Ecology of fishers in south-central Maine

Home range characteristics, habitat use, food habits, and activity patterns of 43 radio-collared fishers (Martes pennanti) were studied from January, 1984-January, 1987, in a 500 km;Minimum convex polygon home range areas during May-December averaged 16.3 km;Apples were the most common food in scats collected during winter. Hares (Lepus americanus), porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum), and several species of mice, voles, shrews, and squirrels also were common.;Fishers travelled through all forested habitats, and were never found in open areas. During winter, fishers rested in burrows, and hunted intensively in dense, brushy areas with many hare tracks. During summer, fishers usually rested in the branches of coniferous trees, and were active in all habitat types. Tree cavities were used as rest sites during spring and fall, and as natal dens.;Fishers were active most often during early morning and evening, although some activity occurred throughout the day. Less activity occurred during the winter than the summer, and movements were shorter. Behavior patterns suggested that females with young kept them in tree cavities for about 8 weeks during April and May. From mid-June until September, the young probably accompanied their mothers, before becoming independent in late summer.