FUR FACTS 83 



may be used instead of boards, but in this case the top should be 

 turned in so as to prevent the minks from climbing out. Boxes should 

 be provided for the nests as described heretofore. It is best to furnish 

 the boxes with a hinged lid, so that they may be opened and ex- 

 amined, but this should not be done too often, in fact not at all 

 unless it is absolutely necessary, as the mink should be left absolutely 

 alone. If a little water can flow naturally through the pen, it will 

 be a big help. There is a big demand for live mink, so that the time 

 to start raising them is now, and we advise that every effort be made 

 to catch a pair of live mink and start in a small way. Every boy 

 can get a lot of pleasure and satisfaction out of raising mink and you 

 can make a big profit besides. 



Mink are found throughout the United States and a greater part 

 of Canada and Alaska. The finest mink come from Maine and the 

 Northern part of New York. The largest mink come from Minnesota 

 and the Dakotas. The State of Louisiana is probably the largest 

 producer of mink, and the quality of the fur is good considering that 

 they are produced in an extreme southern climate. It is a small 

 carnivorous animal, belonging to the weasel family. A distinct 

 species is also found in Europe and Asia. The mink has a small 

 head, a long slender body, rather short legs and bushy tail. It is 

 very graceful in its movements. They are very fond of water and 

 get much of their food from it. They usually follow their same 

 tracks back and forth, sometimes traveling in water and sometimes 

 on land. If you can locate their tracks and make your sets accord- 

 ingly, you should have good results. They are flesh eating and are 

 fond of trout, muskrat flesh, frogs and rabbits. Any of these baits 

 used in connection with Funsten Mink bait are almost sure to produce 

 results. Mink is one of the staple articles of the fur trade. The 

 color varies from a light brown to a very rich dark brown, almost 

 black. The darker skins are more valuable. The finest, silkiest 

 skins come from Maine and the Northern part of the United States. 

 Mating season commences about the first of March and ends about 

 the middle of March. The young are usually born in April, there 

 being from four to six in a litter. The fur of the mink is best during 

 the latter part of November, December and January. Mink trapped 

 out of season are, as a rule, poor in quality and of little value. 



Trapping Mink 



Most experienced trappers recommend the setting of traps along 

 small streams. They are more winding and crooked and more drift 



