I just think that by restricting the opening that your going get more refusals and make this mink box less then productive.

Keyword retired. Hopefully our new blood is more open minded, understanding and supportive.

Would the BG be restricted to 4x4?

I don't have a problem with mink not checking out the 2 3/4" hole. Especially if ice up has commenced and we are set in the vicinity of sign. At or near temporary open water, ie: beaver dam spillways, confluences of creeks, ect, over 3 days.

The fewer restrictions the better, IMO. Keep that option open.

After reading Wisconsin regs, I'm betting you will need a 10" recess on the trap. Wisconsin is like PA, they both rely on BMP information to set rules. A coon can touch my trigger and it's 8" set back.
I read some of your regs when I was watching the grandson's this afternoon. Just a little more restrictions than PA on some stuff
I believe keeping the entrance hole lower will keep larger animals from trying to get to the bait.
Just my thoughts on the subject.

Hmmmm, so we've got one guy who can't catch a mink in a box in Wisconsin to save his soul saying we're going to get refusals, and another fella who runs mink boxes, and apparently quite successfully, stating mink are checking out holes that measure 2 3/4".

hole = 2 3/4"

now recess = 10"



Let's keep this discussion going.

How bout 9?

Muskrat my trigger is modified with lead. If you breath on them to hard they fire. Ask my fingers. Lol
You might want to think about anchoring the box so it can't move or roll over. An H type stake pounded down over should hold it. It's not for the trapping end of it. It's so the antis can't use the excuse that an animal can roll it over moving the hole from the bottom to the sides or top.
Keep it from being more inviting for fisher and such.
Just a thought.
And a 2 day check

What do you mean "lead"...pencil lead, which is graphite ?

What's an inch? C'mon, that mink isn't going to hang up at 9".

Moving the hole from the bottom of the front? As it rolls it goes from the bottom of the front to the side (when it's on its side) to top (when upside down)?

I'm not so sure that hole has to be in a certain place on the front. If the recess is 10" wouldn't that just about take care of a 'coon reaching in?

Sure would like to keep this on a 4-day check. Run these with water sets that are also 4-day checks. Dead is dead, IMO.

I use a lead sinker and rub it where the dog will sit.all the way around the jaw. Slid the dog over the leaded area, move the dog out of the way and reapply lead to the jaw. Do the same on the trigger side. Now set the trap it will fire with very very little contact.
Don't try it on a coil spring. I tried it on a 550 and that little finger still hates me for it.
Some people say I have to much free time.
They didn't call it anti friction metal for nothing
I'll be back. President is coming on soon

Interesting, I believe you could do that same thing with a carpenters pencil too.

That's a good trick.

When I ran dryland #120s for mink in trail sets I waxed the entire trap. Took a propane torch to the dog and jaw the dog rests on, and heated both just enough to melt wax. Wiped that off with a rag. Then took a carpenter's crayon and rubbed that on the underside of the dog (in the notches) and on the jaw top where the dog would rest. Sticky yet slippery. Again, slightest touch. I also "started" the trigger by gently pushing on the trigger wires watching the dog raise up just a wee bit. All while holding it set in my hand so it wouldn't fire. This way the trigger wires could "swing" with the mink just nosing them and causing it to commit.

But I'll have to try the lead sinker trick. Gotta enough of them laying around.

Carpenters pencil means graphite, not wax . Also a dry lubricant. I don't know how long it will last though. I haven't tried it anywhere yet.

Well what you need to do Is go out and make 10 boxes with a 2 3/4" hole Don't place a trap just bait It and see how many mink will enter that box. You can even do this after the season closes so you can get a better test.

Like wet dog said I'd make the hole as close to the bottom. That would make access easier for a mink. The less restrictive the box opening Is the better your results will be.
.

Don't over think things. When I was a kid, I would take a cardboard box (as per Dad's intructions) , put some meat in there, set a trap inside there, close up the box. Put a 1 1/2" hole about anywhere in the side of the box. Set the box over near the wood pile where the weasel tracks were. This caught a weasel every time. Old injun trick.

Trapper les I always over think things
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