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Winter Muskrat Set #1440068
08/03/09 10:30 AM
08/03/09 10:30 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
Jonathan Offline OP
"Wilson"
Jonathan  Offline OP
"Wilson"

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
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.



Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: Jonathan] #1440133
08/03/09 11:24 AM
08/03/09 11:24 AM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 768
U.P. , MI
Northwind Offline
trapper
Northwind  Offline
trapper

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 768
U.P. , MI
Not yet, but thanks for the pic!


Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: Northwind] #1440136
08/03/09 11:28 AM
08/03/09 11:28 AM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,780
St. Cloud, MN
trapperkeck Offline
trapper
trapperkeck  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,780
St. Cloud, MN
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. grin 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!"
Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: trapperkeck] #1440139
08/03/09 11:29 AM
08/03/09 11:29 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
muddyriverdogz Offline
trapper
muddyriverdogz  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
Might work better in clear water.


You only live once, so get over it!

Tactics may change but the goal remains the same.
Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: muddyriverdogz] #1440153
08/03/09 11:41 AM
08/03/09 11:41 AM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 947
Lester Prairie,Minnesota
mitchell Offline
trapper
mitchell  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 947
Lester Prairie,Minnesota
ya looks like it would work

Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: mitchell] #1440206
08/03/09 12:25 PM
08/03/09 12:25 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 613
northern new jersey
J
jer z Offline
trapper
jer z  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 613
northern new jersey
I will try this set this winter. I'll have to use a conibear. NO leg holds allowed in Jersey. Jonathan, what do you suggest I use for the bait.

Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: mitchell] #1440208
08/03/09 12:26 PM
08/03/09 12:26 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 675
Wisconsin
T
teal Offline
trapper
teal  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 675
Wisconsin
I trap quite a few under ice rats every year. Last year I tried the viertical pole set to the right with very little success.

Visitation was spotty with alot of misses. Used this when pushups were covered with 2 feet of snow and set around huts. I will be giving these types of sets another try.

Teal

Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: teal] #1440214
08/03/09 12:30 PM
08/03/09 12:30 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 613
northern new jersey
J
jer z Offline
trapper
jer z  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 613
northern new jersey
Teal what other under water sets do you use. Do you have any pics?

Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: jer z] #1440224
08/03/09 12:38 PM
08/03/09 12:38 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 675
Wisconsin
T
teal Offline
trapper
teal  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 675
Wisconsin
No pics but I use a lot of #110's and #160's in runs and hut entrances. Have used baited bodygrips with marginal success.

Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: teal] #1440227
08/03/09 12:41 PM
08/03/09 12:41 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,048
Greenville, Wisconsin 18y/o
Trapperkid01 Offline
trapper
Trapperkid01  Offline
trapper

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,048
Greenville, Wisconsin 18y/o
I trap a lot of runs through the ice with longsprings and conibears i made a pictorial this past winter of it ill see if i can find it.

Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: Trapperkid01] #1440229
08/03/09 12:44 PM
08/03/09 12:44 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 613
northern new jersey
J
jer z Offline
trapper
jer z  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 613
northern new jersey
That would be great kid.

Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: ] #1440234
08/03/09 12:47 PM
08/03/09 12:47 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,444
Wisconsin
Muskrat Offline
trapper
Muskrat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,444
Wisconsin
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 . . . grin . . . 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.

Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: ] #1440238
08/03/09 12:49 PM
08/03/09 12:49 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 311
illinois
M
mink rancher Offline
trapper
mink rancher  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 311
illinois
I too have used 110's on poles baited with apple slices on the trigger wires caught a ouple rats but they didn't seem all that productive i think location probably has a lot to do with it

Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: teal] #1440239
08/03/09 12:49 PM
08/03/09 12:49 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,973
Western, MI
R
Reds Offline
trapper
Reds  Offline
trapper
R

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,973
Western, MI
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!
Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: Reds] #1440242
08/03/09 12:51 PM
08/03/09 12:51 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 613
northern new jersey
J
jer z Offline
trapper
jer z  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 613
northern new jersey
Thanks for the pics kid.

Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: ] #1440260
08/03/09 01:07 PM
08/03/09 01:07 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6,683
Newark, Ohio 83 years
Actor Offline
trapper
Actor  Offline
trapper

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6,683
Newark, Ohio 83 years
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…
Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: muddyriverdogz] #1440356
08/03/09 01:54 PM
08/03/09 01:54 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,205
southern michigan
NACooner Offline
"aka Trapper Max"
NACooner  Offline
"aka Trapper Max"

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,205
southern michigan
Originally Posted By: muddyriverdogz
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"
Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: Actor] #1440364
08/03/09 01:58 PM
08/03/09 01:58 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 229
Michigan
B
Balex1873 Offline
trapper
Balex1873  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 229
Michigan
http://www.michiganbear.com/forum/showthread.php?t=203662
Found this in my search last season and will be trying it this year.


Challenge your preconceptions or they will challenge you.
Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: Balex1873] #1440514
08/03/09 03:42 PM
08/03/09 03:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 125
SE Mi.
Gander Club Offline
trapper
Gander Club  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 125
SE Mi.
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.
Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: Gander Club] #1440533
08/03/09 04:00 PM
08/03/09 04:00 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 613
northern new jersey
J
jer z Offline
trapper
jer z  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 613
northern new jersey
Gander did you use foot holds or conibears?

Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: jer z] #1441489
08/04/09 04:20 AM
08/04/09 04:20 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
Jonathan Offline OP
"Wilson"
Jonathan  Offline OP
"Wilson"

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
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.



Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: Jonathan] #1441506
08/04/09 06:14 AM
08/04/09 06:14 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 936
Southern Michigan
Stoutman Offline
trapper
Stoutman  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 936
Southern Michigan
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
Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: Stoutman] #1441737
08/04/09 11:09 AM
08/04/09 11:09 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,454
Zone 2---Michigan
M
MMichtrapper Offline
trapper
MMichtrapper  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,454
Zone 2---Michigan
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.

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Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: MMichtrapper] #1441743
08/04/09 11:13 AM
08/04/09 11:13 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,454
Zone 2---Michigan
M
MMichtrapper Offline
trapper
MMichtrapper  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,454
Zone 2---Michigan
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.


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Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: jer z] #1441902
08/04/09 12:59 PM
08/04/09 12:59 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 125
SE Mi.
Gander Club Offline
trapper
Gander Club  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 125
SE Mi.
Originally Posted By: jer z
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.
Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: Gander Club] #1442051
08/04/09 03:13 PM
08/04/09 03:13 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 540
Michigan
O
ondatrazman Offline
trapper
ondatrazman  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 540
Michigan
Gander Club is right on. Most of the guys in the big marshes wait until freezeup to start. Leaning pole set, a variety of bait can be used, catch thousands of rats. Alot of guys like those small short spring, old style No.1 Oneida Victor. All had a hole in the back to put on the nail, and under ice as long as the jaws close tight.........

Re: Winter Muskrat Set [Re: Balex1873] #1442122
08/04/09 04:11 PM
08/04/09 04:11 PM

T
Todd Lund
Unregistered
Todd Lund
Unregistered
T



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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