MINK

Mink resemble weasels in many ways but the only major difference is the mink is much larger in size. Male mink weigh in the two to three pound range while females average two to three pounds. Both male and female will measure in under eighteen inches normally although if you trap around lakes larger ones are possible. Both vary in color from brown or black.

Mink are found both in the U.S and Canada. They normally breed in February and have their young in April depending on the weather. Litters consist of six to twelve young and are born in old rat houses or any holes that offers protection from the elements.

Mink fur is usually prime from the first of November until February when the breeding starts.

Mink are at home on land or in water. Their diet consists of mice, rats, crayfish, frogs, muskrats and baby ducks. Mink live in rivers, brooks, swamps or any body of water that offers food and shelter.

Female mink tend to be home bodies seldom trekking far from home. Male mink however tend to never be home. Studies have shown that males have a route they travel that takes them two to three weeks to complete. Kind of sounds like a trapper and his wife with mother at home taking care of business while Dad is away tending his trap line. After a fresh snow sometime go out and find some mink tracks and follow them for awhile and you will be amazed at how much ground these little critters cover in short order.

Hopefully while scouting you found mink tracks away from water which usually mean it’s a male mink and he is on his route. Try to concentrate on these mink and give the females a break. Yes you can and do catch female mink but remember these females produce twelve young per year on average and cleaning them out will mean less mink next year. At $14.00 to $20.00 per pop a dozen will give you more in the paycheck category.

While in the water mink will check every nook and cranny they come to. This may not be a big feat in our eyes but when you factor in they do this all day long every day this is huge. If you have ever had a pet ferret you know what I am talking about. They are the C.S.I. team of the forests.

Next month I will go over a few sets that will help you catch these little critters.

I hope your trapping season is going well. Mine started out slow but is cranking along now. The weather certainly has not been the trappers ali , with hurricanes , cold weather, 70 degree

weather , back to 20 we have certainly run the gamut this fall. Oh well its better than the alternative, a foot of snow.

Keep your waders patched and your lures in the shed. Take a kid with you please.