Winter Muskrat Set
#1440068
08/03/09 10:30 AM
08/03/09 10:30 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488 Northwestern New York(Elder)
Jonathan
OP
"Wilson"
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OP
"Wilson"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
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While revising my muskrat trapping files, I came across a graphic for this winter set option and was curious if anyone uses either of these under ice "board" sets, or possibly any variations of it using footholds and/or bodygrips? Jonathan
Camera Gear: Canon EOS 7D-MK-II, Canon EF-S 10-22mm, EF 28-135mm, EF 100-400mm and EF 400mm lenses.
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Re: Winter Muskrat Set
[Re: Northwind]
#1440136
08/03/09 11:28 AM
08/03/09 11:28 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,780 St. Cloud, MN
trapperkeck
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,780
St. Cloud, MN
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Judging the thickness of the ice with regard to the thickness of the boards, I would guess the trapper might be found under the ice. Looks like a set that might work, but it would be long day of popping holes, unless one used a power auger.
"The voice of reason!"
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Re: Winter Muskrat Set
[Re: trapperkeck]
#1440139
08/03/09 11:29 AM
08/03/09 11:29 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548 Cleveland IL
muddyriverdogz
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
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Might work better in clear water.
You only live once, so get over it!
Tactics may change but the goal remains the same.
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Re: Winter Muskrat Set
[Re: ]
#1440234
08/03/09 12:47 PM
08/03/09 12:47 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,444 Wisconsin
Muskrat
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,444
Wisconsin
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Jonathan, If you happen to have a March or April (or one of those months) 1986 (or was it 1988) Fur-Fish-Game laying around . . . . . . you'll see an article I wrote, maybe on page 12?, that described this very set using dead poles instead of a board. Very effective after iceup. Percentage wise isn't real high, but when you're running quite a few of these it adds up after awhile. These sets and conibears is how I grew up trapping 'rats in the 60s on the Mississippi backwaters.
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Re: Winter Muskrat Set
[Re: teal]
#1440239
08/03/09 12:49 PM
08/03/09 12:49 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,973 Western, MI
Reds
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,973
Western, MI
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Johnathan, I have used the very same set last year and baited the set with a carrot. Seemed to work fine except for the fact that the hole froze shut over night. The pic on the left is basically what I used but the board was at a 45 degree angle (on the flat side) so the rat could swim it's way up to the bait which was attached about three inches above the trap. I also used the 110 which was secured with a wood cleat to the board. I baited the trigger with a new carrot and also had success. The only drawback I found was that the board had to be stuck into the mud quite a ways so it wouldn't float! The rat would see the light from the opening knowing it was a way out and thus found the trap.
New Construction and Remodeling Professionals!
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Re: Winter Muskrat Set
[Re: ]
#1440260
08/03/09 01:07 PM
08/03/09 01:07 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6,683 Newark, Ohio 83 years
Actor
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6,683
Newark, Ohio 83 years
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Jonathan, My favorite under ice set is one that I describe in my book that can be used either under ice of above or above the water line, in non-freezing conditions. When used under the ice the stake is pushed down in the mud so that the entire spring is under the ice, but part of the chain and ring is above. When using it when not frozen push stake in until the about half of the trap is submerged with the bait right at the water line. For bait I have used potatos, apple, sweet potatos, a piece of cooked corn on the cob and turnip. You can just push the bait on the wire or fasten it to the wire with a wire or twist tie. .... Garry-
“Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.”
Have been trapping 77 years…
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Re: Winter Muskrat Set
[Re: muddyriverdogz]
#1440356
08/03/09 01:54 PM
08/03/09 01:54 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,205 southern michigan
NACooner
"aka Trapper Max"
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"aka Trapper Max"
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,205
southern michigan
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Might work better in clear water. it works pretty well in not so clear water along runways also.
"Coons for the money, Coyotes for the show"
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Re: Winter Muskrat Set
[Re: Balex1873]
#1440514
08/03/09 03:42 PM
08/03/09 03:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 125 SE Mi.
Gander Club
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 125
SE Mi.
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I caught over 200 rats last year with the leaning board set like the one pictured on the left. It works! Chopping the holes everyday sucks!
Last edited by Gander Club; 08/03/09 03:43 PM.
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Re: Winter Muskrat Set
[Re: jer z]
#1441489
08/04/09 04:20 AM
08/04/09 04:20 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488 Northwestern New York(Elder)
Jonathan
OP
"Wilson"
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OP
"Wilson"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
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Just for reference, jer z, Muskrat and Garry, I trapped muskrats under the ice in Wisconsin marshes for 40 years using an unbaited #110 in active runs staked and stabilized with a 4' piece of plaster lath. My #110's shape in this photo ages me somewhat (as do Garry's old Victor Conibears), but illustrates the idea. Depending upon the lath width, the trap is stabilized at the desired level with different kinds of "wedging" at the spring's eye ring. The trap is positioned just off the bottom in the middle of the run. In predetermined longer runs found with bubbles in the ice to warrant it, I'd set two #110's in that run 4'-5' apart for doubles. Muskrat, I recall reading about the set types in that graphic in the 1950's - either in FF&G, or in one of E.J. Dailey's or Stanley Hawbaker's booklets, but never tried it. I have no intentions of using them. Interesting that you and Gander Club have found them as a winter trapping tool. Jer z, Though I have never baited for muskrats in the methods described, I have used bait for them on occasions at the water's edge of ditch banks with half an apple on a stick above the trap. Those who bait #110 triggers use parsnip, carrot, potato or a small piece/slice of cobbed corn with success. Even heard of one trapper who used only orange peels. Anyway, I was just curious if anybody used this older under ice technique, and you folks answered that question. Thank you. Jonathan
Camera Gear: Canon EOS 7D-MK-II, Canon EF-S 10-22mm, EF 28-135mm, EF 100-400mm and EF 400mm lenses.
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Re: Winter Muskrat Set
[Re: Jonathan]
#1441506
08/04/09 06:14 AM
08/04/09 06:14 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 936 Southern Michigan
Stoutman
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 936
Southern Michigan
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Jonathan, Here in Michigan you can't trap in the huts, so under the ice sets are all we can use. I use the board set on the left, but with dead sticks, and a conibear baited with a piece of potatoe. I set these in line from the hut to the feed beds. Works pretty good.
Last edited by Stoutman; 08/04/09 06:15 AM.
NTA, FTA, 52 Y/O
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Re: Winter Muskrat Set
[Re: Stoutman]
#1441737
08/04/09 11:09 AM
08/04/09 11:09 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,454 Zone 2---Michigan
MMichtrapper
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,454
Zone 2---Michigan
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Also here in Michigan the ice goes on and shortly after you get snow and the location of runs are tough. Plus the ice isn't thick enough till later on. At times using the board(30-45degree angle) on a stick is placed around the hut. Often 2-3 on a large hut. If the trail isn't apparent, I will wrap a piece of tin foil(3-4 inches wide)around the stick going down, just under the trap on the board and near the bottom. You can either staple or roll up the foil and crimp it. The light from the open hole makes the foil shiney and attracts rats over to the setup. I've even had the foil torn off by rats. I saw this trick about 20 years ago. Don't remember where though.
My $.02
Last edited by MMichtrapper; 08/04/09 11:10 AM.
------------------ A Member of the: VFW MMIT NTA NRA
"There are 4 kinds of Homicide: felonious, excusable, justifiable, and praiseworthy."
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Re: Winter Muskrat Set
[Re: MMichtrapper]
#1441743
08/04/09 11:13 AM
08/04/09 11:13 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,454 Zone 2---Michigan
MMichtrapper
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,454
Zone 2---Michigan
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I forgot to mention that I use the mini-carrots stuck on a #4 finish nail above the trap. Often a #1-ls trap or some #1 northwood coils.
I have used the coni under ice baited with orange flagging tape and it worked as well.
------------------ A Member of the: VFW MMIT NTA NRA
"There are 4 kinds of Homicide: felonious, excusable, justifiable, and praiseworthy."
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Re: Winter Muskrat Set
[Re: jer z]
#1441902
08/04/09 12:59 PM
08/04/09 12:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 125 SE Mi.
Gander Club
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 125
SE Mi.
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Gander did you use foot holds or conibears? #1 LS Victors and a carrot.
Last edited by Gander Club; 08/04/09 12:59 PM.
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Re: Winter Muskrat Set
[Re: Balex1873]
#1442122
08/04/09 04:11 PM
08/04/09 04:11 PM
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Todd Lund
Unregistered
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Todd Lund
Unregistered
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Before I believed in conibears i used the 1 1/2 LS with a piece of corn wired above it. I used the hole already found on the victor frame and hooked the trap to it by pounding a nail in the tree branch(about 6 inches thick) I was using. Worked great. To be honest, I have turned into such a conibear man that if we have clear ice before snow comes I just look for the bubble trails and make run sets. I try to mark runs before freezup just in case the snow hits first like last year.
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