Mink

EGAR

What are the legalities re Mink? I googled but I can't find anything. Are they considered *vermin* and can be hunted all year around?

Sika98k

Another invasive species.Shoot them or trap them.
Do not pick them up to cuddle them

It wasn't me!

Yep, unprotected species, and one it's worth controlling very hard indeed.

rockarate

http://www.npws.ie/en/media/NPWS/Publications/IrishWildlifeManuals/Media,6784,en.pdf

are they bothering the new chucks?

EGAR

Thank you. I know that they are not a native species but always thought that they were solitary animals apart from mating season. However, I've had 3 minks in just one square mile and wonder how big their territory is? I keep poultry and have a massive problem with them since I moved here before Xmas.

It wasn't me!

EGAR wrote: »

Thank you. I know that they are not a native species but always thought that they were solitary animals apart from mating season. However, I've had 3 minks in just one square mile and wonder how big their territory is? I keep poultry and have a massive problem with them since I moved here before Xmas.

There are several threads here on trapping and dispatch. Might be worth a look. Shooting is ineffective in any case. Trapping is the best way to control them.

EGAR

Thank you for the replies and the PN's.

I have a trap but my problem lies with the dispatch. There is no way I could drown it or kill it in any other way. Yeah, I know, quite hypocritical considering they try to kill my chicken and do not belong here. But I am what I am and can't help it.

Would it be worth my while to approach the local gun club?

It wasn't me!

EGAR wrote: »

Thank you for the replies and the PN's.

I have a trap but my problem lies with the dispatch. There is no way I could drown it or kill it in any other way. Yeah, I know, quite hypocritical considering they try to kill my chicken and do not belong here. But I am what I am and can't help it.

Would it be worth my while to approach the local gun club?

Well, they'd surely be happy to do some trapping work for you if you've got a shared interest in a local waterway, and would probably do it out of goodness anyway. Don't trap it if you're not going to dispatch it though; it's cruel.

EGAR

No, I wouldn't trap it - I wouldn't know what to do with it and I can't release it somewhere else either that would be stupid.

It wasn't me!

EGAR wrote: »

No, I wouldn't trap it - I wouldn't know what to do with it and I can't release it somewhere else either that would be stupid.

Yeah, your best bet is likely to be the local gun clubs if there are some in your area. If not, or if they're not interested for whatever reason, you'll just have to take on the job yourself. There are humane and easy ways to dispatch if it comes to it, which are well documented here.

johngalway

My suggestion for dispatch is either use an air rifle, or, alternatively use properly tunneled off kill spring traps like Kania, Bodygrip, or Fenn.