24" colony trap, 6"x6" collapsible with 1"x1" sides. Staked in the middle with tobacco lath, wire nipped to allow lath to slide through. Colony trap was staked in 8" of water, with 2" over the top of the trap.

Colony trap had been moved diagonally by the critter in an attempt to pull more of the 'rat through the side. Prime critter candidates are eagle, otter, 'coon and mink. Any guesses which one?

Coon

Didn't know 'rat tails were that good eatin'. If a guy had a way of pinning that to the roof of a pocket set it would last quite awhile, eh Beav?

coon

Deep fry those rat tails yum yum.

Almost had a similar thing happen today, our creek has been swollen to the point of being too dangerous to walk in, but it had receeded enough to walk it today As the son and I are approaching the last sets I see a mink swimming under water and moving fast past us in the tangled wood in the water

( that was neat all by its self. )

So as we get to the last two sets which he was only a few feet from when I spotted him, I see we have a rat in one set, as I pick it up to remove it from the trap, I smell that buck mink, fortunately one slice on the tail was all the damage. Can't be sure but sure seemed we had arrived just in time to prevent the loss if that $2 rat

9 out of 10x damaged rats in colonies are from mink, although it could be any of above and add snapping turtlesto list. When I get something like that just reset and pile heap of creek or slew trash on top of it from whatever's handy and usually your mini will waiting for ya within 2 checks. Jabbing sticks in at a 45 angle both sides to create a tunnel effect works like a charm and gives secondary value to determine culprit if mink ain't dead in it. Coons will move sticks all over or pull them out if returning to scene of crime.....actually doubt any type bird of prey unless fur STICKING out of water. Bout bet you've caught a mink by now if reset. I've seen mink move even pinned down colonies more than you would ever think they could even budge them. I've see little squares of rat fur chewed away to skin/meat 3" under water, between squares of wire, and seems the more chewing/pulling rat thru wire I see, the more it's usually a small female for some reason. It's like a small femalewill just tug and chew all nite on the rat.

good to see you on here again Rich

had to pull sets, season ended Sunday

must be some bigger ones than this around though, eh?