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Re: Maine under-ice muskrat trapping
[Re: Nolan Raymond]
#7094753
12/18/20 12:15 AM
12/18/20 12:15 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,511 Kanabec Cty, MN
Drakej
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,511
Kanabec Cty, MN
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Greatly depends on the type of water being trapped. Shallow or deep, lots of emergent veg or open. Snow on ice is already a big negative for many types of sets. Experienced knowledge of potential travel routes might allow you some success setting baited trigger BG's under the ice. M'rats travel very specific routes from place to place for the most part as air that escapes their pelts forms a bubble trail under the ice that they can breathe if needed. Best found thru clear ice but with experience trappers can locate some possible paths with snow. Shovel or sweep a few square foot area where you go thru the ice as any added light aids M'rats visibility locating bait IMO. Just cover hole with cardboard or I like cloropast(rarely sticks to ice much, reusable) best and cover with snow(hole shouldn't refreeze for a day or two if above 0). Blind setting BG's just under the ice in narrow travel gaps thru heavy veg can also work(again chloroplast but no cleared ice). If or when we get clear walkable ice(not always every year) I take a couple of days just marking bubble trails, runs and pinch points so I can locate them if snow clouds ice. I use dozens of construction marker flag(different color for the different type of set I would make) using a cordless drill to put hole in ice to put flag wire into(vaseline on the bottom end of wire lets you pull them pretty easy or a wack a hatchet or chisel also recovers them.
I've learned enough thru the years to now know that I don't know enough. KNOWLEDGE IS FREEDOM.
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Re: Maine under-ice muskrat trapping
[Re: Nolan Raymond]
#7095420
12/18/20 12:17 PM
12/18/20 12:17 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,754 Central, SD
Law Dog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,754
Central, SD
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I like a 110 with a piece of tater on the trigger just above the bottom rivet just under the ice on a wood lath, check every 4-5 days.
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
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Re: Maine under-ice muskrat trapping
[Re: Nolan Raymond]
#7095513
12/18/20 01:33 PM
12/18/20 01:33 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,985 Central Pennsylvania
Nittany Lion
Don't call me Mister, Mister
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Don't call me Mister, Mister
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,985
Central Pennsylvania
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Good thing you don't live in PA, 36 hour check law. If a muskrat is in the water for 4 or 5 days I would think they would really be water logged.
I got myself a seniors' GPS. Not only does it tell me how to get to my destination, it tells me why I wanted to go there.
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Re: Maine under-ice muskrat trapping
[Re: Nolan Raymond]
#7095608
12/18/20 03:38 PM
12/18/20 03:38 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,754 Central, SD
Law Dog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,754
Central, SD
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Well they are waterproof for a while, you chop ice everyday you get little but we have a 5 day under ice check here it works fine, your not catching them in the first or second days anyways. Rig I was talking about this one is 2 laths wired top and bottom for easy adjusting notice the placement of the cotton ball just above the lower rivet.
Last edited by Law Dog; 12/18/20 03:54 PM.
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
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