Re: Duke 120 or 155 for mink boxes
[Re: Sprung & Rusty]
#6468682
02/21/19 11:14 AM
02/21/19 11:14 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851
Wisconsin
|
Hey wetdog It's no big deal. I really didn't take it seriously.
So what do you think about my latest box design? We learn by trial and error. BUt I don't want to put to much pressure on Eagleye .
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
|
|
|
Re: Duke 120 or 155 for mink boxes
[Re: Eagleye]
#6468839
02/21/19 01:29 PM
02/21/19 01:29 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,413 williams,mn
trapper les
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,413
williams,mn
|
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.
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? I tried to go as tight as I could while still being able to get my trap "twisted" in there, because of the construction of my box. You don't have that obstacle. But you have other goals than I do.
"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
|
|
|
Re: Duke 120 or 155 for mink boxes
[Re: The Beav]
#6468949
02/21/19 04:08 PM
02/21/19 04:08 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,897 Wisconsin
Eagleye
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,897
Wisconsin
|
Hey wetdog It's no big deal. I really didn't take it seriously.
So what do you think about my latest box design? We learn by trial and error. BUt I don't want to put to much pressure on Eagleye . I'm happy to help out in anyway I can... If you guys like my birdhouse craftsmanship - I'll start posting some of my woodworking projects lol. You can make about (7) boxes out of (1) 4 x8 sheet of $18.00 plywood... $2.50/per box is not bad. Try to be nice to one another until I get back!
|
|
|
Re: Duke 120 or 155 for mink boxes
[Re: Sprung & Rusty]
#6470354
02/22/19 09:33 PM
02/22/19 09:33 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,519 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,519
james bay frontierOnt.
|
1/4 inch slots will hold your trap rock solid even when you set the box opening down,staked above the end of a running log 4 feet out from the beaver dam
Last edited by Boco; 02/22/19 09:34 PM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
|
|
|
Re: Duke 120 or 155 for mink boxes
[Re: Boco]
#6470748
02/23/19 10:19 AM
02/23/19 10:19 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,051 WI
nimzy
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,051
WI
|
1/4 inch slots will hold your trap rock solid even when you set the box opening down,staked above the end of a running log 4 feet out from the beaver dam When setting off the ground have you ever tested opening up vs opening down? Curious on advantages discovered. Thanks!
|
|
|
Re: Duke 120 or 155 for mink boxes
[Re: Sprung & Rusty]
#6470850
02/23/19 11:31 AM
02/23/19 11:31 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,519 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,519
james bay frontierOnt.
|
Have not tested.Likely no difference to the mink set that way on land.However off the end of a running log the opening has to be down and close to the log.Mink ends up in the water before freeze up.
Last edited by Boco; 02/23/19 11:32 AM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
|
|
|
Re: Duke 120 or 155 for mink boxes
[Re: Sprung & Rusty]
#6470900
02/23/19 12:15 PM
02/23/19 12:15 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851
Wisconsin
|
Well when I was I Canada all of our elevated boxes were set with the the open end on the high side. My buddy said he thought that It was easier for a marten to climb up and go In from the top. The other reason was that the bottom of the box was covered In 1/2" screen. The birds would hang on the screen and pick at the bait. The crumbs from the picking would fall to the ground and attract voles and mice and other critters and that would In turn draw In the marten.
But maybe you were just questioning the trap action In the 2 different positions. If so I don't think It matters.
Last edited by The Beav; 02/23/19 12:17 PM.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
|
|
|
Re: Duke 120 or 155 for mink boxes
[Re: Sprung & Rusty]
#6470903
02/23/19 12:19 PM
02/23/19 12:19 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,051 WI
nimzy
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,051
WI
|
I can also see advantages that way. Just no experience. Thanks Beav
Unfortunately my instincts aren’t always on.
Last edited by nimzy; 02/23/19 12:22 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Duke 120 or 155 for mink boxes
[Re: Sprung & Rusty]
#6470923
02/23/19 12:33 PM
02/23/19 12:33 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,413 williams,mn
trapper les
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,413
williams,mn
|
Nice. Mink are great investigators, lol.
"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
|
|
|
Re: Duke 120 or 155 for mink boxes
[Re: Sprung & Rusty]
#6470931
02/23/19 12:43 PM
02/23/19 12:43 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851
Wisconsin
|
I'm betting you could make a 100 sets just like that In WI and never catch a mink. I just think things are bit more skinny In Canada.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
|
|
|
Re: Duke 120 or 155 for mink boxes
[Re: Sprung & Rusty]
#6470946
02/23/19 12:51 PM
02/23/19 12:51 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,519 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,519
james bay frontierOnt.
|
I think no matter how you set for mink,location of the set is prime consideration.I like the running log off a dam,close to the spillway,because it presents a chance for double or triple catches of different species as long as there is open water.I often notch the running log and set a couple of 1.5 ls besides the bodygrip in the box.Often get rat in the foothold and mink in the box at same stop,especially if I use a rat for bait in the box.Not a bad set if you are allowed extended checks.Although the footholds are limited by weather,the bodygrip in the box keeps working unaffected by cold or snow.
Last edited by Boco; 02/23/19 12:53 PM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
|
|
|
Re: Duke 120 or 155 for mink boxes
[Re: Sprung & Rusty]
#6471026
02/23/19 02:02 PM
02/23/19 02:02 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,851
Wisconsin
|
I totally agree Boco but you have never trapped In the farm land of WI. Trust me It's different.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
|
|
|
Re: Duke 120 or 155 for mink boxes
[Re: Sprung & Rusty]
#6471074
02/23/19 02:44 PM
02/23/19 02:44 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794 100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
|
I have never trapped in Wi either but I have trapped in the BC lower mainland Fraser valley farm lands which have a climate similar to western Washington state. It's there that I started using restricted entrance holes on mink boxes to basically keep barn cats out and determined that they were also an attraction to mink as the boxes seemed to work better for mink with them.
Last edited by bctomcat; 02/23/19 07:16 PM.
The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.
|
|
|
|
|