Newt or anyone dealing with snares.

[TJF]

Have you trapped mink with snares??  I am interested in it but ND law says I need a break away setup of 350 lbs or less.   Granted it is on account of deer  which probably has more to do with coyote snaring and not expecting them to be a problem but have to keep the wardens happy. I see there are breakaway S hooks but would that clutter up the snare with the lock causing misses??  Which break away setup and lock would you suggest??  

How big off a loop do you run??

I figure it is reccomended to dye but what about waxing them??

Since the loop will be small is there much chance of snagging a coon by the foot in baited hole sets should they try to dig the bait out??  No biggie to me, just curious if coon can be caught.

Would be interested in any snare supplers that you know off for making my own.  Thanks!!

Tim

[Newt]

TJF, Yes I snare mink and muskrat too.I use a Doubled Swiveled snare made out of 1/16" GAC or 3/64" GAC and the one that I like the best. 1/32" 1x19 stainless steel. You asked, so I dont think Bogmaster will mind me saying. I do sell these snares.  
  Snares have it, on dry land trails.I also have a few bottom edge sets where the mink wont enter a 110, snare takes them here.Set 3"-4" loops, 2 fingers high,it works for me.

 The end stops on the 3/64" and 1/32" snares will probly pop off before 350#,but I have never tested it.

[TJF]

Newt
 
    Thanks for the reply.  I found your website after doing a search tonight and book marked it.  I have to check with the G&F to see if I have to go by their 1/16 dia and breakaway for mink snares.  Something just doesn't seem right about it as I can't imagine deer or livestock being an issue with a mink snare.  Will have to get your book though and do some reading.  Thanks again!!

Tim

[jim-NE]

TJF: I read an interesting article in FFG this year about mink snaring using 4" black corregated drain tile tube sections about 4' to 5' long. This gentleman cut a a slot near one end to slip his little mink snare down into the tube, and he placed these tubes along shorelines and creek banks. He said 1/2 in the water and 1/2 or less out of the water made a killer mink snaring set that worked all season long. the 4" tube was inviting to a mink just like an old rat hole or something, and the black pipe helped keep the water level from freezing over inside if the sun hit it, etc. I had a bunch of this stuff leftover from some yard work I did this summer, so I may try a few of these myself as the article certainly piqued my curiosity on the subject.
Jim-NE

[Corey Hain]

Hey Jim  do you have many mink up your way?  Down in this corner of the state they are getting few and far between, just like the muskrats.  Just wondering.   Corey

[TJF]

Jim

    Most of the water is froze when I start trapping mink.   There are a few springs here and there though that are too deep for wading to trap so maybe I could give it a try.   You can't get to the water from the ice with out crashing though but I could reach down from the top of the bank to make the set.  I'll remember you if I fall in.   :lol:    I could rig a pipe up by shoving one end into the bank, run the pipe horizonal with the water level and angle it towards the ice where they jump off.

You have me thinking now as I have one spot were a colvert is.  It freezes over except where the mink keep a small hole open.   it is pure ice, wind swept and nothing to work with in concealing a trap.  The mink hammer it hard.    Been trying to figure a way to place a trap without it freezing up and to take advantage of the hole.  Water will gush out of the hole from the water current so the area around the hole is constantly wet and freezing up  Your suggestion could be the ticket as it is a heck of a minnow spot for them.  I could shove the tile pipe in the hole.   They are used to cables/metal as a guy runs his minnow traps right there but only checks them every week or two.

Thanks very much!!!

Tim