MN rat and mink numbers
#6343684
10/08/18 11:07 PM
10/08/18 11:07 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,801 South metro, MN
Calvin
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,801
South metro, MN
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Just read my latest outdoor news publication.
I see that the Biologist John Erb states that rats and mink "aren't doing all that well". I find that head scratching as we are in our 5th year of good water levels...and I'm seeing more rat ponds popping up anywhere I've been.
Erb did reference back to 20 or 30 years ago. Not that we have to go back that far, but wondering if people agree with his statement...or are we seeing a good rat and mink population these days?
The insane are running the asylum.
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Re: MN rat and mink numbers
[Re: Calvin]
#6343687
10/08/18 11:19 PM
10/08/18 11:19 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 18,698 williams,mn
trapper les
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 18,698
williams,mn
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Erb is out of touch, and temporarily forgot the cyclic nature of predators and prey.
Seems to be a lot of mink around, and you can see a rat about anywhere despite the drought we had. They are flipping on every water way.
"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
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Re: MN rat and mink numbers
[Re: yukonal]
#6343735
10/09/18 04:56 AM
10/09/18 04:56 AM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,457 Mn
nightlife
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,457
Mn
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A bunch of ponds and ditches that I normally trap in Sherburne County are dry. Haven't seen a rat house in the last 2 years. Lots of water here but not many rat huts this year but there seems to be an abundance of mink have seen a good doz or so cross the road and stopped counting at 50 the ones that did not make it across Up untill last year there were a good number of huts everywhere but this year there are only a handful
�Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks.� ― Robert A. Heinlein
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Re: MN rat and mink numbers
[Re: Calvin]
#6343767
10/09/18 06:16 AM
10/09/18 06:16 AM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,341 Northern MN
Osky
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,341
Northern MN
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By visual survey only this summer I believe mink are up in my area, otter and rats may be down a bit.
Osky
"A womans heart is the hardest rock the Almighty has put on this earth, and I can find no sign on it" www.SureDockusa.com
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Re: MN rat and mink numbers
[Re: Calvin]
#6343809
10/09/18 07:39 AM
10/09/18 07:39 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 18,698 williams,mn
trapper les
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 18,698
williams,mn
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It's actually been dry here all summer, but every time I stand still at a beaver control job, I'll see a swimming rat. For years we hardly had a rat very far from the lake.
"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
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Re: MN rat and mink numbers
[Re: Calvin]
#6343818
10/09/18 07:50 AM
10/09/18 07:50 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,267 Slaughter Slough, MN
Dead Coyote
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,267
Slaughter Slough, MN
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Around SW MN, we had so much rain and flooding this Spring and Summer. Skrat numbers are way down. With the 4" of rain the past couple of days, it won't get any better either. Skrats don't like rising and falling water level's period. The marsh's around here had three big Douches of water come thru them in the last 6 month's. A lot of Mink and Skrats died with their young. While trying to shoot some carp this spring, I seen numerous dead Skrats and a couple of Mink. What else could kill water dwellers and not eat them. Floods don't mix well with any critter.
Live everyday like it is the last day of your life! MJPPTA 1%
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Re: MN rat and mink numbers
[Re: Calvin]
#6343821
10/09/18 07:56 AM
10/09/18 07:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 12,120 MN
160user
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 12,120
MN
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If we get any more rain here I will need to start exploring coyote and fox floaters.
I have nothing clever to put here.
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Re: MN rat and mink numbers
[Re: Calvin]
#6343886
10/09/18 09:10 AM
10/09/18 09:10 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,309 Central MN, sort of old
MnMan
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,309
Central MN, sort of old
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Rats seem to be down in my small area and have been for the last two years..... mink as well. Otter populations seem to be up, though.
I'm just happy to be here! Today I'm as young as I'll ever be and and older than I've ever been before!
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Re: MN rat and mink numbers
[Re: Calvin]
#6343911
10/09/18 09:58 AM
10/09/18 09:58 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,556 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,556
Wisconsin
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From what I'm seeing around here Is that the rats have been flooded out of their normal haunts and are building In these shallow water ponds. When the water goes down and It freezes up they are going to be In world of hurt.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: MN rat and mink numbers
[Re: Calvin]
#6344024
10/09/18 01:26 PM
10/09/18 01:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,556 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,556
Wisconsin
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It's In the plans. colony traps In the runs. In and out In 2 days.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: MN rat and mink numbers
[Re: Calvin]
#6344340
10/09/18 08:42 PM
10/09/18 08:42 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,274 WI
nimzy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,274
WI
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Re: MN rat and mink numbers
[Re: Calvin]
#6344388
10/09/18 09:44 PM
10/09/18 09:44 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,801 South metro, MN
Calvin
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,801
South metro, MN
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Les,...Interesting on the Mink as Erb said mink are down, particularly in the northern part of the state. Trapstickman  Doesn't surprise me your seeing both higher otter and lower mink and rat populations. Otters eat em like popcorn I suspect. Also makes sense with you guys who live in stream country. The floods this year are never good for either rats or beaver. Nightlife.... Not sure what part of the state you're in, but they aren't even building here yet. Hopefully some get building for you soon. Nimzy, I see the MN DNR are now spraying wetlands in an attempt to control (or knock back) the narrow leafs. According to their reports, they are making progress. Not sure if it's just a drop in a bucket or not, but maybe a good start to controlling the narrow leaf. Any idea if WI is doing the same? Thanks for the replies, guys. I have more confidence in our own observations, personally.
Last edited by Calvin; 10/09/18 09:49 PM.
The insane are running the asylum.
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