Opened up a mole run today. Stuck my fingers in the tunnel to check for rocks. Mole bit my finger... I hit the first gas station and bought a lottery ticket.

Lucky you! Now if you win the lottery, you'll be able to afford the $4500 that a rabies shot costs.

Too funny Rich. Now did you win?

Guess I had about the same thing happen, just a different day and different animal, a muskrat. Had caught 2 rats earlier, all was clear. Got a call a month later, another rat. The old den had caved in so I went up the pond at dark to find a new one. Found a shallow den and run about 5 inches deep with the lip of the den at water level. Thought I would reach in, make sure all was clear of debris. The den was clear, except for the rat who took a shot at me. Felt him bounce off my glove as he just missed, thank heaven. Would have been some bleeding I'm sure. Had the cage in hand, set it in a few seconds and jammed it into the den. Didn't think much of it as I put a few leaves on top. About 20 seconds later, bingo, a nice fat rat! In the past I have caught rats in 160's in similar shallow den holes, then had them wise up and go around the 160's while I watched. A flush mount cage means that the trap can be pushed up tight without interference to the closing door, offering almost no chance for the rat to avoid the set. In NY colony traps "capable of catching more than one muskrat at a time" are illegal so we have to use a single catch cage if we use cages.

Nice PJ's Jim ...