Re: Mink Scouting
[Re: lumberjack391]
#6577695
07/20/19 01:04 PM
07/20/19 01:04 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,238 Illinois
ratbrain
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,238
Illinois
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Most long line coon trappers take huge numbers of mink. They probably catch more by accident than I do on purpose. The trick is trying to keep coon out of mink sets. I had some baited mink pocket sets (water) out in February and still caught 4 raccoons!!
Last edited by ratbrain; 07/20/19 01:04 PM.
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Re: Mink Scouting
[Re: Fisher Man]
#6577810
07/20/19 04:12 PM
07/20/19 04:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 9,717 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 9,717
WI - Wisconsin
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One final comment. I love trapping mink, but with today's prices I will not put much effort into chasing them.
I think that is the case with a lot of people. Too bad the prices are so low.
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Re: Mink Scouting
[Re: joepennanti]
#6579851
07/23/19 08:17 PM
07/23/19 08:17 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,960 New York
proratman
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,960
New York
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I've been scouting ~20hrs/week for the last 2 months. What are the chances of mink, or other mustelids, having the same range in May/June as in Dec/Jan when there are few open waterways? That's 160 hours.
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Re: Mink Scouting
[Re: Fmjoutdoors]
#6581164
07/25/19 10:27 PM
07/25/19 10:27 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 824 Punxsutawney, Pa.
MinkGuy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 824
Punxsutawney, Pa.
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Locations, Locations, Locations are the 3 most important elements in significant mink catches. Many good points in this thread. I agree even the rockiest areas have areas where tracks can often be detected. Mink in our area are have a low density so finding sign is often by good fortune as trail cameras prove that some of my areas may not have a mink go through for months at times and then during season it may be possible to catch a couple. Habitat can be a good indicator of a probable population (just as a cornfield often indicates that whitetails will likely be present). I like to understand where the water I'm trapping is coming from and where it is going to. Then the location gains value if above is a swamp and below is a bigger stream as an example. Are there fish and crayfish in the water? Mice and rabbit along the banks? Muskrats? Personally, I like to run my line throughout the year to know the amount of miles I'll be travelling, How far from the truck will I be setting and walking? What type of sets?- pockets, blinds, surface blinds, depth of water, types of anchorings and platforms needed as well as stabilizers. Will I hide anchors/ plates? I'm not a cold roller but rather a line developer with a progressive approach to cover more locations then add as I go down to check yesterdays sets. This keeps me adjusting- "Patience has no place on a mink line but rather diligence is what is needed". To many I have rode with take a peek and move on. Good Mink Trappers I have seen like Nittany Lion who is probably approaching 60 years of age goes down to the trap and breaks the ice, or makes the bed deeper or raises it up depending upon the need." WIN THE MOMENT and WIN THE DAY! All trappers face 4 concerns #1 A Mink may pass along your chosen location only once per season. #2 Trappers may not cover the course the mink may choose #3 Trappers may aid the mink in missing the trap by using poor guides or stepping sticks incorrectly. #4 Often weather may make a properly located trap inoperable because of ice or water depth #5 It is a numbers game and infrequent catches sap the energy from a potential minker - I Work to reach critical mass so each day I have something to show for my efforts. This catching of Mink After Mink On Purpose is more rewarding. - Just don't ask me how you can make a profit trapping them as I haven't figured that out yet.
DonP Minktrapping.com
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Re: Mink Scouting
[Re: Fmjoutdoors]
#6581368
07/26/19 09:45 AM
07/26/19 09:45 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,181 wantage n.j.
eric space
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,181
wantage n.j.
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As usual, Don is 100% correct it is Location, Location ,Location. One thing I might add (I only use snares in dry land blind sets), is get down to look at your set location. The average trapper is viewing the set from an eyeball level of 5+ feet off the ground, the mink sees it from an eyeball level of 4 inches. Many times that height difference makes a blind set location look completely different. The 3 locations that I look for are a tree stump or log jam in the middle of a stretch of stream that has no obvious cover (see first picture). Every mink will explore around it for a time before zipping thru the area of no cover. Almost always there is a toilet spot there. Second is a pinch point between a rock, tree or in this second picture an old bridge abutment. Third is a beaver bank lodge, abandoned or active, either attracts every mink traveling the stream/river. Eric ![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2019/07/full-11499-13891-4_mink_view.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2019/07/full-11499-13892-set_6_location.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2019/07/full-11499-13893-set_6_mink.jpg)
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Re: Mink Scouting
[Re: Fmjoutdoors]
#6581543
07/26/19 05:14 PM
07/26/19 05:14 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 11,934 Ky
jbyrd63
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 11,934
Ky
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Re: Mink Scouting
[Re: Fmjoutdoors]
#6582646
07/27/19 10:26 PM
07/27/19 10:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,407 Ohio
Minker
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,407
Ohio
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I never look for mink sign , i look for mink set locations . Come to Minktoberfest , you will learn alot from stream line demo's .
Fur Trapping ; Its not about making Money, Its All about the Adventures you'll have on the Trapline .
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Re: Mink Scouting
[Re: Fmjoutdoors]
#6582872
07/28/19 10:18 AM
07/28/19 10:18 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 28,978 potter co. p.a.
pcr2
"Twerker"
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"Twerker"
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 28,978
potter co. p.a.
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you'd be hunting snipe looking for sign on 75 percent of my line.learn how to blind set a bridge or sluice right and go do that 50 times in a circle ending and starting at home.after 30 yrs,there will be places you don't go anymore,and ones you can't wait to get to.and just cause you draw a blank at a stop one year,don't think it won't have mink another year.
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Re: Mink Scouting
[Re: lumberjack391]
#6587454
08/03/19 11:09 PM
08/03/19 11:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 9,717 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 9,717
WI - Wisconsin
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I personally don't worry about finding tracks, or if there is a swamp above or below me, location or populations- how do you figure that out anyway? I just make sets that fit the situation and hope for the best. Concentrate on bridges, culverts, tributaries and pools and you will eventually connect. There are always a few around. What about ponds... Do many of you like trapping mink around the edges of ponds?
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Re: Mink Scouting
[Re: AJE]
#6587483
08/03/19 11:40 PM
08/03/19 11:40 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,340 PA
PAskinner
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,340
PA
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I personally don't worry about finding tracks, or if there is a swamp above or below me, location or populations- how do you figure that out anyway? I just make sets that fit the situation and hope for the best. Concentrate on bridges, culverts, tributaries and pools and you will eventually connect. There are always a few around. What about ponds... Do many of you like trapping mink around the edges of ponds? Inlets and outlets on ponds and marshes are about as good as it gets. Think pinch points, it's really no different than trapping anything else.
Right now I’m having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before.
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