Thanks for the photos. We couldn't buy rain all summer and early fall and now that trapping has started the faucet is wide open.

Nothing like waiting until the last minute, I finally got around to dying and waxing my rat traps tonight. Got 20 Duke 1.5 CS ready to deploy tomorrow for central zone rat opener, along with a few 110s and colony traps just in case. Looks like we've got a few days of lows in the mid-20s to start the week, we'll see how that affects things. I'm hoping by waiting until the afternoon to check that I won't be busting any ice, though out on the bay I don't think it will freeze, even in the back bays. But, time will tell.

Our trail cameras are going off the hook with this cold front coming, I'll be spending some time in the woods with the crossbow this weekend as well.

Good luck fellow central zone rat trappers!

I headed out at midnight last night with my oldest daughter(11). She wanted to set for some muskrats. I have not been out at that hour for the last 2 seasons. I missed that, so I was glad we did it! I always go out setting solo or with my brother who just tags along to chat. It was fun to teach my daughter what I'm looking for and how I set things up. She has accompanied me many times checking, but a first for setting in the darkness.

I grabbed 72 stakes and traps, I told her we'd make it as quick as we could. Water levels has risen some with the rains since checking the area out the week prior. It changed the marsh some but sign was decent. We made it to around 2 am when she started to tire and get cold, we had only placed around 40 or so sets. Knowing ice is only a few days away I was fine pulling the pin on setting the remaining traps. We enjoyed our 2.5 hours in the Marsh as I/we always do!

At 9 this morning she was still tired from the long night and declined to come check, bummer, the funner part. Grey sky's greated me at the Marsh, along with a stakeless remaining 2/3 of area of muskrat marsh. I figured someone would give it shot at light anyways. nope, just a few duck hunters. I wonder how much money they made? All in all it was a good time. I, as always look forward to the remaining season and watching this thread! Good luck out there, have fun and share the great outdoors with someone!

First rat 2023

It's to bad we can't set colony traps In those culverts.

Still pulling in ADC beaver and rats…I got 8 ground sets in yesterday- finally stopped raining but was misting when I was done… it actually helped blend everything in nicely. Got two coyotes this morning and more importantly a decent Cat, Tom @ 31.5 lbs. Trench set with fresh muskrat and Feline Fix… I never set in the trench, I always set the left berm. I’m sure I’ll be releasing a couple more this week. Enjoying everyone’s pics.

Checked the traps today at 1030 with my wife, son and younger daughter. My daughter was in the canoe with me, while my wife and son walked the dike. My son struck first as he found a muskrat that had been recently caught by something.

Again a good time in the Marsh with my family!

Good check today

No ice yet

Nice pics and catches Eagleye!

Nice catches all. I am getting pretty old to do the 12:01 but there are times and places were that needs be.
Got some early season rats up north, but did not set Saturday as our granddaughter runs XCountry and both the boys and girls teams qualified to go to state at WI Rapids. Long day back and forth. Both teams finished in the middle of the pack. Got out after church and put out 45 sets on a marsh. More than 2 foot lower than last year. We got about 1.5 inches of rain here. I can wade the small rivers but with water dropping a couple inches per day may as well wait. a few days. I will pull the sets tomorrow as I am not wanting 3 nights of lower 20s and be on flat water.

Bryce

Nice cat Eagleye. Nice pictures everyone. Go get em and stay safe.

wtg guys keep posting,

One from yesterday- I guess even blind beaver can still smell a good castor set

Got 3 today after a 2 day soak. Very little sign and low water where I'm at. Already starring to ice up, might be a short season for me, but I'd rather be ice fishing anyway lol

Pulled in the wind with my canoe on the marsh today! Boat control was an issue. Really scattered sign. I got 16 rats and 3 coons in my 1 stoploss traps. With 5-6 snapped traps more likely coons than rats. No ice on the water but the wet ground just above the water was freezing while checking. Clear and cold for a day or two. Good days to have sets pulled. Most of the rats were mediums and larges.

Bryce

Checked today again, if things were iced over I was going to pull, if not I'd pull Wednesday and catch up with put up. No ice. Soaking until Wednesday.
Beautiful out there today!



My kids are getting older and beginning to be more help in the shed

Thats great to get them helping with the put up. They will never forget it.

How close are the raccoons?

Nov 8th they are usually pretty good

Put another 32 rats in the freezer from the last two days. It's been a little slow but I am enjoying myself. Haven't had the Jon Boat out yet. Been seeing more ducks now with the arrival of colder weather. I am trapping around home now.

How close are the raccoons?

I will see. One was a large fat female that looked pretty good. One was a larger YOY male that we will see and the smaller one was a young female that was really looking good but probably won't make the 30 inch level so she may not be marketable. Most of the rats were smaller. lots of large, mediums, only 4-5 full sized rats.

Bryce

I caught the first bobcat that I've been able to tag today. I had previously caught 6 the last 3 years but didn't have a tag. It's a female and weighed 26 pounds. Had 9 coon as well today. The large coon have slatey to white leather but the smaller ones still have the kinky hips.