A biological survey of Colorado (1911) (20192826940)

Title: A biological survey of Colorado
Identifier: biologicalsurvey33cary (find matches)
Year: 1911 (1910s)
Authors: Cary, Merritt, 1880-1918; United States. Bureau of Biological Survey
Subjects: Natural history Colorado; Mammals Colorado; Trees Colorado
Publisher: Washington : Government Printing Office
Contributing Library: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library
Digitizing Sponsor: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library



Text Appearing Before Image:
MAMMALS. 189 Mustela caurina origenes Klioads. Rocky Mountain ^Lirtoii. Mustcla caurind orlgciua Khoads, Proc Arad. Nat. Sfi. Thila.. )». loH^ VM)2. Type from Marvine Mountain, Garfield County, Colorado. In the dense forests of lo(l<^e;)ole ))ine uiid ^j)I•ll(•e whieli clothe the ii))))er slopes of the higher mountain ranges of northern Colora(k) the marten is still present in considerahle numbers. It appears to be uncommon on all the southern ranges exc(*pt the wSan Juan Mountains, where from a point northeast of Pagosa Springs west to Silverton and Telluricle it is reported in good numbers. Martens arc rarely observed below 8,000 or 8,500 feet, or the lower edge of the Canadian zone forest belt. They range regularly to timberline, how- ever, and have been seen 1,500 feet above timberhne near Silverton.
Text Appearing After Image:
Fig. 28.—Distribution in Colorado of marten (Jlustda caurina origencs). Throughout their range (see fig. 28) martens are hunted and trapped extensively, and consequently are not nearty so abundant as formerly. Ski are often used in hunting them in T\-inter, when snow covers the mountains to a depth of several feet, and when pursued in tliis manner the animals quickly take refuge in trees, where they are easily shot. Hunting martens on ski is said to be very exciting sport, and at times hazardous, owing to the roughness of the country. This is a favorite method of hunting in ^liddle Park and in the San Juan Mountains. Most of the martens secured, however, are taken in either steel traps or deadfalls. Although. Colorado martens are somewhat paler than those farther north, they nevertheless yield a valuable fur.