weasels

[musher]

Aug 16, 2011 7:26:27 GMT -6 trappnman said:

are they all white here before thanksgiving?

if so, i might set a few- but we got a three day check w/1.5s in boxes, so figured I'd run them along with my winter waterline.

Do you have a longer check time if you use rat traps? The boxes and cans in the photos are for rat traps. They work great.

[Ben Harper]

I know Bill and George pretty well. they come from many generations of trapping and they both eat sleep and breath trapping and lure formulation. I would recomend stopping by their booth or giving them a call if you have any questions about weasel trapping they will help you, with out a doubt. They gave me a copy of their weasel video a few months back and I think that someone who has never trapped a weasel could, after seeing their methods. They do a very good job of explaining location, traps, boxes, lures, bait, and putting them up after the catch. This isn't a Hollywood entertainment show it's about teaching you to catch weasels!

[ScottW]

Steve, depending on what you plan to use fo bait/lure for weasels down your way I'd possibly "recommend" you go with rat traps if possible instead of 1.5's. the only reason i mention that is it appears from what I've read and saw from your posts that you ahve quite a few coon awake late into the season down there and might have issues with coon getting into your boxes. Just a thought....really depends on if you plan on using lure....i.e. anise oil etc. Up here it's so rare nowadays to catch a coon after Nov. 15 or so it's not reallly an issue, although judging by the number of coon on my bear baits this year maybe they're coming back! edit.....I forgot to mention that this is IF you do not wire the trap/box to something which to me is a pain in the watch when it comes to weasels.

I prefer beaver of some sort for bait as it is readily available for me and doens't freeze nearly as fast as a lot of stuff and I think it has a somewaht distinct smell.

If you're just looking to catch some weasels and not maximize your catch you could stay in the same area here all winter and still catch em' but the catch frequency will drop drastically. 3 or 4 checks in a good spot will probably yield 50-75% catch or so if the weather cooperates and everythign is operational......such as you don't catch a mouse or such to put you out of comission.

I trap a lot ( but not all ) small culverts going under the road when the water going through get good an frozen or dries up. This is only really effective until the first big snow and they get plowed over and it can become more trouble than it's worth and I just set in the brush/grass nearby as I think they're still used to crossing there and will still come by expecting to be able to pass through the culvert.

Brush piles and funneled swamps are the next best bet. As for your saturation question, I think setting on sign is the most effective way for ME HERE as we usually have at least a dusting of snow by weasel time. Once you read the sign a little you can set generally "good" looking areas and be effective. Anywhere with some type of overhead cover (cattails and tall grass qualify for this) for them and rodents and lessly rabbits for food and you['ll probably find a few weasels.

I'm no expert and don't run dozens and dozens of traps and catch hundreds/season like some guys but that's my opinion. Happy trapping. ScottW

[ScottW]

Musher, here in MN the check is now the same for small footholds in "weasel boxes" as it is with a rat trap in a box. Happy trapping. ScottW

[Gibb]

I plan on trapping a few weasels this year.
Jim

[trappnman]

some good advice- thanks guys.

yes, the porters do say they catch coon and fisher in their boxes, plus a lot of bobcats.

good point on the coon- one reason I was thinking of 1.5s was to cut down on the number of mice in the rat traps- last time I tried for weasels it seemd like I was tossing another mouse on the "bait" pile every check.

might be i'll start with the 1.5, stake them down good as per the Porters outside the box, and see what happens vis a vis coon- can always switch back.

talking to a freind this weekend, where I coyote trap, and he said you want weasels, come to his farm, he sees them there constantly. hill farm too. but i'll be there in early nov- so mixed white at best (I would think) - do those have enough value to make it worthwhile putting boxes there while coyote trapping?

I've had weasel tracks pointed out to me, but have to say I don't see a lot that I can say "thats weasel!" on the creeks i'm presently on- but I'm hoping that in the marshes, it will become obvious to me, cause i'd like to set on sign.

can I assume, that weasels have small territories- so that if no sign, don't waste my time?

do they spend a lot of time under deep snow? I'd guess they must

[Gibb]

I would not bother trapping weasels that are not white, if you send them to auction the mixed colored skins go in the damaged grade. Going by last years average price the low end goods are not worth the effort to skin.
I find weasels in my area will come to all my sets marten fisher mink, so you can draw them to bait as I always use beaver meat.
Normally you find a source of food for the weasels and they will show up. I know on my registered line that they really cycle in population so it could be a hit and miss type of deal.
Jim

[makete]

There are two types of weasles, long tailed and short tailed. Short tailed weasles will be in the thicker stuff ie: swamps and are not worth as much as long tailed, or so I've been told. So if you want the long tailed weasles go for the woods and not the swamps. Best of luck either way.