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Everything Mink Boxes #7551770
04/07/22 08:38 PM
04/07/22 08:38 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 121
Fargo, ND
S
schmattz Offline OP
trapper
schmattz  Offline OP
trapper
S

Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 121
Fargo, ND
I am looking for advice from guys who use mink boxes with some success. I am currently using 15" to 18" long mink boxes with wire mess covering the bait end. My trap is sitting 3 to 4" in with wood mink pans installed on 120s. My situation is that there are very few to no creeks in my area and any that are there are typically dry come trapping season. My mink trapping is almost exclusively around sloughs. I know there are mink around as I caught 6 this year in a variety of non mink sets. Here is what I have tried with no success. I have tried putting entire skinned muskrat carcasses in my box and this year I tried chicken as I had a old timer tell me that is what he used years ago. I used either Caven's Mink Master lure or Lennon's Mink All Call on a stick placed inside the box on the bait. One or the other but not both lures. Keep in mind that I trap in west central MN for the month of November so I get plenty of Freeze/ thaw everyday. The beginning of the season is open water and the sloughs are completely froze by Thanksgiving when I pull my line.

My questions are most pertaining to what baits or lures you have had success with around sloughs. I was thinking about using chunks of carp which lead me to would a can of tuna in oil work better so it wouldn't dry out. If you use fish, i.e. carp, do you use it fresh/ right out of the freezer or do you taint it a little first. Otherwise I might try muskrats again but maybe just cut off the hind quarters so the guts don't rot and stink up the bait so bad. My last thought was a chunk of beaver meat. Do I taint that or use fresh?

Second thing is how well to you conceal you boxes? Do I completely cover it with cattails or grass so just the opening is showing or can I just sit it along the edge of the water? Some sloughs, the grass or cattails can be 10 feet from the edge of the water if the water level has gone done which typically happens in my area in the fall. My thinking is close to the waters edge is better than the edge of the grass especially when there is open water.

Last thought is about the design of the box. Has anyone ever tried, designed, or had luck with a fully closed box like weasel boxes but with a bigger hole. I would still us the 120s with pans. It would just mean that they would have to get into the box to see the bait and I might get less refusals. I rarely see tracks because the ground is froze and typically there is no snow.

I know that there is a lot there but any advice you can give me on any of the questions is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Schmattz


My YouTube Channel: Schmattz Outdoors
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKRcUUVdsl1Po-CQ5zc4hTw

Trapping goals:
Stay Dry
Don't catch myself!!!

Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7551844
04/07/22 10:33 PM
04/07/22 10:33 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat Offline
trapper
bctomcat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
When using baited box cubbies, the key to reasonable success IMO is to consider all the following when setting them:

---Whether using footholds or body grip traps, the main things to remember about the boxes are to set on LOCATION where mink travel, camouflage the box well with surrounding vegetation/snow or whatever and HIDE the BAIT with dry grass so the mink will enter the box searching for it, and keep the bait fresh.

---The best location for boxes is at beaver pond outlets, overhanging banks, small feeder stream entrances with larger water courses, at active and abandoned beaver lodges and alongside open water areas of frozen streams.

---Use a box with a wire mesh back for air/scent flow and see-through effect and with an entrance cover with a 2 ½ inch hole. Mink explore holes all the time and thus it's my opinion, and experience, that the hole is an attraction to them. Another advantage of the restrictive entrance hole is that when trapping a farm area, it restricts barn cats from entering as well as other non target species


---USE A PAN TRIGGER SETUP. Although mink are accustomed to tunnelling through vegetation, it is my understanding and experience that, many will often balk at the cold, hard and stiff wires in their face at the box entrance and shy away from entering. Whereas with a pan trigger trap set CLOSE to a concealed bait at back of the box, and nothing in their face, they will proceed to enter and investigate further thus stepping on the pan and getting caught.

---Place your lure (weasel gland) on a small bush at back of the box low to the ground and close to the box.


The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.






Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7551853
04/07/22 10:45 PM
04/07/22 10:45 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat Offline
trapper
bctomcat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
Further to my previous post is a picture of my 14 inch plus box: [Linked Image] My preferred bait is muskrat hind quarters, beaver or fish in that order.

Last edited by bctomcat; 04/08/22 06:54 PM.

The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.






Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7552388
04/08/22 02:54 PM
04/08/22 02:54 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
HFT AK Offline
trapper
HFT AK  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,064
Wasilla AK
Up here I use whole herring in back of the box/bucket for bait. Open water or not I always set on the edge of the grass line and cover the box with grass or snow. I like keeping the opening as open and inviting as possible. The only lure I use is fish oil in a squirt bottle. A shot in the box and a line from the opening out about 4 ft.

If you caught 6 in none mink sets what attracted them to that location? Terrain/food/or lure? There is a reason the mink went there and I would be putting your mink sets there next year.

Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7552401
04/08/22 03:17 PM
04/08/22 03:17 PM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,381
williams,mn
trapper les Offline
trapper
trapper les  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,381
williams,mn
[Linked Image]
I have eliminated that swinging door with the entrance hole in it. There is a loop of monofilament fishing line between the bent triggerwires, offering the most inviting hole for a mink to dart through. [Linked Image]
I have tried wooden pans to, and run an equal amount. Wooden pans are easier to deal with in the cold and wind than rethreading your mono after a catch.


"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7552489
04/08/22 05:11 PM
04/08/22 05:11 PM
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 4
Pennsylvania
W
wild1Ric Offline
trapper
wild1Ric  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 4
Pennsylvania
Any thoughts on the Victor M144 Power Kill rat trap for weasel?


Eric Brush
Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7552564
04/08/22 07:32 PM
04/08/22 07:32 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 121
Fargo, ND
S
schmattz Offline OP
trapper
schmattz  Offline OP
trapper
S

Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 121
Fargo, ND
bctomcat - what bait are you using in your boxes?
HFT AK - I did catch 6 in a varity of non mink sets nut none in the boxes. 2 of them were caught within 10 feet of my mink box. One was in a muskrat 110 with a carrot on the trigger in open water 10 feet out from shore, actually caught two this way the same day. The second was in a 220 on a raccoon trail that ran along the shore. The direction it was heading it looked to have passed right by my mink box. I know they are there but I am not catching them.
Trapper les - You said that you eliminated the swinging door. Why?
Wild1Ric - I use Victor Rat Traps M326 for weasels in my weasel boxes with good success. See the last video posted on my YouTube channel for the proof.

Thanks for your help guys. Keep it coming. Especially about bait and lure around sloughs.

Schmattz


My YouTube Channel: Schmattz Outdoors
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKRcUUVdsl1Po-CQ5zc4hTw

Trapping goals:
Stay Dry
Don't catch myself!!!

Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7552637
04/08/22 08:40 PM
04/08/22 08:40 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat Offline
trapper
bctomcat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can

Originally Posted by schmattz
bctomcat - what bait are you using in your boxes?
My preferred bait is muskrat hind quarters, beaver or fish in that order.


The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.






Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7552643
04/08/22 08:44 PM
04/08/22 08:44 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,820
Frazee, MN
B
backroadsarcher Offline
trapper
backroadsarcher  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,820
Frazee, MN
I set one box with a 120 in the entrance this past season. Trap had a wooden coni-pan on it. My boxes are around 14" long and a wire mesh back. The set was in the cattails right tight up against a mink run baited with a whole muskrat carcass. Caught a big buck mink the 2nd night.

Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7553431
04/09/22 06:01 PM
04/09/22 06:01 PM
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,912
Ohio
S
stinkypete Offline
trapper
stinkypete  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,912
Ohio
Location is key to the box’s. Trapping around sloughs. If you can’t find a mink trail. Set your baited cubbies on the rabbit trails. Mink are them hunting rabbits as well.

Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7553511
04/09/22 07:51 PM
04/09/22 07:51 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,729
Northern Illinois
M
MChewk Offline
trapper
MChewk  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,729
Northern Illinois
I tried the mink boxes but catch very mink....lots of skunk, possums and coon. 155 trap set in a notched wooden box that is about 16 inches long mesh in back. Bait is road killed rabbit, skinned muskrat or fish.

Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7553562
04/09/22 08:29 PM
04/09/22 08:29 PM
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 7,211
W NY
Turtledale Offline
trapper
Turtledale  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 7,211
W NY
I run my mink boxes after freeze-up locks the ice in. Tracking mink in snow is easy and you'll learn where they run. One of my favorite set ups this year was a box next to a culvert in the brush. I'd cover with dry grass if available. Bait was the back half of a muskrat and sometimes a hunk of steelhead. Tried walleye heads but didn't catch any with just the walleye. The walleye heads didn't have a lot of smell compared to the steelhead. Also a small smear of weasel lure on the inside top of the box. This year I saved up a bunch of smelt heads. Had good luck with them and whole smelt in previous years. I also switched to 120's in most of my boxes instead of the 110's for stability.


NYSTA, NTA, FTA, life member Erie county trappers assn.,life member Catt.county trappers
Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7553703
04/09/22 10:46 PM
04/09/22 10:46 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 121
Fargo, ND
S
schmattz Offline OP
trapper
schmattz  Offline OP
trapper
S

Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 121
Fargo, ND
Trapper Les - How are you holding the fishing line to the trigger wires?

Schmattz.


My YouTube Channel: Schmattz Outdoors
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKRcUUVdsl1Po-CQ5zc4hTw

Trapping goals:
Stay Dry
Don't catch myself!!!

Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7553858
04/10/22 08:03 AM
04/10/22 08:03 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,384
Pennsylvania
H
Hern Offline
trapper
Hern  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,384
Pennsylvania
From another post a while back...

Has anyone made/use a Norway style Mink box?
[Linked Image]

Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7553906
04/10/22 08:55 AM
04/10/22 08:55 AM
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 827
NE NE
W
Wife Offline
trapper
Wife  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 827
NE NE
The only (and I mean ONLY) success I have had with a ground mink box here (snow or no snow) is when I find a 1/2 eaten rat in one of my traps and I pull a box (plastic route box or wooden) from the truck, stuff the rat back in it and guard it with a BG. When i trapped in MN for 4 years, I caught 8 mink in 220 boxes setting for coons the first year. 27 was my high with them but split between coon size and mink size boxes. Caught many short tailed weasels in them in the winter to boot! I believe all predators respond more favorably to calorie availability (prey or carrion) with every mile you head farther north in the winter. Baby its cold outside! And the need for fuel to feed the furnace is greater in Canada than in Missouri!!!!! I set mink boxes (110 size) here for close to 20 years with nothing but coon interference. Your/My rat in a trap, discovered by a mink, cannot be drug anywhere farther than the chain length so he will be back the next night to try again and your box is ready. That is the only luck I have with a ground box as a mink set here. ............ the mike

Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7554126
04/10/22 12:30 PM
04/10/22 12:30 PM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,381
williams,mn
trapper les Offline
trapper
trapper les  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,381
williams,mn
Originally Posted by schmattz
Trapper Les - How are you holding the fishing line to the trigger wires?

Schmattz.

Silicon tubing that you get from your automotive store, this stuff came from the furnace guy. There are a few sizes too, just like there are a couple of guages of wire that triggers are made from.


"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7554129
04/10/22 12:33 PM
04/10/22 12:33 PM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,381
williams,mn
trapper les Offline
trapper
trapper les  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,381
williams,mn
Originally Posted by schmattz
bctomcat - what bait are you using in your boxes?
HFT AK - I did catch 6 in a varity of non mink sets nut none in the boxes. 2 of them were caught within 10 feet of my mink box. One was in a muskrat 110 with a carrot on the trigger in open water 10 feet out from shore, actually caught two this way the same day. The second was in a 220 on a raccoon trail that ran along the shore. The direction it was heading it looked to have passed right by my mink box. I know they are there but I am not catching them.
Trapper les - You said that you eliminated the swinging door. Why?
Wild1Ric - I use Victor Rat Traps M326 for weasels in my weasel boxes with good success. See the last video posted on my YouTube channel for the proof.

Thanks for your help guys. Keep it coming. Especially about bait and lure around sloughs.

Schmattz

I eliminated the swinging door because it's more inviting, and not a legal issue. but at one time, I was deluded into thinking the door with a hole in it was somehow more enticing to the mink...but these boxes are multipurpose to me, and will catch weasel, skunk, marten, regularly, and I have picked up otter and fisher as well. That is rare though.


"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: stinkypete] #7554132
04/10/22 12:35 PM
04/10/22 12:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,381
williams,mn
trapper les Offline
trapper
trapper les  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,381
williams,mn
Originally Posted by stinkypete
Location is key to the box’s. Trapping around sloughs. If you can’t find a mink trail. Set your baited cubbies on the rabbit trails. Mink are them hunting rabbits as well.

Timing too (for mink) rat sloughs right after freeze up, or open water spots left after freeze up are good spots.


"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7554499
04/10/22 08:07 PM
04/10/22 08:07 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 121
Fargo, ND
S
schmattz Offline OP
trapper
schmattz  Offline OP
trapper
S

Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 121
Fargo, ND
Trapper les that is very interesting because I was also going to add a door of some sort to a few of my boxes to try it out because of them liking holes to investigate. I also have caught muskrats, skunks, and raccoons in my boxes with no door.

Thanks for all the information guys.

Schmattz


My YouTube Channel: Schmattz Outdoors
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKRcUUVdsl1Po-CQ5zc4hTw

Trapping goals:
Stay Dry
Don't catch myself!!!

Re: Everything Mink Boxes [Re: schmattz] #7554631
04/10/22 10:19 PM
04/10/22 10:19 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,261
james bay frontierOnt.
B
Boco Offline
trapper
Boco  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,261
james bay frontierOnt.
I set my boxes at the mink magnets
I wax my 120s.


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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