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Post by critterbob on Dec 20, 2005 21:32:58 GMT -5
Hi all. Was wondering if you folks have had much luck trapping muskrats under ice with baited coni's or mini baited pole sets. I might have a good area soon but don't want to spend alot of time looking for runs becuse it is near a major road with lots of traffic. Was wondering if i just gang set the are a aro und the huts of course staying back 5 feet! :)with carrots, potatoes or corn if I could pile some up. Anyone care to offer advice?
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Post by Itrapny on Dec 20, 2005 21:37:28 GMT -5
I was thinking the same thing myself. I have Friday thru Monday off for Christmas, isn't the Air Force great and I thought I might give it a try. I will be placing out some underice beaver sets but I have a couple areas I ciildn't hit this Fall due to early ice. I saw on another forum where you cut a hole in the ice, hang some grass into the hole and set a couple of traps right on the ice. Place a box over the hole and then cover with snow to prevent freezing. I guess the 'rats will come out on t the ice and get caught ???Has anyone tried this??
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Post by mole on Dec 21, 2005 5:03:48 GMT -5
I hope you have better luck than I ever have.I have read about people using white pipe and oyher things on the trigger as an attractant. If thats the case maybe chunks of styrafoam packing speared on the trigger might work. at least it would be easy to work with. Just a thought. Ed
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Post by wmthrower on Dec 21, 2005 8:05:06 GMT -5
Wayne that's a new one for me. I'm in the same boat as you. I'm getting my gear ready for beaver and will hopefully set a few rat and mink traps. I'm guess that you should wire the traps to a pole shoved in the bottom of the pond then. Where are you going to get grass this time of year though? ;D
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Post by Scottthetrapper on Dec 21, 2005 19:02:55 GMT -5
critterbob, The baited sets like you describe, I've found to be of little or no use. The muskrat has very poor eyesight and most any 110 baited will go untouched if underwater. THere maybe trails going from one hut to another that you could find. The ice will be thinner there. There also maybe some bottom edge sets that jump out at you between the huts. I have cut circles around huts with a chain saw or ice chisle and put newspaper over them to allow the ice to form clear. With the clear ice the trails will stand out, Bubbles will be the tell tail sign. YOu only need a place wide enough to get the trap in. Wet the newspaper and form a dome over the area you've cut. Cover the edges with snow and by the next day the ice under should be clear and you are in business. THis is alot of work but you will be better off than checking empty traps.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2005 10:56:33 GMT -5
I agree with the others on bait and here's another thought. I usually find that trails going to and from huts to often be wider and less obvious under ice. Try using 220's and 160's if you have them, they are better than the 110's in covering runs where you might be a little off center. The bigger catch area is a real plus, try it .
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Post by banditbuster on Dec 22, 2005 15:18:14 GMT -5
i have used carrots and potatoes on 110s and gotten rats but not under the ice let me know if it works well... i have also used the hole bithe the box over it but never used the grass i did catch rats though without the grass.... the hole is just an easy place for the rats to leave the water, i also replaced the box with a white 5 gallon buckett
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