MARTEN DEADFALL.
Having seen a good many descriptions of deadfalls in the H-T-T
lately, writes a Colorado trapper, I thought I would try to show the
kind that is used around here for marten. It is easily made, and can
always be kept above the snow.
First, cut a pole (z) five or six inches through and twelve feet
long, lay it in the crotch of a tree five feet from the ground. Then
cut two sticks two inches through and fifteen inches long, cut a
notch in each three inches from the top and have the notch in one
slant downwards (B), the other upwards (A). The sticks should be
nailed on each side of the pole (z), the top of which should be
flattened a little. Have the notches about six inches above the top
of the pole.
Cut another stick 10 inches long (F), cut the top off square and nail
it six inches farther down the pole on the same side as (B), have the
top five inches above the top of pole (Z). Now cut two more sticks
two and one-half feet long (C-D), cut a notch in each two inches from
the top and nail a stick (E) across them in the notches, so they will
be about seven inches apart. Set a straddle of the pole (Z); they
should be two inches farther down the pole than (F). Then cut another
pole (X) ten feet long, lay it under (Z), lift up one end of it and
nail the stick C and D to each side of it. See that when the sticks
C, D and E are lifted up they will fall clear and easily.
[Illustration: MARTEN DEADFALL.]
Now cut a bait stick (G) one-half inch through and seven inches long,
sharpened at one end. Cut another stick (H) an inch through and
fifteen inches long, flatten a little on one side. To set the trap
lift up C, D, E and X, and put the end of H under E and rest it on
the top of F, hold down the other end while you put the bait stick
(G) in the notches A and B, then let the end of H come up on the
outside of B against the end of G. Put the bait on the other end of
G; when the end is pulled out of the notch the trap will spring and
spring easily if made properly. Lay a block of wood at the back end
and some small sticks on top, so the animal will have to crawl under
E to get the bait. Muskrat makes the best bait for marten.
* * *
When you find a tall straight spruce or something that is pretty
straight (not a balsam) cut it about a foot over your head, says a
Northwestern trapper, or as high as you can. When you have cut it,
split the stump down the center two feet. Be careful doing this, for
you are striking a dangerous blow as I have good cause to know and
remember. Trim out the tree clean and taper off the butt end to make
it enter into split. Drive down into split about fourteen inches. Cut
a crotch into ground or snow solid.
Now cut the mate of this piece already in, split and put into split
and into crotch on top of other. Have the piece heavy enough to hold
wolverine. See cuts for the rest. Cover bait as shown in cut. I do
not make my trip sticks the same as others, but I am afraid that I
cannot explain it to you. See cuts for this also. Use your own
judgment. Of course you will sometimes find it is not necessary to go
to all this bother. For instance, sometimes you will find a natural
hanger for your trap. Then you don't have to have the long peg or
pole to hold it stiff.
[Illustration: MARTEN TRAP TRIGGERS.]
This trap is used heavy enough by some "long line" trappers for
wolverine. They blacken bait and cover as shown in No. 4. In the two
small illustrations the triggers are shown in No. 1 separate and in
No. 2 set. A is the bait and trip stick, B the lever, C is the
upright. B in No. 1 is where the bait should be.
[Illustration: ANOTHER MARTEN DEADFALL.]
In No. 3 A is bait, E is pin which fastens deadfall to under pole and
prevents deadfall from turning to one side. F is post to keep under
pole from bending.
In No. 4 HH are nails which fasten down a springy piece of wood to
keep cover over bait. Cover with fir or spruce boughs.
* * *
Another deadfall much used by marten trappers is constructed by
cutting a notch in a tree about a foot in diameter, altho the size of
the tree makes little difference. The notch should be four inches
deep and a foot up and down and as high up as the trapper can
cut--four or five feet.
Only one pole is needed for this trap as the bottom of the notch cut
answers for the bed or bottom piece. (See illustration.) The pole for
the fall should be four inches or more in diameter and anywhere from
six to ten feet in length, depending upon the place selected to set.
The end fartherest from the bait or notched tree must be as high as
the notch. This can be done by driving a forked stake into the ground
or by tying that end of the pole to a small tree if there is one
growing at the right place.
[Illustration: HIGH BUILT MARTEN DEADFALL.]
If the pole for the fall is larger than the notch is deep, the end
must be flattened so that it will work easy in the notch, as a piece
of wood has been nailed over the notch to hold the fall pole in
place.
The triggers used are generally the figure 4 and set with bait
pointing as shown. There is no place for the marten to stand while
eating bait, only in shelf, and of course when the spindle is pulled,
down comes the pole killing the animal.
[Illustration: TREE DEADFALL.]
This shelf protects the bait and bed piece and the snow does not fill
in between and require so much attention as the one first described.
This deadfall may also be built on a stump with a small enclosure or
pen and the two-piece trigger used. Most trappers place the bait or
long trigger on bottom pole, when trapping for marten. It will be
readily seen that a marten, to get the bait, will stand between the
"fall" and bed or under pole and of course is caught while trying to
get the bait.
[Illustration: MORE MARTEN TRAP TRIGGERS.]
The height that deadfalls for marten should be built depends upon how
deep the snow gets. In the fall and early winter they can be built on
the ground or logs and other fur-bearers are taken as well.
A few inches of snow will not interfere with the workings of
deadfalls on the ground, but deep snows will. To make catches the
trapper must clean out under the fall pole each round. This is no
small task. The trapper is always on the lookout for suitable places
to construct Marten deadfalls.
When the snows get several feet deep, and the trapper makes his
rounds on snowshoes, the deadfalls constructed several feet above the
ground are the ones that make the catches.