When I was a young man I had the incredible privilege of having a pine marten spend most of a day around my campsite chasing squirrels, and the unbelievable experience of waking up in the middle of the night in my lean-to to find the marten lying on my sleeping bag on my lap. It was quite small, probably a juvenile, but you can't mistake those Mickey Mouse ears, which I could see clearly in the moonlight. Hence his lack of fear of humans. I will probably remember that moment for the rest of my life. It will never be repeated.
I've seen them a couple of times before, but from afar. This one was a very interesting meeting! I wasn't sure what to do if it came much closer. I know they can be vicious little guys so it made me a little nervous, lol😂 I enjoyed this day!
@@agesadventures I feel like they are probably more curious than vicious with people since we aren't a food (yet haha). When I was a kid I had a wild weasel climb up on my lap while I was on the beach because it was curious about my hair blowing. It pawed at my hair for a minute and then I laughed and it zipped away. Pretty amazing experience though!
Exciting to see a pine marten! Nice clear views, great you got some video of him! I haven’t seen one before, super cool! ⭐️⭐️⭐️We try to be quiet and listen when we’re hiking too- you never know what you’ll see! 👍👍
I have only seen them way out on the logging trails and from afar. This was a special occurrence and it was nice to meet the little animal which seemed curious of me😀 I think if I were in grizzly territory, I may make some more sound📢📢
How cool to spot a Pine Marten on Vancouver Island! It must have been quite the surprise. Loved hearing about the squirrel going nuts too - nature is full of surprises. Cheers, Simon - Tales From Abroad
Thanks, Simon😁 It as very neat to have one run up to me! I was caught off guard and certainly not expecting it on that trail. Yeah, that squirrel was really upset. I had heard him just before the Pine Marten came bounding up to me. So, I believe the Pine Marten had already messed around with the squirrel. If we go out into nature and we immerse ourselves, then special things can happen.
Haha I love this! 😎 Fun fact - We had a Croatian Marten (Hrvatska Kuna) as an official currency, with the marten logo on it and all. For decades, before country took "Euro" two years ago as a new currency. The name originates from the medieval use of marten fur for trade and customs payment in the Croatian provinces. This fur money was first mentioned in year 1018 in the town of Osor in Cres as a means of payment for Croats. Fur money could be used to pay customs duties and taxes as well. Thanks for the fun video Age 👍🏻😎
That's a really interesting part of your history! It makes sense that they would use the marten fur as currency. I'm sure there was great use for them. Canada was built on the fur trade with the Beaver being the main animal trapped for their fur. We even have a 5 cent coin with a beaver on it. This Pine Marten was really interesting to see and it made my day😁
@@agesadventures Yeah haha they are cute but also so vicious animals. The real deal. 😎💪🏻 History about different countries is very interesting, I love reading it. 😎
Thanks, Jim😁 I was pretty excited that I was able to capture this guy on video! It was a pretty cool experience. I've never had one cross my path like this before.
Hats off to you, sir. Awesome footage. The agility of the squirrel always amazes me and that Martin was special, I once saw a weasel and a young rabbit Chase for nearly 5 minutes they got so close and didn’t realise I was there 👍👍
It was really neat to run into this guy! I was a little nervous when it started walking toward me and was wondering if I was going to have to fend it off. That would be awesome to see it in action like you were able to see the weasel and rabbit chase!
Yes, I was surprised that it was curious and wondering what to do about me. I'm glad I was able to capture it on video😁 The squirrel was quite angry, lol😂
Thanks, Jim😁 I was quite surprised when it came bounding up to me! That is a first for me and it was really exciting. It's amazing to think that something that looks friendly like that can be so vicious. Have you come across minks on the trail?
Great video. Beautiful animals. They let you near them. It's rare. The squirrel warned you about that pine martens 🙂 I had been in the countryside for many days. At least there are no disturbances there when the phones and the internet don't work. In the countryside, you can only listen to the sounds of nature. There are no sounds of cars and factories.
I was surprised that it came up to me and took a good look at me. It was really interesting. Yes, the squirrel was certainly upset by the pine marten and telling me that he was upset by him! It's nice to be out in the countryside with no distractions from modern life. We get the opportunity to let our mind wander and think more clearly.
Lovely creatures those Pine Martens...not much troubles with mice when you have one or two of them in the neighbourhood. It sure did stop to give you a good look...awesome!!
Yes, it really was examining me. When it started walking toward me, I got nervous! They don't train us here on what to do when encountering a Pine Marten😁
Thanks, Simon😁 Yes, they're not common to see just wandering around. I was pretty happy to be able to film this. It really is amazing what is out there and closer than you know.
I was pretty surprised to have this one bound up to me. I was fiddling with my cellphone so that I could do a Livestream while hiking and then he showed up. I quickly got the camera on to record. I was a little nervous when it started coming toward me. I thought, what if this sucker decided to bite me...that would probably hurt! I was still very excited to be there and see this little creature. Looked pretty cool😁 I've seen them out on the logging roads when I've been out near Port Renfrew a couple of times, but never close up. The animal shots you get on your trail cams are pretty awesome! It's really interesting to know the animals that we are sharing that piece of forest with.
@agesadventures they are cool critters. I built what i hoped would be a martin denning box a year and a half ago. No residents yet but we are overdue to check on it.
Cool! I guess Canadian Martens are more friendly than American ones - didn't seem wary of you at all. Probably realized nobody was going to take a pop-shot at him! Nothing is safe down here (that's all I'll say about that!) 😅. Very elusive here. One of the cutest of the forest in my opinion. Nice catch Age's! Thanks for sharing.
It was a little strange how it looked like it was going to walk right up to me. I was a little nervous and wasn't sure what I should be doing. Well, in that park there certainly better not be anyone taking pot shots at him! It was cool to see this guy and I'm glad I was able to capture this on video to share😁
I've seen them from afar, a couple of times, while driving on the logging roads. This is the first time I've had one this close and bounding up to me and checking me out. I was pretty excited about meeting this one.
Thank you😁 I was surprised yet excited when I crossed paths with him. I was glad I had my camera ready for filming and it was great to be able to capture him. That squirrel I ran into right afterwards sure was upset, lol😂 I think the martin had already bothered the squirrel before I got there.
Thank you, DL! I literally had my phone out and was setting up my Livestream and this guy bounded in front of me. I quickly cancelled that and started filming the Pine Marten.
@@DROG. I've never seen one up close in person like that before either. I was surprised to see one on Mount Work and during the day. It was really cool when he checked me out! A week later, in the same spot, I bumped into a young black-tailed deer buck. He stared at me for a long time before I decided to leave😁 Were you close to John Dean Park when you lived in North Saanich? I went there earlier this year, for my first time, and I was pleasantly surprised with what a nice park it is!
@@agesadventures I lived up near Swartz Bay, so pretty close. There are so many nice spots around there. Vancouver Island is amazing. I love BC, especially the coast. Super grateful to live here.
That is true. If you walk along quietly, you can see some special animals. A couple of months back, I came face to face with a coyote puppy. Surprised me.
@@agesadventures yeah, I was worried. I kept looking over my shoulder for the pup’s parents in case they had snuck up on me and bit me on the bum. Many people in Vancouver have gotten bitten by coyotes when getting too close to the dens.
very cool indeed! and a great way of asking for more silence on trails 😉we can be noisy creatures.., and it sometimes can really suck if you hear people 100s of meters ahead of you
Even walking out there we are pretty loud! Yes, when people are on the trails in groups they are very noisy! I try to get away from them. A couple of days ago, there was a guy walking the trail blasting his music! It as cool to see this Pine Marten on the tail though and it was interesting that he was inspecting me too.
To be clear, the pine marten can take down small black tail deer, not full grown adults. Also, the downside of "being quiet on the trail" is surprising bear which isn't recommended. Luckily, on Vancouver Island there are only black bears that generally (broadly speaking) don't want anything to do with people.
Being quiet on the trail doesn't mean not paying attention to the signs, smells, and sounds around you😀 It's kind of like when hunting in the woods. You need to pay attention. Northern Vancouver Island has Grizzly Bears too so be a little more careful up there.
@@agesadventures Funny growing up in the boston suburbs, I always assumed a Pine Marten was a bird (never having seen a tree older than 70 years old after the whaling industry raped Cape Cod there wasn't much wildlife left). Now they are as rare and possibly more rare than Bigfoot sightings!
@@geargeekpdx3566 I'm in British Columbia and we log the heck out of the forests here! The forest that I was in with this Pine Marten is not that old. It was logged down probably about 70 years so so ago too. I don't know much about the Pine Marten. I'm not used to seeing them either😁 Hopefully, I'll run into more! would guess in the suburbs of Boston that the trees won't be too old. That's what happened in the past. Maybe in the future it'll be a little different.
@@agesadventures Nice. I'm in Beaverton, OR now, haven't seen anything more wild than the occasional Stellar's Jay but there sure are a lot of clear cuts headed west to the ocean.
@@geargeekpdx3566 The Stellar's Jays are noisy guys😂 It's amazing how many trees get cut down in those cuts! I drove through one right after they had cut and piled all the logs...I was amazed at how many were there. It's also interesting to see the cuts regrow over the years too. I see a lot of bears on the logging roads when I'm out cruising the forests. Do you not see any of those? So is Beaverton basically a suburb of Portland?
I haven't seen one on the island yet, although I know they are here! WestCoaster gets them on video now and then I think. In Europe or Asia they go by the name "Sable". They are one of the most valuable Fur Bearers in Canada, fun to watch too! A Martin taking down a deer would be 1 in a million, more likely to be seen feeding on a carcass. I still have some leftover trapping gear for them from my days in Alberta.
This is the first time I've seen one up close and personal. I was a little nervous when it started coming toward me! I've seen one a couple other times here while driving the forestry roads. Well, if they jumped on the animal and went for the throat, I'm sure they would do some major damage. They probably choose something smaller and easier if it's a round though. Did you trap many when you were in Alberta?
@@agesadventures I had a Resident Trappers Lic. for 22 years and I never trapped any because I didn't have a Registered Trap Line so they were not legal for me to trap. I'd go with a friend to help out once in a while. The same traps and gear with some changes is used for Mink & Fisher, that's why I have it. I only kept a few traps for memories. Almost all members of the "Weasel Family" go for the back of the neck.
@@agesadventures Registered trap lines in Alberta used to sell for $20,000 to $100,000 depending on how nice they were. It's a giant scam system, a lot of trap lines are not even owned by active trappers. Resident trappers can only trap on private land and not all species. It's completely different in BC.
I've never seen one up close and in person like that before. The trails can sometimes be full of surprises😁 I wasn't sure what to do because we don't get trained on Pine Marten encounters, it's all about what to do if you come across a bear, cougar, or wolf😃
Maybe🐻 On this trail, I'd be super surprised to see a bear. I've never seen any sign of them, but I'm prepared and pay attention when I'm out there still.
Like 26 👍 NOVA. -_🔔👈 ---___🌻🌻🌻 Olá , meu novo amigo . Uma aventura incrível , é importante respeitar e estar sempre atento, ao caminhar dentro das florestas . Parabéns , o seu vídeo é muito interessante, um conteúdo que conquistou a minha admiração e respeito . Gratidão, por você capturar as belas imagens e dividir conosco, este seu momento 🙏 Eu apoio o seu canal. --__🔔👍 Muita saúde , riqueza e proteção, na sua vida e de seus familiares ! Brasil. --_🌻🐦
Thank you😁 It was exciting to come across this Pine Marten in the forest. They are usually shy, but this one seemed interested in me. Being quiet in the forest means you get the opportunity to see more animals. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and I'll work to create more that you will like.
@agesadventures Yes, it did. how She ended up seeing it was she heard a rabbit in distress call. That made her look to see what was going on. And there it was a rabbit being taken by a martin. She recordied the Martin pulling the rabbit away, she did not record the kill. She said it was amazing how fast it all happened.
