Interesting weasel trait

I found some large fresh holes in the snow leading under a tool shed at my friends cabin. I set a couple 110s, blind, in front of 2 of the holes today. The holes are at least fist size. Could be squirrel, but I'm thinking maybe weasel. We'll see, I guess.

I was reading about weasels tonight. I didn't know they climb trees. What I really didn't know was this (I found this online on a couple sources):
"Much like their skunk relatives, weasels release foul-smelling secretions from their anal glands as a defense mechanism, and perhaps even to mark their territory."

I don't know if weasels are worth anything, but I'd at least like to tan a couple.

Read up on Mustelids. Mink, otter, and weasel all have strong smelling glands, with mink/weasel being far more potent. I like the smell and it does not phase me one bit if a gland gets nicked in the shed. I have thrown a lot of otter and mink vent/gland assemblies down dirtholes.

The defense mechanism thing is new to me, so I can't comment on that. I have always been under the impression that skunks spray with the goal of getting essence in the eyes/mouth of the attacker. The smell is simply an inconsequential side effect which is why it in fact attracts, instead of deters, predators. This attractiveness holds true with Mustelid scents as well. I would make no comparison between the potency of skunk essence and Mustelid glands. One stinks up the shed for an hour, the other lingers for weeks!

Hopefully you connect on one, but they will very easily slip through trigger wires. The weasels I have caught in bodygrips were with pans.

weasles mink stoats and very much polcats will let em rip.. just trap a mink in a cage trap and get it alll angry.

polecats will make your eyes water when they let rip

weasles mink stoats and very much polcats will let em rip.. just trap a mink in a cage trap and get it alll angry.

polecats will make your eyes water when they let rip

The very last thing I would is try and trap weasels around one of my out buildings. I have had weasels living in and around my garage for years due to the large amounts of dog food stored there.
Those critters earn their keep with their mouse hunting ability.
Mac

No. I will most definitely not mess with animals to make them angry.

My point is there is a tremendous difference between the directional spraying behavior of a skunk and an animal releasing glands in a moment of stress or fear. A lot of the low budget "animal fact" pages just repeat information that they found on internet searches of low budget "animal fact" pages.

I'm interested to learn if Mustelids are capable of directional spray. I'm saying no, but I could definitely be wrong!

No expert,Cedar but I believe you are correct.

I got a big squirrel at 1 of those holes today. I sell the tails. But maybe I'll pull the traps. I can see the benefit of weasels cleaning up mice around a cabin. Maybe they're squirrel dens & not weasels though. We have an open season on weasel, but I don't ever see them, but that doesn't mean they aren't there. I doubt weasels are worth much, but I want to get a couple to tan.