Weasel trappin from start to finish.

And just where did you learn that ?

Nice pics. Do you lose many in the rat traps? I used some rat traps a few years back and found that I lost a lot in them, however I never tried them in boxes.

Never lost a one, had to go deep into a few culverts to retrieve a few boxes that tried to float away when the water went up.
2-poor, I have to give credit where credit is do, O.P. taught me everything I know about weasel trappin, LOL, if that was the case my weasel traps would have 12 swivels, triple jaws and set ten feet in the air as to not catch incidentals.

Brings back fond memories of the days when I trapped weasels big time! Great day's harvest! Ace
PS- I have a question on the rat traps as all I ever used were #0 jump traps. I note in the pictures that half of the weasel is hanging outside of the box. Doesn't one sometimes get damage from birds when the animal is exposed like that?

Asa, first I wish I could say this was a one day catch. It's more like a couple of weeks catch. Right now I have 26 weasels so far, not bad for only a few sets chacked on my way to work.
As far as damage to any weasels hanging out of the box, not yet anyway but I check sets almost everyday.
I will say that your weasel lure is the only lure I use and it has worked perfectly, thank you for an excellent lure!

nice catch

Are culverts your main set locations?

Nice pictures Tim.Who is O P anyway and what does it stand for?

Very impressive!! It's neat to see how it's done in other areas......the whole trapping thing. I've been in the woods here in PA for the last 35 years non-stop and have only seen a couple weasels......ever. There just are none here. Don't even see tracks in the snow more than once or twice in a blue moon.

Awesome Catch

TIM: Still a great harvest Tim whether it took a couple of weeks or not! Thanks for the comment on my weasel lure!

Strut 10: I don't know if you have weasel in your area but because you have seen only two in 35 years doesn't mean there are none. I've trapped hundreds of weasel in my locality and have only seen weasels several times in the woods in 65 years. Ace

What is a weasel worth right now?

I'll second that notion of just because you do not see them doesn't mean they aren't there....I consider my area to have a pretty good weasel population and you rarely ever see them with the exception of if you shoot a deer within view of yoru deer stand you continue to hunt, you will often see them working the gut pile then.

Oh, almost forgot.....nice pile of weasels tim! Gosh dang lazy culvert trappers! Happy trapping. ScottW

How would i go about finding out if we have any weasels here in alabama? I looked all over the net and nothing. The area i trap have very few mink. Would a weasel need the same habitat as a mink? Nice pics and awesome catch. Im still furtrapping and working ADC but i believe i am more excited by finding creative ways to trap bait.(Rats at the barn).

I have found country prices to be about $4.50 in my area for nice big ones lately, I decided not to sell them and I shipped to NAFA hoping for more, in hindsight I'm already feeling like I'll regret not just selling em'! Happy trapping. ScottW

Nice photos, Tim. I quit using rat traps, as I lost too many with them. They won't kill a mink or a long tail weasel.

After seeing Arnie's milk jug set, I agree with him in using 1 1/2 size foot holds. Instead of catching the weasel by the foot, it becomes a body gripper, killing instantly; most weasel never move the trap. Plus, you have a better chance of holding that occasional mink that happens along.

BTW, I caught my first long-tail weasel this year. They're almost twice the size of a short-tail.

Nice pictures Tim !

I suppose the Rat trap debate will go forever. They have proven themselves very effective many times over on my line.

Like Tim I have never had a Weasel damaged because it was not fully in the box. In fact most do not even make it in.

Myself I will never return to using the 1-1/2 l.s. That first picture say's it all. Score !!!

Are there many weasel trappers in Lower MI and what type of set locations are you setting?

I also have never had one damaged outside the box. I had one get chewed inside the box probably a shrew. I like the snap traps because the cost is about 1/4 of a longspring and I think they are less likely to get stolen. I've caught about 30 so far and I learned it all from asking 2poor alot of questions.(Thanks Cory)
Hey Tim in that first picture is that ear wax on that Q-tip thought maybe you found a new lure.

I caught 2 longtails this year and they were as dead as a doorknob with the rat traps. The only thing I did with my rat traps is slide a penny under the spring wires to give it a little more "oomph", especially my older traps. Asa, your weasel lure is a legend and I thank you again.

2 poor, I agree with you and have to disagree with Arnie about his 1 1/2 long springs: I don't like them either. My favorite is a 1 1/2 jump trap. They fit those milk jugs so much nicer than the long springs. I've not had a single miss or a live weasel with them.

I've had too many bad experiences with regular rat traps. Maybe if I'd modify them like Todd, they'd work better. I've had several mink happen along(tracks in the snow)and rat traps will not hold or kill a mink, but with a 1 1/2 jump trap your odds are better,IMO.

So I post this several hours ago then go out to do some cutting in the woods. What do I find?? A set of weasel tracks!! What a co-inky-dink!!!

what does the milk jug setup look like?

how much are they worth? Where can you trap them? I live in NW PA would they be around here?

looks like you've did good
congrats

nice catch them things are neat looking

Nice pictures

Awesome pics, looks like alot of fun.
I have a problem with the tail, sometimes the black end ripps off????????
Any suggestions ?????

Silver Fox, ya use an exacto knife?

Nice catch Tim, I have only caught a few but there are ton around me, anywhere theres rabbits, there ermine!

fun isn't it? If you get a couple hundred more maybe you can buy a tank of gas.

Great pics.

Awesome catch! As asked a few times above, whats weasel fur go for price wise, i have no clue.

SDHunter:

I think NAFA was about $6

Ahh, missed that one, thanks!

I have sold mine in December and again last weekend. Both times I got $6.00 across the board. (51 total)

Gary

Hey Nebraska guys, what are the odds of getting these little guys if I tried?

ElhewPointer

Remember, I'm still looking for whole weasel carcass's, paying for them....B.....

I found out you really should use a belly board on weasels. It took quite a while to get them off the boards yesterday. Now I'm using wooden pokers that you would use for shish-ka-bobs, seem to work great.

Weasel 6,069 (offered) 50% (of offered sold) $9.05 (Average) $10.00 (high)

This was Furvesters results from last sale---pretty darn good

Put a sharp angle on a drinking straw they also work for belly boards for weasels The small ones are better.
Dan'l

Contrary to some opinions, you do need a belly board on a weasel stretcher. I use a lead pencil or something similar. You will only try without one once. The hide is very tough to get off when you don't use one.

The milk jug set uses a 1 gallon milk jug with a flap cut in the front, large enough to insert a trap. The cap is used to hold in place a suspended string or wire with bait attached. The bait hangs inside the jug. The weasel enters, jumps up for the bait and falls into the trap and is killed almost instantly, as it's caught around the body.

I always have used a belly board on weasel stretchers. Ace

I caught one last week by chance. Got him in a 110 set for mink on a dry trail along a bridge wall. He is itty-bitty. 8" from nose to tail w/ 3.5" tail. Is this a long tail, short tail....??? The ones at the top of this thread are quite a bit larger from the look of the pic. My 7 year old son was more excited by the weasel than any other catch this season.

I'm in the belly board club too...ya don't need much though. As I've mentioned before, split some paint stir sticks the long ways and not very wide and you'll have a good belly board for a weasel. Might need to wittle the end down a bit so it slide in nice on some, but not really necessary, just another example of my and my double laminated double-double jaw 10 swiveled 4 foot elevated heated cubby with a water dish antics that I like to use tim! Happy trapping. ScottW

THose that use the milk jug, the flap you cut to get the trap in, is that then left open for the weasel or is a circular hole cut and the flap put back in place?

Hey Scott W, ever get over my way anymore? Stop by if you do, enjoyed your last visit. Ace

Best trap location???? so far I've only heard culverts?

330 Trapper: Best trap locations....any place where rabbits and/or grouse reside for the winter, rock piles, brush piles, wood piles, fence rows, old abandoned out buildings. Personally I never placed boxes or make sets unless I first seen tracks in the snow. A weasel track appears just exactly like a squirrel track except a squirrel track shows four offset prints in each grouping when they are running through the snow. A weasel track has only two offset prints in each grouping when it is running through the snw. Hope this is helpful! Ace

cattail stalks for belly boards and riparian areas for sets. I agree with Asa, set on sign. We've got a ton of them this year. Try a rat trap on a piece of lath stuck in snow bank vertically, with a milk carton over the top. Carton protects from snow and birds. Lath allows you to raise or lower trap according to snow depth. Put trap high enough above snow that weasel has to stand on hinds legs to hit bait.

I agree on the belly boards Tim, especially on the larger longer weasels.

I have never seen the need to use a belly board. Never had a Weasel that would not just slide off the stretcher. Maybe I am just fortunate and have well shaped boards !

Asa,
I was quite a bit North of you this fall but only had a couple days as I had passengers. If I make it anywhere near you I'll be letting you know and I'll try my best to stop on in, I thoroughly enjoyed visiting you and the expert cook! :-) Happy trapping. ScottW

I sold one weasel at the last furharvesters auction that went for $10, but i've heard of them going as high as $14. Ive got 18 so far and that should pay for the gas money i've lost on everything else this fall. I'm using 1 1/2 longsprings in boxes and it's worked the best for me.

So can I get these guys in Nebraska or not?

ElhewPointer