How to Trap Mink: A Comprehensive Guide

Trapping mink can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor, whether you’re managing wildlife populations, protecting your property, or seeking their valuable pelts. Mink are semi-aquatic mammals known for their sleek bodies, luxurious fur, and carnivorous diet. They are opportunistic predators that can cause problems for poultry farmers, fish hatcheries, and homeowners near bodies of water. This comprehensive guide will provide you with detailed steps and instructions on how to effectively and humanely trap mink.

## Understanding Mink Behavior and Habitat

Before setting any traps, it’s crucial to understand the behavior and habitat of mink. This knowledge will significantly increase your chances of success.

* **Habitat:** Mink are typically found near water sources such as rivers, streams, lakes, marshes, and coastal areas. They prefer areas with dense vegetation along the banks, providing cover and hunting opportunities. Look for signs of mink activity near undercut banks, log jams, and dense brush piles.
* **Diet:** Mink are carnivores and primarily feed on fish, amphibians, crustaceans, rodents, birds, and insects. They are opportunistic hunters and will adapt their diet based on available prey.
* **Behavior:** Mink are active year-round, with peak activity during dawn and dusk. They are solitary animals, except during the breeding season. They establish territories and mark them with scent. Mink are curious animals but can also be wary of new objects in their environment.
* **Signs of Mink Activity:** Look for the following signs to identify areas where mink are present:
* **Tracks:** Mink tracks are similar to those of a domestic cat but smaller and with five toes on both the front and hind feet. The tracks may show webbing between the toes.
* **Scat:** Mink scat is typically dark in color and contains the remains of their prey, such as bones, fur, and feathers. It is often found near water sources or along trails.
* **Dens:** Mink may den in abandoned muskrat lodges, hollow logs, or under roots along the banks of waterways.
* **Visual Sightings:** Observing a mink is a clear sign of their presence in the area.

## Essential Trapping Equipment

Having the right equipment is essential for successful and humane mink trapping. Here’s a list of items you’ll need:

* **Traps:** The most common types of traps used for mink are:
* **Foothold Traps:** These traps are designed to capture an animal by the foot. They come in various sizes and types, including padded-jaw traps and coil-spring traps. Choose a trap size appropriate for mink (typically a #1 or #1.5). Foothold traps should always be used with caution to minimize injury to the animal.
* **Body Grip Traps (Conibear Traps):** These traps are designed to kill the animal quickly and humanely. They are typically used in water sets or along trails. Common sizes for mink are 110 or 120. Body grip traps require careful placement and consideration to avoid catching non-target animals.
* **Cage Traps:** These traps capture the animal alive inside a cage. They are a good option if you want to release the mink in a different location or if you are concerned about catching non-target animals. Choose a cage trap large enough to comfortably accommodate a mink.
* **Trap Stakes or Anchors:** These are used to secure the trap to the ground or to a nearby object, preventing the mink from escaping with the trap.
* **Trap Wire or Cable:** Used to attach the trap to the stake or anchor.
* **Gloves:** To avoid transferring your scent to the traps.
* **Waders or Waterproof Boots:** Essential for setting traps in or near water.
* **Scent Lures and Baits:** These can attract mink to the trap. Common lures include mink gland lure, fish oil, and muskrat musk. Baits can include fish, meat scraps, or commercially available mink bait.
* **Trap Dye or Wax:** To camouflage the traps and protect them from rust.
* **Shovel or Trowel:** To dig trap beds and create natural-looking sets.
* **Camera (Optional):** To document your trap sets and monitor your success.
* **Humane Dispatch Tool (If using live traps):** A firearm of appropriate caliber or a specialized dispatch tool to humanely euthanize the animal if relocation is not an option.

## Types of Mink Trap Sets

There are several effective trap sets that can be used to catch mink. Here are some of the most common:

### 1. Water Set

Water sets are highly effective because mink spend a significant amount of time in or near water. These sets involve placing the trap in a location where the mink is likely to travel while swimming or wading.

**Steps for Water Set with Foothold Trap:**

1. **Choose a Location:** Select a spot along the water’s edge where mink are likely to travel, such as a narrow channel, a culvert, or a stream crossing. Look for areas with tracks or other signs of mink activity.
2. **Prepare the Trap Bed:** Dig a shallow depression in the streambed or along the bank where you want to place the trap. The trap bed should be just large enough to accommodate the trap and allow it to sit level with the surrounding ground.
3. **Set the Trap:** Carefully set the foothold trap according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to wear gloves to avoid transferring your scent to the trap.
4. **Place the Trap:** Position the trap in the trap bed, ensuring that the jaws are open and ready to capture the mink’s foot.
5. **Anchor the Trap:** Secure the trap to a stake or anchor using trap wire or cable. The anchor should be placed far enough away from the trap to prevent the mink from reaching it and possibly injuring itself. A drowning set is recommended. Use a slide wire that leads to deeper water. When the mink is caught it will instinctively go into the water and the slide wire will pull it into the deeper water drowning the mink quickly and humanely.
6. **Camouflage the Trap:** Cover the trap lightly with natural materials such as leaves, twigs, or sand to conceal it from the mink. Be careful not to interfere with the trap’s mechanism.
7. **Add Lure or Bait (Optional):** Place a small amount of scent lure or bait near the trap to attract the mink. A few drops of fish oil or a small piece of fish can be effective.
8. **Check the Trap Regularly:** Check the trap at least once a day, preferably in the morning, to ensure that any captured animals are dispatched quickly and humanely. If using a live trap, consider twice daily checks to minimize stress to the animal.

**Steps for Water Set with Body Grip Trap:**

1. **Choose a Location:** Select a location as described above for foothold traps. Common locations include culverts, narrow channels, and underwater runs.
2. **Set the Trap:** Carefully set the body grip trap using a trap setter tool to compress the springs. These traps are powerful and can cause serious injury if not handled properly. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and wear gloves.
3. **Position the Trap:** Place the trap in the water, ensuring that it is positioned in a way that the mink will pass through the jaws. Use sticks or vegetation to guide the mink into the trap.
4. **Anchor the Trap:** Secure the trap to a stake or anchor using trap wire or cable. The anchor should be placed in a way that the mink cannot easily reach it.
5. **Camouflage (Optional):** While not always necessary, you can camouflage the trap by covering it lightly with natural materials. However, ensure that the camouflage does not interfere with the trap’s mechanism.
6. **Safety Considerations:** Body grip traps can pose a risk to non-target animals, including pets and wildlife. Consider using exclusionary devices to prevent larger animals from entering the trap. Also, be aware of local regulations regarding the use of body grip traps.
7. **Check the Trap Regularly:** As with foothold traps, check the trap at least once a day to ensure that any captured animals are dispatched quickly and humanely.

**Steps for Water Set with Cage Trap:**

1. **Choose a Location:** Select a location as described above for foothold traps. Place the cage trap along the water’s edge or in a shallow stream crossing.
2. **Bait the Trap:** Place bait inside the cage trap to attract the mink. Fish, meat scraps, or commercially available mink bait can be used.
3. **Set the Trap:** Set the cage trap according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure that the door is properly set and that the trigger mechanism is working correctly.
4. **Camouflage the Trap:** Cover the cage trap with natural materials such as leaves, twigs, or brush to make it less conspicuous. This can help to reduce the mink’s suspicion.
5. **Check the Trap Regularly:** Check the trap at least once a day, preferably in the morning, to ensure that any captured animals are dealt with humanely. If you do not intend to keep the mink, release it in a suitable location away from your property. If you intend to euthanize the mink, do so humanely using a method approved by animal welfare organizations.

### 2. Trail Set

Mink often follow established trails along waterways or through dense vegetation. Trail sets involve placing the trap in the path of these trails to intercept the mink.

**Steps for Trail Set with Foothold Trap:**

1. **Identify a Trail:** Look for trails along the water’s edge or through dense vegetation where mink are likely to travel. These trails may be indicated by tracks, scat, or other signs of mink activity.
2. **Prepare the Trap Bed:** Dig a shallow depression in the trail where you want to place the trap. The trap bed should be just large enough to accommodate the trap and allow it to sit level with the surrounding ground.
3. **Set the Trap:** Carefully set the foothold trap according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to wear gloves to avoid transferring your scent to the trap.
4. **Place the Trap:** Position the trap in the trap bed, ensuring that the jaws are open and ready to capture the mink’s foot.
5. **Anchor the Trap:** Secure the trap to a stake or anchor using trap wire or cable. The anchor should be placed far enough away from the trap to prevent the mink from reaching it and possibly injuring itself.
6. **Camouflage the Trap:** Cover the trap lightly with natural materials such as leaves, twigs, or dirt to conceal it from the mink. Be careful not to interfere with the trap’s mechanism.
7. **Add Lure or Bait (Optional):** Place a small amount of scent lure or bait near the trap to attract the mink. A few drops of mink gland lure or a small piece of meat can be effective.
8. **Check the Trap Regularly:** Check the trap at least once a day, preferably in the morning, to ensure that any captured animals are dispatched quickly and humanely.

**Steps for Trail Set with Body Grip Trap:**

1. **Identify a Trail:** Look for trails as described above for foothold traps.
2. **Set the Trap:** Carefully set the body grip trap using a trap setter tool to compress the springs. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and wear gloves.
3. **Position the Trap:** Place the trap in the trail, ensuring that it is positioned in a way that the mink will pass through the jaws. Use sticks or vegetation to guide the mink into the trap.
4. **Anchor the Trap:** Secure the trap to a stake or anchor using trap wire or cable. The anchor should be placed in a way that the mink cannot easily reach it.
5. **Camouflage (Optional):** While not always necessary, you can camouflage the trap by covering it lightly with natural materials. However, ensure that the camouflage does not interfere with the trap’s mechanism.
6. **Safety Considerations:** As with water sets, body grip traps can pose a risk to non-target animals. Consider using exclusionary devices to prevent larger animals from entering the trap. Also, be aware of local regulations regarding the use of body grip traps.
7. **Check the Trap Regularly:** Check the trap at least once a day to ensure that any captured animals are dispatched quickly and humanely.

**Steps for Trail Set with Cage Trap:**

1. **Identify a Trail:** Look for trails as described above for foothold traps. Place the cage trap directly in the trail, ensuring that it is stable and won’t tip over.
2. **Bait the Trap:** Place bait inside the cage trap to attract the mink. Fish, meat scraps, or commercially available mink bait can be used.
3. **Set the Trap:** Set the cage trap according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure that the door is properly set and that the trigger mechanism is working correctly.
4. **Camouflage the Trap:** Cover the cage trap with natural materials such as leaves, twigs, or brush to make it less conspicuous. This can help to reduce the mink’s suspicion.
5. **Check the Trap Regularly:** Check the trap at least once a day, preferably in the morning, to ensure that any captured animals are dealt with humanely. If you do not intend to keep the mink, release it in a suitable location away from your property. If you intend to euthanize the mink, do so humanely using a method approved by animal welfare organizations.

### 3. Cubby Set

A cubby set involves creating a small, enclosed space (cubby) that attracts the mink. The trap is placed inside the cubby, and the mink is lured in by scent or bait.

**Steps for Cubby Set with Foothold Trap:**

1. **Build the Cubby:** Construct a small cubby using natural materials such as logs, rocks, or brush. The cubby should be large enough to accommodate the trap and the mink, but not too large. A good size is approximately 12 inches wide, 12 inches high, and 18 inches deep.
2. **Place the Trap:** Position the foothold trap inside the cubby, near the entrance. The trap should be set and covered lightly with natural materials to conceal it from the mink.
3. **Anchor the Trap:** Secure the trap to a stake or anchor using trap wire or cable. The anchor should be placed outside the cubby to prevent the mink from reaching it.
4. **Add Lure or Bait:** Place scent lure or bait inside the cubby, near the trap. A few drops of mink gland lure or a small piece of fish can be effective.
5. **Camouflage the Cubby:** Camouflage the cubby by covering it with natural materials to make it blend in with the surrounding environment. This can help to reduce the mink’s suspicion.
6. **Check the Trap Regularly:** Check the trap at least once a day, preferably in the morning, to ensure that any captured animals are dispatched quickly and humanely.

**Steps for Cubby Set with Body Grip Trap:**

1. **Build the Cubby:** Construct a cubby as described above for foothold traps.
2. **Set the Trap:** Carefully set the body grip trap using a trap setter tool to compress the springs. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and wear gloves.
3. **Position the Trap:** Place the trap at the entrance to the cubby, ensuring that it is positioned in a way that the mink will pass through the jaws when entering. Use sticks or vegetation to guide the mink into the trap.
4. **Anchor the Trap:** Secure the trap to a stake or anchor using trap wire or cable. The anchor should be placed outside the cubby in a way that the mink cannot easily reach it.
5. **Camouflage (Optional):** While not always necessary, you can camouflage the trap by covering it lightly with natural materials. However, ensure that the camouflage does not interfere with the trap’s mechanism.
6. **Safety Considerations:** As with water and trail sets, body grip traps can pose a risk to non-target animals. Consider using exclusionary devices to prevent larger animals from entering the cubby. Also, be aware of local regulations regarding the use of body grip traps.
7. **Check the Trap Regularly:** Check the trap at least once a day to ensure that any captured animals are dispatched quickly and humanely.

**Steps for Cubby Set with Cage Trap:**

1. **Build the Cubby:** Construct a cubby as described above for foothold traps. Place the cage trap inside the cubby, ensuring that it is stable and won’t tip over.
2. **Bait the Trap:** Place bait inside the cage trap to attract the mink. Fish, meat scraps, or commercially available mink bait can be used.
3. **Set the Trap:** Set the cage trap according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure that the door is properly set and that the trigger mechanism is working correctly.
4. **Camouflage the Cubby:** Camouflage the cubby by covering it with natural materials to make it blend in with the surrounding environment. This can help to reduce the mink’s suspicion.
5. **Check the Trap Regularly:** Check the trap at least once a day, preferably in the morning, to ensure that any captured animals are dealt with humanely. If you do not intend to keep the mink, release it in a suitable location away from your property. If you intend to euthanize the mink, do so humanely using a method approved by animal welfare organizations.

## Lures and Baits

The effectiveness of your trap sets can be significantly increased by using the right lures and baits. Here are some popular options:

* **Mink Gland Lure:** This lure is made from the scent glands of mink and is highly attractive to other mink. It is available commercially or can be made at home.
* **Fish Oil:** Fish oil has a strong, pungent odor that attracts mink. It can be used alone or in combination with other lures.
* **Muskrat Musk:** Muskrat musk is another effective lure for mink, as mink often prey on muskrats.
* **Fish:** Fresh or slightly spoiled fish is an excellent bait for mink. Salmon, trout, and other oily fish are particularly effective.
* **Meat Scraps:** Meat scraps from poultry or other animals can also be used as bait. Ensure that the meat is fresh or slightly spoiled to enhance its odor.
* **Commercially Available Mink Bait:** Several commercially available mink baits are formulated to attract mink. These baits often contain a combination of scents and flavors that are highly appealing to mink.

## Humane Considerations

It is essential to trap mink humanely to minimize suffering and ensure ethical treatment of the animals. Here are some tips for humane trapping:

* **Use Appropriate Traps:** Choose traps that are specifically designed for mink and that are the right size for the animal. Avoid using traps that are likely to cause excessive injury or suffering.
* **Check Traps Regularly:** Check traps at least once a day, preferably in the morning, to ensure that any captured animals are dispatched quickly and humanely. If using a live trap, consider checking the trap twice a day to minimize stress to the animal.
* **Dispatch Captured Animals Humanely:** If you intend to euthanize a captured mink, do so using a method approved by animal welfare organizations. Acceptable methods include shooting with a firearm of appropriate caliber or using a specialized dispatch tool.
* **Avoid Catching Non-Target Animals:** Take steps to avoid catching non-target animals, such as pets or other wildlife. Use exclusionary devices to prevent larger animals from entering traps, and be aware of local regulations regarding the use of traps.
* **Release Non-Target Animals Humanely:** If you accidentally catch a non-target animal, release it immediately and humanely. Handle the animal with care and avoid causing unnecessary stress or injury.
* **Follow Local Regulations:** Be aware of and comply with all local regulations regarding trapping, including licensing requirements, trap placement restrictions, and reporting requirements.

## Legal Considerations

Trapping regulations vary by state and locality. It is crucial to familiarize yourself with the laws in your area before setting any traps. These regulations may cover:

* **Licensing Requirements:** Many states require trappers to obtain a trapping license before they can legally trap animals. Check with your state’s wildlife agency for information on licensing requirements.
* **Trap Placement Restrictions:** Some areas have restrictions on where traps can be placed, such as near occupied dwellings, roads, or recreational areas. Be sure to comply with these restrictions to avoid legal issues.
* **Trap Type Restrictions:** Some states may restrict the types of traps that can be used for certain animals. Check with your state’s wildlife agency for information on trap type restrictions.
* **Reporting Requirements:** Some states require trappers to report their catches to the wildlife agency. Be sure to comply with these reporting requirements to avoid penalties.
* **Season Dates:** Trapping seasons are typically established to protect animal populations and ensure sustainable harvesting. Be sure to only trap animals during the designated trapping season.

## Safety Precautions

Trapping can be a dangerous activity if proper safety precautions are not followed. Here are some important safety tips to keep in mind:

* **Wear Gloves:** Always wear gloves when handling traps and captured animals to protect yourself from injury and disease.
* **Use Trap Setters:** Use trap setter tools to set body grip traps to avoid injury. These traps are powerful and can cause serious injury if not handled properly.
* **Be Aware of Your Surroundings:** Be aware of your surroundings when setting traps, and avoid placing traps in areas where people or pets are likely to encounter them.
* **Inform Others:** Inform others that you are trapping in the area, and post warning signs to alert people to the presence of traps.
* **Carry a First-Aid Kit:** Carry a first-aid kit with you when trapping, in case of injury.
* **Handle Captured Animals with Care:** Handle captured animals with care to avoid injury to yourself or the animal.
* **Store Traps Safely:** Store traps safely when not in use, away from children and pets.

## Conclusion

Trapping mink can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By understanding mink behavior, using the right equipment, setting effective traps, and following humane and legal guidelines, you can successfully manage mink populations and protect your property. Remember to prioritize safety and ethical treatment of animals throughout the trapping process. Good luck, and happy trapping!