You should put a satin Finnish on them lol

I am in favor of a “reach proof” box. I favor a dog proof box

. A coon proof box is Narrow minded.

If you’re gonna ask for something
make it worthwhile.

Neighboring states have extended checks on BGs larger in size without any safety restrictions.

Olson retired!

Nimzy- I like "Reach Proof".. I'm not sure what type of vernacular is required to move forward for approval, with the goal being - limiting incidental catches. The concept already abides by the dryland <60 sq inch regulations on a 24 hr check- how do we bridge that to (4) days with the proper language?

Build a box that keeps dogs out and prevents foot catches. To work towards extended checks. Why limit it to mink?

To my knowledge the reason we are so critical on BGs was the capture of dogs back in the days of 220s. When coon were high. We lost the 220 and developed a phobia for lethal sets on land

Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. After all without problems there are no solutions.

Nice boxes, but I don't care for the reverse slots or the traps proximity to the bait. My hinged door pinned at the bottom works fine. I have never had a mink frozen into the hole, but I don't usually pin the door shut, and have left it up lately as an option. That is how I caught an otter, which broke the chain on my trap, and nearly caused a loss. Eagleye, your trap chain wont withstand a nontarget catch, IMO.

Your spring slots are plenty big as well, and it looks like a mink could squeeze through the sides of them.

4 days before checking a trap, that just seems a bit ridiculous even if legal.

So a coon proof box is narrow minded but you want a box that prevents coon foot catches?

The first box I made had 1-1/4" slots, the last (6) have a slot that is 1". I thought with all the discussion landing on a minimum hole diameter of 2-3/4" that a mink would refuse a 1" slot, I could see a weasel easily squeezing through. What slot width is recommended?

Now that's what I call narrow minded.

Why is that muskrat?

I've run up to 4-day checks for most my trapping years. Never seemed to be "a bit ridiculous". Dead is dead. Does it matter whether you remove the dead critter from the trap tomorrow or the next day or a couple of days from now?

Perhaps you might share with us why you perceive an extended check to be ridiculous.

Do You think it is not possible to prevent a coon from reaching? IMHO a hole in a box encourages one to reach. If he can’t climb in what’s he gonna do?

I have captured a few winter coon in open cubbies and foot catches are unusual. If I was asked to guess I would say 1 in 500, held in 160s. I believe that if one incorporates a roof, a duck down bar and set back we could design a very effective and dog safe box.

Winter conditions cause sporadic movements, extended checks could be the deciding factor between harvest and no hArvest. If WI had some sort of extended check times on BGs I’d still be trapping winter coon.

I do see value in a “mink box”. However we are leaving more value off the table. Just my thoughts.

How many mink did you catch in these open cubbies?

About as many as foot catches. In winter they are placed on coon tho.

I can probably count on both hands the number of mink I’ve caught in cubbies

I understand muskrat and don't get your back hair all bristled up over it. Trapping is looked at differently by all. I know there is more to it up there in the deep cold to the north with snowsnowmobiles and expenses. I run a snowmobile line in the Adirondacks myself. It is the way I was taught I guess, to have a certain respect for the animals. Guys around here frown upon the 48 hr check at times. 4 days would make it too easy if you ask me and I consider trapping a challenge not just going out and unloading my full traps after 4 days. I take life day by day not 4 days at a time. I know it's an opinion and maybe I'm just a little different. Everyone else seems to voice there strong opinions so I thought id spark a nerve in some of you.

Nimzy- I would love to end exactly how you describe, but is that the best place to start? It seems like a shorter putt to get approval on a dry land (4) day check, rather than taking on the BG issue as a whole. Today, you can check a dryland weasel box in (4) days as long as you use a BG and the hole diameter doesn't exceed 1-3/8" in diameter. So a proposal to increase the hole diameter by 11/16" per side, with a reach requirement seems plausible. I've never been involved in trying to change a regulation, IMO- it seems easier to shoot down an all or nothing approach, gain traction without incident with the "Mink Style Box" and slay the next dragon after that.

I don’t agree about stepping into it. Because I’ve been working on extending rat season for 10 + years and still haven’t got anything. So if you want it in your lifetime you gotta go for it. Create a good plan, mind you.

I certainly would support a mink box extension but it’s nothing that gets me excited.

Gentlemen- here's a concept I would like to get some feedback on, I simply pinned the front spring into position with a stake (one on each side). I touched- off the 120 without any issue- Am I creating a negative consequence or 2nd effect I'm not aware of or could this be a solution?

I don't see why that wouldn't work.

But there could be a simple solution to wetdogs concerns. Instead of having the slots coming In from the back cut them In from the vertical position. Actually construction would be easier since you could just cut your side pieces short and when your nailing them on just leave gaps for the springs. Then you wouldn't have to router any slots.Make the back so It stays In position and hinge the top. This would allow for easy removal of the trap and any frozen catch.
So Eagleye It's back to the drawing board. LOL

I know this box construction thing isn't a big deal. It's all about seeing If a mink will enter that restrictive sized hole.

Beav I want to give an apology to you for my comments last evening.
I was having a rather bad day and I was snapping at everyone.
So my apologues to you. Maybe in the future, we can agree to just disagree. Your a good guy, no matter Muskrat says. Lol

For full disclosure, I only set 2 of my boxes this past season.
There is a trapper that traps through my area, and out of respect for him I don't set any part of a waterway he traps.

Have a good day Beav