Author Topic: Pocket set ?? (Read 783 times)

TJF · « **on:** December 17, 2002, 06:29:21 PM »

Over here there isn't much for open water when trapping prime mink. To target coon since I trap them earlier in pockets sets means catching poorly primed mink. So I never used a pocket set. This year I got lucky and found two natural pockets for mink about 20 yards apart where the water seeped out of them keeping them open enough to set a trap in the water. The coon were still moving since we had no snow and it wasn't too cold. Couldn't make drowning sets as both places are very shallow and it was iced over before getting deep enough. I took 4 coon and 3 mink out of them in a week and was very pleased. I took no chances and used 3 foot stakes as I was worried about the coon pulling the stake out.

I was wondering if you guys have the same problem later in the season and have to just stake the traps short or if you are trapping coon early and to avoid catching mink, use 220s and make the hole slightly larger to set the 220s?? Coon will stop moving here in a normal year before I start trapping mink for the most part and after seeing what a pocket set can do, I would like to make a bunch just for coon so I can set early and still avoid the mink. Any thoughts on using footholds and maybe digging out in front of the pocket so the trap is set in 4 or more inches of water to avoid mink?? Would be nice to make drowning sets so I could use the 220s in other types of sets before ice sets in. Thanks!!

Tim

TJF · « **Reply #1 on:** December 17, 2002, 06:43:23 PM »

One other question. How deep does the water have to be generally for a drowning set on coon. Our sloughs are not very deep and have a gentle slope and you will generally have to wade out about 10-20 feet to hit 3 or more feet of water. Road ditches are no problem and are 3 to 4 feet deep from the edge of the water as they drop straight down. thanks again.

Tim

Rick Hatton · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2002, 09:55:18 AM »

Tim, RdFx is right about the hypothermia but you might also want to consider putting your drowning lock closer to your trap so it doesn't take much depth to drown with a front foot catch. Also to avoid mink early you might want to really slick up mud all around your slightly larger pocket as most mink tend to like smaller older looking holes while coons seem to really like that fresh eye apeal. As far as guarding your pocket sets with 220's, I've had little luck up here in northern Michigan although boxes with 220's seem to work well for me (go figure). I wanted to add more to your question but I forgot so it must have been a lie. Hehehe.
Good luck and let us know

Oh, the deeper water trap setting should avoid more mink also.

TJF · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2002, 04:59:14 PM »

RdFx and Rick
Thanks, I won't get to try your advice till next year but since the situation was fresh in my mind, I figured I would ask. Thanks again. After not being ready this year, I figured I best start planning and getting things in order for next.

Tim