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Premier Ashland Maine Trapping with Black Stream

  • Published Date: August 19, 2025
  • Fishing
  • Maine
  • $500 - $3,500 price range

Summary

This 7-day guided trapping trip in Ashland, Maine is a chance to learn from pros and target a variety of land and water species. You'll be out in Northern Maine's remote backcountry, setting and checking traps for martin, fisher, mink, otter, beaver, muskrat, and coyotes. The trip runs from November 1-7, with each day kicking off at 9 AM. You'll get hands-on experience with both old-school and modern trapping methods. At night, you'll bunk down in heated wall tents and share meals with your fellow trappers. It's a great fit for experienced folks looking to up their game or outdoor enthusiasts wanting a structured, educational wilderness experience. The trip is capped at 6 people, so you'll get plenty of personal attention from the guides. At $3,500 per person, it includes all the expert instruction, grub, and basic lodging you need for a week in the Maine woods.
Premier Ashland Maine Trapping with Black Stream

Traps and Tracks

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Angler with a fishing rod at Glenburn

Glenburn moose hunt with guide

Two people fishing in Glenburn

Guided moose hunt in Maine

Two people fishing in Glenburn

Bull moose down in the woods

One fisherman in Maine

Early morning trap check

Angler fishing in Glenburn

Smallmouth bass from Maine lake

A scenic landscape in Glenburn with fishing equipment

Maine smallmouth bass success

Fishing in Glenburn

Bass bite hot in freshwater today

Glenburn fishing adventure

Trophy smallmouth from clear water

Person fishing in Glenburn

Perfect morning for gobblers

Cabezon fish caught while fishing in ME

Bear down near Glenburn, ME

Angler with a fishing rod at Glenburn

Glenburn moose hunt with guide

Two people fishing in Glenburn

Guided moose hunt in Maine

Two people fishing in Glenburn

Bull moose down in the woods

One fisherman in Maine

Early morning trap check

Angler fishing in Glenburn

Smallmouth bass from Maine lake

A scenic landscape in Glenburn with fishing equipment

Maine smallmouth bass success

Fishing in Glenburn

Bass bite hot in freshwater today

Glenburn fishing adventure

Trophy smallmouth from clear water

Person fishing in Glenburn

Perfect morning for gobblers

Cabezon fish caught while fishing in ME

Bear down near Glenburn, ME

Angler with a fishing rod at Glenburn

Glenburn moose hunt with guide

Two people fishing in Glenburn

Guided moose hunt in Maine

Two people fishing in Glenburn

Bull moose down in the woods

One fisherman in Maine

Early morning trap check

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Trapping Adventure in Maine's Wild North

Get ready for a week of old-school trapping action in the rugged backwoods of Ashland, Maine. This ain't your average camping trip - we're talking 7 days of hands-on trapping instruction led by seasoned pros who know every creek and hollow in these parts. From November 1-7, you'll be living the trapper's life, targeting everything from sleek martens to wily coyotes. With only 6 spots available, you better grab your gear and book quick if you want in on this authentic Maine trapping experience.

Trip Rundown

Here's the deal: For $3,500, you're getting a full-on immersion into the world of fur trapping. We kick off each day at 9 AM sharp, fueled up on a hearty breakfast. Then it's into the woods we go, setting lines and checking sets for land critters like fisher and marten, plus water-loving targets like otter and beaver. You'll be bunking down in heated wall tents - rustic but comfy. All your grub is covered too, so you can focus on honing those trapping skills. This ain't no beginner's course though - we're looking for folks who know their way around the outdoors and are ready to step up their game.

Trapline Tactics

Listen up, 'cause we're covering both the tried-and-true methods and some new tricks of the trade. You'll get schooled on proper snare placement for coyotes, the art of setting conibears for beaver, and how to outsmart those crafty marten. We work a mix of land and water lines, so come prepared to wade through some cold streams and bushwhack through the thick stuff. You'll be handling all sorts of traps - foothold, body-gripping, you name it. And don't worry, we're all about ethical trapping here. You'll learn how to minimize non-target catches and handle any critters we do catch with respect.

Target Critters Breakdown

Muskrat: These little water-lovers are a trapper's bread and butter. They're quick breeders and you'll find 'em in just about every pond and slow-moving stream up here. Look for their distinctive "feed huts" - piles of vegetation they use as dinner tables. Best part? Their fur is always in demand.

Coyote: Now we're talking challenge. These smart canines will keep you on your toes. We'll teach you how to read sign, set dirt-hole sets, and use scent lures effectively. Coyote pelts are prized for their warmth and beauty, and taking one is a real feather in any trapper's cap.

Fisher: These are the badasses of the pine marten family. Tough, agile, and with an attitude to match. They love dense forest and we've got plenty of that. Setting for fisher takes skill - they're strong enough to fight their way out of poorly placed traps. But man, when you score one, that dark, luxurious pelt is something to be proud of.

Mink: Sleek, semi-aquatic, and always on the move. Mink are a blast to target because they use the same travel routes consistently. We'll show you how to spot their runs along stream banks and set up the perfect blind sets. Their fur is incredibly soft and warm, making them a valuable catch.

American Marten: Also called pine marten, these tree-dwelling mustelids are a favorite among trappers. They're curious by nature, which works in our favor. We'll set cubby sets baited with fish or meat scraps. Martens have some of the most beautiful fur out there - golden brown and silky smooth. Plus, they're just fun to watch when you catch a glimpse of one scampering through the pines.

Why Trappers Keep Coming Back

Let me tell you, there's something special about trapping in Northern Maine. Maybe it's the crisp fall air, or the way the leaves crunch under your boots as you check your line. Could be the satisfaction of outwitting a clever animal on its home turf. Or maybe it's just the chance to disconnect from the modern world and tap into an age-old tradition. Whatever it is, once you've experienced it, you'll be itching to come back year after year.

Book Your Spot on the Line

Alright, here's the bottom line: If you're serious about upping your trapping game in some of the wildest country the Northeast has to offer, this is your chance. We've only got room for 6 on this trip, so don't drag your feet. Give Black Stream Outfitters a call and lock in your spot. Trust me, a week on the trapline in Ashland will give you stories to tell for years to come. So grab your woolies, sharpen your skinning knife, and get ready for a real Maine trapping adventure. See you in the woods!

Learn more about the species

American Marten

American martens, also called pine martens, are agile tree-dwellers about the size of a small house cat. Here in Northern Maine, we find 'em in mature conifer forests with plenty of dead trees and fallen logs. They're most active at dawn and dusk, so that's when we'll be checking our traps. Fall and early winter are prime times to catch martens when their fur is thick and luxurious. These guys are a real prize for trappers – they're elusive, smart, and have some of the most beautiful fur out there. Folks love the challenge of outsmarting a marten. One trick I've picked up over the years: set your traps near natural funnels in the forest, like fallen logs or narrow game trails. Martens are curious and will investigate these spots. We'll be using mainly cubby sets with body-gripping traps. It takes patience and woodsmanship to catch a marten, but when you do, you've really accomplished something special in the trapping world.

American Marten

Coyote

Coyotes are smart, adaptable predators weighing around 20-50 pounds. Here in Northern Maine, you'll find 'em in forests, fields, and even skirting the edges of towns. They're most active at night, so we'll be setting our traps strategically and checking 'em early. Fall and winter are prime seasons when their fur is thick and valuable. Coyote trapping is a real challenge – these animals are wary and quick to learn. That's what makes catching one so satisfying. They've got beautiful pelts, and trapping helps manage populations that can impact local wildlife and livestock. One tip I always share: use fresh bait and move your sets often. Coyotes get wise to permanent setups real quick. We'll be using a mix of dirt hole sets and flat sets, depending on the terrain. It takes patience and skill, but when you outsmart a coyote, you've really accomplished something.

Coyote

Fisher

Fishers are fierce hunters, about the size of a house cat but way more muscular. These guys are true forest dwellers, preferring dense, mature woods with plenty of fallen logs and rocky areas. We'll be targeting them in the thick stuff where they hunt porcupines and other small mammals. November's a great time for fisher – their fur is prime and they're on the move. Trapping fisher is a real test of skill. They're smart, strong, and can be downright ornery when caught. That's what makes 'em such a prized catch. Their pelts are beautiful, with a rich, dark color that's highly valued. One trick I've learned: fishers love to follow well-defined paths through the forest. We'll be setting our traps along these natural travel ways, using elevated sets to catch their attention. It's all about reading the land and thinking like a fisher. When you catch one of these elusive predators, you've earned some serious trapper cred.

Fisher

Mink

Mink are sleek, semi-aquatic weasels, usually weighing 1-3 pounds. You'll find 'em along streams, ponds, and marshes here in Maine. They're active year-round but prime for trapping in late fall when their fur is thickest. Mink are curious and always on the move, which makes them fun to target. We'll be setting traps near the water's edge, focusing on areas with good cover like fallen trees or rocky banks. These little guys are known for their beautiful, dark brown fur that's highly prized in the market. Trapping mink is a great way to hone your skills – they're small and quick, so your sets need to be precise. One tip I always share: use fresh fish or muskrat meat as bait. Mink can't resist it. We'll be using a mix of foothold traps and body-gripping traps, depending on the location. When you catch a mink, you're bringing home a piece of nature's artwork.

Mink

Muskrat

Muskrats are crafty little critters, usually weighing 2-4 pounds. You'll find 'em near slow-moving water, building dome-shaped lodges out of vegetation. They're most active at dawn and dusk, so that's when we'll set our traps. Muskrats are great for beginners 'cause they're plentiful and relatively easy to catch. Fall is prime time when their fur is at its best. Folks enjoy trapping 'em for their pelts and as a way to manage wetland habitats. These guys can really chew up vegetation! One trick I've learned over the years: set your traps near their feeding platforms. Look for piles of chewed-up plant matter at the water's edge. That's where they like to munch, and it's a surefire spot to catch 'em. Just remember, muskrats might be small, but they can be feisty when cornered. Always handle with care, and you'll have a rewarding experience out on the trapline.

Muskrat
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