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Story
November 25, 1925
The Tri County News
Grand Rapids, Wood County, Ohio
What is this article about?
Instructional article by Marvin Mullens on mink trapping techniques, including locating dens near muskrat houses, using muskrat meat as bait, setting No. 1.5 Newhouse traps without human scent, skinning methods, and seasonal guidelines varying by region.
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TRAPPING
BY MARVIN MULLENS
OUTWITTING THE MINK
The mink is found in just about all parts of the country, and it is, to my way of thinking, about as hard to catch as Mr. Fox.
Mink are great travelers and hunters. They like nothing better than to catch a muskrat. So remember in trapping, that muskrat meat is good bait to use. Wherever you see muskrat houses in the water you are likely to find mink dens near by on the banks.
My favorite method is first to locate a den. You can usually find the dens leading into the water through an underground passage, so that the minks can swim into the den. There is usually one or two holes on the land leading into the den. Feathers and little piles of manure are usually found near by.
After locating the den I place a trap in the runway covering it with feathers or other light material, setting the pan to trip with a light touch. Do not leave any human scent on the traps. I always wear gloves. A pair of white canvass gloves for setting traps is a good thing to carry with you and wear while setting all your traps.
I use No. 1½ Newhouse traps, although Victor traps are pretty good. I set a trap in the water-in the swimway if it is not too deep. If too deep for the trap I place a stone there, or fill the passage part way with dirt and set the trap on this.
If you scatter a few small pieces of muskrat meat near the traps it will help. I never use store bought or commercial scents. Nature provides a lure for every animal if we know what it is.
Always carry a spare trap or two along with you, as you will be finding new places to trap nearly every day. When you get a mink, set a trap and spring it over the animal's head. Then reset your trap and carry your mink away with you. By doing this you will not leave a scent of mink blood at the set. I do not like to leave blood of any kind at a set, as I think it makes the next animal more cautious.
Then, too, if you club a mink to death it makes a bad job of the skinning.
To skin, start at the toes on the hind feet, split the skin to the vent, then open up around the hind legs and around the root of the tail. Do not split down the belly. Work out the tail bone for a short distance, then by taking a split clothes pin or two spikes and putting them astride the bone you can easily skin the tail off. Fill with salt. Case on a long, slim board. Do not stretch too much. Remove all surplus fat and flesh from the pelt and hang in a cool, dark place.
Some people believe if there is an R in the month it is all right to trap, but this is not true. I seldom catch mink before the middle of November and pull in my mink traps about the middle of March-a little earlier if the guard hairs are beginning to go.
Of course your latitude will affect to a considerable extent the opening and closing of the mink trapping season as of all other fur-bearers. In the South it should not begin before December 1st. and it should end by February 20th unless cold weather holds on well. In the middle central and northern states it may begin from two to three weeks earlier, and continue to March 15th or 20th.
Marvin Mullens
BY MARVIN MULLENS
OUTWITTING THE MINK
The mink is found in just about all parts of the country, and it is, to my way of thinking, about as hard to catch as Mr. Fox.
Mink are great travelers and hunters. They like nothing better than to catch a muskrat. So remember in trapping, that muskrat meat is good bait to use. Wherever you see muskrat houses in the water you are likely to find mink dens near by on the banks.
My favorite method is first to locate a den. You can usually find the dens leading into the water through an underground passage, so that the minks can swim into the den. There is usually one or two holes on the land leading into the den. Feathers and little piles of manure are usually found near by.
After locating the den I place a trap in the runway covering it with feathers or other light material, setting the pan to trip with a light touch. Do not leave any human scent on the traps. I always wear gloves. A pair of white canvass gloves for setting traps is a good thing to carry with you and wear while setting all your traps.
I use No. 1½ Newhouse traps, although Victor traps are pretty good. I set a trap in the water-in the swimway if it is not too deep. If too deep for the trap I place a stone there, or fill the passage part way with dirt and set the trap on this.
If you scatter a few small pieces of muskrat meat near the traps it will help. I never use store bought or commercial scents. Nature provides a lure for every animal if we know what it is.
Always carry a spare trap or two along with you, as you will be finding new places to trap nearly every day. When you get a mink, set a trap and spring it over the animal's head. Then reset your trap and carry your mink away with you. By doing this you will not leave a scent of mink blood at the set. I do not like to leave blood of any kind at a set, as I think it makes the next animal more cautious.
Then, too, if you club a mink to death it makes a bad job of the skinning.
To skin, start at the toes on the hind feet, split the skin to the vent, then open up around the hind legs and around the root of the tail. Do not split down the belly. Work out the tail bone for a short distance, then by taking a split clothes pin or two spikes and putting them astride the bone you can easily skin the tail off. Fill with salt. Case on a long, slim board. Do not stretch too much. Remove all surplus fat and flesh from the pelt and hang in a cool, dark place.
Some people believe if there is an R in the month it is all right to trap, but this is not true. I seldom catch mink before the middle of November and pull in my mink traps about the middle of March-a little earlier if the guard hairs are beginning to go.
Of course your latitude will affect to a considerable extent the opening and closing of the mink trapping season as of all other fur-bearers. In the South it should not begin before December 1st. and it should end by February 20th unless cold weather holds on well. In the middle central and northern states it may begin from two to three weeks earlier, and continue to March 15th or 20th.
Marvin Mullens
What sub-type of article is it?
Trapping Guide
Instructional Article
What keywords are associated?
Mink Trapping
Muskrat Bait
Newhouse Traps
Den Location
Skinning Technique
Trapping Season
Human Scent Avoidance
What entities or persons were involved?
Marvin Mullens
Where did it happen?
Various Parts Of The Country
Story Details
Key Persons
Marvin Mullens
Location
Various Parts Of The Country
Story Details
Marvin Mullens describes methods for trapping mink: locate dens near muskrat houses, use muskrat meat bait, set No. 1½ Newhouse traps in runways or water without human scent using gloves, avoid commercial scents, carry spares, handle catches to prevent blood scent, skin starting from hind feet without belly split, use board for casing, salt and store cool; trap from mid-November to mid-March, adjusting by region.