Mink Problem

[Peter Shorrock 5]

Ive loojed at other posts about mink on this forum and they dont seem to answer some of my questions. So yesterday we did our first pheasant shoot of the year. And as walking through a wood a beater said he spotted a mink run into a little dried up stream. This stream hasnt been running for a few years now. Do i look for a nearby pond in the woods or just set traps near to where to was spotted? Im using mk6 fenns and a kania 2000 baited with rabbit. The ponds in the wood are more like mud pools but this area is also a few hundred meters from a flowing river. Whats my best option?

[OldTrapCollector 377]

Mink aren't such a problem at this time of year once your poults are roosting safely away from the mass congregations in the release pen. I understand your concern though and they will think nothing of taking your birds daily as food. If you can - saturate the area you saw the mink with tunnels or cages - if there is a significant rabbit bury nearby it will be worth concentrating around that area

 

If the river/waterway is within your boundary then trap that systematically too - always keep a trap or two going along the riverbank where it is easy to check as you go out to feed or whatever - it will pay dividends. If there is a natural avenue from the waterway to your mud pools - a dried up streamway or rough ditch then that is also a good place to trap.

 

For baited traps I recommend using kippers for bait - mink love them and the fishy smell will pull them in, and what's more, the flies don't go so mad for them as they do a rabbit carcase so you will need to refresh it less often

 

Good luck!

 

OTC

[Peter Shorrock 5]

Thanks for the advice! im on the job tommorow.

[trenchfoot 4,243]

try using fish based carp bait like halibut pellets. I've had mink throwing themselves onto traps for them.

 

If you need an extra pair of hands give me a shout, i'm just down the road from you, Edgworth way

[PJWmids 35]

Are minks only found by water sources or near to them, or do they come inland. I had a recent attack on my geese, and had a runner duck killed while I was in the area found the duck after it had just happened and there was a whole in its chest cavity no other wounds aparant. In thinking a mink could be the culprit. There used to be lots of rabbits, I haven't seen any this year. What do you think? Any advice welcomed.