Hi Guys,

Just wondering where you get the sheet metal to make the funnel part of your muskrat funnel traps? And do you use Aluminum or Galvanized?

WT you can buy either or at your local building center. Galvanized will hold up better than aluminum.

Thanks MINNSNAREMAN!

Where can I find a funnel pattern?

hi

i use the aluminum i have a guy down the street that installs window and doors ...so he keeps me the bigger pieces of cuttings.(flashing)..yes the galvanized would be better but my aluminum is free....so maybe check with a door and window guy in you area...
hope this helps..
butcher

I got mine from FHA.
just email they send you a pattern...
butcher

Thank-you all for the help!!

flyrc are you a drafting tech by chance?

hey fly thanks for all the time you saved me

thanks

Would someone please post a picture of the rest of the trap?

Thanks
have a good one
just

How wide does the funnel hole have to be? I made on from the model but it seam sorta small.
Thanks,
Luke

Just,Here are some examples of what they look like. This one was made by former T-man member Smitty. He is disabled and in poor health the last time that I talked to him.

His traps measured 36" long and 12" in diameter, and the funnel hole is 4" in diameter.

Bandit, What size hole did you end up with? Getting the geometry of a cone pattern transferred and secured to something of intent can get tricky and deceiving. Its easier to practice making one that will suit your dimensions by first cutting one out of heavy Kraft paper. After some trial and error with the paper model, then cut your metal. A printable funnel pattern is shown below.

Jonathan

Funnel Pattern And Schematics References:







** Note: Smitty's trap is not equipped with a one-way hinged flap at the end of the funnel as many use with this design.

Smitty Trap:



Smitty Trap Funnel Detail And Attachment To Wire Frame:



Here is a funnel trap in action in a muskrat run made by a member here (trapperandhunterNS) from Nova Scotia, Canada.



View Of Colony Trap With Gates On Funnel Ends And Access/Retrieval Door On Side:

I have a trap similar to this for minnow trapping do you think if I take wire snips and cut the hole wider I could use it for trapping muskrats? Thanks guys

Thank you Jonathan and flyrc
the best 2ya
just

I just build the 8" X 36" square ones. They place in-line with the holes better. And stack in the truck better. And easier to make.
My $.02

Jeff, Those minnow traps are really too short to be modified into an effective muskrat colony trap.

Jonathan

Ok thanks Jonathan it just looked similar and reminded me of it. thank you for your time

Jonathan, I ended up with 3 inches, to small to work?

Bandit, That is too small in my opinion. Try to get the opening at least 4" in diameter. If you make it bigger, they may be able to find their way back out. For insurance that that doesn't happen, some guys even put a small hinged wire flap on the entrance hole as shown in the photo below.

It is based on the same principle as the flaps used on the rectangular versions of the colony trap. Keep in mind that with the funnel trap you'll need a trap door on the side of it to empty it, unless you want to diddle around trying to reach through the funnel to snag them out. You don't need one on the square traps - just hold the flap up and shake them out.

I can't use them in my state, but if I were to make my own, I think I would opt for the "square" style simply for the ease of construction - even though the round ones look niftier in their own way.

Jonathan

Note the flaps at the holes, as well as the "door" to facilitate emptying the catch. This trap is shown standing vertical to illustrate the detail of the flaps. In horizontal user position both flaps would be covering the holes.





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Thank you very much for your tips Jonathan!

You are most welcome young man!

Jonathan