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Muskrat - I can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float #1331110
05/04/09 01:28 PM
05/04/09 01:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 44
northern ky
S
slyder06 Offline OP
trapper
slyder06  Offline OP
trapper
S

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 44
northern ky
i live on a lake with an abundance of rat sign but cannot catch one on a float can. If someone uses the floats regularly and has good success can u please enlighten me

Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: slyder06] #1331112
05/04/09 01:31 PM
05/04/09 01:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,107
Jeromesville, Ohio
ray12 Offline
trapper
ray12  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,107
Jeromesville, Ohio
How long did you have them out??


..Galen..

(Check out my Instagram)
https://www.instagram.com/galenhoch/
Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: slyder06] #1331121
05/04/09 01:43 PM
05/04/09 01:43 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
Jonathan Offline
"Wilson"
Jonathan  Offline
"Wilson"

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
They often do not work in some habitats on a regional basis, even when there is a reasonably abundant muskrat population in evidence - for reasons unknown.

Floats are normally used in the fall before ice up when muskrats are searching for and banking food for the winter. At this time of the year, they do not have to do that as the native vegetation is probably sprouting up all over the place for them to satisfy their dietary requirements.

Do you have a photo of the floats that you are using? Where are you placing them, and what are you using for bait and/or lure?

Is this an ADC job?

Jonathan


Camera Gear: Canon EOS 7D-MK-II, Canon EF-S 10-22mm, EF 28-135mm, EF 100-400mm and EF 400mm lenses.



Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: Jonathan] #1331125
05/04/09 01:47 PM
05/04/09 01:47 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 44
northern ky
S
slyder06 Offline OP
trapper
slyder06  Offline OP
trapper
S

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 44
northern ky
ihad them out most of season Where i am located the lake doesn't freeze up real fast. They are just wooden floats like any others I used carrots with anise oil. I place them off of steep undercut banks in deep water. I know there are dens there Isaw the rats go under and disappear.

Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: slyder06] #1331131
05/04/09 01:54 PM
05/04/09 01:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,141
tornado alley, Okla
leo23 Offline
trapper
leo23  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,141
tornado alley, Okla
Originally Posted By: slyder06
ihad them out most of season Where i am located the lake doesn't freeze up real fast. They are just wooden floats like any others I used carrots with anise oil. I place them off of steep undercut banks in deep water. I know there are dens there Isaw the rats go under and disappear.

Look around and see if you can find where they are exiting the water and put your float maybe 10 feet or so out from the bank to give them a purch to sit on and look the bank over before they exit the water, also if it is that close to the bank they might take your groceries for a cheap quick meal, you might also try some of the vittles they been feeding on in the general area, thats all i got for you. good luck


Please BAN THE ANTIS
Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: leo23] #1331139
05/04/09 02:02 PM
05/04/09 02:02 PM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
muddyriverdogz Offline
trapper
muddyriverdogz  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
This float will work when all others wont


You only live once, so get over it!

Tactics may change but the goal remains the same.
Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: muddyriverdogz] #1331217
05/04/09 03:36 PM
05/04/09 03:36 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 800
NW Ohio 43551
BuckeyeRaTrapin' Offline
trapper
BuckeyeRaTrapin'  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 800
NW Ohio 43551
Smear a blob of fresh mud on the float. They are supposed to go nuts over the smell of fresh mud thinking another rat is in the area or building something. I think it's called sign trapping. I know it works in the marshes and on creek banks..Ask "CJ trapping"..


Todd
'08/'09 Totals
1 Skunk
2 Coon
40 'Rats
Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: BuckeyeRaTrapin'] #1331249
05/04/09 04:01 PM
05/04/09 04:01 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079
Wisconsin
Blackdog Offline
trapper
Blackdog  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079
Wisconsin
I learned not to put all my eggs in the "float basket"


Just ask your mommy...
Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: Blackdog] #1331254
05/04/09 04:04 PM
05/04/09 04:04 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,145
NE Iowa
T
trapperray Offline
trapper
trapperray  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,145
NE Iowa
Be careful using corn, as it will attract waterfowl, which when caught attracts DNR personnal and their ticket books.


May your fur be prime.
Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: trapperray] #1331258
05/04/09 04:06 PM
05/04/09 04:06 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 800
NW Ohio 43551
BuckeyeRaTrapin' Offline
trapper
BuckeyeRaTrapin'  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 800
NW Ohio 43551
Hardware cloth dome over the float will keep them out..


Todd
'08/'09 Totals
1 Skunk
2 Coon
40 'Rats
Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: BuckeyeRaTrapin'] #1331286
05/04/09 04:34 PM
05/04/09 04:34 PM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
muddyriverdogz Offline
trapper
muddyriverdogz  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
You cant get a ticket for catching waterfowl in a trap no more than you could get a ticket for catching an otter or a wolf in one.It just has to be released.


You only live once, so get over it!

Tactics may change but the goal remains the same.
Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: muddyriverdogz] #1331294
05/04/09 04:40 PM
05/04/09 04:40 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079
Wisconsin
Blackdog Offline
trapper
Blackdog  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079
Wisconsin
Originally Posted By: muddyriverdogz
You cant get a ticket for catching waterfowl in a trap no more than you could get a ticket for catching an otter or a wolf in one.It just has to be released.


I think its more of a question of ethics.


Just ask your mommy...
Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: Blackdog] #1331306
05/04/09 04:55 PM
05/04/09 04:55 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
Jonathan Offline
"Wilson"
Jonathan  Offline
"Wilson"

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
In a similar train of thought, I call it routine Preventative Maintenance - why set yourself up for clutter by inviting undesirable incidentals other than the target species?

Jonathan


Camera Gear: Canon EOS 7D-MK-II, Canon EF-S 10-22mm, EF 28-135mm, EF 100-400mm and EF 400mm lenses.



Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: Jonathan] #1331320
05/04/09 05:09 PM
05/04/09 05:09 PM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
muddyriverdogz Offline
trapper
muddyriverdogz  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
I use theose floats by the hundreds and catch very few waterfowl and i use corn.If you use a little 1 long spring larger ducks are unscaved by the incident.

I here all these people on here using larger traps to drown the rat faster,wheres your Ethics comments to that,These floats target Rats.Every time you set any trap you could say you are inviting incidentals because there is always a chance it could happen.


You only live once, so get over it!

Tactics may change but the goal remains the same.
Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: muddyriverdogz] #1331508
05/04/09 07:13 PM
05/04/09 07:13 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 435
Michigan
BudtheTrapMan Offline
trapper
BudtheTrapMan  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 435
Michigan
Originally Posted By: muddyriverdogz
You cant get a ticket for catching waterfowl in a trap no more than you could get a ticket for catching an otter or a wolf in one.It just has to be released.

I believe in MI and dont quote me it states you cant have "visible bait" now while I have to dig the book back out and read for sure. I believe it was meant for meat baits to keep hawks and etc. away but im sure its the same principle for corn with ducks.


"Solitude shows us what should be, society has shown us what we are"...Robert Cecil
Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: muddyriverdogz] #1331517
05/04/09 07:22 PM
05/04/09 07:22 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079
Wisconsin
Blackdog Offline
trapper
Blackdog  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079
Wisconsin
Originally Posted By: muddyriverdogz
I use theose floats by the hundreds and catch very few waterfowl and i use corn.

A little hardware cloth and very few could become none.

Originally Posted By: muddyriverdogz
I here all these people on here using larger traps to drown the rat faster,wheres your Ethics comments to that,

Drowning faster is better ethics.


Originally Posted By: muddyriverdogz
Every time you set any trap you could say you are inviting incidentals because there is always a chance it could happen.

Thats is true. BUT we can do our part and try to minimize them to the best of our abilities.


Just ask your mommy...
Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: muddyriverdogz] #1332049
05/05/09 08:04 AM
05/05/09 08:04 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline
trapper
Bruce T  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Originally Posted By: muddyriverdogz
I here all these people on here using larger traps to drown the rat faster,wheres your Ethics comments to that

The muskrat drowns quicker with the heavier trap.


Nevada bound
Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: Bruce T] #1332050
05/05/09 08:06 AM
05/05/09 08:06 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline
trapper
Bruce T  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
I also had the most luck using floats during the spring muskrat trapping season during breeding season.Never had much luck in the fall muskrat trapping seasons with floats.


Nevada bound
Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: Bruce T] #1332220
05/05/09 11:04 AM
05/05/09 11:04 AM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 530
East-Central WI
B
BBLWI 2 Offline
trapper
BBLWI 2  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 530
East-Central WI
I used floats 20 years ago on a large marsh where others were trapping the feed beds, houses etc. until they quit trapping. The floats were very poor producers for me with and w/o the competition later in that marsh. Just too many other good places for rats to travel. I quit using floats.
Later now I have made some that I use 1.5 single long spring traps on in creeks, rivers, under bridges, culverts etc. and they are doing better. I have cut a 1/2 inch wire mesh cover over these and there are no waterfowel caught in these float sets now. On rivers where there is less habitat or creeks and streams I feel the floats offer opportunities for rats to use them more than in the large marshes where they have so many choices.


Bryce

Re: i can't catch anythin on a Muskrat float [Re: BBLWI 2] #1332228
05/05/09 11:15 AM
05/05/09 11:15 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
muddyriverdogz Offline
trapper
muddyriverdogz  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
Drowning faster is better Ethics

I think the point is to have a live Duck so it can be released...


You only live once, so get over it!

Tactics may change but the goal remains the same.
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