countrytalkandtips.myfreeforum.org

blowin · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 12:25 am Post subject: mink

I obviously tempted fate when I said that we haven't had a problem with mink since the otters came back to the valley a couple of years ago . There was a mink swimming in the pond in broad daylight this afternoon . The three ducks were down there at the time . One was in the water totally oblivious but the other two were on the bank and obviously uneasy . The mink kept diving under water and I presumed it was after the fish .
I killed the mink and the ducks seemed quite relaxed but when they were returning to the hen house a couple of hours later one looked very bedraggled and off balance . When I caught it there was a clearly visible pair of puncture marks on each side of its head --- so a mink had obviously got hold of it and dragged it under the water by the look of things . I have a suspicion there must have been a pair of them and the second one struck while I was having a cup of tea to recover from all the excitement . It is all too easy to become complacent .
A tip I read somewhere -- if you can create a small island or raft it will definitely attract any mink that are around . Put fine sand or something on it then check for footprints in the morning . I am just going to put out a couple of humane ( cage ) traps baited with some smelly old mackerel -- if I can ever get around to catching any of those Laughing

quarryman · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 417 Location: Sligo

While I do not agree with animals being caged and killed for their fur I do think that the "Animal Liberation" muppets have a lot to answer for. A number of years ago they broke in to the mink farm near Tubbercurry and released hundreds of mink. Since then the area for miles around has been infested with them and local wildlife has been put under threat.

I am sure there are better ways to protest against these types of "farms". When I drive past that "farm", just south of Tubber, the stench is unbelievable, so they are still in business.

blowin · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 12:52 am Post subject: Re: mink

lofty · Joined: 07 May 2008 Posts: 65 Location: north mayo

Mink can be a bit of a problem alright especially i think where you are i thought there was a mink farm close to you a good number of years ago that had mink released from. i have studied them a little they are terrotorial so when you remove one mink there generally is a juvenile waiting in the wings to take over that territory depending on feeding in that area. I know a population study was carried out in 1985 and the only area that hadnt any was south mayo which has since been populated. It was carried out with maybe an eradication in mind however it wasnt feasible. keep fighting the good fight dont let them get the better of you

blowin · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 12:54 am Post subject:

You obviously cannot afford to be complacent when these things are in the area , I had seen no sign of them since last May and didn't get around to blocking a rat hole in the duck house . That wasn't a problem for several weeks until one morning I opened the door to find all of the birds stone dead . Classic mink-kill . Small punctures at the base of the neck , no other obvious wounds . I set traps but caught nothing so I guess it was a solitary animal moving up the valley looking for territory away from where the otters live .
Seems to me that it killed off most of the rats because they were noticeable by their absence for about a week before it took the birds by gaining access thru the rat hole . Is that likely ?

lofty · Joined: 07 May 2008 Posts: 65 Location: north mayo

i take it you must have water running close to the duck house, if you put the trap close to the water they wont be long in finding it. I suppose as with the foxes it is the most likely time of year for fowl to be taken with most of them feeding young and needing to go places for food they woudnt usually go

admin · Site Admin Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 227

Yep , about 1500 metres of watercourse mapped on the property plus a good few hidden sources which cause it to come up thru the kitchen floor and down thru the ceiling when the rain drives in from the SW . ... as it often does around here ! Laughing

I love this country Wink

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wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Mink!!!! Dont get me going on these feckers! I had hoped that comming to Ireland would let me be free from these ***********. Obviously this seems not to be the case.
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dara · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 186 Location: Mayo

An effectively cheap way to catch mink is with a 6" diameter, 2'+ in length, bit of wavin or sewer pipe sunk near vertically in the ground. You can grease the inside, with animal fat, if you want. You throw in fish or catfood - the mink crawls in, has itself a last meal but can't crawl out. You come along and do the necessary - just don't put your hand in!
You'll also get rats as well if the pipe is longer and capped off at the business end.