Resting Set.....

[trappnman]

from today-



Sunny high bank, deep pool below- perfect location. You can see the mink on bottom



One from today in a resting set that has been enlarged by catches- this is hot set on this location- 3 mink and 4-5 rats.



A typical stream side occurrence- log overhanging bank, inches from water.



Make a small indentation under log....



Mink eye view



Another typical scenario- log high on bank over water



Make the indentation



A producing set that didn't connect today- natural undercut, added indentation- curve in water, fast run below



Bare bank basically, no structure



Small indentation, clear grasses away



Add small "log" leaned against bank



Traditional resting type set, in rip rap with grass overhangs.

[thebeav2]

That's just a typical blind set In my mink vocabulary.
Great location pics any way.

[lumberjack]

Sure beats digging deep pockets and carrying bait around.
Why is the indent needed if he is stopping anyhow under the log?

[trappnman]

LOL- yes beav, they are ALL typical blind sets-

have I described them any differently?

Did you expect some big secret? Lets see- you have water, you have a bank- its where the set is made, and its WHY the set was made...

neither log- had anything under it- no indentation, no nothing- the indentation MADE the location. Both locations were chosen BECAUSE there was nothing there as an attraction for pic taking purposes- the INDENTATION becomes the attraction.

and the sheer bank- typical blind set beav? How so- I'm a typical blind set trapper- and until the indentation was made- NOTHING was there to attract a mink. You can dig ap ocket and make ap ocket set, yo ucan set a 110 tere- (piss poor set in that location in my opinion) or you can make an indentation, add te "structure" and poof- a darn good mink set.

The POINT being, that rather than "walk up and down and down and up" the creek looking for a blind set location- MAKE whats there- the PRIMARY visiting or resting spot....

ANY location, can be adapted, and adapted in secs.

[thebeav2]

Potato patto,
It's the log In the one location that gets it done same with the downed brush both are mink magnets and the same can be said about any under cut bank with a shelf they can use as a travel way or RESTING spot. I guess we just have different terminology.
Is this a resting spot for the trap or the mink?
The Indentation Is just a way of guiding and a place to bed the trap. Typical blind setting procedure. But yes we sure can call them resting spots since that's what they are.
I've been around a long time there Is no silver bullet LOl

[mountainman]

Thanks for putting this on here Steve. Many, many locations from past seasons are flashing through my mind. I regularly make indentions at landing places but neglected to set a lot of locations.

[DaveM]

Thanks, Steve. I am finally catching on.

[musher]

archive material

[trappnman]

yes beav, ALL blind set locations are mink magnets.

But I sincerely doubt- if you would have set up either of those logs- and I'll bet you the farm that you would not have even given that 2nd log, a passing glance. And if you think that bare bank- and it was bare, those little grasses are meanlingless, is a mink magnet, then you know my streams better than I do.

[Jason]

Great pictures and explanations. I know when you're out on the line stopping to take photos can be a pain. Thanks for taking the time.

[trappnman]

The Indentation Is just a way of guiding and a place to bed the trap

yes and no- of course the indentation is to hold the trap, and of course the indentation is to act as a guide- how could they possibly not be just that but in intention and application?

Thats exactly what I have stated time and again- all you need, is an indentation to hold the trap- and if that even cannot me done- support the trap over water with 2 sticks (works perfectly on #2 dls) and make a slight DIMPLE in the bank, and it works.

And really to the point- is you can make those dimples and indentations- where you want to. And yes, set up natural ones you find.

[trappnman]

Jason, after dropping one camera in the water, I really hate taking the new one along. Thats why water pics seldom get taken unless Lori is along.

[trappnman]

I'd really like to know- how many minkers, would have set up this log here. until I started looking for these type sets, not i na million years, based on this pic, would I have choosen under this log.

[trappnman]

And no, there are no silver bullets and I wasn't selling any. I've had a lot of requests to post pics of this simple, easy, quick effective set- so I took 3 new locations and showed how I'd set them up, without digging big pockets, or by using bait or lure, or by that famous "walking up......"

A real experienced blind set mink man would set most of these locations, but unless thinking this mode, bypass many OR not realize you can recreate the set anywhere really.

Mink are not in constant motion.

Mink stop and pause occasionally when working a stream.

Call this "stopping and pausing" or call it resting

These resting times, are NOT ONLY in obvious spots, but in AVAILABLE spots.

Now- thats my tip for the day.....

[thebeav2]

No sense In arguing about terminology. You catch your mink In resting sets and I'll catch them In blind sets It's just that simple.
Weather there Is a space under that log or not or If I had to make one I would still set up approaches to that log. Mink just love to perch up on things to get a better view of whats below them or to use It as a ambush spot.

No I have never been to your part of the country (no Non Resident Trapping LOl) but any Minker worth his salt could go Into any stream any where and catch mink It's not rocket science It's just knowing the minks habits.

This In my mind Is a resting area.
It's where a mink will drag It's sorry butt up out of the water and finds a place to preen and dry off and take a dump. Top lips of culverts come to mind. Any way In my country that's where I find lots of mink droppings. Up on bridge walls are another place. These areas are a bit harder to set but there Is always a route that the mink uses to get to these spots.
I also think over head cover Is Important but I don't thinks It's as Important for mink trapping as It Is for rat trapping.

[bobm]

thebeav2 said:

Top lips of culverts come to mind. Any way In my country that's where I find lots of mink droppings. Up on bridge walls are another place. These areas are a bit harder to set but there Is always a route that the mink uses to get to these spots.

I see a lot of these types of locations in my area as well. Do you look for the trail leading to it and set a coni bear or do you set a foothold down by the water?

[thebeav2]

I have very limited luck with mink going through body grips on dry land i would prefer to place a foot hold at the point where the mink Is leaving and entering the water.
Now a snare might just be the answer but we can't use them here.

[trappnman]

and thats why things don't always work the same- I bet you you can't find 3 culverts or bridge wall around here.

PS- see any mink tracks on either of those logs? Very, very few of the mink I've taken this year, did I see tracks on the snow- and we just had a period of about 10 days with no new snow.

I don't think you are getting my point at all beav-

[Zagman]

and thats why things don't always work the same- I bet you you can't find 3 culverts or bridge wall around here.

How does your water go under roads?

MZ

[DaveM]

In the pic you re-posted, do you also have a couple sets on the other side of the creek?

That looks minkier to me.