I don't think the reverse slot Is going to make any difference.

Correct, especially if spring is placed against back of spring slot. It may cause the trap to jump and grab the bait, if place to close to it, thus not getting a good grip on the animal. The conventional system works great as is when place close to the bait. The hole placed lower may be better although I doubt it as I have not noted any problem with it centered with regard to mink, marten or fisher catches.

Not sure u can do that without effecting the size of the hole?

Don't the jaws rotate both ways from center? I still don't think It's going to be enough to cause any problems.

Well he could just leave a 1/2" of material at the bottom of the hole.

That's what I did Beav- the 2-3/4" hole is tangent with the bottom 1/2" plywood

We think a like Eagleye.

Nice job now go catch some mink.

I think you guys are way over thinking things. Just make a few varied boxes and get them out for testing. Field location of the boxes is much more important than placement of the restricted access hole IMHO and experience.

What a bunch of noobs, I had a great year using mink boxes

Bctomcat.

We have to go through all these hoops before we can even make this check thing legal. It's not about 24 hour checks we want 4 day checks.

I've seen how this mink box thing works North of the USA border. But I can grantee It's not like that down here when It comes to mink working boxes.
This may take 2 or 3 years to even get a good start.

The spring notches at the back will never work for the obvious reasons stated above. And it was my gen2 idea. And hinging the door is a no no.
Get a mink frozen in that hole and your taking that box home. Pin the door and carry a few extra doors in your pak and the box can be reset.
I've thought all this through and put it to the test.

How Is a mink going to get frozen In the entrance hole? The trap Is 9" from the hole. And It seems to me that It would be very easy to open the back door and remove the mink and the trap.
I'm betting if you stuck your hand In that trap with rear facing slots your going to get some busted up fingers.

4 day check in the late season. Now tell me again it will not freeze.
And I have stuck my hand in 110s (with a weak spring) and at best it caught my knuckle in the middle of my finger.
You admit you don't use them, stop acting like you know what your talking about. And just listen to people who have made and used them
Go play with your tire set

So the mink Is froze solid and that Is going to keep you from removing It from the box? I have caught plenty of mink and marten In open ended boxes and I never ever had to take any box home to remove either a marten or a mink. Well that was 7 weeks of trapping In Canada not down here. So I've got the time using boxes and catching fur In them.

Your a real piece of work wetdog.

We are talking about a 23/4" hole and a 4 day check

You guys going to the prom together?

Ill I will say is that I got snapped twice this year by two brand new 110s. Wakesyou up but your hand is fine.

Wetdog- you raise some good points but keep in mind, at one point this was your best idea, probably two generations ago, I believe you’re on Gen 4 now? We’re just starting the journey- I’m more interested to see if this concept is coon resistant, rather than a mink catching machine- that will be crucial in complying with a (4) day check (if we ever get it approved). I also don’t typically trap mink after January, based on fur quality- so the weather conditions this week could be a factor. We’re trying to solve for: how to catch a mink and eliminate any incidental coon catches… this is challenging.

Here's where we ended the day: This is the Gen I design after several posted ideations, I'll set these (6) for a week and we can hopefully and collectively make some revision recommendations after that time period.

Eagleye. Looks good. Keep us posted on the results of your testing and any changes you make.

Heres an idea if you feel the need to encapsulate a bodygripper for mink-Cut spring slots in a bucket that has a mink size hole near bottom, bait above conibear.....-put bodygripper in bucket-stand bucket open end down-stake somehow to keep it coon proof. Nice boxes Eagleye, it would take several mink each just to be in the red with them.