An Analysis of Trapping Regulations and Pelt Prices on the Effort to Trap American Martens (Martes americana) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

An Analysis of Trapping Regulations and Pelt Prices on the Effort to Trap American Martens (Martes americana) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

"The American Marten was once widespread throughout Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. After near extirpation, reintroduction, and reestablishment of a trapping season, martens are once again a successful resident. Relationships were tested to determine how the number of trappers and trapper effort was affected by bag limits, season length, and pelt prices. Pelt price was found to have no short term effect on trappers, while an increase of season length was found to increase the number of trappers, but not the effort with which they pursued martens. This means that when increasing the length of the trapping season, it is important to take into account the increase in trappers to accurately project the change of harvest. To further understand how we can more precisely control marten populations, more investigation into what factors motivate people to pursue martens in the Upper Peninsula could be used to determine the best management preactices."

VanBuren, Michael

Biology

Lake Superior State University

2013

Dr. Jason Garvon

Copyright Michael VanBuren: All rights reserved. LSSU use only.

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S20220517014