I'll try to be clear here. I have a piece of property I hunt and trap. There is a pond of sorts that is deepest on three edges (kind of channels) There are 2 large deep drain type ditches that are on two sides of the pond. I've caught beavers on the crossovers between the ditches and pond. There were several damns in the one ditch with several bank dens. Over the winter the damns were removed and water depth fell dramatically. I hadn't seen any beaver activity at all rebuilding dams or seen any new cuttings. I assumed they have moved back to the river near by. Rat activity has even moved.

Last week I walked the area to see where I was going to set for rats when I get time to go back. I found a lot of huge mussel shells from feeding and an active crossover from the one ditch to pond that was slicked up. Does this sound like otter? I've never caught one and they are on my list. Just curious what people think. Any thoughts or advice is welcome.

Thanks

Darrell

Definitely otter. Set some #280's on the trails crossing over, and brush them in good

Clamshells sounds like rats.
You should be able to tell which animal made or uses the crossover by the width of the trail.

Way too big for rats in my opinion but maybe smaller than I am used to seeing for the beavers. I'd say where they drop off each side into the weeds to the water is in the 8-10 inch width range. I see plenty of other crossovers from what I think are rats just much smaller. These clamshells are also half the size of my hand. The biggest I've ever seen.

I'm pretty green so keep the advice coming.

Thanks

Set a 280 at the bottom of the crossover.

Thanks gents. Will be setting next time up.

Sure sounds like otter.Good luck.

On the high point of a good crossover the otter will often ball up the grass and make a toilet.