Mink So Predictable

[spiderclawz]

NOT!

This blind set was aimed at mink. High banks mostly, but this is a sweet spot of entry and exit. I noticed large coon tracks here so I figured mink will be doing the same. I set my trap against the bank with stepping sticks. However, the large coon has not been caught, so I felt I needed the log for anchorage. I kinda thought I would be funneling any critter coming or going... I was wrong. That mink came out of the water on my log... see the tracks in the mud.

Suggestions on what to do? I do have a few baited pocket sets up and down from here and I caught a buck mink at a muskrat den the other day. Do I leave this set as is and maybe he will come out of the water the "correct" way next time or should I loose the log... maybe another trap?,,, I'd like to catch one blind if I can. The water is not deep here, a coon would pull any stake out of the bank... maybe eliminate the coons for awhile and then focus on the mink?

[Steve Gappa]

a couple of quick ideas, you need to pinpoint that mink-:

1) lay that stick up against the high bank- either side, whichever looks better and set the trap underneath it-

2) cut a chunk of that bank off w/tile spade, and set the trap between that and the high bank-

3) take gloved hand or spade, whichever works- and either make a small shallow pocket in that high bank, or make a groove into it (make the groove 1-2 feet long and mink high)

all of the above suggestions would make that so-so blind set, into a top one.

good luck!

PS- a situation like that, you are going to also get coon unless you use 110s or 120s-

[thebeav2]

The area Is way to open with way to many avenues for the mink to take.
Large rocks and logs like you used just Invite the mink to climb up on them. Small twiggy branches placed In a vertical position and used as guides will not allow the mink or rat to climb.
Your trap or traps should have been moved back along the bank to Intercept the mink before It got to that wide open situation. With the trap placed back along the bank and a Small guide stick placed on the creek side of the trap would guide the mink tight along the bank and Into your trap. The dog In this situation would be placed toward open water away from the bank.And the guide stick placed right at the dog.

I can't see what the bank to the left looks like but another trap placed before the wide open area would be In order

[thebeav2]

Or dig a pocket set at both locations back along the bank.

[spiderclawz]

Thank-You for the suggestions. I will.

The other side here is not as banky, but sloped - marshy and sloppy, and then a bank.

[SgtWal]

Mink will cling tothe tiniest ledge to keep their feet dry. I know, they hang out in the water, but they will try to stay dry as long as possible.
A sod set along the bank will do the job.

[trappnman]

they hang out in the water, but they will try to stay dry as long as possible.

I have to agree, and disagree with this- agreed, it does seem like some mink will avoive awater if theyt can, using high banks, etc-

but overall, I've never seen a trend where mink go out of their way at all to avoid water aka like red fox.

avoiding water at pockets- the idea behind the sheer face cut for pockets- might be hunting methods- that mink prefer coming in from the side if given any choice-


I think, that it might have a lot to do with whats in that water- a dead creek is more apt to have them skirt the edges- a live creek they go in and out at will

[mustelameister]

I'd make a 4" pocket in that high bank, stick the bait in the back end of it, run a drowner cable out to deep water, move the big stick so it doesn't hang the trap up, and push the ends of the longsprings of a Newhouse #11 DJ into the bank on either side of the pocket to rock solid set the trap. Finally, a guard stick would be thrust into the bottom just outside the loose jaw.

And yes . . . the dog is on the bank side, not the creek side.



Note the L-lock, and not the universal swivel . . .

[mustelameister]

Or . . . #110 or single spring #160 set in this position, with stick at angle above to move the 'coon around.



Yes Gary . . . the kiddies are getting educated . . .

Note: ends of #110 triggers are hammered flat, small hole drilled, and picture hanging wire tied in loop across. Works for me.

[trappnman]

I never use a cable with zig zag bends in it like that-


I'd like to catch one blind if I can.

anyone can catch mink with bait-

[lumberjack]

That looks like a good set to me, you just had a prick mink. If that would happen to me I would set a fairly large, square flat stone on end to block him this time.
Or pile more junk on top of what you already have there.
It probably isnt going to matter, they are calling for another 1" of rain here LOL.

[mustelameister]

Bait boosts my confidence level. I don't have as much faith in my blind setting as I do my bait sets. Add to that a 'coon will hang around longer and there I am.

Bottom edge sets . . . I've been using them most my trapping life. Not so much deeply submerged, but tight to the bank under the overhanging grass usually in a couple inches of water.

In many places on my trapline I have the following setup: a 30" length of 4" or 5" black irrigation plastic pipe set into place with a 24" or 36" length of rerod. This pipe stays there forever, needs cleaning out occasonally, but is used by mink and 'rats year round.



Got a small hole drilled in the center top with a slit a half inch made with a pocket knife so a Q-tip can be dipped into lure, pushed down the hole, then slid into the slit so it locks it into place. Wad of grass pushed into the pipe, then set a trap hooked to drowner on either end.

I usually cover this with sticks submerged into the bottom. An excellent set for 'rats and mink.

[thebeav2]

It would have been a lot faster and probably more effective to place a 1 1/2 long spring at that location Then all the screwing around with tiles and sticks and body grips.
Raise the loose jaw (bank side) a bit so you can get the trap a bit closer to the bank. Place a twig at the dog side for a guide and your good to go.
If your checking every day just stake at the location and don't worry about drowning.

If I was going to keep the trap where it's set I would remove all that junk.It's not doing you any good.

[trappnman]

if oyu wanted to leave that trap where it is, then I'd make a short- and I mean 6-7 inches short, channel going up into that - often what directs the eyes, directs the feet-

but I agree with all- that spot provides too much leeway for him to go just aopbut any direction-

get him on either side- you need to try the shallow cutout or mini pocket if you will on those approaches- they are deadly

[spiderclawz]

I doctored some sets according to advise you guys gave. I'm happy to report I connected with another mink - my second mink ever. Though this female wasn't caught in the sets I constructed according to your instructions. Just down the creek I made this set with a channel going back in the bank and placed a large flat rock roof over the channel. I stuck a conibear at the entrance. I did place a small dab of mink lure at the back of the channel, but the set was flooded out from a lot of rain, the water was well over the rock for a few days, and then the water level went down, but no air was getting to the cavity at the back of the channel.

This was a Very Special MERRY CHRISTMAS morning gift for me!! I only have a little over a week left of mink trapping this season.

Thanks to you all for helping!!

[trappnman]

just got back from checking a few and thought the same thing- nothing like a christmas mink-

you are hooked now!