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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S [Re: cj's trapping] #421109
11/19/07 11:57 PM
11/19/07 11:57 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 940
NE OH
steelhead Offline
trapper
steelhead  Offline
trapper

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 940
NE OH
Thanks for the tip! CJ any tip from you is definately worth taking advantage of from what I see and hear.I'll definatly be tryin that out! Thanks again!


[Linked Image]

Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S [Re: cj's trapping] #421110
11/19/07 11:57 PM
11/19/07 11:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 435
Holmen, WI
F
frozentoes Offline
trapper
frozentoes  Offline
trapper
F

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 435
Holmen, WI
The problem I have with using footholds is wring outs so I quit using them. Even with deep water, they are not drowning. I totally agree with your technique and I end up passing on a lot of sign just like you have pictured due to the rats escaping \:\( I have already lost half a dozen with footholds this week alone.

Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S [Re: frozentoes] #421118
11/20/07 12:01 AM
11/20/07 12:01 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,161
NW Ohio
C
cj's trapping Offline OP
trapper
cj's trapping  Offline OP
trapper
C

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,161
NW Ohio
 Originally Posted By: frozentoes
The problem I have with using footholds is wring outs so I quit using them. Even with deep water, they are not drowning. I totally agree with your technique and I end up passing on a lot of sign just like you have pictured due to the rats escaping \:\( I have already lost half a dozen with footholds this week alone.


The weight alone of a 1 or 1 1/2 will drown a rat if you have deep enough water....WITH NO abstructions...ie...cattail, weeds, etc.
This is a sure fire set. If you have rats getting away, there is something other than deep water allowing it.



Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S [Re: cj's trapping] #421133
11/20/07 12:07 AM
11/20/07 12:07 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,161
NW Ohio
C
cj's trapping Offline OP
trapper
cj's trapping  Offline OP
trapper
C

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,161
NW Ohio
Foot note:

If you happen to have a subscription to T&PC, I wrote an article on this very topic. You may have to dig, but it's in the 2002, Aug issue, entilted, "Mudslide Muskrats"



Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S [Re: cj's trapping] #421137
11/20/07 12:10 AM
11/20/07 12:10 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
Jonathan Offline
"Wilson"
Jonathan  Offline
"Wilson"

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
CJ's thread describing his intent and description has worked for my muskrat trapping efforts, long before his ink, for well over 50 years of trapping for them. The advice is simple and deliberate. No need for a #110 in this situation; however, they do have their place in the muskrat drama, but not here.

My "willow" stakes punched securely into the muck through the trap's ring in Wisconsin marshes for forty years of muskrat trapping, with a 1-1/2 long spring Victor nailed through it, has been sufficient to capture my target muskrats. And, without fault, to catch and drown incidental raccoon, mink and otter that happened by. Never lost one of either in that incarnation of the set.

Jonathan

Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S [Re: frozentoes] #421138
11/20/07 12:10 AM
11/20/07 12:10 AM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 308
Iowa
W
waspshooter Offline
trapper
waspshooter  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 308
Iowa
Frozentoes, how long are the chains on your traps? I add 18"-24" of chain to all my rat traps, and stake the trap so the rat can't get out of the water. I very seldom have a wring-off, and very seldom have a rat that isn't drowned.

Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S [Re: cj's trapping] #421149
11/20/07 12:16 AM
11/20/07 12:16 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,548
Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB Offline
trapper
SNIPERBBB  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,548
Rodney,Ohio
 Originally Posted By: cj's trapping
 Originally Posted By: frozentoes
The problem I have with using footholds is wring outs so I quit using them. Even with deep water, they are not drowning. I totally agree with your technique and I end up passing on a lot of sign just like you have pictured due to the rats escaping \:\( I have already lost half a dozen with footholds this week alone.


The weight alone of a 1 or 1 1/2 will drown a rat if you have deep enough water....WITH NO abstructions...ie...cattail, weeds, etc.
This is a sure fire set. If you have rats getting away, there is something other than deep water allowing it.


What kind of setup are you using on your traps frozen? I use a lot of 1.5's for rats and most of them are drowned in less than a foot of water even on sliders.

Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S [Re: SNIPERBBB] #421402
11/20/07 08:22 AM
11/20/07 08:22 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,475
Johnston County, NC
B
Bottomline Offline
"Mr. President"
Bottomline  Offline
"Mr. President"
B

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,475
Johnston County, NC
Good post CJ!!!! Appreciate the pics!


cool

Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S [Re: Bottomline] #421407
11/20/07 08:26 AM
11/20/07 08:26 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,373
Oregon
Uncle Fester Offline
"Mongoose Master"
Uncle Fester  Offline
"Mongoose Master"

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,373
Oregon
CJ, have you trapped that pond where we caught the Snapper this summer? There was all sorts of sign in that one.

Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S [Re: Uncle Fester] #421446
11/20/07 09:26 AM
11/20/07 09:26 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 435
Holmen, WI
F
frozentoes Offline
trapper
frozentoes  Offline
trapper
F

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 435
Holmen, WI
I have some old #1 longsprings with the factory chain. I then added about 2 feet of wire to the end of the chain. I then wire the trap to a stake and set on the runs much like was described above. But, I will admit that I did place them in places where there were reeds and stuff. From reading some of the replies, I can see I need to be in "cleaner" areas so the rat will head to the water ASAP. I still have a few in the boat and I think I will give this another try and do it the way it is described here \:\)

Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S [Re: frozentoes] #421505
11/20/07 10:26 AM
11/20/07 10:26 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,296
Michigan 19 yrs old
K
kylevandyke Offline
trapper
kylevandyke  Offline
trapper
K

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,296
Michigan 19 yrs old
i know i sure am trying it this afternoon when i get out of school!! Great post CJ!


whitetail madness all..... year....long!!!
Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S [Re: ] #422618
11/20/07 10:19 PM
11/20/07 10:19 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 411
Illinois
L
lobo Offline
trapper
lobo  Offline
trapper
L

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 411
Illinois
suredve, it might work. Just remember it's a simple set, so just like all trapping sets, none of it is rocket science. Just keep it simple and it will work.

Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S [Re: lobo] #422639
11/20/07 10:29 PM
11/20/07 10:29 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,296
Michigan 19 yrs old
K
kylevandyke Offline
trapper
kylevandyke  Offline
trapper
K

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,296
Michigan 19 yrs old
put 16 sets out, half were #1 long springs in the method as described above, except i set quite a few existing mud slides and made a few of my own, i staked the traps as deep as i possibly could to keep the trap where i wanted, will my Long springs weigh enough to drown the rats alone or not?? I also made a few floats today i will set out after work tomarrow afternoon, thanks again for the GREAT post CJ and the helpful info from everyone else!!


whitetail madness all..... year....long!!!
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