SummitPost.org

I haven't heard much about the Martes pennanti a.k.a. the Pacific Fisher, wondering if sightings are common?



Here is a link to a news story...
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/11/lawsuit-seeks-state-protection-for-the-pacific-fisher.html

Crazy as this may sound, I would swear that I saw one of these beasts on Lassen Peak. I know that this is above their supposed range in forest but I had a pretty good look at it and don't know what else it could have been. My wife and I were the first up on a July morning in 2009 and I startled the beast as I crested the trail. It scampered off downhill into a rock field and disappeared before my wife could see it. My first thought was fox but no way. Weaselly nose, shorter legs, and very dark brown. I had no idea what I had seen til I got back to my portable library and dug out my Natl History of the Sierra Nevada. No photo, no corroboration, but that's my story.

Bearflag you saw a pine marten. I've seen and taken pictures of them on Lassen.

1000Pks wrote:Fishers are all but extinct in CA, I certainly have never seen one. Or ever heard of anyone ever seeing one. Or any reports of any sightings by anyone or any hunter ever bagging one. Like other critters they can be reintroduced but it wouldn't be the same.

They can attack people and have jaws to crunch bone. Better to think about reintroducing griz, as some local enviro club have suggested. Bio fantasy, by me.

According to the article they remain in the Southern Sierra in small possibly endangered numbers. Appear to be almost as elusive as the Wolverine in the area.

Reintroducing Griz is a whole nother topic...

1000Pks wrote:They can attack people

Males weigh 8–11 lb. Females weigh 4–6 lb. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher_%28animal%29

1000Pks wrote:

In recent years there have been several reports of fishers attacking small dogs and cats and in at least one case, a small child.[7]

LOL. Still not afraid of an overgrown ferret.

Both adults described the animal as being 20 to 25 pounds. . . .

Males weigh 8–11 lb. Females weigh 4–6 lb. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher_%28animal%29

Something is fishery about that story.

http://www.projo.com/news/content/FISHER_CAT_BITES_BOY_06-23-09_9IEQEGP_v8.388ed62.html

There were fishers in the Adirondacks, but most apparent sightings were probably of pine martens. I spent a night throwing rocks at the latter, as he successfully lunged at my hanging pack and chewed various holes.

1000Pks wrote:There are vicious tiny dogs who will fearlessly attack...

Word Pete


Where the city folk at?