Mink Trapping Ideas.

[irishfoxhunter 64]

hi folks ,we have had a few mink turn up in traps , both fenn and cages around our release pens in the last few seasons.this spring we have set the traps on the same route we take to check our larsen traps. a chap suggested a mirror at the backof the trap tunnell was good to lure them in. anybody use this method? we just use white feathers off magpies in the mouth of the tunnels. another question is any idea of numbers ?we caught adog and bitch about half a mile apart, but have since seen fresh tracks. do they travel much this time of year. our ground has lots of small streams and bogs and a few ponds, but weare about 2 miles from any large river. we have ten fenn 6 and 8 live catch traps out. any ideas would be great.

[moxy 617]

You won't be able to guage the amount of mink. A lot will depend on how the population is on the river.

Wildlife as a whole has suffered with the extreme weather we have had, which in turn could mean food on the river is lower than usual, causing the mink to hunt further away from the main rivers.

Mink are inquisitive enough without over complicating the cage trapping. Just make sure the cage entrance is reduced in size and if you need to bait, do so accordingly.

Again if your fenns are set correct on runs, you shouldn't have any bother.

 

Sounds to me you are doing everything as you should. It's just the waiting game now

[dpb82uk 138]

i not tryed this yet but i was going to ziptie a tin of sardeens with sum holes init to the insied of a live catch trap

[irishfoxhunter 64]

well, we must be doing something right, had another mink today. this one in a fenn tunnell alongside a steep sided drain. funny thing is we cant figure what these critters are eating or even hunting here. goes to show they can turn up in funny places. i tried setting traps with fish bait before but only attracted slugs, and then maggots. does anybody know are conibear traps legal for mink here in ireland? they look the buisness.

[moxy 617]

Ireland or N Ireland?

[irishfoxhunter 64]

in the republic. im wondering are they any better than the no. 6 fenns.

[adonnachie 2]

Use mk4's (strong) and place (covered with earth) them in a false holt that you have dug into a river/stream bankside. They can also be snared with a corrupted rabit snare either end of a pipe .

 

Good luck.

[Born Hunter 17,763]

Use mk4's (strong) and place (covered with earth) them in a false holt that you have dug into a river/stream bankside. They can also be snared with a corrupted rabit snare either end of a pipe .

 

Good luck.

 

Mk4 FENN is only approved for rats, squirrels, stoats and weasels. It's the mk6 FENN you want, legally.

[toby63 1,236]

ive had no trouble catching them in mk 6

[Moorjock 12]

We've had a lot of succes setting mk6s tunnels up baited with rabbit on the top of rriver banks or in roots on the waters edge, but keep an eye on the weather! Make sure they don't get washed away! Good luck!

[Moorjock 12]

Or Using rail traps, using a larch log big enough to hold a trap cut a notch out about a inch deep and 6 wide to fit the trap in snug and put a wire cage on top.. Catch a lot of stoats, weasels and squirrels in these but have had a few mink!

[Outlaw Pete 2,224]

Does anybody know are conibear traps legal for mink here in ireland? they look the buisness.

 

 

Going by what I've read on American trappers forums, you'd do as well to stick with what you have. It seems mink are buggers for hopping through Conibear type traps without firing them. I remember one bloke was fiddling with his trigger for about a week as this same mink kept slipping through his set up. Why make life hard for yourself? You're doing fine as you are.