hey does any one have any good pics of pocket sets i can see and print of to studu please and thank you?

Later in the season, I will post some...I can tell you that in my experience a hole such as an elbow set, although it takes twice as long to construct, if far more effective on mink that hesitate at a set, than a straight in hole that dead ends. Mink seem to feel an airflow or just know it goes somewhere and an elbow set will suck them right in!
Now, that isn't to say that a hole of any depth won't catch some mink, because it will...there will be some mink that stall out and won't enter them either!
Something to think about too...

Ahem... care to elaborate on how you make said elbow set?

I've wondered for a long time if some mink weren't "pocket shy", for lack of a better term.

I hope this isn't derailing this thread. If I had pics of some pockets I would gladly post them.

I spoke too soon.

A elbow pocket is simply your normal pocket with another "pocket" dug straight down from the bank connecting with the other pocket.

thanx alot cooner if u have any more u guys that would be great

I hope this isn't hijacking Mink1's thread, but when it comes to pocket sets, it's interesting to see how many different ways successful trappers orient the trap. Assume a pocket designed for mink, but ready for a coon or muskrat that might get there first.

A pretty common approach seems to be--pocket six inches or so in diameter, with the trap jaws tight against the mouth, pan directly under the top edge of the hole. Most seem to agree that it's best to dig a depression in front of the hole or push the trap down into the bottom so the pan is level with the bottom. Some say the pan should be lower than the bottom to help guide the foot and get a solid step on the pan.

But when it comes to how the trap is turned, there's more variation. For the sake of clarity, say you're using a 1.5 coil. You're facing the hole and the back of the hole is 12 o'clock.

Some point the dog toward 12, levers tight against the mouth. Thought is that the mink will hug the bank and come in between the jaws, since he may not even enter the hole. I always wonder about a coon approaching the hole straight on and stepping on the loose jaw.

Some point the dog toward 3 o'clock, tight to the right edge, the loose jaw tight to the left edge. But a bank-hugging mink has to step over either jaw. A low-sitting trap probably helps here.

Some point the dog toward 1 or 2 o'clock, with both the dog and the top lever in the hole and out of the way. Mink coming in from the right has cleaner shot at the pan, but if he's coming from the left, he crosses the loose jaw.

In his article in The Trapper's Post, Gerald Schmmidt shows the dog at 4 o'clock. I'm not going to argue with Gerald's success or his knowledge, but I'd like to understand it better. I would be worred about the critter coming in from the right, over the dog and getting thrown free. I would have been interested to see him explain why that works for him. Is the idea that a mink hugging the right side misses the dog (although he still crosses that jaw). Mink coming in (or out) on the left does come in between the jaws.

I'm hoping your answers enhance this tread. Again I don't mean to hijack it.

oh ok well thanx nick!

The only good pockets are the ones with coon or little brown tails floating in front of them.

Nice pics. Minkmaster.Is there two pockets in the first pic?Got to love those brown tails floating.