Handloader.uk
Active Member
Hi All, I have recently been approached by fishing syndicate about shooting some Mink which are causing an issue at there lakes. Has anyone got any experience with mink and any tips ?
Shooting Mink
- Thread starter Handloader.uk
- Start date
-
- Tags
- mink
Handloader.uk
Active Member
Is it worth trying during the day as well or is night the best option?
reloader54
Well-Known Member
If you trap them you have to prevent those lovely cuddly otters from becoming victims.
but once otters arrive you will know exactly how many fish are present in the lake, ,, they will be on the bank and easier to count. all dead and dying often with just a mouthfull of flesh missing, normally from the gill area.
you could of course pay large amounts of money to otter/mink proof the place, not always possible dependant on resources and location.
I have never known mink to destroy a fishery, otters on the other hand, 100k of un-replaceable specimen fish in a matter of weeks. in addition to anything else edible, frogs, birds including full grown wild fowl even geese and swans aren't safe.
if you notice ducks no longer flighting in even when food is supplied, you can take it as a given you have otters.
good luck.
but once otters arrive you will know exactly how many fish are present in the lake, ,, they will be on the bank and easier to count. all dead and dying often with just a mouthfull of flesh missing, normally from the gill area.
you could of course pay large amounts of money to otter/mink proof the place, not always possible dependant on resources and location.
I have never known mink to destroy a fishery, otters on the other hand, 100k of un-replaceable specimen fish in a matter of weeks. in addition to anything else edible, frogs, birds including full grown wild fowl even geese and swans aren't safe.
if you notice ducks no longer flighting in even when food is supplied, you can take it as a given you have otters.
good luck.
shakey jake
Well-Known Member
gwct have plans for a floating raft will tunnel, tray of clay to start once mink use it use a large fen mark 6 i think, then check daily. or cage traps baited with fish flavour cat food and a pigeon wing hung paste the treadle again check daily. make sure you have a decent air rifle to shoot any trapped mink.
also if you catch a bitch try and make her **** on the trap once dead males should love the trap then.
good luck
also if you catch a bitch try and make her **** on the trap once dead males should love the trap then.
good luck
As Riddick says, otters can be a far greater problem than mink, plus they are protected. They will clear a fishery very quickly and are almost impossible to fence against. Mink can be a real pain but can be trapped relatively easily in cage traps. I have shot the odd one but you can spend a lot of time waiting for one to arrive. A shotgun is about the only way as they are always on the move.
I am in an area where the first ones became established but although they have been here since the sixties you rarely see them. They will predate on almost anything in the fish/poultry line and are fearless and persistent, in other words, a real pain. They travel miles and I once saw one in the middle of Dartmoor some distance from any water.
I am in an area where the first ones became established but although they have been here since the sixties you rarely see them. They will predate on almost anything in the fish/poultry line and are fearless and persistent, in other words, a real pain. They travel miles and I once saw one in the middle of Dartmoor some distance from any water.
Danger .Hi i used to shoot Mink on the river Tees by just walking the banks (in daylight thier were no night sights then) one thing you have to be very carefull off if you are shooting .22 lr is RICOCHET,S ON WATER when you see them swimming accross, i used to wait until they got to the opposite bank having had a few dangerous moments .One thing that does concern me with night sights is that could you be sure that it was a Mink not a Otter !
That's cos you can't hunt them with dogs anymore.
Mink are easy to trap , and even easier to shoot with a shotgun , that is if you are on the ground when they are active ,they can be very easy to call in , just like a fox , same squeak,,,,just got to be lucky your out when they are !! but traps are your best bet ,if using fenn mk6 make sure you tie them down or they can drag them off ,usually into the water and drown !!
Cage trapped dozens. Trap set at edge of water, cover with stones or rushes, bait with fish or rabbit. Using cages Otters can't get caught, but weigh or peg cage down. Have built tunnels with stone and used No 6 Fenn alongside water using same bait. Only trouble being Otters are strong and can demolish tunnel and get caught.
Is that a Chinese dish or what?
reloader54
Well-Known Member
sure is,,
Similar threads
