Minks in north Clare.

redzerologhlen

Hey guys. I am wondering if there has been minks released in north Clare recently because over the last few years I have only came across them a handful of times but in the last week I have came across 20-25 in different locations over about 7 or 8 miles. Seems strange to me because they seem to have come out of nowhere.

Birdnuts

redzerologhlen wrote: »

Hey guys. I am wondering if there has been minks released in north Clare recently because over the last few years I have only came across them a handful of times but in the last week I have came across 20-25 in different locations over about 7 or 8 miles. Seems strange to me because they seem to have come out of nowhere.

I think there are only 3 mink farms currently licenced in the country(amazing that any are still allowed but thats Ireland for ya!!:mad:) - 2(i think!!) in Donegal and one in Kerry. I don't think there are any in your part of the country Red but if your trapping them like me, you soon realise that there are alot more about then what meets the eye as a casual observer. This year all ready I have trapped 11 on the place I have in North Mayo.

Eddie B

A lot of young mink on the move the last couple of weeks! Looking for their own territory after leaving the mother!!;)

kildare.17hmr

Birdnuts wrote: »

I think there are only 3 mink farms currently licenced in the country(amazing that any are still allowed but thats Ireland for ya!!:mad:) - 2(i think!!) in Donegal and one in Kerry. I don't think there are any in your part of the country Red but if your trapping them like me, you soon realise that there are alot more about then what meets the eye as a casual observer. This year all ready I have trapped 11 on the place I have in North Mayo.

why do ya not like mink farms? Had the pleasure of spending some time with one of the mink farmers you mentioned and he told me all about the security in place, sounded like fort knox! He told me a story about a group of 5 animal rights activists that camped for a week in forrestry on his land and got caught attempting to break in and release over 30,000 mink! I dont think its the farmers are the problem but the nut jobs who see them as evil.

His mink are used for fur and meat

Birdnuts

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

why do ya not like mink farms? Had the pleasure of spending some time with one of the mink farmers you mentioned and he told me all about the security in place, sounded like fort knox! He told me a story about a group of 5 animal rights activists that camped for a week in forrestry on his land and got caught attempting to break in and release over 30,000 mink! I dont think its the farmers are the problem but the nut jobs who see them as evil.

His mink are used for fur and meat

I fully agree that the animal rights crowd have to take a huge amount of blame for mink releases - it could also be argued that with mink already rampant up and down the country it doesn't really matter if mink farms are still in operation. However as recently as last year security was breeched on a farm in Donegal with further releases, which makes me think whether having the few that are left is worth the risk given the damage done to wildlife, poultry, fisheries which certainly vastly outweighs any economic benefit of the few farms that are left.

kildare.17hmr

If you ban something legal to stop a group of muppets breaking the law you solve nothing but let them win. They should be arrested and face serious charges.

Mink farms work under strick licences afaik and the man i mentioned before has invested alot to comply and make his farm as secure as possable. He also has 24 hr security.

Ill pm you the guys name, if you google it the name, address and other details of both him and his wife come up on ALF's website! So in my honest opinion is the activists are to blame and are the reason we have parts of the country infested with mink

Dr Turk Turkelton

Sorry to butt in here folks but my mam was just telling me at the weekend that there is a lot of mink around her house lately.is it true you can get mink traps in a creamery?

Also was thinking of trying to shoot a couple of them for her-are they hard to draw a bead on?

And one last question but would her dog be safe from them(staffy)?

Thanks guys.

fryup

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

His mink are used for fur and meat

meat you mean you can eat mink??

Birdnuts

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

If you ban something legal to stop a group of muppets breaking the law you solve nothing but let them win. They should be arrested and face serious charges.

Ill pm you the guys name, if you google it the name, address and other details of both him and his wife come up on ALF's website! So in my honest opinion is the activists are to blame and are the reason we have parts of the country infested with mink

I know - the likes of ALF should be charged with crimes against nature among many things!!:mad:

kildare.17hmr

Cuchulainn1. wrote: »

Sorry to butt in here folks but my mam was just telling me at the weekend that there is a lot of mink around her house lately.is it true you can get mink traps in a creamery?

Also was thinking of trying to shoot a couple of them for her-are they hard to draw a bead on?

And one last question but would her dog be safe from them(staffy)?

Thanks guys.

Yes yoy should be able to get trps in any farm shop r gunshop. Just start with one

Havent shot any myself but cant imagine them being any more difficult than a rabbit

Your staffie will more than likely get a few of them if they come near him!

kildare.17hmr

fryup wrote: »

meat you mean you can eat mink??

Sure you can, meat is meat but this meat is sold for dog food

Birdnuts

Cuchulainn1. wrote: »

Sorry to butt in here folks but my mam was just telling me at the weekend that there is a lot of mink around her house lately.is it true you can get mink traps in a creamery?

Also was thinking of trying to shoot a couple of them for her-are they hard to draw a bead on?

And one last question but would her dog be safe from them(staffy)?

Thanks guys.

I've bought them over the years on donedeal, at various game-fairs etc. Poulty suppliers such MacEoins in Kerry do them too via their online shop. They are tricky to shoot since they move fast, are small and tend to stick to dense cover(though if your a good shot and get within range then go for it!!). I think a staffy should be ok when it comes to tackling a mink:)

Dr Turk Turkelton

Thanks for the replies guys.
Only shooting I have done for the last 15 years is a bit of target shooting and clays so don't know if the aim would be up to one of these crafty gits!
House is between two forests with a stream so loads of cover for them.

Reassuring about the dog too but she is a softie and I have heard minks are extremely savage but she has killed a couple of rats in the past so maybe she knows what to do!!!

Also would fish be a good bait for the traps?

Thanks again guys.

kildare.17hmr

A tin of tuna or that should do the job!

Kess73

Cuchulainn1. wrote: »

Thanks for the replies guys.
Only shooting I have done for the last 15 years is a bit of target shooting and clays so don't know if the aim would be up to one of these crafty gits!
House is between two forests with a stream so loads of cover for them.

Reassuring about the dog too but she is a softie and I have heard minks are extremely savage but she has killed a couple of rats in the past so maybe she knows what to do!!!

Also would fish be a good bait for the traps?

Thanks again guys.

Would reckon a staffy would make very short work of a mink, but I really don't like dogs near minks. My own dog, a Boerboel, caught a mink earlier this year and it was a one bite fight that was over before I had even reacted, but I don't mind admitting that my heart was pounding afterwards as I checked Donar for any injuries.

Dr Turk Turkelton

Thanks Kess73.also am so jealous of you Boerbels are beautiful dogs.
Got a trap today anyhow so will set it up for her tomorrow when I get up to her.
€29 for the thing so I better catch enough of them to make at least a nice coat at that price!

kildare.17hmr

Just remember if you catch any you can feed the dog no point in it going to waist.

Make sure ta cover the trap good

Dr Turk Turkelton

Just an update guys checked the trap this morning and there was a pine marten in it!
He was released back alive at great risk to my hands!

Hmm won't be bringing my mother to pick a fur if ever I need one!