trapperkid6
Hello! im a new trapper just started last year
Posts: 27
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Post by trapperkid6 on Dec 23, 2014 13:55:57 GMT -5
I trap a creek that has lots of muskrat. There is no place for bottom edge, it's a sea weed bottom and it is hard to see runs. I hve trapped all the bank dens I can find but I can't seem to catch anymore. I only hve caught 7 out of this particular creek. But everyday there is tracks and dropping on the bank! Any advice?
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Post by nyrat on Dec 23, 2014 14:00:04 GMT -5
kick a hole in the banks peace of apple in back of hole 1 1/2 coil in front of hole wired to deep water should help you out.
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trapperkid6
Hello! im a new trapper just started last year
Posts: 27
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Post by trapperkid6 on Dec 23, 2014 14:08:56 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice. This is my first year rat trapping so I could use the help
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Post by oldman50 on Dec 23, 2014 14:26:23 GMT -5
kick a hole in the banks peace of apple in back of hole 1 1/2 coil in front of hole wired to deep water should help you out. That will do it. You should have a pretty good supply of rats. With all this open water new rats will move in.
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trapperkid6
Hello! im a new trapper just started last year
Posts: 27
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Post by trapperkid6 on Dec 23, 2014 15:09:58 GMT -5
Okay thanks
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Post by silentnight on Dec 23, 2014 15:15:19 GMT -5
kick a hole in the banks peace of apple in back of hole 1 1/2 coil in front of hole wired to deep water should help you out. That will do it. You should have a pretty good supply of rats. With all this open water new rats will move in. we caught probably half or more of our rats doing just this, or using natural little pockets baited with a foot hold guarding it. good luck
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trapperkid6
Hello! im a new trapper just started last year
Posts: 27
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Post by trapperkid6 on Dec 23, 2014 15:41:44 GMT -5
Will #1 coil springs work? All my 1.5s are set for coon
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Post by uncledoug on Dec 23, 2014 16:18:23 GMT -5
#1's will work, just be sure to set up to drown like nyrat suggested. Good luck, take pictures, post pictures.
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trapperkid6
Hello! im a new trapper just started last year
Posts: 27
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Post by trapperkid6 on Dec 23, 2014 19:39:18 GMT -5
Will do
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austinp
#3 Newhouse
the next fur season is never far from our minds :)
Posts: 3,008
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Post by austinp on Dec 23, 2014 19:41:49 GMT -5
if it is a creek, it has a current flow somewhere. That's your runway network, right there. Set the holes and open spots in vegetation down to current channel, or dig thru it to reach the channel. It is there, and so are the rats & mink.
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trapperkid6
Hello! im a new trapper just started last year
Posts: 27
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Post by trapperkid6 on Dec 23, 2014 20:03:11 GMT -5
Thanks so underneath the vegetation there are tunnels, block them with trap?
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Post by kirkwooder on Dec 23, 2014 20:10:35 GMT -5
If you are seeing tracks on the bank, follow them to where they go into the water and set a trap there in about 1" of water. You may need to make a flat to set the trap on by digging out some of the bank. If so, be sure to slope the bank onto your new made flat.
Any place where there is an obstruction(log, steep bank, large stone, brush, etc.) on the bank that would make a rat get back into the water should be a productive spot as well. Again, set the trap on the bottom in about 1" of water, and on a sturdy drowning rig, as coon and mink are often taken in these sets as well.
Good luck!
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trapperkid6
Hello! im a new trapper just started last year
Posts: 27
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Post by trapperkid6 on Dec 23, 2014 20:19:00 GMT -5
Thanks you guys help greatly
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Post by mikeb on Dec 23, 2014 20:49:16 GMT -5
just like austin stated-find the main channel or flow area and set with either 160s or 220s if you have them-alot is luck and blind setting but you will find the right channels sooner or later and then it gets easier-they are the rat and mink highways-in most creeks and ditches that are small i dont even bother looking for holes-just set a bunch of 220s in channels and it will take the bulk of the rats and are much easier and take alot less time then looking for bank runs-good luck-try and take some pics if you can
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trapperkid6
Hello! im a new trapper just started last year
Posts: 27
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Post by trapperkid6 on Dec 23, 2014 20:57:03 GMT -5
Thanks. The creek is quite large probably 15 feet wide an 3-4 feet deep
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trapperkid6
Hello! im a new trapper just started last year
Posts: 27
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Post by trapperkid6 on Dec 23, 2014 21:06:38 GMT -5
And the seaweed is top to bottom throught except for under the road it's sandy and rocky
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austinp
#3 Newhouse
the next fur season is never far from our minds :)
Posts: 3,008
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Post by austinp on Dec 23, 2014 23:33:31 GMT -5
the current channel will wind from one side to the other... and muskrat / mink tunnels will exist along or behind each edge. welcome to the game of trapping. you are taking the first steps to learning properly. as the years go by, you'll figure it all out. in all reality, very little can be learned online. most of the true education will take place with your boots, and eyes, in the water
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Post by Lonny Mattison on Dec 24, 2014 6:10:57 GMT -5
Good questions and good answers from top trappers. Take what these fellas say and apply it. Alot of it is trial and error. Getting out and doing it and learn from it. Soon you will know the wrong way and right way. You will learn what works and what does not. You cant learn unless you try it and make mistakes. Ask as many questions as you can and DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED! Good luck and post your happenings Lonny
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Post by cnyh2ofowler on Dec 24, 2014 9:30:42 GMT -5
In the past when I arrived at a new spot I would dive right in and start putting in traps. I have found recently that if I take a minute (or several minutes) to sit and really look at a spot you can learn a lot. Mink trapping taught me this because their trails and sign are so subtle if you barge right in you ruin the sign. The other day I stopped 20 feet from a rat house and stood there and said if I was a rat how would I approach this house and was successful with this approach. Austin is right, there are runs under the seaweed, when the water is clear study the bottom and you may find them.
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trapperkid6
Hello! im a new trapper just started last year
Posts: 27
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Post by trapperkid6 on Dec 24, 2014 11:07:03 GMT -5
Okay got all my sets remade hope I have some Christmas presents floating tommorrow morning
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Post by mikeb on Dec 25, 2014 20:10:03 GMT -5
keep us updated please!!!Good Luck
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Post by oldman50 on Dec 26, 2014 17:50:28 GMT -5
Well? Whats the deal Dalton? Any rats yet?
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trapperkid6
Hello! im a new trapper just started last year
Posts: 27
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Post by trapperkid6 on Dec 26, 2014 18:54:31 GMT -5
No none yet
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Post by mikeb on Dec 27, 2014 6:47:05 GMT -5
something else to try if possible-are there any creeks or ditches that dump into this creek?if so set those up with 220s as the rats will go up into many of them especially with water depth changes due to rain
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trapperkid6
Hello! im a new trapper just started last year
Posts: 27
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Post by trapperkid6 on Dec 27, 2014 15:32:42 GMT -5
Ok
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