Post by 2poor on Feb 12, 2007 23:43:13 GMT -5
Trapping Weasels can be a effective method to get the kids involved or bring out the kid in all of us. I have has some great opportunity living in and trapping in MN with a variety of species available but Weasels trapping always seems to put the biggest smile on my face.
The system I use is simple yet effective. I build my Weasel boxes out of Cedar fence boards. They should last for years to come as cedar stands up to the elements well. I pay on average about $2.50 for a 6' board 5-1/2" wide.
Box construction is simple. Three 12" pieces of the board serve as sides and bottom. Both ends our 6"tall and both ends will need to have a hole drilled. Entrance hole is 1-1/2" and it should be drilled slightly above center. The object is for the Weasel to land directly on the pan when he enters the box. Back end of box gets a 1" hole drilled and then the hole is covered with hardware cloth on the inside. This hole aids in getting air currents flowing thru box distributing bait and lure smell. Lid is 15" long this gives a overhang on box and prevents some of the snow from entering the box. Extra overhang also serves as a handle to lift lid to check box.
I prefer the Victor rat trap with the big yellow pan. Do not underestimate the power of the little trap. Very effective. I prefer the Weasel never even make it into the box.
Locations are fairly simple. I have found the Weasels will use a culvert vs crossing a road and being a target of a hawk or owl. Often they will be funneled right to the culvert as they hunt creeks and drainage sloughs. Here is a picture of the typical habitat I find them in. notice the culvert mouth in the lower right corner.
I have found a tub of chicken liver to be a great bait I add a couple of capfulls of Anise Extract to the liver. All Weasels are fond of Anise including Mink, Fisher,Pine Marten etc. Several vendors sell a Weasel lure I have had good results with Lenons Weasel All Call but I am very fond of the Anise.
A Weasel needs to hunt under cover to avoid raptors and predators. His main source of food will be mice, shrews and sparrows. Find heavy cover leading to a culvert and you should find a great set location. Keep your bait fresh and you should see some results. Stump piles, brush piles, abandoned farm groves are also good locations. Weasels will spoil fairly quickly in mild weather I only trap them when temps drop to near freezing. The Weasel will turn white in the Northern states but not in all parts of the country. In MN we have 3 species of Weasels. The shortail , the longtail and the least Weasel. Most of my experience is with the shortail variety. Here is a good catch on a nice buck shortail.
Spend some time learning there habits and you should see results like this.
Have fun and take a kid trapping !
The system I use is simple yet effective. I build my Weasel boxes out of Cedar fence boards. They should last for years to come as cedar stands up to the elements well. I pay on average about $2.50 for a 6' board 5-1/2" wide.
Box construction is simple. Three 12" pieces of the board serve as sides and bottom. Both ends our 6"tall and both ends will need to have a hole drilled. Entrance hole is 1-1/2" and it should be drilled slightly above center. The object is for the Weasel to land directly on the pan when he enters the box. Back end of box gets a 1" hole drilled and then the hole is covered with hardware cloth on the inside. This hole aids in getting air currents flowing thru box distributing bait and lure smell. Lid is 15" long this gives a overhang on box and prevents some of the snow from entering the box. Extra overhang also serves as a handle to lift lid to check box.
I prefer the Victor rat trap with the big yellow pan. Do not underestimate the power of the little trap. Very effective. I prefer the Weasel never even make it into the box.
Locations are fairly simple. I have found the Weasels will use a culvert vs crossing a road and being a target of a hawk or owl. Often they will be funneled right to the culvert as they hunt creeks and drainage sloughs. Here is a picture of the typical habitat I find them in. notice the culvert mouth in the lower right corner.
I have found a tub of chicken liver to be a great bait I add a couple of capfulls of Anise Extract to the liver. All Weasels are fond of Anise including Mink, Fisher,Pine Marten etc. Several vendors sell a Weasel lure I have had good results with Lenons Weasel All Call but I am very fond of the Anise.
A Weasel needs to hunt under cover to avoid raptors and predators. His main source of food will be mice, shrews and sparrows. Find heavy cover leading to a culvert and you should find a great set location. Keep your bait fresh and you should see some results. Stump piles, brush piles, abandoned farm groves are also good locations. Weasels will spoil fairly quickly in mild weather I only trap them when temps drop to near freezing. The Weasel will turn white in the Northern states but not in all parts of the country. In MN we have 3 species of Weasels. The shortail , the longtail and the least Weasel. Most of my experience is with the shortail variety. Here is a good catch on a nice buck shortail.
Spend some time learning there habits and you should see results like this.
Have fun and take a kid trapping !