Trap density.

[Bushman]

I am new to trapping and would like to get your opinion about this.  If you were going to trap a stream for mink, how far apart would you make your sets ?  Thanks in advance for the advice.

[Mallard]

As you start developing a line, I don’t think it’s fair to suggest how many traps and how far apart to set. One thing I found to be beneficial is to go overboard with the sets during your initial line, and see what sets and locations work, and what doesn’t. Do you want to have many stops within close proximity to the road, or will you be working further away from the road, hiking to fewer stops?  Either way, make sets wherever the sign or structure dictates within a reasonable range. (That’s a whole different topic, and one that’s best understood through a book or 5 )  By gang setting locations, you will not only understand what type of sets work for you, but you’ll also be able to thin the numbers of traps down to the “proven” ones in the following seasons. This helps you learn, and proven set locations seem to keep producing year after year. I don’t want to suggest you only set the proven locations and accept that as maximizing your production, but it is a good way to start getting the most efficiency on your route. I always have a few experimental sets out along side the “proven” to continue learning and understanding movements. After a few seasons of doing this you will be using fewer traps, have confidence in your sets, and may even afford you the time to expand your range. You’ll also learn to pick out good sets quickly at new areas by the experiences you have on the existing line. Just my opinion, but I think going about it this way has helped me a ton!

Welcome to the site. Many folks with much more knowledge than me kicking around, and more than willing to help you get started!

[foxtail]

I agree with everything malllard said. I will add this, as far as actual distance between sets goes, you can put them as close as you feel the need to but dont let any critters who get caught get to each other. Last year, I made two sets on opposite sides of a creek which was only about 4 feet wide. I used the same center stake on the drowner and the two coon I got at the same time got tangled up really good. One had chewed the other's foot up pretty well. No damage, but I lost all of the time I tried to save by tying them together.
A few years ago, I really went hog wild with the gang setting. As I had the traps to cover it, I had about 40 sets spread out over 1/4 mile of creek and surrounding land. Made lots of experiments and got lots of exercise as well as quite a few critters. I learned alot about the movement of the animals. I won't do that again as I probably won't have time like that ever again.

[jim-NE]

I like the response comments about setting more initially then taking what you learn from the first year or two to "glean" your set density down somewhat to just those productive areas/sets.
I also tend to gang set more than I really need to, but I also only take 15 days at most to run sets, and I need every "chance" on my side that I can. What some guys might cover with only two or three sets, I may punch in twice that many, if I have the traps.
One other thing that I have learned though is that at the end of those 15 days I have to carry all of that equipment back to my truck. I walk in to most sections to run my line, too. I shaved off weight wherever I could such as switching from rebar to earth anchoring methods, etc. But fact is that 6 traps weigh twice what 3 do, and beaver traps weigh a lot more than little muskrat or small coon footholds do. Sometimes if I have to hoof in to a section from the road, this weight factor (plus the fact of how out of shape I tend to be that time of the year) are additional driving factors in my own trap set density in a given area.
Anyway, just an additional take on it for you...
Jim-NE

[Dan Mich Trapper]

Bushman , I agree totally with Mallard as he only knows what I taught him . (just kidding ) I persnally set every spot that looks good if I have the traps to do so . In return you get the results Mallard spoke of . Before freeze up , I gang set the heck out of lake shores knowing my time is limited in these areas . After freeze up I trap mainly rivers and creeks . In these spots I set the obvious "hot spots" and throw in a few extra to try different things .Pay attention to what sets work and why and you can apply that to other situations .