AMERICAN MARTEN

 AMERICAN MARTENS ARE GOING TO BE REINTRODUCED IN PENNSYLVANIA.

Here is more information from: https://animalia.bio/american-marten

American martens are small animals, that live in trees. They belong to the same group as skunks and weasels. The marten's body is slim and legs are short. American marten has curved claws that help it to climb quickly. The head is broad and tapers to a pointed nose. It has black eyes and big, rounded ears. The fluffy tail is half-length of its body. Its coat is velvety and stiff, having different shades, from pale buff to dark brown, in different parts of its body. Meanwhile, the summer coat of the marten is light-colored and shorter in length. It has also a creamy to orange-colored “breastplate” on its chest and throat.

American martens are widespread around the northern part of North America. Habitat of martens stretches from the northernmost forests of Alaska and Canada to northern New Mexico, from California to Newfoundland. However, some small populations of American martens are estimated in the American Midwest – Wisconsin and Minnesota. Nevertheless, the major area of martens’ habitat is dense northern forest. These animals live on shore pines, fir trees, and Douglas firs. American martens are more frequently found in mature and impassable forests, at all altitudes. They build their dens in empty hollows, burrows left by former dwellers, and clefts in trees.

They are omnivores, eating food of both plant and animal origin. Generally, they hunt on small species of mammals, preferring red squirrels above all. However, in reality, they feed upon any kind of prey: frogs, fish, carrion, insects, and birds. From plant food, they eat seeds, nuts (particularly beechnuts), berries, and fruits.

The American marten is polygynous, which means that one male mates with a number of females. Males fiercely defend their territory against unwanted guests such as other males. The breeding season takes place in summer and lasts 3 months (June-August). The gestation period lasts 28 days, after which a female gives birth to 1-5 babies. Females give birth in “natal” dens, moving then babies to maternal dens. Young grow up rapidly, being weaned at 43 days old. Thereafter, the mother leaves young by themselves, tending to breed again in the next season. American martens reach sexual maturity at 15-24 months old.

Over a long period of time, American martens have been killed and persecuted within their home range because their pelts had a huge demand in the market. Another threat is deforestation of coniferous woods, which is the major component of American martens’ habitat. Forest fires and human intervention are among the factors, threatening the marten's population in North America.

Being predators, martens have a huge influence on prey populations, controlling and contributing to the formation of forest communities.

MORE ABOUT THE MARTEN

The Pennsylvania Game Commission will be introducing the American Pine Marten into PA.

MORE ABOUT THE AMERICAN PINE MARTEN Martes americana

American martens are small and agile members of the weasel family. With their sharp and semi-retractable claws, they easily climb trees and jump from branch to branch. Strong scent glands are used to mark trails through the treetops and territories on land. Martens are opportunistic feeders and typically forage on the ground. Their diet varies seasonally, and usually includes small mammals, such as red squirrels, red-backed voles, meadow mice, white-footed mice, snowshoe hares, and marmots. Depending on availability, as well as the season, martens will eat birds, eggs, insects, berries, beechnuts, and carrion. Martens are very curious, and actively investigate every crevice, log, or stump in search of food. They are active throughout the year and are well-adapted for life in a cold and snowy environment. During winter, martens have thick, dark brown fur and an orange throat patch. Their summer coat is lighter in color and texture. Broad feet and fur-covered soles enable martens to travel on top of deep snow, but they often tunnel under the snow in search of prey. Martens prefer mature coniferous or mixed-wood forests.

https://www.zooamerica.com/animals/american-marten/

MARTEN REINTRODUCTION TO BE FURTHER EXPLORED

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today (July 9, 2022) took the next step in considering American marten (Martes americana) reintroduction by directing the Game Commission’s Bureau of Wildlife Management to develop a plan for reintroduction and management.

A native furbearer, the marten once was found commonly in portions of Pennsylvania but extirpated from the Commonwealth in the early 1900s due to deforestation and unregulated harvest. Adult martens weigh between 1 and 3 pounds and measure 19 and 27 inches, the same size as adult mink.

The Bureau of Wildlife Management, in accordance with the agency’s 2020-23 Strategic Plan, has completed a feasibility assessment of marten reintroduction. The assessment considered current habitat suitability, future climatic impacts, interactions with other species, and public opinion. It concluded that based on literature review, diet studies, expert evaluations, and prior, out-of-state reintroduction efforts, marten's impact on other species is minimal. At the same time, impacts from other predators to marten are also minimal.

Habitat suitability modeling shows that there is sufficient habitat within Pennsylvania for a marten population. Extensive research from across the marten’s range proves that most of their diet consists of small mammals such as voles, mice, and shrews, as well as insects, and plants.

Most of the public supports marten reintroduction, and it would likely be successful based on the assessment. Reasons for reintroduction cover ecological, political, social, and cultural aspects and this is an appropriate next step in the Game Commission’s history of species restoration within the Commonwealth. The assessment is available here. More information on American martens can be found here.

The American Marten Reintroduction and Management Plan to be developed by the Bureau of Wildlife Management will identify optimal release sites, and potential source populations, as well as provide specifics on translocation methodology, research and monitoring, cooperative partnerships, and long-term management. An important part of this plan will also be providing the public with information and education on the marten and its ecology. Once completed, this plan will be made available for public review and comment prior to being presented to the Board of Commissioners for their review and final approval to move forward with reintroduction.

 

BBQ & RENDEZVOUS

 MORE PICTURES FROM THE INAUGURAL

"first annual"

BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS of the ALLEGHENY

 BBQ & RENDEZVOUS

JULY 4TH, 2022.

the High HareMan welcoming hunters and guests to the "first Annual" 4th of July bbq and rendezvous. 

Hare hunters enjoy the conversation.

Ladies relax with conversation.

Members and guests relax in the shade.

The food, from Devil's BBQ, Brookville, PA, included pulled pork, smoked turkey breast, smoked brisket, baked beans, and mac salad with fruit cup by Brenda E.

Members lined up for BBQ.

Two future snowshoe hare hunters.

Ladies Auxiliary brought the desert. Thank you!

the High HareMan and hostess, Brenda Ewing, wish to thank everyone for coming to our little party and hope everyone enjoyed themselves.

July 4th, 2022

 THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS of the ALLEGHENY TAKE PRIDE IN ANNOUNCING:

JACI WON THE GUN!

 The Inaugural BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS of the ALLEGHENY was highlighted by the presentation.

Jaci won a BWHHotA commemorative .22 rifle at the

Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny BBQ & RENDEZVOUS July 4th.