|
|
Post by dj88ryr on Dec 21, 2004 19:05:22 GMT -6
OK, all of my pockets for mink have been out of commission for two days now, the BEs are still working as are my thru ice rat sets. Any ideas how to cope with shelf ice?? We usually don't get cold enough for it to be a problem, it was -2 night before last, and 6 this morning, temperature warms tomorrow, and I suspect I will be back in business, but for the future. Any help on shelf ice and pocket sets??
|
|
|
|
Post by jsevering on Dec 21, 2004 19:20:51 GMT -6
DJ,
I like those two foot long (estwing) spelling- camper axes.
light and long enough you dont have to bend while your reshaping the approach from the ice shelf, to the set.
we have anchor ice and a few anchor ice dams here and there, the last two days, fun, fun, fun... only sets working for me are up on the banks and the spring runs, good luck to you....jim
PS. if the shelf ice (ice) isnt two bad a rock two feet above your set to direct the current over the trap helps somewhat.
|
|
|
|
Post by dj88ryr on Dec 21, 2004 19:24:28 GMT -6
Hmmm, so I guess you are telling me that the solution is a semi remake the following day, and the nights of near zero temps, I am S.O.L.?
|
|
|
|
Post by jsevering on Dec 21, 2004 19:28:56 GMT -6
if you dont like the rock solution a burlap sack with rock salt two feet above your set might help alittle also, im sure you wardens might frown alittle...jim
|
|
|
|
Post by John Porter on Dec 21, 2004 19:50:19 GMT -6
DJ,
I think what he is saying is to break up the current so you have movement which will not allow the shelf ice to form.
|
|
|
|
Post by BK on Dec 21, 2004 20:26:19 GMT -6
Keep tweaking your BE skills DJ ;D. Soon Steve will start calling you BE on occasion, like me.  It's realy a sign of admiration. |
|
|
|
Post by walkercoonhunter(Aaron L.) on Dec 21, 2004 21:06:32 GMT -6
lol well dj with the zero temps i think that the cubbies would be a great set up..because from what everyone is saying on here the mink get hungry when its really cold...... ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by dj88ryr on Dec 21, 2004 22:53:41 GMT -6
I had high hopes that first night it was real cold, infact went back out Sunday afternoon and rebaited every pocket with fresh muskrat,only to find the freaking shelf ice in every single pocket, some were in some what slack water, but a lot were in fairly quick running water, still all iced up. My fault for not having any on top of the bank dirtholes working.  |
|
|
|
Post by trappnman on Dec 22, 2004 9:12:43 GMT -6
I'm still curious about how all of you guys that don't chop ice CHECK those bottom edge sets.
Shelf ice...a term near and dear to my heart....by a strange coincidence, I'l lbe explaining and teaching Lori about shelf ice today. Last night 8 below, still below zero now.
Two things on location in creeks that freeze- always make your sets on the sunny bank and as mentioned, use current.
This is also a time you might want to toss any guide sticks- a guide stick attracts ice much faster. I have places that removing the guide sticks removes the ice problem.
As many know, a lot of my creeks never freeze-but a lot do. I've already pulled traps from those that freeze and stay frooze all winter- I doubt if bottom edge sets would do anything here- you'd chop a zillion holes to check every three days and for the 1 or 2 mink I might get...nah.
But the rest of my streams...freeze, thaw, and do a large degree have shelf ice. On a 24 hour check- shelf ice is really no problem. That is, break it free and it will stay open until dark or after...and I know from years of experience- having a set open just a few hours a day..the right time of day...takes a lot of mink. I run a 3 day check and ALWAYS get those sets working, even if I know it will freeze over in a few hours.
I use my masons hammer- a good dual purpose tool. You can chop ice, you can break ice with it. I chop the shelf ice so that it is clear a good distance on both sides of the set. Previously, I had removed and sticks, overhanging branches that touch the water, grasses, etc...anything that makes it easier to form ice.
Break that shelf ice off 10-15 feet on each side..if I got time, I whack off long sections of shelf ice. The less surrounding ice, the slower your set freezes up.
Choose pocket locations well- pockets freeze much more quickly than indentations do.
Very important, make sure that your trap is under at least an inch of water...I prefer 2 inches in winter...this keeps the ice from freezing TO the trap....many times, I can pull the trap out..then can hammer and break ice to my heart's content.
I cannot stress enough...take the time to open the sets. On too many occasions to count, I have RELUCTANTLY chopped out a set...KNOWING that it would freeze in a matter of a few hours or less..and 3 days later chopped it out to pull up a mink.
The tougher the conditions... the harder a mink has to work.
This is also the time to use bait and lure.
|
|
|
|
Post by BK on Dec 22, 2004 15:49:36 GMT -6
I hope you let Lori wear some gloves today.  I think I could teach her to use the BE set and do well with it,.......... but not you as your a lot older than her and set in your ways. |
|
|
|
Post by Hern on Dec 23, 2004 5:29:21 GMT -6
DJ, if'n you Mink trap Pennsylvania, you will find out one must deal with shelf ice.
Dry land sets solve that problem for me. Let 'er freeze.
|
|
|
|
Post by Edge on Dec 23, 2004 5:50:20 GMT -6
**I'm still curious about how all of you guys that don't chop ice CHECK those bottom edge sets.**
Im no mink trapper,but you *could*check them the same way I check my underice 330's;run a 2 conductor wire tied to each side of the coni spring,and then twisted together.
Leave enough wire out of the ice that you can test it with a continuity tester..........if the spring is open,the connection will be too.
I really like it for small ponds ;far less invasive than spudding a hole.
Edge
|
|
|
|
Post by trappnman on Dec 23, 2004 14:20:21 GMT -6
one other thing on shelf ice...... once the creeks stop making ice...usually when the temps are in the 20s during the day... the broke out chunk makes a tremendous attractant.
I also splash water up around the bank and around the hole...again the black shows up good and keeps the spot a tad warmer.
|
|
|
|
Post by BK on Dec 23, 2004 15:39:11 GMT -6
Ya Ya ,.........Let's talk about the 3 in drop in water that so often accompanies the shef ice. I took a couple pics. today on the line ,.........I'm gonna get developed today, if they turn out I'll show you how I deal with shelf ice. |
|
|
|
Post by trappnman on Dec 23, 2004 15:45:49 GMT -6
around here, the creeks, being so close to their sources, stay stable.
If the water level does drop, it usually comes before ice forms.
Only creeks I get that on, along with the quirk of freezing more from the bottom (sand) on up- are tohse within a few 100 yards of the Mississippi...flatland creeks.
|
|
|
|
Post by chub618 on Dec 24, 2004 6:22:19 GMT -6
now it looks like im going to have to get a cheap ohm's meter to check traps now!!!!!!!!!! thanks for the tip edge
|
|
