Mink sets & Coon sets

[furman]

There is always a lot of talk about mink sets and coon sets and trying to target them separate. I guess why would you do that unless the market is way down on one. My style is to try to take everything that comes down the creek with a baited pocket (mink-coon-rat) I just make sure that I have enough sets in that there is always one in working order. I have always had good luck with a baited pocket (usually fish for bait).

My question is can you increases your catch buy targeting one species with certain sets or is it more the thrill of getting a mink in a blind set and getting a coon on a pipe set with a sweet lure(sets that target).

[trappnman]

yes, you definitely increase your take of each animal by making sets for that animal.

Trap placement is different, for example, with mink compared to coon.

You can of course take incidentals in any set.

[bnolan]

Trap placement is different, for example, with mink compared to coon


Do you mean for blind sets or pockets, for pockets could you explain your trap placement for each?

Thanks

[trappnman]

to begin with- and keep in mind this is me, I like different type pockets for mink compared to coon.

Mink- I like small pockets in hidden areas. I like small pockets- not much bigger then my fist.

Coon- big flashy pockets in wide open areas.

Mink I like the pocket at the water level, coon I like a higher pocket.

On mink sets, I like the trap tight to the pocket. Not inside the pocket, but tight to the outside edge.

On coon, I like my trap set back from the pocket several inches.

[thorsmightyhammer]

Tman pretty much summed it up.

If you want to catch more mink you have to trap mink.

If you want ot catch more coon you have to trap coon.

Different locations and different set ups.

I differ from steve a little on my mink trap placement. I like it inside the hole a little. Mostly because of necessity. Its a little colder up here and the further the trap is in the hole the longer it will work in freezing conditions.

[bnolan]

Thanks guys, I understand more of what you are saying. I don't have the experience either of you do. I always made my pocket sets the same for both species, guess I will try and make some changes in the future.

There have been alot of times I didn't make a set because I don't want to catch coons, may it be location, public eye, or even not being able to stake well enough for coon.

I hope to get out more traps this year on a road line, I plan on setting a lot of blind sets under bridges, is there anything that I could do to try and avoid coon in these areas?

On your coon sets being higher up on the bank I assume that the trap in out of the water and bedded on land. So if your mink sets are near the waters edge is the trap in the water? I have always placed it in about 1 to 2 inches of water. I have a lot of problems with the traps freezing in. What else could I do to prevent this? At this time I try to get a few bottom edge sets out but I would like to keep the pocket sets going a little longer.

Thanks Guys!

[trappnman]

no, I don't make make sets high on the bank- I make the holes bigger and higher on the bank. I often make coon sets with the bottom of the hole many inches up the bank (vertical banks).

As far as keeping coon out of sets- some things that help are choosing locations that don't have as much coon travel and don't use lures/bait.

As far as frozen in traps- look to location for the answer. Sets made on south banks, sets made on high banks with no snow, keep snow and ice removed from set area, sets made near current, setting traps with no obstructions near them (overhanging branches, grasses) all help.

Experience will show you what locations stay open longer, and you need to set up those locations. Often, setting a trap a few feet away will keep it open longer.

[bnolan]

Ok thanks, I will try and remember what you said and put it to use this winter.

CHT

[furman]

I make my pockets more for mink than coon -small and the trap close to the hole-

On my pockets I have never seen a coon not get caught in one of my sets.

So why set for coon just set for the mink and the coon will follow.

[trappnman]

I used to think that also.

I don't anymore.

and sure, its always a temptation to set one type of set, a compromise set, that will take any animal- and a lot of the time you do.

but if you go out and set 100 sets for coon vs 100 sets for mink- you will see the difference.

It just seems "right", that a coon will investigate and really work any baited and lured set- and early and late, I find that to be more true than not...but make it winter/cold trapping, and at least here in my area, I don't find that to be true. Many times you just get a walk by, and the visuals of the set, the trap placement, make a difference.

I do agree, that its easier to catch a coon in a mink set consistently vs catching mink consistently in coon sets.

[thorsmightyhammer]

On my pockets I have never seen a coon not get caught in one of my sets.

So why set for coon just set for the mink and the coon will follow.



No one is saying a good mink pocket wont take most every coon that comes by.

The problem is if you want to catch most of the coon coming down the creek you will probably have to chose a different set location than what would be the ideal mink locale.

I would venture to guess that you are missing some coon that are flipping the traps that are set shallow. I like to set my coon specific sets 4+ inches deep.

[furman]

My goal is to have a set that is the best all-round fur taker –mink-coon-rat- more fur on the boards the happier I am

But if you can take more fur (everything that come down the creek) with trying to set specific sets for specific furbearers. With out spending all day at one location. I will start to develop more of an open setting style instead of a single approach to my trapping.

I do have some flipped and snapped traps but it’s a small % over all.

I usually catch over 100 coon and 60+ mink on the first week of trapping. I try to hit the first weeks hard and then I slow way down and putt around after the easy stuff is gone.
I am not trying to brag or anything just what I do seams to works. But if I can improve on it I’m all ears.

Maybe my style of trapping work good in the beginning of the year and as time goes on ( colder temps) I will have to work on a more open approach to get higher catch rates.

[trappnman]

furman- I'm not suggesting your method is wrong by any means.

Its the way most people do it.

But you asked the question "My question is can you increases your catch buy targeting one species with certain sets " and I and others are saying, yes, you certainly can.

I think you are correct in saying that the one set for all approach might work better inearly season, and I think thats true.

You have more YOY animals and an unexploited population.

You aren't going to double your catch- but if you decided to just go all for mink- and set all mink style sets- I'm betting that you would increase your mink take substantially and of course would still take a lot of coon.

Do the same in making all sets for coon, and I know your mink take will plummet but your coon take would increase substantially.

Since you want both equally- then stay with your system. Its working pretty good I'd say.....trappnman

[bnolan]

I have a situation that I was just thinking about, I have a farm that I can trap that has a large creek or small river that runs through it. I have caught alot of large mink their late in the season. I am thinking about trapping it earlier this year for k-9's and coons. The water shows alot of sign for coon.
Our coon season here starts October 25 and out Mink season starts November 25. So my question is what would you do?
Wait? Bucket/trail sets along the bank? Or some type of pocket set that may only be appealing to coon, maybe a sweet bait or lure, although I don't think that this may keep the mink out of it. Could pan tension be a thought? If so how much?
Any suggestion?

CHT

[Steve Gappa]

Thats pretty easy to do. You touched on one thing- use some pan tension.

The other thing is trap position and pockets. Make your pockets as big as you want- but make sure the opening at the waterline is 4-5 inches bigger than the trap. Center the trap in this opening, but move it back 6-8 inches. Place an upright guide stick behind the trap where the dog and jaw meet.

Use whatever you want for lure bait, but lure in fishoil or a real sloppy bait, makes a coon stay there and work the set. You wouldn't miss many with this setup, and you aren't going to get many if any mink. Stuff does happen, but anytime you set in the water, you have a chance at a mink.

Buckets with 220s will take mink.

[furman]

I’m going to the archives and do some reading and open up my thinking.

It’s hard to try new things when you have done things one way for so long.

I will say one thing that there are always good posts on this site and lots of solid info

Thanks

Jeff

[plueger1]

Also by bedding the trap deep for coon (6-8 in.) you will miss most of the mink and have much fewer flipped traps by coon.

[bnolan]

Bare with me on this, I think I follow what you are saying. If I am using lets say a #11 that has a four inch jaw spread I should make my pocket 16-20 inches away from the water? If so, I then move the trap back 6-8 inches from the center of the pocket toward the water? Now the upright guide stick has loss me. What purpose does this serve? If anything would you not want it closer to the lose jaw to avoid it being flipped up?

CHT

[plueger1]

If the trap is bedded fairly deep under water flipped loose jaws are rare. Dave

[bnolan]

Dave, Are you saying that my understanding of Steve's post is wrong? I thought I need to be away from the water to avoid the mink?