Not nearly as beautiful as Sharon's eagle painting. Not as good as Boco's bobcat... but I did make it out of bed this morning, for the opening day. I thought I set the alarm for 6:30 AM, but after I got out of bed, I glanced at the time, and it was only 5:30 AM. Well, I was awake so might just as well stay up.

I got to my first location and the ponds were completely covered with algae. The sky was cloudy with a breeze blowing a slight ripple on the water and I had no idea where the dens were. I drove around a bit, (in a golf cart) and remembered where there was one den I had seen before. There is a large tree with a substantial root running parallel with the water. So, I ventured over to the tree, and it was better than I could have ask for. The rats had built a wall out of grass, leaves and other debris, including mud mixed in. They left a space of about 6 to 8 inches for an entrance. I set a colony trap in the opening.

About that time the sun peaked out from behind the clouds and the wind died down and changed direction from what it had been. I hurried to the far shore, where I knew there were at least 2, well submerged dens. I located both dens... set colony traps in them. The wind then blew the algae far enough from the shore on another side, that I could locate another den. Here I set another colony trap. I checked the other ponds, and they were so covered with algae I just left them for another day.

I went across the county to another golf course, that has only one pond, but there are no banks high enough for dens. This is where the stream is that I showed the grass balls last week. I set 4, #110s in dens and pinched a couple of fingers in in misfired traps.

I figured I had enough for the day and came home. I am guessing... if the rats run at all tonight I should have 6 in the morning.

Anyone want to take a guess on how many I will get?

Garry-

9

10

11

Your hopes are too high. What, are you ten years old?
Awe, who am I kidding. I am an old man and I still toss and turn all night dreaming of a rat in every trap.

Never gets old first check in a new season. Whatever number you get will be satisfying I’m sure.

Well, I thank you all and guess I will go to bed and dream about all of the muskrats you fine folks think I will catch tonight.

Tight chains to all of you...

Garry-

G. Night
14 rats

i am always pumped to check new sets.
I always make a point to set a few new sets every time I go out on the line checking traps.
You should get a few rats Garry.Get the knife ready.

This will be kind of fun to follow.

3

6

Good luck this a.m. Garry

Well... the verdict is in. We started out with 8 traps in service. Some time after I left the second golf where I set the 4 conibears... some nice golfer knocked one of the traps off... pulled the trap out of the water, pulled the stake and laid the trap on the ground and stuck the stake through it center. No damage, other than not having the trap working for me. So, the remaining 3 at that location... 1 had a rat, the other 2 were knocked off with about a big handful of grass in them. Smart muskrat, and we thought only beaver did that sort of thing.

But here is the final results thanks to the 4 colony traps at the other course.



Here is what I have to contend with at this golf course;





I did find a coupe more dens, as the green crap moved around. I marked them but they were in about 3 feet of water so will have to take longer colonies tomorrow.

So, there you are... 8 muskrat out of 7 traps. I will take that and I don't think anyone guessed 8.

Tight chains my friends.

Garry-

Good job!

Nice going Garry

So I guessed 9 and would have been correct had it not been for the golfer.

Been so long sense I have seen a muskrat I forgot what they look like. Way to go good job . Keep us posted.

well, I will say that you will get 5 on your next check!

Good job! Not sure if you remember me or not, we split a room in Ohio at the NTA 50’th.

Western Wildlife Services.