A couple of weeks ago I had mentioned that I liked setting at field tiles for mink. I was greatly surprised to get several PMs from people that didn't know what a field tile was .... So I have taken some photos of several different kinds to show ...

This is an 8 inch clay tile:



This is a 6 inch clay tile:



This is a an 8 inch plastic tile:



This is a 4 inch plastic tile:



This is a 12 inch concrete tile:



This is a 12 concrete tile:



This is a tile that is broken off in the back covered over by grass ... Excellant mink set!



All of these tiles a great places for either blind or baited sets for mink and muskrats. The larger concrete tile (depending on water level) can also be good places for coon. I have also taken muskrats in colony traps set up inside them. I will use either a 1.5 leghold, #110 or #120 at the opening of these tile sets.

Several people have also questioned as to what a "Pinch Point" is. Here are two of my favorite examples below: My definition of a "Pinch Point" .... "A point along a water course that a mink must either go away from the water's edge or be forced to go into the water."

Can you find the Pinch Points in these 2 photos?





Happy Trapping .... Garry-

Yep Nick you are correct or both accounts, but for some reason the tiles at this location seemed to work much better than a pocket set. In these photos the water is up several inches ... so doesn't give a clear perspective of the the every day view. Garry-

Thanks for the great pics Garry!
I'm curious as to what set up you'd use for that large culvert in the last pic?

I had a blind set on the left hand side of the culvert ... right next to the bank where the mink (caught one mink in it) had to either go in the water or up over the bank. Most times when I have a set like this I will (and did) smear a little mink lure about a foot inside the culvert ... Garry-

great post! i love trapping field tiles- deadly spots

so do th mink actualy run up the tiles? im curious where the "pinch points" are in the pics. id say for the first one its would probably be the stones but im not sure for the second one.

Around here when the creeks and lakes freeze up, they are my go to spots for water trapping. They usaully stay open all winter long if we have ample preciptation during the fall. These are killer mink spots, but you need the tall grass areas, for cover for the mink. I have a log of all the tile outlets around my area. I worked for a File tile outfit for 2 years and have been a Custom Field Applicator for 20 years. Every good field tile that I have seen has been entered into my log book for future reference.

Can someone explain why they are called field "tiles" and not pipes or culverts? Tile doesn't seem to describe what they actually are.

Clark

A field tile is generally something used to provide subsurface drainge for farm fields. It is typical in areas where you have somewhat heavy soil.

A culvert is typically just a means to pass water under a road or drive. and pipe, is usually associated with a storm sewer.

These terms are used pretty inter-changably in some circles. I would agree with you, but for this purpose it is suitable. No sense in muddying the water more than needed. They are all means of water conveyance.

cool how many mink did you catch like that

I caught 13 of my 19 mink at various field tiles and only 2 had tall grass cover .... One tile set (not pictured) took 6 mink. I usually use shad for bait at most of these locations, up in the tile. ........ Garry-

Yes they will go into the tiles ......

Here are the 2 photos with the pinch points pointed out ......

Excellent thread Garry. How is the book coming? Ddi you decide on publish or CD yet?

Great thread and pics. Thanks!

And don't forget about the tiles completely under water that a 110 or 120 fits in front of. I set everyone I find like that.

thanks garry

Thank you for the compliment .... hoping that it will help educate a few beginners and maybe reinforce some others knowledge base.

As far as the book ... it appears it will be very slow going as have requested information from many sources and most are slow in responding ... I believe that once I have info in hand things will progress much faster. Have been reviewing other books and info so as not to make the same mistakes I feel some other have made. As to final format that is still up in the air and I might end up doing both formats to accommodate both the "E Age" and "Old Timer" subscribers. ..... Garry-

Hey Garry I would also add this pinch point. Hard to see but for me I would check this out as well. The arrow off to the left inbetween the 2 land masses.

i love trappin mink at pinch points!! Very effective method. i usually do it under dredge ditch bridges because there are those little sand bars along the walls, and i trap the pinch points there. Works every time. -Kory

we just call those culverts.... but then again...this is miss'Ippi I'm talking about.... lol