Year in, and year out mink in this part of Wisconsin are prime enough to trap by first week of November. Won't skin till tomorrow.

2nd of November caught big buck in rat set, bluish gray leather in central SD. Figure he needed about a week.

A few days can make a big difference with mink.

True Walt, I'm actually going to run a mink line this year, can't wait, just a few more days.

Really wet, ha.

I will put it up tomorrow afternoon. Pretty sure mine is a young male. Caught in a #11 on a crossover.

Skinned yesterday's mink. Except for a few dark dots from ticks it was all white leather.

The mink I caught dried pretty dark, but my rats are running good size for this area. Mild winter last year has something to do with it? Normally get many mediums.

Here's the mink I put up today, caught yesterday

Had 20 sets and got 10 rats with 4 snaps plugged and full of debris. Rats are moving material like a construction crew! Put in a few more sets today. Slough is an old flooded area that was once about 1/3rd shrubs and brush and cattails. There are dozens of large dead trees, logs laying in the water. Hard to navigate but workable.

Bryce

Same thing with my rats this year. lots more xl and 2xl than normal. I been thinking the same thing about last winter.
13 rats today. At 125 so far. Just running a short line now with a dozen stops. Enjoying this weather.

I’m gonna theorize that there was a short population in this area coming into the rearing season. However, Early frequent rains stimulates breeding activity while it enhances habitat, creating a recipe for very good population growth. Then suddenly the rain stopped and things got dry, a scenario that had the exact opposite effect. It may make sense that the rats are running larger than normal, perhaps litters 2 and 3 didn’t materialize? Just my thoughts. We may see some kits under the ice though. 3 inches of rain and above normal temperatures may have our buddies confused.

I am finally on the board lol. My partner and I set up a colony in the dark yesterday just 6 traps and picked up 4 beaver today. 1 adult 1 two year old and 2 kits. We haven't set above the main dam yet so may be two colonies. Just doing it as a favor to an older gentleman as they are flooding his driveway. Asked to trap two years ago but the wife liked watching them work, not so much anymore lol. But it's close to home and easy access plus he said otter, mink and muskrats are fair game as well. Works out for everyone sometimes.

That's a great catch ratio Ben! Funny how people's attitudes change when critters start doing some damage.

64 lbs

Another day on the slough. A few more traps but fewer rats. Rat size is running good as Nimzy referenced but some houses appear to be 1 and done while a few have nice doubles. Water depth is about 1 foot lowere than a couple years ago. Lot of other life events are going on right now but will set out a short coon line and some small feeder streams this afternoon. 7 rats today and another 5 snaps that are plugged. I almosst always want about 1 inch or so of water over my traps, but I am moving some to be on top of the mat to see if that helps. lot of debris being moved on the active structures.

Bryce

Another day on the slough. A few more traps but fewer rats. Rat size is running good as Nimzy referenced but some houses appear to be 1 and done while a few have nice doubles. Water depth is about 1 foot lowere than a couple years ago. Lot of other life events are going on right now but will set out a short coon line and some small feeder streams this afternoon. 7 rats today and another 5 snaps that are plugged. I almosst always want about 1 inch or so of water over my traps, but I am moving some to be on top of the mat to see if that helps. lot of debris being moved on the active structures.

Bryce

Finally about over my flu/stomach virus. Started feeling better yesterday so extended my line. Had 12 today and some were really nice. At least two over 30 pounds. I didn't bother weighing any more. Time to start skinning.

17 rats today. 4 nice rats in a colony trap made my day.

Nice surprise this morning. 2nd night out for this pipe dream set. Could smell it driving up to it.

Got 8 rats today. Will pull the slough tomorrow. Set 10 coon sets out yesterday and got 4 today. All decent size with pretty good color as well.

Bryce