American marten

Scientific name: Martes americana

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Martens are slender mustelids with a tan to golden-brown coat, darker on the back and lighter on the chest and throat. Males are noticeably larger and heavier than females, with a long bushy tail comprising roughly one-third of total body length.

Size and weight

Males: 0.6–1.0 kg, body length 32–42 cm. Females: 0.4–0.7 kg, body length 30–37 cm.

Habitat

American martens inhabit coniferous and mixed forests, particularly those with dense canopy cover and fallen logs. They occupy elevations from sea level to treeline, favoring mature stands with complex structure.

Distribution

Martens range across boreal and montane forests from northern Canada and Alaska south through the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada to California and Colorado. They favour old-growth and mature second-growth conifer forests.

Diet

Martens are opportunistic carnivores consuming voles, mice, shrews, insects, and birds; they also take berries and nuts seasonally, with fruit availability influencing diet composition.

Behaviour

Primarily diurnal and crepuscular, martens are solitary and highly arboreal but forage extensively on the ground. They maintain large home ranges and are active year-round, moving quickly through trees and across snow.

Hunting tips

Look for 4-toed tracks in snow or soft substrate (often in pairs from bounding gait) and dark droppings near logs, rocks, and tree bases. Move slowly through dense forest edge and blow-down areas, glassing overhead branches and stumps where martens hunt for prey. Approach upwind and pause frequently to spot movement; martens are curious and may investigate distress calls of prey animals.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 2 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.