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How are they to be controlled so. The few I catch is only covering a small area. A dedicated team in each county?

The dedicated teams, are supposed to be the gun clubs. On paper, that should work well, but where that falls short, is area's that don't have clubs, and built up area's like towns and city's where nobody tend to set traps.

I've stated here before, that mink numbers are way down in my area. Last four years have seen a huge drop in numbers. Wonder what the NARGC figures are for tails handed in, say the last ten years. That would be a very interesting chart to see.

Yes, they really need to be hit in spring/summer, before the young are born. Also the bounty should have been paid to anyone, whether in a gun club or not. That would entice more people to get involved.

Well, not exactly side by side, but in close proximity, yes. Gang setting is common enough in the USA. In "hotspots," like around bridges, where a drain enters the river/stream, tree riots, rock piles etc, its worth setting more than one trap, incase a second mink passes through, after a catch, or if you catch a rat, and a mink passes through afterwards.

Make sure the traps are not set too close though, or you'll end up with one mink, in two traps. That results in a disadvantage. Causes a mess, and time wasting.

Right where both meet, is a hotspot for a any trap to be used. Its a junction of mink travel ways, and you'll often see mink scat around these junctions. They stop here, and mark their territories.

No, quite the opposite. The best, bar none, mink bait/attractant, is another minks smell. You are more likely to catch another mink straight after a catch. Sometimes you'll get three or four mink in a row, in the same trap. It is that good, I often bring a fresh caught mink, around to different area's I'm trapping, and rub it around my other sets. Rub until you get that lovely mink musk smell lol.

It will kill a mink no problem IF a mink is willing to stick its head into it. It would be legal. Not a foot hold trap, and kills outright, means it's legal. Doubt it would survive a bit of flooding mind

Rain wouldn't affect it at all I'd say, but submersion due to flooding might cause problems. Rusting of the inner works for one.

I've never handled one myself. I've heard positive, and negative things about them. A lot of lads who've tried them over here and the UK, have said, that rats totally ignored the trap.

When it comes to mink, the biggest thing is that you may have no idea whether you've killed a mink or not with this trap. A mink will flap around after being struck by the bolt, which is how this trap works. He will flap around, and probably end up in the river. Same goes for a rat or squirrel. You'll have lots of hits, but little to no carcasses.

Yes, that's what I'm wondering. Would he indeed. Doubt it! I don't see them being used for wild ferret in New Zealand.

Bait, they tend to promote special paste for rats and squirrel. I've not seen any promoted for mink. See these pastes last for ages in the trap without going off, and without having to be changed or refilled. Goes with the whole idea of the trap not having to be reset, for weeks or months at a time.

Maybe, but I've seen any evidence of it. It does work for squirells. Plenty using it for them. Biggest issue, is that it works well on hedgehogs too.

Yes true, a box with some sort of restriction, may help with regards hedgehogs. They should make a decent squirrel trap, as you said. Up on a tree trunk, away from none target's. Difference between here, and most of the UK is that A, we have a lot more reds, and B, we have a lot more pine marten. Pine marten like peanut butter too. That kind of leaves the trap unsuitable for most parts of this country.

Only way I can see these been usable here for mink, and you reminded me of it, is using it in a wooden box, with a hole in one end. You would have to check regularly though, as the dead mink would remain in the box.

You would, if using a box. The dead mink would block it up. This is why I wouldn't dream of investing in one.

Bait, fish oil maybe? Wouls a mink stick its head in the trap for a bit of oil? Nowhere to put actual solid bait. They have a squirrel bait/liquid, but doubt they'll have a mink bait of any kind. One that would stay fresh for weeks at a time.

If it blocks the hole up, then nothing else can get in, therfore the trap is no better than a fifteen euro Fenn trap. Not worth paying out two hundred or more euro, for something that may end up being absolutely useless.

The fenn wouldn't be at the top of the list for killing quickly, but it's hard bet when it comes to catching imo.

I like timber tunnels. Used as a tunnel, and not a mink box or cubby. Tunnel opened both ends.

Timber tunnels can work very well, especially if you can find a spot where a mink doesn't have many other options, bar go through that tunnel. With either a fenn or conibear in the middle, set in the right location, you will take every mink that runs that bank. No need for lure, bait or anything.

I have a couple of little spots on the rivers I trap, that are perfect for a tunnel set. Ditch that runs right down to the waters edge, with a steep bank on the river. So say, a drop off from the end of the ditch to the water. I will set the tunnel on the ditch, say going through the ditch, and then block off any holes in the ditch around where my tunnel is. Any mink that comes down that bank will use the tunnel, because its the easiest way for him to get through the ditch.

Not a hundred percent sure what mine are. Maybe two foot. Hole seventy to eighty millimeters. Preferably round holes.

Most definitely, and no bait

It would have to be a ledge close to ground level. Easy for a mink to pop onto it when running the bank. I have perfect one on one of my stops. Mink use it regularly. I'd set both sides, if there's a ledge both sides.

Get the odd rat. If the conditions are right, mink will use them a lot. The ledge I set the most, is actually under a dry bridge. Well it's a third bridge that is there to prevent flooding. I've caught mink on that ledge when thre is water underneath it, and even when it's practically dry.

Some good information there on mink and mink sign.

Otters have always been been plentiful here. In the UK the otter population was until recently, not as healthy as ours. In recent years, there has been a major increase in otters there, at the same time, mink numbers have dropped. They say its because of the increase in otters. I don't think they have any hard evidence, that this is the case.

No, the MK6. The MK4 is a bit small for a buck mink

I have a video or two on setting them in tunnels, and in holes in the banks. I can stick them up here if you like

Here's one with a tunnel set up, using a Fenn trap.