Marten Trapping: Ground Sets vs. Elevated - Which is Better?

After getting so many comments on my marten trapping videos stating I shouldn't be setting on the ground, or asking why I do so, I thought I'd add this perspective.

[MtMan]

Good Video I guess what ever works for you in your area. I hunted northern Maine and came across a trapper who trapped martin and fisher and he used body grips and skink scent with vaseline on a leaning pole it was working for him. Have fun and stay safe.

[oneshotme]

Enjoyed your video so I gave it a Thumbs Up

[mushercdn]

Nicely presented discussion clearly presenting both opinions. I am a tree guy. The females/young being more hesitant to climb plus voles are the reason why. I believe that you can only catch 20 marten yearly in Maine? Tough to see ratios with that number. You could IF you trap the exact same locations over a period of years. You might have 9 males because males run a larger territory than females and found the box first. Did you catch s female in the same box later? If not, maybe there is no female around or she avoided the box. How about the ratio of young to adult? The big ones pay more! Your lynx exclusion boxes are a game changer. Expecting a marten to climb and run a maze can be asking a lot if prey is abundent as grouse were this year. Interesting stuff. Trapline management on registered lines in Quebec and i expect in Ontario are generally a priority to their owners. Different realities make for different theories as to how to do it properly. Thanks for the video.

[garywhelton]

Here in New Brunswick CANADA we have a 2 week

[glenpomeroy]

Just wondering if you or anyone else has noticed if they have better success on the ground or in a tree when there is more snow on the ground. I have found my sucess goes down for fisher and martin when we start to get significant accumilations of snow. I've done both types of sets and I find I do get more fur damage when setting on the ground.

[paulgazandlare]

Have a very good population on my trapline I average 10-15 marten every check and I do pretty well putting my sets up on the trees cause the wolverine and lynx eat them.

[jackofalltrapping]

Only allowed 6 marten taken New York State Adirondacks.
No limit on fisher. Don’t figure does it? Dumb law. Trap check allowed every 2 days in Northern zone where I am. I check everyday day usually. I use both high and low sets with 155’s in homemade cubbies made of chicken wire for marten and fisher. No logging in years where I am in the Adirondacks. Heavy canopy with pines. I try to set place where pine and hardwood meet. I like it best if a creek is close by. I use grouse carcasses, venison scraps, and beaver meat for bait. Peace Y

[billc]

Im no authority on the subject. This is for fishers. for me on the ground sets its mix close to 50/50 % males, females in trees or leaning poles its 90% females. It just may be just how it has worked out for me. So I look to set on the ground. But i do seem to take more females then males over all.