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Spring muskrat trapping regulations #7535473
03/22/22 02:36 PM
03/22/22 02:36 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline OP
trapper
Bruce T  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
For Maine
Late Muskrat Trapping Season
After the close of the regular trapping season, muskrats may still be trapped, but only in those areas that are open to beaver trapping. After February 28, in those Wildlife Management Districts that remain open to beaver trapping, muskrat trapping is restricted to 1) killer-type traps, foothold traps, and colony traps, which must be set, placed, and tended to remain underwater; or 2) foothold traps on “covered floats.”

Covered Float

A covered float is defined as a float completely covered on the sides and top with solid material; or hardware cloth, screen, or similar material, having a mesh size no greater than ˝ inch square. A covered float must be set, placed, and tended so that it is completely surrounded by water and access to the float must be limited to openings at the extreme ends of the floa and the openings must not exceed 7 inches in height, or 14 inches in width. The use of exposed bait or visible attractor on covered floats is prohibited. Only one trap may be placed per float; the trap must be recessed 3 inches or greater from any opening in the cover; the trap chain or wire must be at least 3 feet long; and the maximum foothold trap size for covered floats sets is No. 1˝ or equivalent size foothold trap. Note: Covered Floats may be used during early muskrat, general, and late muskrat trapping seasons.


Nevada bound
Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: Bruce T] #7535497
03/22/22 03:05 PM
03/22/22 03:05 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,154
Tug Hill, NY
Redknot Offline
trapper
Redknot  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,154
Tug Hill, NY
Okay, so they don't want birds landing on the floats..


~Illegitimi Non Carborundum~
Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: Bruce T] #7535507
03/22/22 03:25 PM
03/22/22 03:25 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
trapper
The Beav  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
That's just plain dumb. I've run 100s of floats In ND and never caught a duck or any type of bird. Same goes for stools.
Caught 8 rats today On my ADC job and 1 beaver $100.00 beaver and $80.00 worth of rats.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: The Beav] #7535515
03/22/22 03:35 PM
03/22/22 03:35 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 23,494
New Hampshire
N
Nessmuck Offline
trapper
Nessmuck  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 23,494
New Hampshire
Originally Posted by The Beav
That's just plain dumb. I've run 100s of floats In ND and never caught a duck or any type of bird. Same goes for stools.
Caught 8 rats today On my ADC job and 1 beaver $100.00 beaver and $80.00 worth of rats.


Rats plugging up your beaver sets....?


It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: Bruce T] #7535518
03/22/22 03:37 PM
03/22/22 03:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,152
Northern Minnesota
BernieB. Offline
trapper
BernieB.  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,152
Northern Minnesota
I don't think covering the floats will help much with ducks, etc. Might help with other birds. If you use bait on your muskrat floats you'll occasionally catch a duck.

Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: The Beav] #7535566
03/22/22 05:04 PM
03/22/22 05:04 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline OP
trapper
Bruce T  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Originally Posted by The Beav
That's just plain dumb. I've run 100s of floats In ND and never caught a duck or any type of bird. Same goes for stools.

I agree


Nevada bound
Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: Bruce T] #7535573
03/22/22 05:15 PM
03/22/22 05:15 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 713
Deer lodge, MT
D
Dean Chapel Offline
trapper
Dean Chapel  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 713
Deer lodge, MT
Beav- were'nt you supposed to have a cover over your ND floats?

Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: Bruce T] #7535581
03/22/22 05:23 PM
03/22/22 05:23 PM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 16,171
ny
U
upstateNY Offline
trapper
upstateNY  Offline
trapper
U

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 16,171
ny
I used to run a lot of floats in the spring because of the fluctuating water levels around here with the snow melt,,and NEVER cought any type of bird.


the wheels of the gods turn very slowly
Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: upstateNY] #7535586
03/22/22 05:32 PM
03/22/22 05:32 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline OP
trapper
Bruce T  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Originally Posted by upstateNY
I used to run a lot of floats in the spring because of the fluctuating water levels around here with the snow melt,,and NEVER cought any type of bird.

Same here.


Nevada bound
Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: Bruce T] #7536816
03/23/22 08:16 PM
03/23/22 08:16 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,970
New York
P
proratman Offline
trapper
proratman  Offline
trapper
P

Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,970
New York
What about wood ducks?

Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: proratman] #7536831
03/23/22 08:27 PM
03/23/22 08:27 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline OP
trapper
Bruce T  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Originally Posted by proratman
What about wood ducks?

Never ever caught a wood duck in a muskrat trap.


Nevada bound
Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: Bruce T] #7536934
03/23/22 09:38 PM
03/23/22 09:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,154
Alaska and Washington State
W
waggler Offline
trapper
waggler  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,154
Alaska and Washington State
"A covered float is defined as a float completely covered on the sides and top with solid material; or hardware cloth, screen, or similar material, having a mesh size no greater than ˝ inch square. A covered float must be set, placed, and tended so that it is completely surrounded by water and access to the float must be limited to openings at the extreme ends of the floa and the openings must not exceed 7 inches in height, or 14 inches in width. The use of exposed bait or visible attractor on covered floats is prohibited. Only one trap may be placed per float; the trap must be recessed 3 inches or greater from any opening in the cover; the trap chain or wire must be at least 3 feet long; and the maximum foothold trap size for covered floats sets is No. 1˝ or equivalent size foothold trap. Note: Covered Floats may be used during early muskrat, general, and late muskrat trapping seasons."


Who the heck came up with that gobbledygook? Seems to be about 12 different things they could cite you for based on interpretation. Don't you guys have a trappers association that can negotiate something better than that?


"My life is better than your vacation"
Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: Dean Chapel] #7536957
03/23/22 09:57 PM
03/23/22 09:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
trapper
The Beav  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Dean Chapel
Beav- were'nt you supposed to have a cover over your ND floats?


Nope. But If your using a stool the trap has to be 2" under water. And you can't set On a rat hut In the spring. I can't figure that out. A trap or traps can be exposed on float but not on a stool.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: Bruce T] #7537265
03/24/22 09:18 AM
03/24/22 09:18 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 229
ME.
W
WBG Offline
trapper
WBG  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 229
ME.
Waggler, the answer to Your question is no.

Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: waggler] #7537276
03/24/22 09:25 AM
03/24/22 09:25 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline OP
trapper
Bruce T  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Originally Posted by waggler
"A covered float is defined as a float completely covered on the sides and top with solid material; or hardware cloth, screen, or similar material, having a mesh size no greater than ˝ inch square. A covered float must be set, placed, and tended so that it is completely surrounded by water and access to the float must be limited to openings at the extreme ends of the floa and the openings must not exceed 7 inches in height, or 14 inches in width. The use of exposed bait or visible attractor on covered floats is prohibited. Only one trap may be placed per float; the trap must be recessed 3 inches or greater from any opening in the cover; the trap chain or wire must be at least 3 feet long; and the maximum foothold trap size for covered floats sets is No. 1˝ or equivalent size foothold trap. Note: Covered Floats may be used during early muskrat, general, and late muskrat trapping seasons."


Who the heck came up with that gobbledygook? Seems to be about 12 different things they could cite you for based on interpretation. Don't you guys have a trappers association that can negotiate something better than that?

The state of Maine has become very liberal and cave to the anties in California.


Nevada bound
Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: The Beav] #7537326
03/24/22 10:03 AM
03/24/22 10:03 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 713
Deer lodge, MT
D
Dean Chapel Offline
trapper
Dean Chapel  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 713
Deer lodge, MT
Originally Posted by The Beav
Originally Posted by Dean Chapel
Beav- were'nt you supposed to have a cover over your ND floats?


Nope. But If your using a stool the trap has to be 2" under water. And you can't set On a rat hut In the spring. I can't figure that out. A trap or traps can be exposed on float but not on a stool.


March 16 – May 10: Footholds that are not enclosed and body-gripping traps placed in or on water, but not used on float sets, must –

Have a protective covering; or
Foothold traps not being used on a float set must be submerged under water; or
Body-gripping traps less than 8 inches inside jaw spread must have no more than 2 inches of the trap above the water surface.
Footholds that are not enclosed and body-gripping traps used on float sets must have a protective covering May 1 through May 10.

Game warden told me they has to be covered, and I never saw one that wasnt covered. Hmm.

Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: Bruce T] #7537437
03/24/22 12:46 PM
03/24/22 12:46 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
trapper
The Beav  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
Must be new laws since I trapped out there. 2014 was my last trip out to ND.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Spring muskrat trapping regulations [Re: Bruce T] #7537456
03/24/22 01:09 PM
03/24/22 01:09 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,459
Henderson, N.Y. Jefferson Co.
W
walleyed Offline
trapper
walleyed  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,459
Henderson, N.Y. Jefferson Co.
Originally Posted by Bruce T
Originally Posted by upstateNY
I used to run a lot of floats in the spring because of the fluctuating water levels around here with the snow melt,,and NEVER cought any type of bird.

Same here.


walleyed can't keep the "bread wing lack birds" out of
his sets be they floats, feed beds, or toilet sets in the spring. frown

No bait used.

Last edited by walleyed; 03/24/22 01:11 PM.

"Provisional/Interim" member of NYS Trappers Association
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