Hummer
Well-known member
I just returned from hunting elk and bear in the White River National Forest just outside the Flat Tops Wilderness--31 years in the same area. The country I hunt ranges from about 8700' to 10,200' elevation and is mostly dense spruce-fir forest interspersed with aspen groves and smaller grassy parks and meadows. With the very warm, dry conditions the aspen areas were too noisy for stealthy hunting. So, I climbed over the mountain to hunt down through the spruce-fir. I love still hunting the dark timber, maneuvering over and around the downed trees, padding quietly on the soft damp duff, the scent of elk hanging in the air. I got lucky on opening day, connecting with a cow elk in a bedding area at 27 yards, a single quick shot offhand. Yea! Another year of fine meat for the family. My 28th elk.
After field dressing and laying the parts over a log to cool overnight, I returned the next day to pack out the meat. Soon after, a pine marten arrived to share in the bounty, hauling scraps to cache in logs, under ground and high in the trees, safe from other ground predators.
Pine martens are cool critters, one of my favorite mammals. I've seen them many times. Like a miniature wolverine or a supersized long-tailed weasel, pine martens are ferocious predators able to chase down squirrels in the trees. They are also smart, opportunistic scavengers. Ten years ago I watched a pair feed off the remains of a buck mule deer I had shot (story here). In 2011, I watched a pine marten cache a snowshoe hare up in a tree. And, martens have sneaked in to steal trout from me while fishing the high country on a few occasions.
I had a heck of a time getting photos in the dark forest because these guys are always moving. But, I still had tags for bull elk and bear, so I returned to the kill site four days later in hope of getting more views of the pine marten or maybe finding a bear on the gut pile. No evidence of bear but I was surprised to find two pine martens working the carcass. Apparently the male didn't appreciate sharing with a smaller female and they fought twice while I was there, growling and woofing repeatedly over two hours. It was an amazing scene.
They are tenacious and strong; I watched as one dragged the front portion of the elk rib cage down the hill about 60 feet. It was several times the size and weight of the marten, kind of like me trying to drag a whole elk.
I returned again the following day--didn't see the martens but found the gut pile had been turned over and moved four feet, presumably to access the fat. The elk head was missing--no tracks besides the martens and birds were present. Can't be sure but I think a marten hauled the head off.
After taking the cow I hunted six more days, hoping to connect with a bull or a bear. That didn't happen this time. With the warm temperatures it seems there were few elk in the area where snow is required to move the larger herds out of the high country. Most reports are that the first and second season harvest has been poor this year. But it was a fun and productive hunt, one I'll always remember for sharing with the pine martens.
Anyone else have similar experiences with pine martens?
After field dressing and laying the parts over a log to cool overnight, I returned the next day to pack out the meat. Soon after, a pine marten arrived to share in the bounty, hauling scraps to cache in logs, under ground and high in the trees, safe from other ground predators.
Pine martens are cool critters, one of my favorite mammals. I've seen them many times. Like a miniature wolverine or a supersized long-tailed weasel, pine martens are ferocious predators able to chase down squirrels in the trees. They are also smart, opportunistic scavengers. Ten years ago I watched a pair feed off the remains of a buck mule deer I had shot (story here). In 2011, I watched a pine marten cache a snowshoe hare up in a tree. And, martens have sneaked in to steal trout from me while fishing the high country on a few occasions.
I had a heck of a time getting photos in the dark forest because these guys are always moving. But, I still had tags for bull elk and bear, so I returned to the kill site four days later in hope of getting more views of the pine marten or maybe finding a bear on the gut pile. No evidence of bear but I was surprised to find two pine martens working the carcass. Apparently the male didn't appreciate sharing with a smaller female and they fought twice while I was there, growling and woofing repeatedly over two hours. It was an amazing scene.
They are tenacious and strong; I watched as one dragged the front portion of the elk rib cage down the hill about 60 feet. It was several times the size and weight of the marten, kind of like me trying to drag a whole elk.
I returned again the following day--didn't see the martens but found the gut pile had been turned over and moved four feet, presumably to access the fat. The elk head was missing--no tracks besides the martens and birds were present. Can't be sure but I think a marten hauled the head off.
After taking the cow I hunted six more days, hoping to connect with a bull or a bear. That didn't happen this time. With the warm temperatures it seems there were few elk in the area where snow is required to move the larger herds out of the high country. Most reports are that the first and second season harvest has been poor this year. But it was a fun and productive hunt, one I'll always remember for sharing with the pine martens.
Anyone else have similar experiences with pine martens?
