dang spell check

Yep

Well here in Northern WI we had shelf ice on the 5th day of season and have been totally iced over for two weeks.

Since we can’t snare for mink out of the water that set of Eric’s can’t t be used here although it sure would work. But get this we can set up to a 160 above the water or on land but not a 3” snare loop. Makes no sense.

Good luck to everyone, we are done water trapping unless one goes under the ice.😡

Oh forgot to add we’ve had snow on the ground for two weeks ,too, urgh!

I have had some luck with 110 conibear mags in trails thru frozen cattail marshes but boy do I wish I could use snares instead.

Caught a couple this week in dirt holes just below the high water mark. Used footholds bedded in front of the hole. I also set the bottom edge trying to keep all the trap below the water so it don't get frozen and not fire. I do this on both sides of the stream if I can if I can't I set where the stream has a bend so my set is on the inside of the bend in the stream. Seems to work for me

Going to put a lot more mink sets out this year. Market is down for them but I like to learn and since I'm checking coyote and coon sets in same areas anyway might as well run a few mink sets in the weedy ditches and draws.
Our numbers are down here, and have been declining for long time. Some older studies at UNL indicate pesticides and other farming practices contributing to decline of both mink and weasel as both highly susceptible to these in food chain and habitat.
I'm not starting any trapping for most part until end of next week. For mink will be a lot of blind sets and have made a few bait boxes to try too.
Thank you everyone for all the tips and suggestions.
Jim

good luck Jim,i became addicted to that fuzzytailed sob 30 yrs ago.our numbers seem up here but we don't have the large farming operations here like out there.muskrat numbers are really down though.just too many predators in my mind.

Glad to hear Mink I Love.

gettin close to finally settin for a few,worst weather ever up here i think,market may make it seem worse i guess.