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Post by Bob Jameson on Feb 26, 2006 18:18:34 GMT -6
Creeks provide a more condensed and many times a more sheltered hunting area for the mink which they seem to prefer.That translates into a more effective trapping environment for the trapper as far as location pinpoints, better trapper access at times and creeks provide more specific mink movement patterns on smaller bodies of water.
You still must deal with water fluctuations any time when dealing with water trapping. This is more critical with mink trapping since a 2 inch water rise will put many if not most sets out of commission except for bottom edge types. Holding high water is usually not as big a problem on smaller feeder and tributary runs usually.Most will run off in a day or two give or take. It really depends on your rain fall index where you live or trap.Tributaries are mink magnets and intersections of rivers and tributaries are a no brainer to a good mink man.Not much different then canine funnel points.
I liken mink trapping to driving on the interstate and taking every possible exit along that main route of travel as far as I can go with it. Thats where I will make a large percentage of my mink sets.
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Post by blakcoyote on Feb 26, 2006 18:41:21 GMT -6
Creeks have a more defined edge,and much like trapping dryland edges are the ticket and the more defined they are the better to narrow down thee spot,like a funnel.
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Post by trappnman on Feb 26, 2006 19:18:13 GMT -6
Yes, thats what I mean....
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Post by BK on Feb 26, 2006 19:30:00 GMT -6
I heard you the first time Steve,..........I just took it a little farther. I do infact understand the quandry you speak of ,........not always but often I can capitalize on the lack of overhead cover.
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Post by Rally Hess on Feb 26, 2006 23:46:55 GMT -6
Steve, That would depend on where you live. The Mink here are concentrated in the creeks at the first week or two of season but move to the big water when the tributaries freeze. That only gives you about a week or two(at best) here until you are checking ice cubes. Ever noticed how many "dryland" mink you can catch about that time of year?
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Post by trappnman on Feb 27, 2006 6:08:37 GMT -6
im not talking trapping location, trapping areas, where to trap, anything of the sort- Im just talking the DIFFERENCE in my mind, between a river and a creek, in their physical layouts.
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Post by rk660 on Feb 27, 2006 11:16:41 GMT -6
Think you guys are talking about the flat wide open banks on a river that are harder to set than most creeks where you have lots of verticle edges at waterline. Another thing I dont like about rivers if setting from a vehicle is many time you have to make 2 stops and 2 climbs to set both banks. Every time I drive across the Missouri River and look at it, I think "ugh", I'd hate to have to trap that with all the flat bare banks.
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Post by bblwi2 on Feb 27, 2006 11:52:46 GMT -6
Rivers are large moving reservoirs that channel water flow from many times several smaller watersheds and maybe geographic regions. They then need and do require much flexibility in land area to accommodate the huge fluctuations in water flow. This leaves a considerable land mass that is edge. This edge is good but for creatures such as mink it is HUGE and with their investigative style they can explore for well beyond their lifetimes. The smaller streams and creeks if you will run shallower and typically faster and with less flood plain thus the edge area is minuscule in comparison to even a moderate river. This makes targeting the mink considerably less difficult because the same number of mink with the same speed and habits will be on location in much less time. Plus the active interface area of the two habitats littoral zone, shallow bank water versus bank is many times similar in size so the total biomass per cubic foot of water is considerably larger and the area will hold relatively higher amounts of biomass per linear or square foot of habitat. These characteristics make the smaller creeks a better place for smaller predators and a better place for trappers to interface with the predator more quickly.
Bryce
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Post by lumberjack on Feb 27, 2006 12:31:34 GMT -6
Creeks have less bends and are straighter than a river? I give up
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Post by JWarren on Feb 27, 2006 12:52:21 GMT -6
I don't have many creeks. I found a few locations on the river and got 9 out of one stop with only one of them female. This was just a quick stop on the way to my other sets. I don't know if you could do that on one stop on a small creek?
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Post by trappnman on Feb 27, 2006 13:51:28 GMT -6
you cna do that anywhere thewre are that many mink...LOl
I've gotten 10 at 1 stop with several traps. This year, in 2 traps, had 5 mink in 3 checks.
Yes, rich- thats about it. Not that those places can't be set up- but thats why I don't LIKE to set them up.
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Post by Rally Hess on Feb 27, 2006 16:50:12 GMT -6
Steve, But if you are boat trapping you can pull into the tributaries and set both sides, from the bow of the boat or canoe. Then you can snare the beaver between and not have to carry them up to the truck!
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Post by Steve Gappa on Feb 27, 2006 17:29:43 GMT -6
our rivers here, i'd need backpack straps on the canoe...LOL
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Post by plueger1 on Feb 27, 2006 21:40:26 GMT -6
It depends on the size of the river and how you define the term "river" The river I trap is more like a creek with habitat stopping at the waters edge in most cases. Steve is right on with regards to the bigger rivers. Mink normally dont feel comfortable traveling without suitable cover for protection. Just my opinion.
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Post by Rally Hess on Feb 27, 2006 22:42:38 GMT -6
Steve, Them aint rivers, thems cricks.
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Post by mostinterestingmanintheworld on Feb 27, 2006 22:56:49 GMT -6
I seen a river once't down in Californy. Looked just like a wash that had water in it all the time.
Joel
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Post by bblwi on Feb 27, 2006 23:46:01 GMT -6
Joel, you have to drive that far out of NV to find a flowing river? LOL, Wow you can use bottled water as cat bait when it is that dry!!
Bryce
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Post by Zagman on Feb 28, 2006 5:58:26 GMT -6
I was on the "Big Muddy" River in NE Montana......even in my current Tuesday Night bowling league shape, I could leap it with one mighty bound.....
I believe Rivers and Creeks are differentiated, and therefore defined by.......length of flow. Not width....
But if I am wrong, I am sure someone will point out the error in my ways......
Regardless, I have seen some mighty wide "cricks" and some narrow rivers......
Zagman
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Post by trappnman on Feb 28, 2006 6:38:55 GMT -6
If you want book definitions- a river is : 1) a natural stream of considerable volume 2) watercourse 3)soemthing resembling a river 4) large or overwhelming quantities.
A creek is: a small inlet or bay narrower and extending further inland than a cove 2) a natural stream of water smaller than a river 3) a narrow or winding passage.
Thats common knowledge.
I was simply commenting on WHY I like creeks over rivers for mink, and pointed out a feature that, in my area, marks the PHYSICAL characteristics of a creek (where I love to trap mink) over a river, where I do not.
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Post by mustelameister on Feb 28, 2006 11:27:19 GMT -6
In my mind . . .
A river has plenty of depth for drowner systems. A creek does not, but . . can be modified with a shovel, and on occasion presents "holes" for drowners.
A river can be run by boat and motor, a creek must be accessed by foot.
A river trapper's mule is his boat . . . a creek trapper carries his gear.
A river harbors greater numbers of fish species and larger individuals. A creek has less fish species and fewer individuals.
Rivers can be deserts, whereas creeks rarely are.
A river is dynamic, whereas a creek tends to be more static.
A river is romantic, a creek is poetic.
A river is yesterday, today and tomorrow. A creek is just today.
I'll take the river any day . . .
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