That's right, trappers don't have sense enough to come in out of the rain. lol

After checking empty beaver traps I went exploring. I took some pictures that I will be posting in a bit in hopes to show some of the new folks what they might see as well as having the more experienced share their thoughts on what we are looking at. When I'm looking at some of these things I start to see crawl outs everywhere and trails and things that are not what I think they are. lol

To get us started, here is a partially chewed snake and an interesting find a few feet away. The two may be unrelated but it is an example of how our minds work on the "Nature Walk."

What's with the clam shells?

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Probably could make a couple sets here but I'm certain there is one set that would be target specific?

Clearly some type of disturbance but who?

you are makin me wanna take a walk.

Probably otter doin' the clam dip trail

Thought the same, so went looking for more.

Found some more beaver sign.

Nothing like posting stuff nobody is interested in. lol

Here what I was looking for.

I like your post HT. I just don't reply to the water trapping stuff. I trap in the dirt.
But I find water trapping stuff very interesting..
And I live right between two great rivers. Juniata and the mighty Suskyhana

I’m interested Hobbie! Some of us work for a living.. I’m not sure who, but some do.

What are you looking for there?

The clam shells made me think otter, even if it is wrong, so I went looking for signs of them a long that little branch vs the edge of the pond. I found a pretty good toilet area.

I saw this trail. The picture is from the middle of it looking towards the branch and the back towards the pond side.

I believe I read an article in a trapping mag or maybe it was Hal Sullivan's Otters 2000 about overturned trees and otter behavior.

I would think otter. Do mink eat clams? I’m not sure if you have mink over on that side of this great peninsula.

What about overturned trees and otter behavior? Are they attracted to them for food, or shelter?

No mink, muskrat maybe?

They do eat clams.

I can't remember specifics, just something about not dismissing them. Perhaps someone that has read similar will pipe up.

Maybe to do with the fresh dirt? Perhaps kinda like other animals checking out holes and such, looking for thinks.

These places are eye catching but are they good places to catch otters?

God Almighty. You want some help on this or should I stay out it ?

Perhaps Newt could provide some insight on setting a trail with snares.........if anybody would be interested in walking up on an otter in a snare. LOL

Hopefully someone who is an otter behavior expert will check this thread and answer.

I’d think if he was traveling there you’d catch him, eventually. But that would be mostly chance, what other reason is he there? Is it worth it?

Looks like a good place for mink or muskrat bottom edge maybe?

Yes please!

lol........I need your help getting the limit abolished.

Or just let us wander around like a bunch of goofballs. It will be a learning experience, it builds character.

Y’all got a limit on otter? Weird

I’m over here trying to get use of bodygrips over 5” back. It seems to be promising.

Flood time trapping is fun. Perhaps a few nice pocket sets along the waterline, and a "dirt hole" type set at the otter toilet would be alright...cover and blend with leaves and duff.

Not long ago I showed some beaver set pics at spring flood stage, when the water is out of the banks.

Have you caught your otter limit ? And can you set a bodygip on dry land ?

We cannot set a body grip completely out of water.

Foot holds will work, and I'll set them at otter landings/pull outs just under the water, like a beaver trap.

Hopefully I'll have some set pics tomorrow.

Good luck

How did the walk go? I hope you wore your tall boots.

I didn't and it was a problem. lol

Water snake, probably hibernating underwater in root system, got dragged out and half eaten. Hole in log has nothing to do with the snake, more likely a coon, skunk or possem diggin out some grubs. The bank trail by the log would be a good place to snare a mink. If you can lift it pick up the log and put a block under it so it stays 6 inches off the ground. Block down and place mink snare under the log. Every mink running the trail will go through (under) the log, coons and squirrels will go over it. See picture from my line.

$1000.00 says a mink will never be caught where you are talking about in my photo. lol