Elevating Mink Cubbies Up in the Trees

I stopped to adjust the heavy pack basket. Glancing up, I saw a mink in a low tree.

- John Murray

 I had never before seen a mink scampering through branches that way, yet it made sense. Mink are in the same family as pine marten and both hunt birds and squirrels. Trappers catch marten with elevated sets on tree trunks, branches and on poles leaned against tree trunks. I figured I'd try a similarly elevated set. It worked and has become a regular part of my mink traplines.

I only make the set where it will be clearly visible to a bank-running mink, never more than 20 feet from the water's edge and typically closer than that. It seems to work best on densely brushed stream banks where it would be difficult to construct a more conventional set.

Look for a tree with about a 6-inchdiameter trunk leaning at approximately 45 degrees. If a suitable tree isn't found in an otherwise promising location, lean a 6-inch log up against the trunk of a tree at the desired angle and wire, rope or wedge it in place.