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Post by steveadam on Dec 17, 2005 22:35:31 GMT -5
Any of you guys that have trapped different locations in the state, whats your feeling about where the highest population of weasels(ermine) are. I live in the mohawk valley. I really have never seen a tremondous amount of tracks here in the valley. I`ve caught a few. I heard they like conifer forests better, higher elevations maybe? Thanks
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Post by timwilcox on Dec 18, 2005 0:17:48 GMT -5
I know the Beagle club I used to belong to had a few around. Those little suckers (litterally) would drain a rabbit dry. We used to set weasel boxes all around the club for them. I have not seen many around other than that.
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Post by brushwolf on Dec 18, 2005 7:04:08 GMT -5
Spotty populations of them here in the catskills.Deepsleep caught a couple last winter,but had to put some time in to get em.I would guess that the adirondacks holds the highest populations. Ed do you have many of them on your line??
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Post by mole on Dec 18, 2005 9:13:02 GMT -5
There are quite a few up here. I have at least one around the house every winter. A person wants to remember that as the snow deepens they are under the snow,like little submarines. Down where the mice are and where the winged predators cant see them.
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Post by worstcaster on Dec 18, 2005 12:59:21 GMT -5
Saw one on two separate tripsduring the big game season. Both at Murphy Hill State Forest in Delaware County.
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Post by Scottthetrapper on Dec 18, 2005 13:25:51 GMT -5
Weasels need a certain habitat to survive. They live pretty much all over the state and population levels differ in micro habitats rather than larger areas, like a part of the state. You may have a few hundred acres with a very large population, while the areas around that parcel of land is void of them. They leave very little sign and to scout them with positive results either way is almost impossible. With the abandonment of farms and the "clean sweep" method of farming being practiced today, their numbers are smaller than they were only a few decades ago. When I started trapping, the areas around my muskrat swamps and ponds were all farmed. These farms had thick hedgerows with rock piles everywhere. Weasels also were everywhere. They were a major part of my trap line and catching 80 or so wasn't that hard. These same places are all but void of weasels today. Large rock piles, stone walls, wood piles, abandoned farms and buildings should be set with the thought that the weasels are there. Whether you find sign or not. During the trapping season the weasel is in it's winter stage and is white in color. They are called ermine then. These are what you are trapping. Find a good taxidermy market for them and you can realize some good money for your trapping efforts. Fur value is around $5 + or - a couple of bucks. They are easy to skin and put up, though the skin is thin and tears easily. They also dry almost as fast as you skin them, so putting them on stretchers right after they've been skinned is a must.
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Post by wmthrower on Dec 19, 2005 11:52:48 GMT -5
My cat has killed one each of the last 2 winters. Probably is getting them in the nearby hedgerow on the property line. One is primarily conifers. Don't see too many tracks, but as mole said, they are probably down in the snow.
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Post by steveadam on Dec 19, 2005 20:15:39 GMT -5
thanks guys, I`ve read some articles where the guy was stacking them like cordwood. I`m sure he wasn`t traping in my area.
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Post by skantrapper on Dec 19, 2005 21:50:05 GMT -5
I set out three ermine cubby boxes today(monday 19th).Put a # 1 longspring in them and baited them up with fresh caught beaver meat.Keep you posted on any catches.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2005 12:51:50 GMT -5
I used to catch one now and again in a dry mink set or natural cubby. I think that their numbers are certainly less than years ago. As mentioned, raptor increase, and the demise of most small to medium size farms are the cause. No hedgerows left and little permanent fence line left. Industrialization of the rural areas and this includes what we refer to as farms now , doesn't bode well for alot of furbears we used to take for granted years ago. Hope you get some skantrapper
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Post by innercityyouth on Dec 21, 2005 22:04:17 GMT -5
im north of the catskills and have never caught one im trying to locate some now would love to catch.....maybe next year.....ICY
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Post by brushwolf on Dec 22, 2005 17:05:46 GMT -5
where abouts ya from innercity???...........just wondering ;D
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Post by deepsleep on Dec 23, 2005 17:50:33 GMT -5
I live in the southern part of the catskills and I went after them on perpose last year. I didn't find alot of sign but did catch a few.
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Post by innercityyouth on Dec 23, 2005 20:04:45 GMT -5
brush i live in coxsackie ...were are you from.....
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Post by brushwolf on Dec 24, 2005 8:03:20 GMT -5
your just up the thruway a bit from me.I am from Accord which is about 20 miles south of kingston.
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