Weasel Trapping

[thefurtrapper]

I'd like to start by saying the following information works for me on my Manitoba trapline. Some of the tips may not be legal in your state or they may not work as well depending on your climate.

The most popular set on my weasel line is most definatly the weasel box. #1's aren't legal in Manitoba so I use a Victor Wooden Rat trap with the wide yellow pan. I use beaver meat as bait and put it at the back of the box, I may also dab some castor back there for good measure. I put the pan on the trap facing towards the entry hole and about 3 inches from the entry hole. My entry hole is 2" in diameter. Other good bait's include Muskrat and other smelly bloody meats.

Normally I don't personally use commercial baits or lures for weasel. But I have definatly heard alot of good things about Caven's Just Mice lure.

I more commonly use beaver meat because it's easier come by for me. But when I have the chance, I throw a dead mouse in there beside the beaver meat. Or even just the mouse works well, especially if there is a slight gleam of light so the weasel can see the mouse fur. This is considered using a visual attractor I guess.

Another set that I know works well is the milk jug set. Using a #1 long or coil spring with very light pan tension with a piece of bait hanging from some wire or a string from above. A 2 litre plastic jug is used.


Another set that I have used myself is to place a #1 on the ground, and hang a feather or a piece of meat about 12-13" above it from a tree branch. I've personally caught many weasel on it.


If you have any questions drop me a private message.

TheFurTrapper

[minifoxer]

Ok, so now we know the weasle sets, but what about the most important aspect? Location! What can we look for when looking for hot weasle locations that will work?

[thefurtrapper]

Now see, the thing with weasels is the only thing to look for when trapping them is tracks really. Tracks and the weasel it's self. They like to hide in things like wood piles, brush piles will go through cracks in cabin walls. Anywhere that they can have a good time running through and still be hidden at the same time.
A big part of the weasel's food if not the biggest part is easy access to mice, so anywhere that there is long grass or low scrubby brush in the bush also works well for weasels and if you look at a couple of places, if there is weasel sign you'll find it.