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Post by thebeav2 on Aug 10, 2006 14:58:29 GMT -6
When to move traps depends If you have someplace to move them too. I liked 3 checks with 4 days between checks. I normally pulled no matter what the catch was after 3 checks. When i ran out of new places to set I would go back and work some of the better areas I had all ready worked.
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Post by oldmink on Aug 10, 2006 16:27:11 GMT -6
We have all had mink sets connect the 1st night-no matter what the set type. Weve all had sets that sat 3 weeks to 8 weeks and finally make a catch the day we pull. Same trapper, did he loose his mojo on the set that took forever or is that just how mink trapping is?
That's mink trapping for you. Why? Well maybe your mink territory isn't as good as you think, maybe this particular stream or creek isn't the most productive for whatever reason or maybe you just missing finding the hot set lcation and took a secondary location which required the extra time for the mink to find.
Also, if the weather was nice when you set the traps, shirt sleeves rolled up but till the mink was caught the weather turned into winter and it's cold and frozen may have something to do with it if you use bait. FYI I've always found bait to work best when the weather is cold if not downright freezing. Minkie is hungry and maybe isn't too particular where the food comes from.
Was that set that took forever to connect a good set?- if not,how do you know when to move it? Would moving it 20-30 yards one way or the other have helped? If so, when do you move it? the 3rd day, the 5th day, the 2nd week?
I never move a mink set. When I put a set in it's there for the whole period I'm trapping. I have confidence in my ability to spot the best place to take a mink on first look-see. Of course sometimes I''m wrong but I won't know that till I'm ready to pull the traps.
FYI I generally trap mink for 3 weeks. Daily checks.
What is the criteria of "knowing" your mink entail?- When do you know you know mink? Catching him within a certain time limit? Knowing where he is going? Certain catch numbers per year?
First, let me say I pay absolutely no attention to numbers? Why? Mink populations vary from area to area. Comparing numbers, in my opinion, is a waste of time.
Further, some guys push it hard while other are more laid back and stop to smell the roses.
The ability to readily take mink comes down to how many checks, how many traps and how many mink caught. Give me those figures and I have a fair read on how good a mink trapper is. Notice I say only fair? That's because of the mink populations. That you can't factor in any comparison.
Certianly knowing where a mink is going is a great help as being able to take him within a certian time limit.
To make a large catch you must have the weather in your favor and you must have the mink to work with.
On a more personal note, each year I strive to catch as many mink as possible with the least amount of effort expended. That does entail knowing where a mink is going to go and since I only ever trap 3 weeks I certianly must take them within that time frame.
I am not working nearly as hard as I did 15 years ago but I am catching as many or more mink. Go figure.
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Post by BK on Aug 10, 2006 20:00:28 GMT -6
There are many things that enter into if a set connects in a given time frame. For example, Steve you and I both know many of the mink we catch here aren't even using the creek we have set up for 2-3 weeks after we set. Many of the places I set up have been trapped before I ever show up. Yes they caught some blue mink, and a lot of those were females. I like it when they leave their stakes on the bank, then I don't have to look for one. I only get nervous if I see where a mink made it past my sets.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 10, 2006 20:08:25 GMT -6
For example, Steve you and I both know many of the mink we catch here aren't even using the creek we have set up for 2-3 weeks after we set.
If not longer!
My cousin, who is a good, mink trpaper from WI, swears he will take every mink on a creek in a week..Sure- the ones ON the creek- but by going in and out so quick, you just get the local mom and pups.
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Post by dj88ryr on Aug 10, 2006 20:17:42 GMT -6
I am only a novice minker, but tend to liken my methods more to what the Beav suggests, I use mostly, empty pockets, some blind sets, and a few BE, but last year was a personel best, three years ago, I didn't catch any mink here, and damn few rats, Nittany Lion changed that for me. I also set a trap, and it is there for the season.
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Post by fishadict on Aug 10, 2006 22:49:16 GMT -6
I have locations that produce for me over time - 3 months. Either I am thinning them out and others gradually move in or, they are running loops and I gradually get them - I don't know which. Sets will keep producing, if as already pointed out, the animals are there or will be there. I put a set in and leave it as long as I can.
If I see another good location, I add a trap. If a particular trap is not producing and I think it is in a good spot, it stays.
fa
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Post by Drew on Aug 11, 2006 12:17:16 GMT -6
this tweakin 110's thread turned into a hella good mink thread!!! i'm using my notes to write a book, i mean i caught my first mink last year..... jokin..
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Post by BK on Aug 11, 2006 14:23:55 GMT -6
"this tweaking 110's turned into a hella good a mink thread",.........................
I recall a mink thread from the past, that's been carelessly lost with a click of the keyboard. It had a tremendous amount of mink knowledge from real mink trappers from different parts of the states. Regardless of who you were or that you thought you knew, it damn well made you think.
It's lost and it's a shame.
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Post by oldmink on Aug 11, 2006 16:49:18 GMT -6
I remember that, Bob. I poured a lot into that bottle. I even gave away some of my best sets. Some guy PMed me about 2 years ago and said he saved copy of it, and was going to send me a copy but I'm still waiting.
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Post by BK on Aug 11, 2006 16:59:48 GMT -6
OldMink,........ you and a lot of other good mink trappers,.......... even the guys without the mink or miles gave it a spin that made one scratch their head if you had an open mind.
It's a damn shame " someone left our cake out in the rain and I'll never have that recipe again."
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Post by oldmink on Aug 11, 2006 18:31:03 GMT -6
MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark All the sweet, green icing flowing down...
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Post by Wright Brothers on Aug 11, 2006 19:22:37 GMT -6
Old Mink Trapper said > Some guy PMed me about 2 years ago and said he saved copy of it That was me. You never bit on the PM so I thought you did not need it, thought you had it archived. That hard drive is toast now, if I can find it I will email or post it I promise. I'm sure someone else saved it.
The format seemed almost planed. A young buck or two would ask a question, then an old buck would chime in. A great thread.
I would go with you guys any time you have gasoline.
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Post by fishadict on Aug 11, 2006 19:34:08 GMT -6
I saved a couple of the good mink threads from a couple years ago. I would be happy to share them if anyone would like a copy. I think I put one of them on Trapperman and it is in the archives. I would really like a copy of the one that focused on BE sets. I did not save that one becasue it was too long and I was un-formatting the web page stuff to make them more readable. The BE one had OM (Old Coon at the time), Steve, BK, Computer Hater, Mink, and Beav. I might have been in there asking questions. It was fantastic. If anyone has a copy , let me know. I will share the ones I have. I should probably put them on Trapperman, since that is where I copied them from.
fa
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Post by BK on Aug 11, 2006 21:11:37 GMT -6
Steve knows exactly what I'm talking about,.................. That thread had a tremendous amount of mink savvy in it. More info than any book one might buy.,.................... It was cast aside like a used ,...................well whatever. Damn shame to the trapping community.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 12, 2006 6:32:32 GMT -6
actually as you can see, many saved it. I had it saved until the computer went down.
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Post by oldmink on Aug 12, 2006 8:50:56 GMT -6
Well I don't know about you guys but if I ever get a copy again I'm going to print out a hard copy and put it in a binder.
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Post by Steve Gappa on Aug 12, 2006 14:26:23 GMT -6
that was a hell of a thread, wasn't it Glenn?
I agree- is probably THE definitive work on mink.
Whoever has a copy, speak up
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Post by Freak( Jim V.) on Aug 12, 2006 14:43:59 GMT -6
Surprised Marky dont have a copy stashed somewhere? ?? Seen quite a few good ones go bye , bye. But this one too should be archived. Maybe rehash a few things from some of the better ones first.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 12, 2006 15:43:57 GMT -6
I know ChrisM has it copied. If you would do me one favor before throwing me out with the wash water, email me a copy.
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Post by oldmink on Aug 12, 2006 16:04:43 GMT -6
Meeee toooo.
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