Although the composition of diets of pine marten (Martes americana) is well studied (see Zielinski et al., 1983) direct observations of marten predatory behavior are rare. During a 15-month investigation of marten ecology at Sagehen Creek, California (Spencer et al., 1983; Zielinski et al., 1983), we sometimes observed marten in acts of predation. Observations involved five marked marten and one or more unmarked marten. Observations typically were made through 7- or 8-power binoculars, from 4 to 20 m away, after a radio-collared marten was located with a hand-held receiver. Marten were remarkably tolerant of observers and often ignored their presence, especially when intent on prey. The following accounts illustrate the repertoire of hunting techniques observed.
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