Simple question, when is the fur on rats prime? I have heard that a rats fur is better in the spring. Is this true? Thanks for the help, just getting started in the trapping game and have never trapped rats before.

Out here there prime between late november to late feburary. January being the peek

Biggest problem I've seen with our spring rats is damage

Now , here in WI. All skin pigmentation has disappeared and leather is clear. Size is another advantage as well as developing glands. As long as the rats remain under ice damage will be minimal.

could use 1 month extension

Right It should at least go to the end of March. As trappers we know when to quit.
But Chris Is right about the Ice.

I remember this topic from last year...WTA & DNR need to fix this

True, most of my ice rats were pretty decent. The damaged ones were mainly in FH along the banks of open water. I only got one I didn't even take home. I usually trap em until a decent percentage are damaged then I figure no use taking ten to skin a few

open water!...my ice is getting thicker.

Of course as trappers we know when we should quit. But just like alcoholics, we will stay till bar time.

Maybe but I have passed up 100s of rats that would have been easy to catch but saw the start of way to much damage. That ended my rat trapping.
But when the rat market Is HOT then 200 or so damaged rats might still bring you some good money. And It all depends on the severity.
You just have to know when to fold em and when to hold them.

I've trapped muskrats in several states, but mostly in Ohio.
In my region (southern part of the state) muskrats don't fully prime up until about January 1st.
Are they good enough to take opening day ? Depends on the buyer, but know this, they're going to be grader lower than the same animal 45 days from then. If you can wait, I strongly suggest you do.
At the current price, an extra dollar a pelt makes a difference.

It all depends on where you are and what kind of habitat your trapping. And the biggest factor Is the market It's self. I have sold a lot of spring rats that were marginal In a soft market. But brought $8.00 and $9.00 In a strong market.

Quit???

Do we know when to start?

Our rats here are clear leather right now, but I started seeing biting back in January already. And my rats here inland on our freshwater rivers actually glanded up by January 30th. Earliest I can recall.

Heck Chris.. I never started. And we certainly don’t have to worry about the end? Since it’s too soon.
Hopefully you’re stacking them up though?

Started that last lap. Time will tell as far as pounding em. Wish me luck!

Go get um!!