Pacific marten at a glance
Pacific marten (Martes caurina). This profile does not establish whether taking it is legal anywhere.
Compared with the american marten: Separate species; Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho and Montana have both. NatureServe cites Dawson and Cook (2012). [1]
How to identify it
Compared with the american marten: Separate species; Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho and Montana have both. NatureServe cites Dawson and Cook (2012). [1]
Species it is confused with
Check these before deciding what you are looking at. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.
- American marten · Martes americana
Field notes
- Identification Confirm a pacific marten before you act. Compared with the american marten: Separate species; Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho and Montana have both. NatureServe cites Dawson and Cook (2012).[1]
Where it lives
Dense deciduous, mixed or especially coniferous forest, upland and lowland; may use rocky alpine areas; in winter in the central Rockies mainly old-growth forest. [1]
How it behaves
Basically solitary; densities of about 1-2 martens per sq km recorded in early fall [1]
Activity peaks at dusk and dawn in summer and is frequent by day in winter; foraging nocturnal in winter and diurnal in summer in the Sierra Nevada [1]
Diet mostly small mammals, birds, insects and carrion; berries in season; hunts prey under the snow [1]
Rests in tree cavities, stumps, squirrel nests, rock piles, burrows and snow cavities [1]
Where it is listed for legal take
These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.
Conservation and protection
- THREATENED — The pacific marten, coastal dps, wherever found: listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 2020-11-09. · ECOS species profile: Pacific marten, Coastal DPS
Where legal take is listed
- British Columbia — trapping · 2026-2028 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis
- Oregon — hunting, trapping · Oregon Furbearer Trapping & Hunting Regulations, July 1 2026 - June 30 2028
- Washington — trapping · 2026 Washington Game Bird and Small Game Hunting Regulations (Jul 1 2026 - Jun 30 2027)
Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.
Where it is found
Much of the western US and part of southwestern Canada, including California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Alaska (Kuiu and Admiralty islands) and British Columbia.
Sources
Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.
NatureServe · reviewed 2026-09-30
NatureServe