[interize]

Well lads, iv just got a mink cage and about to start trapping the only problem is i dont have a .22lr just wanna know any good methods of dispatching with out, have a 17 air rifle but dont think it would be up to the job and using a shot gun would make a bit of a mess.

[Spunk84]

Shouldn't be catching wild animals without having the tools to dispatch them. Stick on a pair of thick gloves and break it's neck

[Longranger]

This is gonna get ugly:rollseyes:

[daithi55]

Originally Posted by Spunk84

Shouldn't be catching wild animals without having the tools to dispatch them. Stick on a pair of thick gloves and break it's neck

he hasnt caught anything yet with it hence why hes asking what he should use to dispatch the animal before he decides to set it

id say ya would do no damage to the cage using a shotgun at a safe distance
id say the .17 air rifle will kill it no problem once its one of the powerful air powered ones
the break barrel ones wouldnt have enough power in them but saying that firing it straight into the head from 3 or 4 inches might be enough

[pugw]

Originally Posted by Spunk84

Shouldn't be catching wild animals without having the tools to dispatch them. Stick on a pair of thick gloves and break it's neck

I wouldnt recommend that if you havent done it before they are viscous little ba*tards! The air rifle will be plenty good at short range put the barrel through the mesh and hit him in the head! A lad I know wrecked a cage with a shotgun!

[Eddie B]

Cant see why your .17 air rifle won't work!
I bought a .22 air rifle for this purpose! It's perfect for the job! Dispatches mink stone dead, and won't damage the cage at all. You just have to be patient, and make sure you place the shot right on the forehead!



It's the best method in my opinion, dispatch the mink without moving your cage, rebait, reset, job done!

[mallards]

If you haven't a gun, maybe release into a strong bag , pin him into the corner of it and clunk him very hard over the scull to kill him instantly. Watch your fingers! :-D

[johngalway]

Originally Posted by interize

Well lads, iv just got a mink cage and about to start trapping the only problem is i dont have a .22lr just wanna know any good methods of dispatching with out, have a 17 air rifle but dont think it would be up to the job and using a shot gun would make a bit of a mess.

There's your answer.

[patdahat]

your .17 down between the ears job done.

[blackstairsboy]

I would strongly recommend that you ignore any advice telling you to drown the mink. As much as I detest them I would not wish a slow death on any animal. Some people seem to think that if it is vermin then ethics do not matter. Lads more familiar with air rifles than me seem to think that yours is well up to the job so there's your answer. Personally I do not own an air rifle so I would tip the mink into an old sack and then use the shotgun. May be overkill but you can't get any deader than dead and you can be sure the mink won't complain. Don't forget to keep your tails this time next year you could be a millionaire!

[PippaSpaniel]

I would not recommend anyone sticking a hand gloved into a trap with a live mink inside the animal is stressed enough as it is and they have very strong neck muscles i say it would be only asking for trouble!! Air rifle .22 or gas it. I would be leaning towards the air rifle .22 and do it on the spot less hassle and less stress on the animal. Remove dead mink and bait and set it again.!!

[interize]

Thanks lads, some really good advise, i was gonna use the air rifle but its a bsa tactical xl with a moderator so it wont fit trough the cage which makes it really hard to get a well placed shot, dont agree with the idea of drowning so ill try getting it into a bag and use the shotgun, gonna set the trap tomorrow, ill let you know how i got on thats if i still have my fingers too type a message ha

[rsole1]

Originally Posted by daithi55

he hasnt caught anything yet with it hence why hes asking what he should use to dispatch the animal before he decides to set it



that sounds cruel



id say ya would do no damage to the cage using a shotgun at a safe distance
id say the .17 air rifle will kill it no problem once its one of the powerful air powered ones
the break barrel ones wouldnt have enough power in them but saying that firing it straight into the head from 3 or 4 inches might be enough

I have a break barrel air rifle Weihrauch HW 97K and it kills magpies and crows at 40 - 45 yards, so of course it would kill a mink in a cage!

[daithi55]

Originally Posted by rsole1

I have a break barrel air rifle Weihrauch HW 97K and it kills magpies and crows at 40 - 45 yards, so of course it would kill a mink in a cage!

from what ive seen over the years theres both good and bad air rifles whats not to say his isnt upto standard
or someone else reading this thread starts using a crap one on a mink

[rsole1]

Originally Posted by daithi55

from what ive seen over the years theres both good and bad air rifles whats not to say his isnt upto standard
or someone else reading this thread starts using a crap one on a mink

You were specifically saying break barrel air rifles are not as powerful as gas ones. Theoben Eliminator, Webley Patriot to name but two FAC rated break barrell spring air rifles. Even the UK non FAC air rifles would be a touch under 12ft lbs more than enough to kill crows etc at 40 yards. Obviously to check the exact power put it on a chrono.