There usually aren't mice where I go, just wolves and grizzly bears, and the occasional marten.
Yes, it can go more taught. I would probably anchor it to the ground too on the backside. I don't think it would withstand much weather.
Yes I have been at them. Both of my normal haunts are wolfed out. The first I discovered scouting, hoping to avoid having to go to my second location. Its just hard on the body. Went to it and It was filled with wolves. Saw three. I could have dropped a 145 buck but thats it. Too deep for that. Went to a new location at the end of this week, and no bucks. I'll post my set up for that place shortly.