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Post by JLDakota on Jul 26, 2005 20:01:52 GMT -6
I don't worry so much about the avoidance with coni's as I feel its overblown. I catch lots of mink in 110's on land and in sets similar to what is referenced when available. Try to slightly break up the outline with available weeds or a few pieces dead yellow grass if its there and if it's not don't worry about it. You'll still catch the mink. I like a stick on the outside or at an angle through the spring and the jaws to help stabilize. Again a few wisps of grass to frame it and you are good to go. I also start my circle triggers. Extra blocking doesn't hurt but I don't worry about it either. If you are using 120's position the inside spring straight up to allow conibear to sit closer to bank. JL
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Post by trappnman on Jul 27, 2005 6:47:09 GMT -6
I had a hate, love, hate affair with conibears. When they first came out in the 50s, we bought some for rats and weren't all that impressed for our methods on the river and marshes. In later years, I thought conibears were "easy" and used many of them. Last 15 or so years have been using less and less- last fall set 0 for coon, 0 for beaver and maybe 50 for mink. Got 5-6 mink in them.
A conibear stuck out in the open with get avoidances, at least on my spring creeks here. A conibear set along a vertical wall- will get mink and get go arounds.
Those avoidances can be cut down by placing the conibear in thicker grasses, a brushy area, disquise it with a few sticks, etc. Those that use them say 220s set right cut down on avoidances also.
but you still get avoidances. How many? hard to say- but I've seen enough over the years
I set conibears every year and yes do catch mink in them- but given a choice between footholds or squares- it wouldn't even be close. I have my complete foothold line out- THEN I set up 110s. Honestly, for me personally- I would not run an all conibear line for mink OR coon. Not worth the effort...but thats just me.
I don't set on land for the above reasons- snow covering the sets, freezing in (esp with blocking, grass) and damage to the animal- shrews, owls, eagles, coyotes.
I find it takes a fair bit of screwing around to keep 110s working out of the water in deep winter...again thats just me.
Others plan their lines around conibears and do ok... different strokes
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Post by BK on Jul 27, 2005 15:13:25 GMT -6
I would truly like to know what we do different,.......I refuse to think our mink act any different.
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Post by dj88ryr on Jul 27, 2005 16:00:54 GMT -6
I don't think the mink act any differently, but trappers sure do. It doesn't matter what you use if you are succesful, everybody has their own pattern, and favorite trap and set. I use about 80% pockets, but when I see a good spot for a bodygripper, I will use it without reservation, they both work, in their own situation.
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Post by trappnman on Jul 27, 2005 17:56:29 GMT -6
do different? whatever do you mean?
If you sewt up the "prime" lovcations with 110s and I set the "prime" locations with footholds- it stands to reason you catch more mink in your 110s and I catch more in my footholds. You have told me several times that if you have open water all winter, you'd set more footholds than conibears. And I do.
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Post by dj88ryr on Jul 27, 2005 19:04:36 GMT -6
Here is a mink resting after a long day of fishing.... ;D And, here is Nittany Lion looking for mink tracks at a similar resting spot.. ;D
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Post by BK on Jul 27, 2005 19:20:49 GMT -6
;D
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Post by NittanyLion on Jul 27, 2005 19:22:01 GMT -6
, I'll bet BK put you up to that.
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Post by dj88ryr on Jul 27, 2005 19:31:26 GMT -6
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