Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on January 25, 2024, 03:24:24 PM
This first pic is a live tree with 1’x1’ hollow at the base full of small fresh water clam shells. Location is about 25 yards uphill from pond. No tracks. Mink?
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on January 25, 2024, 03:31:33 PM
Pic 3 is a place I found this morning with my 4 year old so I couldn’t explore as deep as I would have liked. I’m assuming those are runs of some kind. They start big and then break off into a bunch of small trails maybe 3 inches wide, maybe a little bigger. Those trails run all over the grass. I was hoping muskrat but I’ve never seen them before or looked for them.
Post by: TeacherMan on January 25, 2024, 04:00:50 PM
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on January 25, 2024, 06:10:19 PM
Definitely little mink tracks and I’d say the pic of the grass slides are both mink and muskrat runs. But reality anything would use them. That toilet you found could be pretty much any freshwater predator. If it was out on the river bank I’d of said otter toilet but could he coons, mink, both? Definitely a good spot to put a #1.5 coil but since you can’t it still would be worth a cage off to the side in my opinion.Thank you, good to know. Glad I didn’t let my son play in The toilet. Lol
I had a couple 6x6 cages I left in the grass baited with chicken liver and hearts. We’ll see. I was thinking a couple others for muskrat. Have a couple small colonies, but didn’t see a spot to put them. Yet
Post by: TeacherMan on January 25, 2024, 06:17:05 PM
Definitely little mink tracks and I’d say the pic of the grass slides are both mink and muskrat runs. But reality anything would use them. That toilet you found could be pretty much any freshwater predator. If it was out on the river bank I’d of said otter toilet but could he coons, mink, both? Definitely a good spot to put a #1.5 coil but since you can’t it still would be worth a cage off to the side in my opinion.Thank you, good to know. Glad I didn’t let my son play in The toilet. Lol
I had a couple 6x6 cages I left in the grass baited with chicken liver and hearts. We’ll see. I was thinking a couple others for muskrat. Have a couple small colonies, but didn’t see a spot to put them. Yet
I’d focus your mink boxes (your 6x6 cages) right along stream banks in the debris or better yet under a cut bank with a wire anchored high for when it floods overnight.
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on January 25, 2024, 07:08:00 PM
I’d focus your mink boxes (your 6x6 cages) right along stream banks in the debris or better yet under a cut bank with a wire anchored high for when it floods overnight.
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I actually had them all in locations like that for about 7 days, but the last time I checked they were under water, had them anchored though. so I went looking for places closer to home and found a couple.
I’m not trying to stack fur or anything because I have no experience, I’m just doing a ton of research and trying to get a little experience before I can get to a rendezvous and talk to people. I’d also like to see if my trap works. Hahahaha
Post by: TeacherMan on January 25, 2024, 07:20:10 PM
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on January 25, 2024, 07:33:08 PM
Hop on www.trapperman.com you will learn a ton!Thank you for that, I’ll go read everything over there, like I did here.
Post by: redi on January 25, 2024, 08:06:57 PM
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on January 26, 2024, 06:01:15 AM
Mink love Muskrat meat for bait and will also be attracted by mink urine or scent. Good luckThank you! That’s why I’m really hoping those were muskrat trails I found. Need some real bait.
Post by: redi on January 26, 2024, 06:12:53 AM
Post by: pd on January 26, 2024, 07:15:36 AM
Good afternoon ladies and gents, my name is Tim and I’m a dysfunctional vet.(crowd of unruly folks in uncomfortable chairs drinking crappy coffee, “hi Tim”)
Hi Tim!
Stick around here, you will have a lot of fun.
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on January 26, 2024, 09:09:59 AM
I have caught male mink on muskrat, reset the trap with no bait and caught another male that night just because the first one urinates in the trap and left hi scent in it. Good luck.I’ll definitely keep that in mind
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on January 26, 2024, 09:11:00 AM
plan on it! Most fun I’ve had all day. LolGood afternoon ladies and gents, my name is Tim and I’m a dysfunctional vet.(crowd of unruly folks in uncomfortable chairs drinking crappy coffee, “hi Tim”)
Hi Tim!
Stick around here, you will have a lot of fun.
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 10, 2024, 09:19:53 AM
Waiting on springs for a larger cage. Good times.
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 16, 2024, 10:58:06 AM
So that area drains into a river through a culvert, but I don’t think they go through it. Well established trails going around it. Today I’m on the other side of the river and it looks like beavers are coming to this side for supplies. Teaks leading to brush piles, drag marks back into the water then headed down stream to culvert. Found another spot where someone is coming out of the water, digging holes and eating roots. No clear tracks, roots were half inch at most. Here’s a pick of the holes. Do the beavs dig holes to get to tree roots? I’m going to bring a trail camera down tomorrow and find out. I hope.
Post by: TeacherMan on February 16, 2024, 02:17:55 PM
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 16, 2024, 05:18:58 PM
Looks like a spot I’d make a scent mound with a drowner bag. Hard not being able to use new traps.it’s funny but not funny I guess, but when I saw that spot I thought a similar deal, watching too many YouTube videos of traps I can’t use, but I totally see how they could be used in that spot. But a cage trap in that spot has me wondering but the amount of dog tracks on the gravel bar tells me no.
I’m setting a camera tomorrow so I can just watch what happens out there.
Thank you for the response Teacherman
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 17, 2024, 08:56:57 AM
Post by: Humptulips on February 17, 2024, 11:20:52 AM
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 17, 2024, 01:14:48 PM
There may well be beaver there dragging cuttings into the water but those are dog tracks.well dang, those were the tracks leading right to chopped trees. I’ll get some videos tonight hopefully. I’m still an idiot. Hahahahaha
Post by: bearpaw on February 17, 2024, 02:53:33 PM
There may well be beaver there dragging cuttings into the water but those are dog tracks.well dang, those were the tracks leading right to chopped trees. I’ll get some videos tonight hopefully. I’m still an idiot. Hahahahaha
There is a learning curve to everything, you use this link to help yourself identify beaver tracks:
https://www.google.com/search?q=beaver+tracks+in+mud&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS733US737&oq
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 17, 2024, 07:30:31 PM
roger that!! I just got ivy excited and took pics of the wrong tracks. There’s definitely beaver tracks there. It seems the dogs and beavers get together Friday nights to play cards. Anyway, I’m not trying to trap these beavers I’m just trying to learn from them. I’m not prepared to trap them but I figure learning from them would be valuable for the future because I’d like to be able to trap beaver when I’m ready to do so. But I do appreciate the link. I’ll stop being dumb. LolThere may well be beaver there dragging cuttings into the water but those are dog tracks.well dang, those were the tracks leading right to chopped trees. I’ll get some videos tonight hopefully. I’m still an idiot. Hahahahaha
[/
There is a learning curve to everything, you use this link to help yourself identify beaver tracks:
https://www.google.com/search?q=beaver+tracks+in+mud&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS733US737&oq
Post by: Humptulips on February 18, 2024, 06:51:01 PM
Post by: MADMAX on February 18, 2024, 06:54:21 PM
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 19, 2024, 10:20:41 AM
It probably would be a good place for a scent set with a larger single door cage trap but if there were dogs visiting the site regularly, I would probably steer clear of the spot. Not that I think there would be danger to the dog, but I can only imagine what a dog would do if it found a trap with a live beaver in it.the dog traffic is why I’m just going to observe these guys for now and try to learn behavior/sign. I believe I found a bank den entrance just down stream from all the chewing.
Don’t worry, I’m not doing anything stupid out there that would make trappers look bad, I’m more trying to learn as much as I can now so I can be more informed on something I know nothing about. Never paid attention to all the mink tracks along the rivers I used to fish all the time. Kind of shocking really, had no idea.
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 19, 2024, 10:21:18 AM
Quick referencenoted.
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 19, 2024, 10:25:19 AM
Post by: TeacherMan on February 19, 2024, 10:32:45 AM
Post by: Loup Loup on February 19, 2024, 10:50:36 AM
Yea, although not a classical feedbed, the rats been feeding there. You can set a small cage in the trail on the up side, where it’s going in to cut the cattail sprouts. I have also set colony’s on land in rat trails. They produce right along. Also set a colony in its trail where it enters the water after feeding. Have the entrance just under the surface. Trap will angle down away from bank. Have a “dive stick” across the top of bank entrance.
When going to bank the rat will clammer over the trap, dive stick. When heading back out, it will dive under dive stick and enter colony.
Also set the uphill cage in trail as a blind set, no bait.
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 19, 2024, 03:52:28 PM
Muskrat feed beds are generally in the water covered in little roots and rat poop. Could be a den up behind it or just a trail. Pics hard to tell.the water is under the reeds and is about a foot deep. There’s a runner in the back that they are coming out on and there’s at least 25 similar spots with trails in a 50 yard stretch.
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 19, 2024, 04:00:51 PM
I like your outlook DV.im just trying to enjoy the ride. I did leave a colony and one cage but I tossed apple chunks in it. Lol
Yea, although not a classical feedbed, the rats been feeding there. You can set a small cage in the trail on the up side, where it’s going in to cut the cattail sprouts. I have also set colony’s on land in rat trails. They produce right along. Also set a colony in its trail where it enters the water after feeding. Have the entrance just under the surface. Trap will angle down away from bank. Have a “dive stick” across the top of bank entrance.
When going to bank the rat will clammer over the trap, dive stick. When heading back out, it will dive under dive stick and enter colony.
Also set the uphill cage in trail as a blind set, no bait.
Picked up some new waders today so I can explore further.want to learn as much as I can so I can make an honest go at it next year. I only have 1 set muskrat boards, 1 set mink and a couple coon stretchers. Ideally I’d like to just catch a couple just to get a little practice and have a little bait for next year to get me started. I do appreciate your response.
Post by: Loup Loup on February 19, 2024, 04:37:41 PM
Post by: TeacherMan on February 19, 2024, 04:46:08 PM
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 19, 2024, 05:47:37 PM
One other thing then I’ll let you go. I wire my rat cages to a stake (lathe works good for colony’s) or something solid. In case of high water or if a dog or Coon wants your rat and try’s to drag your cage away.yup, That’s a good suggestion to make, but I have definitely been wiring my cages off and watching USGS water levels to be safe.
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 19, 2024, 05:54:51 PM
Love the questions and pics. Zoom back a bit when you’re taking them. The area around the spot tells as much as the closeup itself does.As I’m starting out, I’m finding it hard to find tons of helpful info for the totally new guy, especially in Washington, so I thought I’d ask all the dumb questions and be the fool. That way future new folk could try to learn from my from what I’ve learned. I’ll work on getting better pics. Lol
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 20, 2024, 12:21:42 PM
Thank you to everyone that has answered questions and given advice. Very much appreciated. But don’t worry, the saga will continue and I’ll keep asking them.
Post by: Loup Loup on February 20, 2024, 12:35:51 PM
I don’t skin rats wet. I dry rats somewhat with newspaper. Then hang in a cool place over night with a fan if you have one. Any wet areas next day use more paper and fan.
I stay behind a day with my skinning.
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 20, 2024, 01:20:58 PM
Well, you are taking better pictures! Glad you took the boy along.Its a great pic!!! Lol. The first thing I did when I got home was dry it off real good with rags and now it’s hanging in the unfinished basement until the little guy goes to bed, I’ll throw a fan down there and then I’ll attempt my first skinning. Wish me luck. I’ve watched a bunch of videos, but I imagine like everything else, getting your hands dirty is the best way.
I don’t skin rats wet. I dry rats somewhat with newspaper. Then hang in a cool place over night with a fan if you have one. Any wet areas next day use more paper and fan.
I stay behind a day with my skinning.
Post by: Mustelidae on February 20, 2024, 06:07:12 PM
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 25, 2024, 10:28:11 AM
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on February 25, 2024, 10:38:54 AM
Post by: Frank The Tank on March 01, 2024, 08:36:12 AM
Thurston County Fairgrounds
Group · Members of Washington State Trappers Association
Rendezvous /Fur Sale Schedule
0800
WSTA has access to the building for set up.
0900
Check-in at the front desk.
Check-in fur at the receiving tables.
Intermountain Rep. available to receive fur.
CITIES Tagging provided by Steve Brownell (morning time only)
TBD - Demonstrations
1200
Fur Check-in closes
Lunch
Informal Meeting / social hour
Miss Rodeo fur vest presentation
1300
Auction
1400
Fur Buyer bidding closes
Bucket Raffle
1430
Fur Bidding results
Buyer / Sellers complete transactions
1600
Clean-up See less
Lacey, Washington
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on March 01, 2024, 09:28:56 AM
I'm a retired Marine, and in my experience all vets are dysfunctional. Make sure to come to the March Fur Sale/ meet up!I’ll be there.
Thurston County Fairgrounds
Group · Members of Washington State Trappers Association
Rendezvous /Fur Sale Schedule
0800
WSTA has access to the building for set up.
0900
Check-in at the front desk.
Check-in fur at the receiving tables.
Intermountain Rep. available to receive fur.
CITIES Tagging provided by Steve Brownell (morning time only)
TBD - Demonstrations
1200
Fur Check-in closes
Lunch
Informal Meeting / social hour
Miss Rodeo fur vest presentation
1300
Auction
1400
Fur Buyer bidding closes
Bucket Raffle
1430
Fur Bidding results
Buyer / Sellers complete transactions
1600
Clean-up See less
Lacey, Washington
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on March 28, 2024, 05:29:29 PM
Found a castor mound today,(at least pretty sure it is, anyway) thought I’d post an update. In my adventures…..
Not much trapping going on, pulled the mink traps I had out, turns out mice are super hungry and I’m tired of feeding them. Lol
Currently, tanning/ attempting to tan my muskrat and cleaned up the skull. Euro mount inbound. :chuckle:
Hope everyone had a great season.
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on April 02, 2024, 12:38:58 PM
Post by: redi on April 02, 2024, 02:30:30 PM
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on April 02, 2024, 04:07:41 PM
Nice. Start them youngHit ‘em with everything and hope something sticks. Lol
Post by: Trapper John on April 03, 2024, 02:30:13 PM
I might be bias :yike:: but what a great magazine to start kids out on :rockin:
JC :hello:
Post by: Frank The Tank on April 06, 2024, 08:30:35 AM