Setting marten cubby's how big of piece of beaver you guys use? Thanks
oregon.hunter

I chop small beaver carcasses into quarters, use a chunk about the size of a chicken breast, maybe a little bigger.
While they're still fresh, run a piece of mechanics wire thru 'em, about two feet or so, wrap the wire around the chunk, and freeze.
Now, when your ready to set, you can wrap the wire around the tree, or to the box, its quick & easy (dab a little anise extract on too)

Yeah I'd go with fist size if that's what I was using.

i started wrapping mine up in that 8 " soffit vent screen then freeze and they dont freeze together and you just wire through the screen

I would cut into chunks, then put in them cheap snadwich bags. One piece of meat in one bag. Then I would put them all in a big bag. Just grab the big bag and go. It never seemed to freeze to the bag as long as it is folded in the bag if that makes any since.

Thanks, Going to set some up in the morning. Never caught a marten, Hope it's not to addicting.
oregon.hunter

I'd precut and freeze like suggested (at least dont freeze the whole beaver). I was lazy earlier this season and just spend a few hours wacking chunks out of frozen carcasses this evening with an axe and drilling holes for wire. I use enough to fill a soup can with.

Thats what I did with the individual baggy baits. I got mine good and stinky and hope it is efficent time wise on the line.

if you are using boxes for your traps just take and chop your beaver up into small chunks, about 1 or 2 inch squares, then just drop bait into box. I have over 100 boxes out each year and must be able to set each fast.

We just freeze them hole and then cut them up with a sawsal into chunks and drill holes in them for the wire to go through. Only sucks if you get a long thaw and things start falling apart. Also need to clean the sawsal as well before bringing inside.

-TJ

I must need more bait! I only use a chunk about the size of a golf ball. Maybe SLIGHTLY larger.

Hmmm...me as well...I'd figure about the size of a golf ball or so myself. I do add spruce hen feathers glued to the bottom of the flowerpot though, to give an xtra visual...

Those who use larger amounts...is it for the visual effect?

my thought would be to give the shrews something to chew on for a week or two and still have something left for the marten.

You shouldn't have shrews if you take it off the ground.

I don't know about that, LOL I've been on old birch logs (quite elevated) waiting for a moose to show itself and had the little buggers try and run up my pant leg!

They'll climb pole sets and chew your marten, rare, but they do.

I think maybe the slick sides of the flower pots may keep them from getting at the golf ball size baits I wire in to the pots.
Weasel, on the other hand, seem to have no problem. I think the skinny varmints slide right by the wires, stand on the coni-bracket, and chew and pull until they are either successful in eating it all, manage to pull it free, or slip and fall into the trigger wires. Battling the buggers is a constant on my line. I also set a few newspaper tubes, and when the weasels start hitting those, I simply put a #1 LS behind the coni and get them in it. Usually by the body.

shrews climb. My flower pots have drain holes built into the bottom and the shrews go up the tree trunk and down into the hole. duck lasts better than grouse. the feathers and stuff on the ground from the shrew's working the bait doesn't hurt but they def eat the bait.