Pine Marten and Fisher

In late August 1804, the Corps of Discovery had stopped in the land of the Yankton Sioux, who are of the Nakota people. Over several days, the Captains delivered their standard Indian speech, handed out gifts, and learned about the tribe’s language and life.

In return, the Yankton played music, danced, and shared stories of martial success and tales of war. According to Captain Clark’s journal entry for August 31, the Indians also discussed their trading practices with the British, showing off several of the animal pelts used in transactions: “…they furnish Beaver Martain, Loues,[wolve,] orter [otter), Pekon, Bear and Deer and have forty Traders at least among them.”

Clark’s “beaver martain” is believed to be the Martes americana, the American pine marten, and the “pekon” is thought to be Martes pennanti, or the fisher. The two mammals are closely related members of the weasel family. Adult fishers are generally 35-47 inches long and weigh between 8-13 lbs. Pine martens are much smaller, growing to between 18-25 inches long and weighing 1-3 lbs.