Author Topic: northern mink trappers (Read 423 times)

steven49er · « **on:** January 15, 2004, 05:41:37 PM »

I was just wondering how late in the year some of you guys trap mink. I am considering trapping some mink along my beaver lines. How long does the fur remain in good shape.

Bogmaster · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2004, 06:41:50 PM »

Steve,give a local furbuyer a call.I am not sure how late in the season they are tip top.I know my buyer always preferred DEC. mink.
Tom

trappnman · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2004, 12:41:32 PM »

steve- I always did too- unti lI read an article in last winter in American TRapper concerning late mink- it was that authors view that in to days market with shearing mink- it really didn't matter.

So last year trapped until late FEb and noticed n oreal difference.

Know how in early Jsn yo uget a few reddish springy mink dso yo ustop- that happened last year- a bunch of mink like that mid Jan- then it leveled off and mink seemed normal. I only caught 15 or so in Feb- but I'l ldo it agian this year....trappnman

cdnclub45 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2004, 02:14:18 PM »

Depending on where you live, breeding season for mink begins about the end of February and can last til early April. The females are in heat for about 3 weeks during this time. Furs prime about mid October so do your trapping from this time til mid February. Don't continue to trap through the breeding season and in many areas, the seasons prohibit trapping beyond Feb 15th or 28th anyway. You can target males or females as in many populations, the males tend to wander farther from the dens than the females do.

steven49er · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2004, 06:24:24 PM »

Thanks for the replies guys.

Our mink numbers up are higher than I have seen them in awhile. Very little trapping pressure. I have passed by many good trails in the cat tails that were just screaming for a conibear. I have never really had the occassion to trap mink later in the year but this was probably the year to do it. I belive i am gong to try to catch a few to try and improve my skills at catching them with conibears in case next year is as good.

Just a little note as how many mink are around. My cousin started trapping a little after a long sabbitical from the sport. He borrowed about a dozen traps from me in Dec and caught 17 mink from about a seven mile stretch of a river. All male but one.