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Repopulating a Muskrat Pond #6397668
12/13/18 02:22 PM
12/13/18 02:22 PM
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 159
Indiana
Siegs Offline OP
trapper
Siegs  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 159
Indiana
I am trapping a pond that has 3 big muskrat huts and 2 smaller ones. The pond really isn't that big but I don't want to wipe out all the rats. Anyone have suggestions what to look for. Thank you for your help!


-Bryce
Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6397696
12/13/18 02:56 PM
12/13/18 02:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,136
B61-12 vicinity, MO
T
TreedaBlackdog Offline
trapper
TreedaBlackdog  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,136
B61-12 vicinity, MO
wipe em out......try it.......they will migrate in if you do.

Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: TreedaBlackdog] #6397702
12/13/18 03:04 PM
12/13/18 03:04 PM
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 159
Indiana
Siegs Offline OP
trapper
Siegs  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 159
Indiana
Originally Posted by TreedaBlackdog
wipe em out......try it.......they will migrate in if you do.


Not sure if that is a good idea laugh


-Bryce
Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6397706
12/13/18 03:10 PM
12/13/18 03:10 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,444
Wisconsin
Muskrat Offline
trapper
Muskrat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,444
Wisconsin
What does the surrounding area look like? Got muskrat populations outside of this area? River going by?

Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6397710
12/13/18 03:14 PM
12/13/18 03:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,136
B61-12 vicinity, MO
T
TreedaBlackdog Offline
trapper
TreedaBlackdog  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,136
B61-12 vicinity, MO
Why do you think it is not a good idea? Are you trying to conserve a rodent? Have you tested them for parasites? Disease? Do you know next years precipitation and nutrient inflow levels? Catch them while you can.......there are way too many things outside your control to impact muskrats. Read the past research and you will see trapping has a very small impact on rat populations long term.

Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6397722
12/13/18 03:29 PM
12/13/18 03:29 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,292
Ontario, Canada
S
slydogx Online content
trapper
slydogx  Online Content
trapper
S

Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,292
Ontario, Canada
Siegs, I have to agree with TreedaBlackdog.
If there is a travel route (river, ditch, etc.) nearby you will have new rats migrate in faster than you think.

If the existing rats are still there during the yearly dispersion, those young rats looking for a new home will either have to fight for that space or move along. If a suitable habitat is there waiting because the previous rat population was wiped out, they'll move right on in and get to eating, pooping and making baby rats.


Just happy to be here.
Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6397762
12/13/18 04:40 PM
12/13/18 04:40 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Online content
trapper
The Beav  Online Content
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
The rats that are there came from someplace. And If you take them all out they will be replaced.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6397770
12/13/18 04:48 PM
12/13/18 04:48 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,738
Iowa
C
coydog2 Offline
trapper
coydog2  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,738
Iowa
I have a pond that I trap and this is the 2nd year I wipe them out and new ones had show up after I wipe them out the first time and also 2 beavers did also. So I just wipe them out because there will be new ones for the next season.also for there dens they will have the pond drain out in time.


Life member of DAV,NTA,NRA,ITA.Also member of FTA,CBA
Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6397772
12/13/18 04:53 PM
12/13/18 04:53 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,162
Eau Claire Wi
Trap Setter Offline
trapper
Trap Setter  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,162
Eau Claire Wi
If you don't want to wipe them out then don't it's up to you had some old timers say if you take 5 rats out of each house you do no damage to the population. So that is a starting point. Once you catch 15 if the catch rate falls off to the point it isn't worth going there move on. Your choice good luck hope you wear out your skinning knife this year. wink


Life sure is tough when you don't learn from the mistakes of others.
Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6397774
12/13/18 04:55 PM
12/13/18 04:55 PM
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 691
Saltlake city utah
S
Steelflight Offline
trapper
Steelflight  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 691
Saltlake city utah
To put it into anltjer light muslrats will breed at least 3 times during the spring and summer. Having 5-8 in a litter. In a place with limited predators. Your prolly helping by increasing the mortality rate for them.


You may think before you act. The question is did you listen to your own council?
Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6397792
12/13/18 05:34 PM
12/13/18 05:34 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 16,758
West Virginia,age 49
cathryn Offline
bvr-takr-upr
cathryn  Offline
bvr-takr-upr

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 16,758
West Virginia,age 49
You better catch what you can before a mink shows up and cleans em out.


IF IDIOTS GREW ON TREES THIS PLACE WOULD BE AN ORCHARD !

Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6398056
12/13/18 10:30 PM
12/13/18 10:30 PM
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 159
Indiana
Siegs Offline OP
trapper
Siegs  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 159
Indiana
Well I appreciate the feedback guys. The weird thing is that there is no ditch, stream or anything nearby that I know of. Just the interstate. The little drain off thing to the right just runs to nowhere.

I marked the 6 Muskrat huts I found another one today.

AC1ED893-E9BB-4AE7-8A45-D3A835CE7192.jpeg
Last edited by Siegs; 12/13/18 10:31 PM.

-Bryce
Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6398091
12/13/18 11:12 PM
12/13/18 11:12 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat Offline
trapper
bctomcat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
Muskrats will travel considerable distance over land to find suitable habitat.


The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.






Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6398117
12/13/18 11:35 PM
12/13/18 11:35 PM
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 159
Indiana
Siegs Offline OP
trapper
Siegs  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 159
Indiana
I'll get a picture of this pond tomorrow for you guys.


-Bryce
Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6398199
12/14/18 01:19 AM
12/14/18 01:19 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,751
Central, SD
Law Dog Online content
trapper
Law Dog  Online Content
trapper

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,751
Central, SD
We had a wet spring and rats were everywhere every puddle had rats in it then it dried up they were moving all over the countryside looking for water to support them, trap a few and leave the rest but there is no formula that is 100%.


Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!

Jerry Herbst
Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Law Dog] #6398243
12/14/18 06:35 AM
12/14/18 06:35 AM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,897
Wisconsin
E
Eagleye Offline
trapper
Eagleye  Offline
trapper
E

Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,897
Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Law Dog
We had a wet spring and rats were everywhere every puddle had rats in it then it dried up they were moving all over the countryside looking for water to support them, trap a few and leave the rest but there is no formula that is 100%.


I took (5) out of a 1/2 acre puddle yesterday- I didn't trap the house but after I pulled traps I popped a hole in by the house with my spud- it was 1-1/2 feet deep, I'm sure they would've froze out. although, based on the temps this week it might be open water by next week.

Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6398288
12/14/18 07:53 AM
12/14/18 07:53 AM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,970
New York
P
proratman Offline
trapper
proratman  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,970
New York
Most muskrats only live a year or so.

Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6398340
12/14/18 08:59 AM
12/14/18 08:59 AM
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 759
new york
H
henpecked1 Offline
trapper
henpecked1  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: May 2018
Posts: 759
new york
If you are serious about wanting to increase the rat population then reduce the predator population (dominate male muskrat, mink, fox coyote coon otter possum and turtle) as they will kill more than you will.

Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6398357
12/14/18 09:23 AM
12/14/18 09:23 AM
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 759
new york
H
henpecked1 Offline
trapper
henpecked1  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: May 2018
Posts: 759
new york
Read "Muskrats and Marsh Management" by Paul L Errington, this book will help a lot in your understanding of the life cycle of a muskrat and its environment. Book costs around $10 for hardcover $6 for softcover on Amazon

Re: Repopulating a Muskrat Pond [Re: Siegs] #6398377
12/14/18 09:41 AM
12/14/18 09:41 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,405
USA-WI
K
Kre Offline
trapper
Kre  Offline
trapper
K

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,405
USA-WI
I trap a lot of small spots like that. Generally, I pull my traps at the second check...maybe the third. My guess is, the catch will fall off fast. Set it heavy.

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