Whats the easiest way to tell how much mink activity there is along a stream that is very rocky making it hard to see many tracks.

Toilets, places they will use regularly, where they will deposit piles of fish scales/vomit.

Wouldn't that look like an otter toilet?

I always see where mink have shat on top of the end of culverts.Culverts are deadly spots to set for mink.Even if there is no scat.

Is it a safe bet to say that most bridges with a healthy stream running under it will have mink passing under it.

Good chance there are mink there, not saying they will go under instead of over tho.

I look for tracks in soft mud along the creek.

Best way to find out is to set it up. I just assume there are mink and set it up.

Poo. Look for it. Spend a little time watching in the evening and morning. Its amazing how many cross over the bridge instead of going under it.

personally i don't scout. granted i have only targeted mink for the last 5 years or so but i don't bother with it. most places there is water at least a couple months out of the year will have mink. set traps.....

I see that here.
Also look for cattails

Now the hipster made some good points.
Some of those smaller culverts are bit to restrictive and mink will cross the road Instead of going through them.

The one thing about large culverts Is don't get to excited about the amount of tracks. Those tracks don't ever get washed out so they can be a bit deceiving.

Boco also made a good point. Mink are always taking a dump up on those culvert ends.

joe pennanti why have you been scouting 20 hrs a week?

how do i distinguish between mink and muskrat in a culvert or a crossing? besides tracks?

I scout for fur everytime I'm out. I commercail fish for bait fish in the spring,summer and fall.I'm always look'n for animal sign.

Some of the best places to look for mink sign.Have not been talked about on this post,so far.
Dont know if I'll open up on them here.

I WILL do a talk about what I have learned over the years at the MINKFEST this year.Also Those who have attended our SOUTH JERSEY TRAPPING AND SNARING SCHOOL.And those who will attend this year WILL get this information.

Vinke

I know that I could really help you with your mink and muskrat knowledge. (Wink, wink) Probably even allow you to pick up your cage trapping game. (More winks)
I do not advertise but I offer one on one instructions for many animals including mink. I have quite an area that I will exclude potential students from but I think you are far enough away.

Part of the instruction will include how to determine mink poop from muskrat poop. Believe me, I know my poop. I have tread through plenty, and some of it has stuck.
You will learn where mink raise their young, which is typically not near culverts. You will learn about the fall migration of mink and how to take advantage of that movement.
You will learn that you do not need to know a skinny million mink sets. You just need to know what the top two sets are and stick with those. And, those sets can be modified to work with cages.

Vinke, just private mail me and we can work out the details. For the record I have taken lessons from many of the best trappers in the country, past and present. You are really in luck that I am willing to fit you in.

Mac

When eather is in the trap/snare, you'll know.

Just like otter trap'n/snare'n You catch a lot of beaver.

Actually I think It's pretty much a given If you stop at all bridge and culverts along the road system and do a little scouting your going to be able to tell If you have mink on that stream.

Taking long walks down all these small or large streams Is going to be a waste of time In my opinion. In most cases If there are mink on that water coarse they are going to make It to those bridges and culverts In their travels.
Female mink will raise their young In small brushy areas that lead to those steams. But for the most Those mink aren't going to stay In those areas once they are weaned.

The way our road systems are today you should be able to cross most steams multiple times. Gang set every stop and you will be good to go.

Mink don't leave a lot of sign so not seeing tracks Isn't a game changer. And to be up front with you I have never seen where mink are up chucking like otter do. And I have trapped a ton of mink In my day.

This Is my parting shot.

Once the season Is over for you guys that have freezing conditions and snow. This Is the time to SCOUT FOR MINK. Tracks don't lie.

Come on man a mink Is going to be up chucking like a otter. LOL

Big mink

For the most part rats don't do much dry land traveling unless It's In the spring during the mating season. Rats during the trapping season have established their home turf and will have under water runs leading from their dens to their feeding areas. And for the most part If there are large culverts or bridges they will travel through them. Rats are preyed on by just about everything so they pretty much stay In the water where It's bit safer. But that only applies before the Little head takes over the thinking for the big head. LOL


So If you find nice tight narrow trail through the grass leading around the culvert. You can pretty much bet It's a mink trail. So Instead of trying to hang snares or place body gripes In those trails just place a foot hold where the trail enters or leaves the water.

Good luck.