Not having previously spotted one of these my initial reaction was - whoa! This has got to be the mother of all weasels. Thumbing thru a field guide of Wisconsin mammals I had a tentative ID in relatively short order yet was unsure. These weasels are not at all common around these parts. I figured I better seek a second professional opinion to be sure of the identification of this rare critter. Both a UW and DNR biologist concurred on the identification. This was an exciting first for me and I got to check another species off of my life list.
click on image for a closer look
Meet Martes pennanti - the Fisher. One of the larger members of the weasel family - this mammal was once widely distributed across Wisconsin. Characterized by a soft and supple pelt this highly-valued furbearer was oft referred-to as the American Sable. Unregulated trapping and deforestation eventually led to the extirpation of this species with remnant populations retreating to the northern-most reaches of our state and Minnesota. Nevertheless, the species persists as a consequence of reintroduction efforts and making a come-back would appear to also make Door County part of its range.
Pregnant females will den-up for a period of time while males are always on the prowl with a typical boy requiring up to 150 square miles of territory. Equipped with retractable claws (just like a cat) this is one of the few predators that will prey-upon a porcupine with little or no ill-effect. It will also dine on small mammals such as mice, voles, squirrels, rabbits as well as nuts, berries, eggs and fruit.
This is the mating season of the fisher and females give birth to three to four kits in the spring. By the end of summer the young will leave the den and mom's care and disperse to establish their own territories.
Incidentally, the fisher is a strong swimmer but it does not fish. Mink are better fishermen than the fisher. That-aside, I'd still like to raise a toast to weasels. They are survivors after-all....
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