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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
trapper
M

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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A Member of the:
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MMIT
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NRA

"There are 4 kinds of Homicide: felonious, excusable, justifiable, and praiseworthy."
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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