Recently, I was lucky enough to have 4 mornings off in a row. Being it was November I decided to go trapping for a few days. I went on line and purchased a trapping licence and checked the regs. I have not been trapping in several years so I was very excited. I dusted off a few traps and called a land owner. I got the landowners written permission to trap for 4 days.
I went into the swamp and scouted it out. I was a little disappointed in the amount of sign I found, but i set some traps anyway. I found a few areas which were good for muskrats. I set 2 #110's and 2#120's. I also set 2 #11DJ long springs in a pockets set for coon. On the first day checking the gear I was rewarded with a nice Coon in the Pocket set. The second day I was treated to a muskrat in one of the #110's. The third day was blank. On the fourth day I was given a little surprise to find a nice Mink in one of the #120's. I have never trapped a Mink so this was a first. They are very cool animals with wedded feet, claws, and sharp teeth. Alan over at Small Stream Reflections is probably pleased about a few wild trout being saved by taking this swift predator out. So I did pretty good for not being able to trap every year. I have not been in several years and I was treated to some nice treasures. I have to get the mink tagged by the state. After which I intend to have all three furs sent out to get tanned.
trapping video with mink catch
Sweet trappings dude!!! Gonna be some great fly tying materials. Muskrat belly fur is the best dub!!
ReplyDeleteI was joking with a buddy about cutting the mink into cross cut zonker type strips and tying streamers with it. This way there will be a run on mink at the fly shops.
DeleteTrapping is a lost activity in these parts, but it is very necessary. We have beavers setting up in my back yard, and they are doing some damage. I think they are soon to be removed.
ReplyDeleteBy the way nice catch in only a few days.
Brk Trt, I hope the beavers get taken care of before they flood you out. I think they are great with the way they can change the environment to benefit just about everything except someone's back yard.
DeleteThe only mink I ever caught was a "cotton mink," so brought only about half what it would have otherwise.
ReplyDeleteMr. Smythe, Fur buyer are tough to say the least. Its a hard business.
DeleteVery cool blog man. Where are you located?
ReplyDeleteAtlas, I am located in CT. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDelete