Trapping with Jantzen's Scout Group!

Jantzen, our oldest son, is in 11 year old scouts in our ward. The boys asked their leader, Ryan Merritt, if they could be go trapping and learn how to trap pine marten. If you don't know, a pine marten is a member of the weasel family that is about 2-3 feet long, and look like the picture to the left here. Pine marten enjoy eating squirrels, birds, rabbits, mice and other animals. Ryan is a guide and a trapper and is very accomplished at both. He talked to me to see if I was interested in going along and helping as a second adult. I thought this would be fantastic as Jantzen and I are trying to do some trapping of our own this year.

We met Ryan at his house 3 weeks ago and went up to a place that he had chosen and had success at before. We got on two of his snowmobiles, one boy on each and one on the back of the 'dog sled' behind one of the snowmobiles. We went up, set up 4 traps, and headed home. Using beaver meat, some scents and some other attractants, a box, and a 120 conibear trap.

We went back a week later to check the traps. At the first box, we were empty. I was ready for that, Jantzen and I have been completely unsuccessful. We went on to the second trap, and we had one. Hanging on the pole Ryan had set up was a good sized male pine marten. We high fived, replaced the trap, re-baited, and went on to the next trap which was actually the 4th trap that we had set.

Jantzen, one of the other boys, and I had set when Ryan had taken the 3rd boy out to meet the boy's dad for another appointment. As we pulled up, I thought I could see a marten hanging. Sure enough, there was a female pine marten in this one! We reset and moved on. The fourth and final trap was empty, but we were very pumped and ready for more!

This picture shows Jantzen with our second marten. Hopefully we will be able to catch more like this one!

This last picture is of Jantzen and one of his friends in his scout group with their first 2 marten. That is a pretty good success rate! Week two of the trapping showed a little less success. We only caught one pine squirrel (after setting up 2 additional traps). Not a great week, but, the boys are excited and ready to do more!

I am really enjoying this trapping thing. It would be great to be successful in our trapping, but the best part has really been spending time with Jantzen. We have yet to catch anything, but we are hopeful and are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to continue learning and working to get better!