Post by: Carp Commander on November 08, 2015, 03:59:25 PM
From the lack of activity on the thread this year, it appears everyone else is also easing into the season. I plan to pull my line tomorrow and don't know that I would go back out until the fur primes a little more.
Post by: Bigshooter on November 08, 2015, 04:26:02 PM
Post by: -Trap_addicT- on November 08, 2015, 07:37:04 PM
Post by: Carp Commander on November 08, 2015, 08:56:29 PM
The good news is yes muskrat are priming up but are still a little blue. Mink will prime shortly after, maybe around the first week of December.
I won’t target beaver until mid-December unless it’s a damage complaint. Because of the current state of the beaver market, I wouldn't gamble on taking any until they are at their absolute best.
Although the price has dropped, the deduction for fall rats isn't huge. Because you can catch rats in large numbers and their ease in putting up, it’s worth taking them earlier in the year.
Again just my opinion.
Here is another thread discussing some of the guidelines for primness.
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,129283.msg1722279.html#msg1722279
Post by: -Trap_addicT- on November 09, 2015, 09:19:26 AM
I'm not as concerned this year, as the beaver/otter/mink/coon I've taken will be used for decorating my new house. Couple mounts, couple tanned...etc. I got burned on my mink and otter last year, time to start a collection.
Thanks for the info.
Post by: jasnt on November 09, 2015, 11:51:32 AM
Post by: Carp Commander on November 09, 2015, 06:02:12 PM
Post by: Carp Commander on November 09, 2015, 06:06:23 PM
Got my first incidental catch of the year.
Post by: Carp Commander on November 09, 2015, 06:18:28 PM
Post by: pnwmtnmn on November 12, 2015, 12:13:34 PM
Post by: Trapper John on November 12, 2015, 09:50:21 PM
My incidental catch
What the hell :yike: kind of muskrat is that ? :EAT: :lol4:
JC
Post by: Carp Commander on November 20, 2015, 04:47:26 PM
I had two beaver traps out and connected on one small one. Didn't want to start catching beaver this early but it comes with the permission. The land owner has had enough and didn't want to wait any longer.
Another incidental catch today. At least this one had fur instead of scales. Little male mink with some neat white markings. Never seen one like this.
Post by: Carp Commander on November 20, 2015, 05:54:20 PM
Post by: Carp Commander on November 20, 2015, 05:55:31 PM
Post by: jasnt on November 20, 2015, 07:03:44 PM
Post by: Humptulips on November 20, 2015, 08:36:28 PM
Post by: Carp Commander on November 21, 2015, 05:11:41 PM
White patches under the chin of mink are pretty common it seems to me. A little less so on the belly.
Yes, that seems to be the case. I always see chins and sometimes throat markings but not between the back legs. May just keep this one for myself!
Post by: Carp Commander on November 21, 2015, 05:18:42 PM
I call it the S.S Rat-Slayer
Post by: Carp Commander on November 21, 2015, 05:27:40 PM
On the first night every trap was empty but the apple from the feed bed was gone. Could be that just about any critter ate the apple but I was convinced it was muskrat.
Now normally I would have pulled & shuffled but this just looked liked to good of a spot. I re-adjusted the same three sets and placed a 7x7x24 single door right on top of the feed bed. I baited it with apple and some cherry extract.
Post by: Carp Commander on November 21, 2015, 05:29:48 PM
Post by: Carp Commander on November 21, 2015, 05:34:13 PM
Post by: Carp Commander on November 21, 2015, 05:45:30 PM
The land owner was so happy he tossed me some gas money and said I had access for as long as he owned the place. That is as long as I come back every year and deal with those "@#$%% beaver".
Post by: jasnt on November 21, 2015, 07:01:41 PM
Post by: UrbanTrapper on November 21, 2015, 07:23:30 PM
Post by: Carp Commander on November 22, 2015, 07:50:02 AM
Do the carrot baits work pretty well for you? Apples worked pretty well for me in the past but birds and maybe mice ate them all consistently last year. Do you use lure with the carrots?
I really don't think there is any bait or scent that works better than others consistently. I catch just as many rats in my mink traps baited with muskrat or beaver as I do with apples. I only used apples because I have them in surplus right now. I have tried apples, carrots, parsnips, turnips, potatoes and many others. Nothing works consistently.
I have had the same experience with attractants. I have tried spearmint, cherry, vanilla, catnip, anise and a whole host of others, again without consistent results.
Post by: Carp Commander on December 19, 2015, 05:36:03 PM
Post by: Machias on December 19, 2015, 06:43:14 PM
Post by: winslow on December 19, 2015, 07:07:00 PM
He's a fatty!!:yeah:
He's almost rolling around!
Post by: jasnt on December 19, 2015, 08:23:39 PM
Post by: Carp Commander on December 20, 2015, 03:27:23 PM
Idk why but I can't see it and my phone won't load it manually.
Not sure what is going on. Hope you get to see it. I think its a pretty neat video. Its no bobcat but still pretty cool.
Post by: Carp Commander on December 20, 2015, 03:35:45 PM
Put a skunk trap out and kept the camera on it. Hopefully have a closed door tomorrow.
Here is the new layout of the fur shed.
Post by: jasnt on December 20, 2015, 04:18:37 PM
Post by: 3nails on December 21, 2015, 06:09:34 AM
Post by: Carp Commander on December 21, 2015, 09:36:50 AM
Here is the first video at 912pm.
Post by: Carp Commander on December 21, 2015, 09:39:19 AM
Post by: Carp Commander on December 21, 2015, 09:42:55 AM
Look where the bait can is.
This was the last video until I got there. The bait can was 4 feet away from the trap when I got there at 730am.
Post by: Carp Commander on December 21, 2015, 09:46:26 AM
Post by: jasnt on December 21, 2015, 10:39:59 AM
Post by: Carp Commander on December 21, 2015, 02:50:22 PM
Now that the lid is on I'm hoping the odor dissipates quickly.
A great learning experience and Ill be after a few more next week. Very underappreciated fur.
Post by: UrbanTrapper on December 21, 2015, 04:03:53 PM
Post by: Machias on December 21, 2015, 04:24:31 PM
Post by: Carp Commander on December 21, 2015, 05:05:38 PM
Do you freeze it?
What is the best way to store it?
I double bagged the glass jar in zip lock bags and buried it in a plastic tub of kitty litter.
Post by: Machias on December 21, 2015, 07:26:16 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 21, 2015, 07:29:49 PM
Post by: Humptulips on December 21, 2015, 07:59:13 PM
Why do you save it? :dunno:To sell it. What else.
Post by: Machias on December 21, 2015, 08:07:48 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 21, 2015, 08:53:40 PM
Why do you save it? :dunno:To sell it. What else.
What's it used for?
Post by: CementFinisher on December 21, 2015, 09:07:30 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 21, 2015, 09:40:03 PM
Post by: Carp Commander on January 29, 2016, 05:50:14 AM
The skunk trapping is still good. I'll post some photos of this weekends stinkys when I get a chance.