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It seems that all this posturing Is about saving the threatened Rat population. If you aren't smart enough to start and finish when the fur Is trappable you shouldn't be In the marsh. This last week the ice on my marsh was so honeycombed that you couldn't get on It and 2 weeks before that you would out using the chain saw or the spud to trap rats. And that Isn't cutting It for the younger generation and us old guys. That may be just fine for you guys with a size 44 shirt and a size 3 hat but that isn't going to cut It for the rest of us.
And 49er wears a size 50 shirt and I'm not to sure about his hat size, LOL
I'm going to start next week on my ADC rat work and I'm betting that those rats will be the best rats of the year.
Let's address this. How many rats do you think could have been caught in the two previous week that the ice went from good to bad? 1000? 2000?
"Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon". Milton Friedman.
Re: Stalled o’muskrat
[Re: nimzy]
#6505473 03/30/1911:42 AM03/30/1911:42 AM
We just wanted to trap some better rats before the weight loss.
Amazing isn't it?
You already have a season that opens too early, that should be enough to appease the open, then ask for a minor adjustment on the back end brings out the cake and eat crowd. It's too bad for the boat people types they missed out on a great opportunity all these years.
Keep plugging along brother, it won't get done if you dont. Tell everyone you're doing it for the future generations, maybe that will work
"Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon". Milton Friedman.
You miss the point I don't want to bust holes In the ice. I don't wear a size 44 shirt. But being a trapper I do wear a size 4 hat. LOL
You know what the rolling Stones say about that.
It's too bad you didn't want to bust ice, being locked in that rut probably cost you 20,0000 rats over your lifetime, that figure is an under exaggeration btw
"Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon". Milton Friedman.
Re: Stalled o’muskrat
[Re: nimzy]
#6505481 03/30/1911:47 AM03/30/1911:47 AM
It's too bad for the boat people types they missed out on a great opportunity all these years.
Respectfully disagree, I think its too bad for the size 3 hat types....they are the ones getting denied.
Steve I appreciate your valuable input, If you would ever decide to attempt a stunt like this in MN i'll have your back!
Originally Posted by Steven 49er
Let's address this. How many rats do you think could have been caught in the two previous week that the ice went from good to bad? 1000? 2000?
Realistically I may be the only person on this forum that can.
You know the last time Peach and I rat trapped till the end of March was like 2012, The Refuge was full that year and we took some 4000 in March. Needless to say the swamp was over that hump and it was out of our hands...…..the rats ate it down anyway.
"the loss from insufficient trapping will not be obvious, and it is easy to assume that there is no waste when muskrats are underharvested." Harold Mathiak
Re: Stalled o’muskrat
[Re: nimzy]
#6506464 03/31/1910:24 AM03/31/1910:24 AM
I never ask another trapper #s as I think its rude so thank you for sharing. The average trapper is so stuck in his mindset that open water is the only time it limits them to a fraction of the season and I thank the good lord it does. It gives more opportunity to the size 3 hat types like us. Winter is a grand time of year to be out and about. I'll put 300 miles plus on the sled ice fishing the next two weeks. Oh, how I look forward to it. I can imagine how much opportunity there is in the banana belt where you reside or southern MN for that matter during March, no disrespect intended. Up here in God's country we will hit the ideal weather for the set you pictured above in a week or so, have to anchor for beaver though lol. It'd be a blast.
Maybe if someone would write a book it would open some minds....................
"Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon". Milton Friedman.
Re: Stalled o’muskrat
[Re: nimzy]
#6506517 03/31/1911:17 AM03/31/1911:17 AM
You boys do understand that their is a Conservation issue when it comes to spring trapping animals? There also is a lost opportunity (not just to trap) to harvest the annual surplus the later in fall the opener begins. Fall harvest is on rats that most likely will die before spring. Spring harvest is on rats that will most likely breed if not trapped. There are exceptions.
Who is John Galt?
Re: Stalled o’muskrat
[Re: nimzy]
#6506531 03/31/1911:26 AM03/31/1911:26 AM
I also understand that for the current proposal the participation rates will be so low any impact will be minimal as it will be generally still be iced over or in the transition stage.
Let us explore the exceptions. Is it possible added pressure could help the species in circumstances?
"Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon". Milton Friedman.
Re: Stalled o’muskrat
[Re: nimzy]
#6506548 03/31/1911:36 AM03/31/1911:36 AM
I don't know. By spring is the damage to habitat already done if you let them eat themselves out of house and home all winter? You are doing an overpopulated population a favor by thinning it in November by March it may be too late?
I suppose thinning the population in spring should help the remaining rats survival?
Fall harvest is on rats that most likely will die before spring.
In my experience the muskrats in our marshes do quite well over winter. They spend there days below an ice covered coat of armor. In fact, They lay around, gorge themselves and get fat. Do most animals under stress gain weight? Yes on rare occasion I have seen isolated areas of runners. Thank goodness it’s isolated and rare. The amount of sign in Spring is another indication of how well rats do over winter.
I’m definitely contrarian towards the attitude that untrapped muskrats suffer heavy losses over winter.
My concern comes with the summer dry. A muskrat out of water is vulnerable.
By spring is the damage to habitat already done if you let them eat themselves out of house and home all winter? You are doing an overpopulated population a favor by thinning it in November by March it may be too late?
I suppose thinning the population in spring should help the remaining rats survival?
Agreed. The damage gets done over winter. To preserve vegetation start early and go hard. Keep in mind that Fall muskrats, during the house building stage, have a limited range that will make many inaccessible.
Took a drive today with my youngerst daughter looking at the areas I trap. We spotted many rats in areas with open water flow. Many of the marshes still had ice, but the edges look to open soon. Although ive never had the opportunity to trap this time of year, it looks as though it would be fun and rewarding.
Re: Stalled o’muskrat
[Re: nimzy]
#6507244 04/01/1907:03 AM04/01/1907:03 AM
Deer fly, Kinda humbling ain’t it? Where do they all come from?
If you’re anything like me, your excitement will shine on through and leave a lasting impression on your daughter. Mine blames me for her biology choices. Couldn’t be prouder:) I can’t think of a more interesting place then a wakening wetland on a sunny early spring day. Pass it on buddy!
Dirt I so enjoy a good technical discussion about muskrats. Thanks!
I also understand that for the current proposal the participation rates will be so low any impact will be minimal as it will be generally still be iced over or in the transition stage.
Let us explore the exceptions. Is it possible added pressure could help the species in circumstances?
You mean like spring beaver? What happens when it gains popularity like the spring beaver season?
Last edited by WIMarshRAT; 04/01/1908:29 AM.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain!
Re: Stalled o’muskrat
[Re: nimzy]
#6507302 04/01/1908:33 AM04/01/1908:33 AM