What I found interesting was the muskrat bumped into the trap or stake twice before getting caught. He knew an object was in the run refused to go thru; he did this twice before making the third attempt and getting caught. I use alot of 160s and 220s and use the 110 only in tighter locations; it appears rats know when an object is in their run and will refuse to enter. How many of us just plop a 110 in a run and call it good. This rat was very fast also. Thanks TRAPPER J from youtube


https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ZFT84U4ydTw

Neat flick.

But It seems to me he didn't have the trap placed In the run.
I've done this twice with beaver.And both times I was still holding the stake when my buddy was stomping on the hut.

Looks like the stake was in the run. 1st try the water was a little clear that rat saw it and turned. The next two times it was real muddy it came down the run and hit the stake. It finally decided to go around and picked the wrong side

Agree absolutely that unless it's a tight run a 6 inch trap is a much better choice.

Clear water can cause the same avoidance with colony traps, especially if shiny. Dropping a little vegetation on top can help camouflage same with BG's m'rat are used to pushing thru floating veg. Looks to me that he put stake too much in the middle of run also, trap off center. I agree 110's are a little small for most runs. 150's and 159's are better. Though 10% of m'rats(moving very fast) get far enough thru 159's that they can wiggle out unless you have the very tight closing brands that can hold them by the back feet or tail. 155's seem to be Goldylocks for me('just right') except I have issues with them staying set. They have trigger slipping that requires not easy modding.

I had that problem with Bridger 159's. I bent the jaws to make them close tighter and tightened the spring eyes. Fortunately I only bought a half dozen of them. With the Duke 160's I really don't think any get out. I have caught them by the tail or back leg occasionally.