Thanks for looking; I’m trapping nuisance beavers in runs with 330’s and cannot keep the snapping turtles out of the traps…no real deep water for my foot traps (I.e., drowning sets). Are there any tips out there that might help me minimize the number of turtles I’m catching (all 6 turtles were released…tough buggers!)…guessing no but wanted to ask just in case….

Thanks!
Dino

You don't eat Turtle meat or have a market for it? Or are they out of season?

There is a turtle season in NY…harvesting by gun or bow. Not sure about a market for them, although someone mentioned that the shells/neck/head are used for Seneca Rattles in our area.

I say change equipment. Foothold targeting back feet will never catch a turtle - at least it hasn’t happened to me yet. In fact avoiding non targets is probably the biggest reason to target back feet with footholds.

Yet being the operative word.

Agreed, back foot only. Setting shallow is asking for trouble.

Hang the 330s up for the summer. Down here you catch turtles every month of the year but summer its impossible to keep them out.

Get off the channels and crossovers. Turtles treat established trails like interstates. Make your own sets off the beaten path. Dam breaks away from the crossover, pullouts, feed sets, etc.. Footholds are your best option followed by cages then snares.

Snares shine in swim through sets like the lost lure set when hung at water surface level as turtles don't travel at surface level.

You can still catch turtles in cages and snares but if you're off the beaten path then less so.

Agreed, “yet” was added with the knowledge that since I said that, it is probably about to happen.

Probably jinxed yourself, there.

Thanks for the responses! I’ll try to find deeper water and target the back foot.

I have one area where I have released quite a few snappers out of my 330's. I just pulled and moved on. This area was a long water filled run with hard ground along it for a long ways. No possible way to drown a beaver and a 330 fits perfectly. But lost patients with the spot because of the turtles.

You definitely have to relocate the turtles after catching them or you will catch the same ones time and time again. Had to catch three big ones the last job till I caught the beaver. Moved the turtles 5 miles down the road to another water shed. I also place the triggers on the top and spread on the top half of the 330 so the smaller turtles can go through without setting of the trap