Minkenry 1,044 Posted December 25, 2016 Report Share Posted December 25, 2016 Lately most of my videos have shown my mink capturing prey while my lurcher just stands by and watches. I've had several people ask why that is, so I figured I'd take this opportunity to explain why. When the mink is in a good position to capture the prey we are hunting by herself, I don't want the dog interfering. I want my dog to learn to stay out of the way when the mink has things under control. However, in circumstances when the prey is going to escape, that is when I want my lurcher to step in and capture the escaping animal. When the water is shallow enough for the mink to run in, the mink has the advantage over a bolting muskrat, and is very likely to catch it. But if the water is deep enough that the mink must swim, it is the muskrat that has the advantage. Muskrats can swim MUCH faster, and hold their breath for MUCH longer than mink can! Also, mink seem reluctant to even try to capture a muskrat in deeper water. From what I can tell it must be dangerous for a mink to take on a muskrat in deeper water, because mink are naturally nervous about attempting to do so. Pretty much all mink have an instinct that tells them to stay away from muskrats in deep water. Since muskrats are often larger than mink, plus they are better swimmers, and can hold their breath for considerably longer, it only makes sense that it would be dangerous for a mink to attempt taking a muskrat in deeper water. So anyway, when there is a muskrat swimming away in deep water, or a rabbit that is quickly escaping across open ground, those are circumstances when my lurcher capturing the fleeing animal is actually helpful. And it is during those times that I actually want the dog's help, because she is actually helping with something the mink can't do herself. There are many times my dog has captured a fleeing muskrat or rabbit, that would have otherwise escaped without her help. It just so happens that I haven't been able to get it on film until now. So after that big long explanation of things, here is a video of my pointer lurcher Onsa capturing a muskrat that my mink Fang has flushed for her...... 2 Quote Link to post
codmaster127 64 Posted December 25, 2016 Report Share Posted December 25, 2016 great , really enjoyed that, very interesting Quote Link to post
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