My Lurcher Catching A Muskrat Flushed By My Mink

[Minkenry 1,044]

Lately most of my videos have shown my mink capturing prey while my lurcher just stands by and watches. I've had several people ask why that is, so I figured I'd take this opportunity to explain why.

When the mink is in a good position to capture the prey we are hunting by herself, I don't want the dog interfering. I want my dog to learn to stay out of the way when the mink has things under control. However, in circumstances when the prey is going to escape, that is when I want my lurcher to step in and capture the escaping animal. When the water is shallow enough for the mink to run in, the mink has the advantage over a bolting muskrat, and is very likely to catch it. But if the water is deep enough that the mink must swim, it is the muskrat that has the advantage.

Muskrats can swim MUCH faster, and hold their breath for MUCH longer than mink can! Also, mink seem reluctant to even try to capture a muskrat in deeper water. From what I can tell it must be dangerous for a mink to take on a muskrat in deeper water, because mink are naturally nervous about attempting to do so. Pretty much all mink have an instinct that tells them to stay away from muskrats in deep water. Since muskrats are often larger than mink, plus they are better swimmers, and can hold their breath for considerably longer, it only makes sense that it would be dangerous for a mink to attempt taking a muskrat in deeper water.

So anyway, when there is a muskrat swimming away in deep water, or a rabbit that is quickly escaping across open ground, those are circumstances when my lurcher capturing the fleeing animal is actually helpful. And it is during those times that I actually want the dog's help, because she is actually helping with something the mink can't do herself. There are many times my dog has captured a fleeing muskrat or rabbit, that would have otherwise escaped without her help. It just so happens that I haven't been able to get it on film until now. So after that big long explanation of things, here is a video of my pointer lurcher Onsa capturing a muskrat that my mink Fang has flushed for her......

Edited December 25, 2016 by Minkenry

[pointer 543]

I watched the video a few days ago via Facebook. Lots of people have used lurchers and gundogs to work with hawks that catch and kill at other times. It seems dogs soon learn when they are required to catch and when they need to stand back. Several times I've had my hawk catch the first rat and then the dogs snap up another couple while she's busy on her kill. Dogs seem to just know how to behave around birds of prey and it looks like the same is true if brought up around a trained mink.

 

Keep the videos coming.

[jukel123 7,976]

Brilliant. Merry Xmas from a windy but unseasonably mild Scotland.

Edited December 25, 2016 by jukel123

[border lad 1,047]

A good video, A good team, and thanks for posting, A happy Christmas, to you,

[Haiddheliwr 1,911]

Excellent video once again! Cuddly I think I'll take your word for that lol Xmas Greetings from Wales to you and your family ATB

[Minkenry 1,044]

Thanks, and a Merry Christmas to you all! :-)

[johnrussell84 2,832]

Brilliant. Merry Xmas from a windy but unseasonably mild Scotland.

Plus 2 bloody pissing down

[Adampie8432 820]

Really enjoy these videos minkenry keep them coming mate and merry Christmas. Atb Adam

[bird 9,872]

A good video, A good team, and thanks for posting, A happy Christmas, to you,

+2

[lanesra 3,994]

Good to see the dog getting her reward , Cracking bond you have with the mink there mate .

ATB .

[morton 5,368]

Very interesting,well done.

[Dinosaurs 2,044]

Good vid & amazing the dog can tell in blink of an eye whether its rat or mink even in the water ? Look forward to the nxt vid. Atb