 This is done so that the traps will not be buried in the deep snows. 

 The following methods for marten trapping have been successfully 

 used by old experienced trappers that have trapped large numbers of 

 marten and who are glad to pass their experiences on for the benefit 

 of others. 



Winning Method for Marten 



"I use Newhouse No. traps for marten, and set them in the 

 following manner: First, after locating the marten region in which 

 I decide to trap, and just about the time in the fall the fur is getting 

 prime, I leave good-sized baits of horse meat, or most any kind of 

 meat, throughout the timber, and let the marten commence to use 

 them before trapping. Then I set from four to six traps around, 

 near the large baits, under logs, and in bushes, or up against and 

 under rocks, baiting with a small, fresh piece of meat. (Mountain 

 rat is the best marten bait I know of, and one rat will bait two traps.) 

 If I do not find a natural place that can be re-enforced, I build a 

 small house or pen of evergreen bark, and in this set my trap upon 

 two sticks, lying flat upon the ground, lengthwise with the pen, just 

 large enough to keep the trap off the ground or snow, fastening the 

 bait in end of pen by pegging, slipping over a small bush, or wiring. 

 I place the trap ten inches in front of bait. I seldom cover the trap 

 proper, as marten are not afraid. When I do, I use feathers or light 

 trash. By having trap aUd bait under a pen or house of boughs, it 

 serves the purpose of keeping birds from stealing the bait and spring- 

 ing the trap, keeps the snow off the trap, and protects the marten 

 after being caught, from eagles and owls, which sometimes prey 

 upon them. 



Tree Set — Where two trees come out of the same butt, and fork 

 out two or three feet from the ground, I cut a few evergreen boughs 

 and pack tightly in the fork. On this I set the trap snugly, and nail 

 the bait above, about twelve inches. The marten jumps up into 

 the fork to smell of the bait, even if he is not hungry, and is pretty 

 sure to land in the trap before he gets down. This is a first-class 

 way to set when the snow gets pretty deep. A little snow falling on 

 the trap in this manner rather helps than hinders. 



I find No. traps better than larger sizes, for these reasons: 

 First, a person can carry more in his pockets, thus having more 

 chances. Second, they hold as well and do not smash the leg-bones 



