I have a group of condos that want me to trap their muskrat out of their ponds. I can get an ADC permit from the DNR. Should I charge them per muskrat or per trip? How much?
Thanks, MM

MM, just a couple of questions first. Are you really only 16 yrs old, or are you 18 or older? And yes that is a serious question. Second, do you have liability insurance? Third, what type of traps are you planning on utilizing to catch these Muskrats?

I am 16. I am good friends with a Sargent in the DNR and he said that the condo needs to call him and he can issue an out of season permit for me. I will give the condos a letter saying I release them from all liability.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/ChapterV_128589_7.pdf
Some good information is in par 5-51, 5-52, 5-54,5-55.

Thanks LA

That ain't how it works. Liabilty insurance is there to protect the condos from you!

MM, here is a major problem for you; because you are only 16 yrs old nobody can enter into a legally binding contract with you without you having a cosigner that is 18 or older - like your mom or dad. Without a contract you have no guarantee that you will be paid. Then there is the liability issue, especially since you are using conibear traps in a condo complex. Sorry, but I see nothing but trouble for you in one form or another.

Now, having said that, if I were in your shoes and wanted to start my own business I would consult an attorney and see what I have to do to get around that age issue first, then continue with a good business plan. I wish you the best of luck and success. Remember, a part of success is being able to overcome all of the hurdles you will encounter in business.

MichiganMuskrat, I'd take the job. It will be good experience.

I'd suggest colony traps instead of bodygrips but the bg's aren't out of the question. Some floats might be a good idea.

Don't charge anything. Frankly, at your age the condo/management folks are responsible for anything that might happen. "They" asked a "kid" to come and trap some rats.

Enjoy it. Have fun. Learn all you can.

He's done his homework having the DNR naming him the person who will be doing the trapping.However,if you accept money for doing it you become liable for anything that may arise. Don't charge them anything,use it as a learning experience and save what you can from the rats for bait makin.By time you become legal age you'll be known as the local trapper and THAT is worth somethin.

Thanks for all the responses. My mom or dad will sign for me if needed. I wasn't thinking about charging them. The only problem with making bait would be that the permit says that I either have to bury them or throw them away. I have plenty of footholds and colony traps so I am leaning towards those just to make sure I don't trap any non-target animals. Thanks for all the help MM

MM, I have worked numerous condo, apartment, and neighborhood waterways for more years than I care to count. While this might sound exciting to you, and an opportunity to get your name out, are you ready to obsorb the trap losses you might encounter? What about geese and ducks? If there are any there you will have to avoid capturing them in your trap of choice. Hurt or kill one by accident and believe me you will regret ever taking that job. MM, I'm trying to save you alot of potential grief here, not discourage you. This is NOT the type of job to start doing adc work on. Your local CO is not doing you or the condo complex a favor.

By the way, who is your local CO?

If I use colony traps that would eliminate all non target catches. I have plenty of traps so I don't have that problem. Dave Shaw, he was my mentor and we are good friends.

All I can say is it will be a learning experience for better or worse. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

I'm not sure it would eliminate "all" non target catches. Sometimes mink will go into a colony trap. But I do think they are your best bet.

You don't have to worry about ducks and geese in them. You certainly wont find a dog or cat in one. Other than a possible mink, I can't think of anything else you'll find in a colony trap except your target.

water snakes

lol...I thought of that but realizing that any water snake in my state could swim through a colony trap without ever touching the wire made me think better of posting it...;)

Ill keep you guys updated. Thanks