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
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488 Northwestern New York(Elder)
Jonathan
"Wilson"
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"Wilson"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
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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.
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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
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,141 tornado alley, Okla
leo23
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,141
tornado alley, Okla
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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
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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
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 800 NW Ohio 43551
BuckeyeRaTrapin'
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 800
NW Ohio 43551
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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
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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
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079 Wisconsin
Blackdog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079
Wisconsin
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I learned not to put all my eggs in the "float basket"
Just ask your mommy...
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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
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,145 NE Iowa
trapperray
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,145
NE Iowa
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Be careful using corn, as it will attract waterfowl, which when caught attracts DNR personnal and their ticket books.
May your fur be prime.
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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
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548 Cleveland IL
muddyriverdogz
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
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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.
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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
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079 Wisconsin
Blackdog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079
Wisconsin
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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...
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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
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488 Northwestern New York(Elder)
Jonathan
"Wilson"
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"Wilson"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
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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.
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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
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548 Cleveland IL
muddyriverdogz
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
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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.
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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
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 435 Michigan
BudtheTrapMan
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 435
Michigan
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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
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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
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079 Wisconsin
Blackdog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079
Wisconsin
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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. 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. 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...
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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
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,858 Northern Maine
Bruce T
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,858
Northern Maine
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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
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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
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,858 Northern Maine
Bruce T
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,858
Northern Maine
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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
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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
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548 Cleveland IL
muddyriverdogz
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,548
Cleveland IL
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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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