Steve, Resting set question

[thebeav2]

Remember mine aren't considered resting spots. They are only spots In the
minks travel way.

[trappnman]

thats correct beav- but why that gets you so aggitated, is beyond my ken...........

blind sets, IMNSFHO, are made to take advantage of 1 of 3 things- a hunting mink, a mink traveling to hunting areas, and places where a mink STOPS.

is that concept that hard to grasp?

my use of and defining of, my type of blind set, doesn't diminish YOUR sets- sorry you feel that it does.

the concept of a moving mink, vs a stopped mink, shouldn't be that hard to comprehend.

[thebeav2]

NO NO It's you that won't admit to renaming a simple BLIND set a resting set.

I think but I'm not sure that throwing out different names for the same thing just confuses people.

blind sets, IMNSFHO, are made to take advantage of 1 of 3 things- a hunting mink, a mink traveling to hunting areas, and places where a mink STOPS.

See you even explained a blind set with out calling It a resting set. No need to rename something and just confuse people.

My problem with the name RESTING SET Is your just making It sound like some Magic bullet type set. When In fact It's just a simple BLIND set. Now you have the new trapper running around looking for Magic resting set when In fact he probably just ran buy 15 dynamite BLIND sets.

I may be wrong but that's just the way I see It.

Nothing against you personally It's just the way I see It.

It's like book filler. We have the double dirt hole we have the triple dirt hole we have a dirt hole with out bait one with bait and we go from page to page with different variations of the same set.

Keep things simple with less confusion the KISS method.

Place your trap in choke point In the animals travel way and you will catch It. It's just that simple. The situations below demonstrate this system.

Why Is snaring so effective?
Why are body grips so effective.
What about trail setting with foot holds
Same with blind setting
Same with pocket sets.

[trappnman]

My problem with the name RESTING SET Is your just making It sound like some Magic bullet type set. When In fact It's just a simple BLIND set. Now you have the new trapper running around looking for Magic resting set when In fact he probably just ran buy 15 dynamite BLIND sets.


does calling a flat set, a flat set- make it a magic bullet set?
does calling a pocket set a pocket set- make it a magic bullet set?
does calling a BE set, a BE set- make it a magic bullet set?
does calling a big hole set, a big hole set- make it a magic sett?
does calling a wobble hole set, a wobble hole set- make it magic as well?

heck- does calling bait, bait- make it a magic ingredient?

and so on and so forth and scobbie doobie do- all it does, is DEFINE the nature of the set.

and the NATURE of this concept- is a RESTING mink

why define ANY set or method- its ALL setting a trap- so lets, in the future, define all sets, for any animal, as "trap sets"

and lets be honest- isn't all the internet rage, that blind sets are inefficient, and that only pocket sets (darn nomenclatures!) can take mink , how was it said "quickly and efficiently"?

based on all the pms I've gotten, and the several phone calls concerning the concept of trapping a RESTING mink over a MOVING mink- its clear many good mink trappers took advantage of situations, but ignored the reasoning behind the action, and now are looking for locations where they can make the mink, do what a mink is going to do.

for those caught in the middle here- reread Calvin's and Kelly's and Seldoms posts in both this thread, and the other 2 threads listed by Kelly.

to state that a new idea eliminates traditional blind sets, seems silly to me-

to me, a simple idea that pinpoints mink, & increases the efficiency of traditional blind sets is not a handicap for beginning mink trappers but a sharing of hard worked for concepts and ideas-

to become a good blind set trapper on mink, takes more than reading on the internet.

if I can get new mink trappers to use the 'lost art" of blind setting, I'll do my best-

thus, all the time and energy spent defending a concept- a concept that took me years to hone and refine to what it is today-all based on one thing-

a moving mink, is harder to catch than a resting mink- the reason BE trappers and traditional "hope and poke" blind sets compensate for, by making lots and lots of them-

keying in on RESTING mink (whether to pause, or to EAT) pinpoints location far more, than travelling type sets.

but for those confused- by all means- do not pass up other blind sets-

pardon me for using "names"- but...............

Under bank set- grassy overhangs on banks with structure-

Rat feed bed set- any old or current rat feed bed, is a perfect mink blind set

vertical walls- in certian situations, vertical walls sets are god mink producers

rock cubbys- both a travelling hunting set, and a eating station

middle of the stream rock sets- tunnle of rocks in center of small streams

BE sets

Rat dens- after the rats are gone, leave the trap

bank trails w/110s

Culverts, pipes, and bridge walls

so as you "walk up and down all over the stream" be sure NOT to pass up such sets-

and while you are at it, keep in mind that its hard (watch a mink work, I've given the light bulb example for me but i've seen many many mink work streams over the years trout fishing) to predict exactly where a mink will travel (and if you believe he takes the same path everyday then just, please, set on tracks)-

but its far, far easier, to predict where he will STOP.

[Wright Brothers]

I think the "cow sliding down the bank" track is the easiest, best way of describing what you're talking about. At least for country boys. Now put a "roof" over that set and,,,

I got to admit when I first read of this resting set over at OMs forum it took me awhile to figure out that it was the same "depression" set I had used. We grew up in different areas, different "slang" and such, keeps these places interesting.

[trappnman]

you nailed it WB

yes, depression set it is indeed- all I've done, is labeld the set for the "why".

[Wright Brothers]

Correction on myself. Easiest for folks to comprehend what you are saying.

[thebeav2]

and while you are at it, keep in mind that its hard (watch a mink work, I've given the light bulb example for me but i've seen many many mink work streams over the years trout fishing) to predict exactly where a mink will travel (and if you believe he takes the same path everyday then just, please, set on tracks)-

In my style of mink trapping It's very easy to predicate where every mink On that stream will pass. It's either on the right side or on the left side of the choke point on that stream.
That mink Is either going to leave the stream and cross the road or It's going to travel through that culvert It's just that simple. They have limited choices.

I can think back to a few spots on some streams that I would call a true resting spot. All these spots had a grass covered knob jutting out into the stream. Probably about 10" high. The grass was actually matted down and there was some evidence of cray fish parts and some droppings. The only place to set was where the mink was coming up out of the water and where It was leaving. In all the situations the mink seemed to leave at the same spot where they came up .

The other spots that come to mind are where the mink leaves the stream and climbs up on a rock or culvert top or a bridge abutment wall and leaves It's calling card. Resting set or dump site or feeding set or blind set you call It like you see It.

I think you can call just about any spot with over head cover a resting spot since here Is where the mink or muskrat feels more secure In this situation. That mink might even roll over and scratch his nuts In that situation. But he won't leave any sign to prove he did so.

Blind sets ;D

[trappnman]

no, you cannot call "any over hanging cover a resting spot"

or at least, I don't.

but go ahead, set em' up......................

[thebeav2]

Just because you may not consider them resting spots they are travel routes and they will catch rats and mink. Over head cover Is a prime location no matter what you call It.

[trappnman]

of course they are travel routes, and of course they will catch mink.

a resting set is just a subset of mink blind sets but the thinking, and locations, are not just setting travel routes or overhead cover.

if a mink travels 2 miles on a creek, his entire route is a travel way- indee,d every where his feet move, is a travel way.

but only a fraction of it, are locations/situations that causes him to stop. and only a few of those, are locations where he WILL stop (more often than not.... mink are somewhat whimsical it seems so are not 100% predictible)

and on many creeks, there are long continous banks of overhead cover. All are not stopping points. so if all are not, what causes him to stop?

Random? sure- plenty

Predictible? in certain situations- YES

now- why would you not, given an opportunity, set a mink trap where you have a very high % of knowing that if he comes by hes going to STOP?

[thebeav2]

I see no need to seek out a place where the mink stops.

BECAUSE I have already caught him as he trips the light fantastic along It's travel route on It's way to the so called resting spot.

[trappnman]

good man!

[thebeav2]

Thanks for the recognition. ;D

[thebeav2]

Pocket set.

Is this a resting spot? It seems to me It has all the attributes of one. And a lot of mink have been caught when they STOPPED at a pocket set.

Your thoughts on this subject.

[RdFx]

Suppose the pocket set above or below fast water would be resting set??

[trappnman]

thats right RdFx- but you don't even need the whole pocket, just a ledge with a slight depression behind it.

beav- IMO, in general, although mink may stop at them, all pockets are not resting sets in the true nature of the concept.

First of all, one of the biggest mink myths in history, is that mink investigate every hole (pocket) they come to, and I find this to NOT be even close to true.

Watch a minks tracks in snow creekside, they investigate actually very few holes, unless that hole gives them something or the potential of something.

so an unbaited pocket, put in willy nilly, is not going to, again IMO, have the same draw, that a pocket (or depression) placed where a mink wants to pause would have.

and a baited pocket, of course, is not a blind set.

[thebeav2]

I would say It wouldn't make a difference. Since 95% of the time the mink Is going to stop to Investigate. And a body not In motion Is at rest.

I would think In most cases a mink will skirt a fast water situation and take to the bank and travel around them. But If It did swim through that fast water situation and the lower pocket set was In position to be the easiest take out point. Then the pocket set below the fast water would probably be the most logical rest spot. Along with a natural take out point and the curiosity factor of the pocket set Itself. It would most likely be a hot location.

A mink taking to the bank and passing up the fast water situation could miss both pocket sets If they weren't In the right locations.

Or that mink could use the pocket set above the fast water to stop gather It's wits and rest a bit before attempting the fast water route.
Either way a good mink trapper will have caught that mink In one set or the other.

[trappnman]

I would say It wouldn't make a difference. Since 95% of the time the mink Is going to stop to Investigate. And a body not In motion Is at rest.


what doesn't make any difference? the location of the pocket? if so, I disagree 1000%

you believe mink stop at 95% at all holes? If so, I disagree 10,000%.

but I'm done arguing with you on the concept- its obvious to your mind, it doesn't exist and that's cool. Read my post #36 as my final word on the subject. One sentance in that post, makes the concept 100% clear, to any willing to learn.

got to go....I hear 1080 calling.....................................

[thebeav2]

Lee asked about a pocket set above or below a fast water situation. I tried to answer that question.


Spin It anyway you want. But I didn't say a mink stops at EVERY hole.

I explained what could happen In the case of a pocket set above or below a fast water situation. As stated below.




I would think In most cases a mink will skirt a fast water situation and take to the bank and travel around them. But If It did swim through that fast water situation and the lower pocket set was In position to be the easiest take out point. Then the pocket set below the fast water would probably be the most logical rest spot. Along with a natural take out point and the curiosity factor of the pocket set Itself. It would most likely be a hot location.

A mink taking to the bank and passing up the fast water situation could miss both pocket sets If they weren't In the right locations.

Or that mink could use the pocket set above the fast water to stop gather It's wits and rest a bit before attempting the fast water route.
Either way a good mink trapper will have caught that mink In one set or the other.

A good mink trapper will In most situations be able to locate these pull out spots and set to his advantage.