Need help with colony sets

[3nails]

I seem to do best for mink on fringe muskrat habitat. Right where it transitions to brushy, woodsy, rooty areas. We've been letting quite a few go that aren't really big. I just found a new spot I believe will be great so we are hoping to pull out some big males. We throw a whole muskrat carcass in the back and tie it in. No scents, the cages reak of mink on their own. I put the trap on the edge of the water with the opening in about an inch of water. I caught my biggest mink ever this year crammed into a colony trap. He barely fit!

[Carp Commander]

So apparently all you have to do to catch a mink is ask 3nails for some tips the night before you run your line. Got my 1st of the season this morning in a 17x17 trap, baited for coon!

[Machias]

Wohoo, nice job, congrats!!

[onetrapper]

so I was curious if 18 by 18 would be large enough for the floater?

[Carp Commander]

I would think so but the one I showed is my first. I don't see why 18x18 wouldn't work. I have even considered building some smaller, maybe the same size as a colony plus a few extra inches at the door for them to crawl up on.

[Carp Commander]

I am planning on putting out my colony line tomorrow but do to a scheduling issue I may not be able to check them Sunday. The temps. are low and the water is nice and cold.

Any thoughts on how long the fur will stay good? I know it's legal but I won't risk loosing good fur!

[pnwmtnmn]

With the current temps and conditions There should be no problem leaving the fur until Sunday.

[70sdiver]

Only problem I've had on two day checks is coon and mink tearing the muskrat to shreds. I had 5 rats ruined last year.

[3nails]

Only problem I've had on two day checks is coon and mink tearing the muskrat to shreds. I had 5 rats ruined last year.

How did they get at them in the cage?

[Jonathan_S]

Only problem I've had on two day checks is coon and mink tearing the muskrat to shreds. I had 5 rats ruined last year.

So make a set out of that chewed rat(s) and catch a coon.     Make bottom edge sets and soon you'll have the mink.

[70sdiver]

this happened in very shallow water just over 6" barley enough to cover the trap.I did catch the coon but not the mink lol.

[Humptulips]

I am planning on putting out my colony line tomorrow but do to a scheduling issue I may not be able to check them Sunday. The temps. are low and the water is nice and cold.

Any thoughts on how long the fur will stay good? I know it's legal but I won't risk loosing good fur!

There was a time when I used to run my line once a week, mainly beaver and otter but once in a while a rat. I never lost anything to spoilage. It has to be underwater though. Even had stuff in traps up to 10 days because of high water. It was close but I pelted them too with a few minor slips.

[Carp Commander]

I didn't want to start another thread for a simple question; Are you guys painting your live traps? The bright silver makes them difficult to conceal.

[3nails]

I paint all of mine brown but probably because I'm more concerned with theft. Water levels were so high lately I only had out 3 beaver 3 mink and 3 muskrat traps but had 4 beavers 1 mink and 5 rats!

[onetrapper]

You had a double on beaver? in a cage?