A mink's nose...

[trappermike220]

How good is a minks sense of smell? Do people underestimate there sniffer? Lets get some deep thinking going here, what have your observations told you about the topic...

Do you think rust or paint fumes on a conibear well cause refusals?

[musher]

I think that mink, like all furbearers, have a keen sense of smell. I don't think that their sense of smell is a factor in catching them UNLESS you are using bait/lure.

Mink seem to have two thoughts. "Danger comes from above" and "Is there food here? Or here? Maybe there!"

I think mink refusals aren't due to rust on traps. Non-hungry mink, location being off, obstructions causing the mink to veer, etc. are more important factors.

I've always wondered if mink have a very long attention span. It's as if they get distracted very quickly and move on.

[Bob Jameson]

All animals have a sense of smell. It is to what degree that they depend on it for hunting or survival that determines how dependent upon it they are in order to make ends meet..

Mink for the greater part are sight hunters in my experience and close range ambush experts. I believe that is why they hole and edge hunt so much. Either in or out of the water. They are not equipped for long pursuit take downs but up close they are very efficient and deadly. They can close the deal quite quickly in a limited space environment.

They are also habitual trail followers along all watercourse areas. They are very subtle/discreet trails at times but nonetheless they are there if you look closely. A little practice puts you on the money to identifying these runs and will increase your catch significantly over the years.

Lures and baits used for mink sets are not unlike trapping other species. Location, opportunity, eye and scent appeal is how it is done with baited or lured sets. Trail sets take just about 45% to 50% of my total mink catch.

The down side to alot of scent use on a mink line is the attraction of coon to your mink sets. If its a particularly good mink set location I would refrain from using a lure or bait and go blind there .Lure up another set or two up and down stream to head off the coon and keep my better location undisturbed if at all possible.

If I am focusing on mink specifically I avoid coon as much as possible. You will still catch them but you will minimize location disturbances .Unless it is a 100% drowning slide set that is out, down and away from your set proper then it isnt a real big deal.
My mink line is more narrrow and shallow trapping so I have learned to adapt to my trapline conditions.

A minks sense of smell is no doubt a factor in their ability to locate, confirm and to ultimately determine if a hole ,a hollow tree or a rock pile is worth further investigation. Or whether it is time to continue on to the next opportunity.

A mink is very quick to investigate and evaluate a possible prey specie lair on his travels. I have watched many over the years from a boat while water trapping working along the edge of a river or stream.

A trapper couldnt have a more educational experience then being able to observe one first hand for several minutes. That was some of the best video feed I have ever watched.

BJ

[coyote]

only ever trapped a couple mink. are they especially cautious of human scent?

[Steve Gappa]

Bob and musher summed it up.

If yo ulook at the mink, and body size in relation to habit, scent wouldn't be a large part of their hunting. I believe like Bob- they are a jump and pursue animal. Not to say I don't think they don't have a good nose, just that its not as important as the other senses in hunting.

Non-hungry mink, location being off, obstructions causing the mink to veer, etc. are more important factors.

I agree. Mink are very flighty- which is one reason I don't like the "traditional" guide sticks.l