hey new muskrat trapper from manitoba canada just wondering around what month do rats start to build theyre huts?

Around here, I see it about middle of October they start to build. I don't know about up north there.

In Northern Minnesota you will see the first ones built mid to late September. But they will be built all the way up until the ice is too thick for them to break through.

I have not seen any yet but guys are saying they have started

Haven’t noticed any in my travels, but I’m not really looking. There’s a lot more rats though.
Rats are fun! Super easy to put up the fur too.
A guy near Morden sold me his rat stuff a couple years ago. He said back in the day there was a loaded pond near his place. Had about 30 sets and would check in the AM and in the PM. Each check he’d pull 15 or so rats…lol. Good pay that weekend!

thanks

Soon I am looking to see what we will have. It was a warm dry spring here with the lakes low so the first litter might not be around but once July came we had water every weekz. So waiting to see them start.....jk

When lakes are frozen over you can check sets an hour after setting and you will have rats.

Here in north central WIS, rats started building huts last week around 28-30 Sept

Bank run rats do not build any huts.
What area of Manitoba are you trapping.?

Mid to late September around here.

Ya mean someone has rats? Wow

NOW, they first appeared 3 days ago around here.......jk

Building them around here now.

This is what happens here. There's only one place in my area where they do, and I haven't seen one there for quite a number of years.

I think some bank den rats build houses out in deeper water and use them later when they may freeze out if the ice gets too deep. I don't know the driver for rats in our area for building houses, if it is day light, water temperature etc. What I do know is when they get started they can and will build houses in a couple of nights, so when it happens it goes fast. I think some of the smaller early ones may be some younger rats doing some recreational building or practice.

Bryce

Good frost gets em started here.

Started in my area a couple of weeks ago.