Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
#420780
11/19/07 09:53 PM
11/19/07 09:53 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,161 NW Ohio
cj's trapping
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I've seen numerous posts and questions on here over the last couple of years on how to catch muskrats along ponds, streams, marshes, ditches, wetlands.....you name it. The easiest, no frill, no bait, no nothing, is sign trapping. Make a fake "mud slide" along the bank, ditch, muskrat hut (cabin)...anywhere, and place a #1 or 1 1/2 at the base. Stake the trap out a bit to deeper water, and you will catch them. They see and smell that fresh mud, and BAM, they are yours to harvest.
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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
[Re: cj's trapping]
#420791
11/19/07 09:55 PM
11/19/07 09:55 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 76 hopkins co. Ky
thekentuckian
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do you have a problem with beaver seeing the slide and messing up your set
24 beaver 11 coons 3 otter 13 muskrats 1 bobcats 2 opossums 3 yotes red fox 0 grey fox skunk
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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
[Re: thekentuckian]
#420804
11/19/07 10:00 PM
11/19/07 10:00 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,161 NW Ohio
cj's trapping
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do you have a problem with beaver seeing the slide and messing up your set No beaver here
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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
[Re: ]
#420881
11/19/07 10:28 PM
11/19/07 10:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,161 NW Ohio
cj's trapping
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how close can you put each set from each other?
i have a pond i just found with lots of chewed up cattails, and wore down shore line.
will 110s work?
what if the bottoms not solid enough for a disposable stake?
should i try driving in a wooden stake?
Skip the 110's. You can make these sign sets as close as you want. Don't mess with disposable stakes. Use long (6'-8') pieces of willow or similar stakes. You want soft mud.
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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
[Re: illinitrapper]
#420934
11/19/07 10:45 PM
11/19/07 10:45 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,161 NW Ohio
cj's trapping
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So this set really works? Is it a sure thing or a long shot I mean obviously it connected at least once for you lol I've caught over a thousand rats in a week using this specific set marsh trapping, as well as other trappers in NW Ohio. It is the staple of rat trapping large marshes.
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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
[Re: snowman]
#420981
11/19/07 11:03 PM
11/19/07 11:03 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
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cj's trapping
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could you dig your own "ledge" and just transplant that mud?
I ask because the area where I trap has a QUICK dropoff, and there is no place to bed a trap, but if I dug my own ledge and used the mud to make a slide, it would work. Exactly
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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
[Re: snowman]
#421015
11/19/07 11:14 PM
11/19/07 11:14 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,161 NW Ohio
cj's trapping
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snowman....most are taking this post for granted.....trust me.
Good luck suredve
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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
[Re: snowman]
#421043
11/19/07 11:29 PM
11/19/07 11:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,041 Michigan
logan
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cj how do you use this set in the marsh?
Logan
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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
[Re: SNIPERBBB]
#421090
11/19/07 11:50 PM
11/19/07 11:50 PM
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cj's trapping
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Done that a few times but I really do not like setting slides if there are other good set locations nearby. I agree if there are runs and good feed beds, but typically, the bulk will be made of sign trapping....especially if you are unleashed on a 300 acre marsh littered with cabins.
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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
[Re: frozentoes]
#421118
11/20/07 12:01 AM
11/20/07 12:01 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,161 NW Ohio
cj's trapping
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The problem I have with using footholds is wring outs so I quit using them. Even with deep water, they are not drowning. I totally agree with your technique and I end up passing on a lot of sign just like you have pictured due to the rats escaping I have already lost half a dozen with footholds this week alone. The weight alone of a 1 or 1 1/2 will drown a rat if you have deep enough water....WITH NO abstructions...ie...cattail, weeds, etc. This is a sure fire set. If you have rats getting away, there is something other than deep water allowing it.
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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
[Re: cj's trapping]
#421133
11/20/07 12:07 AM
11/20/07 12:07 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,161 NW Ohio
cj's trapping
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Foot note:
If you happen to have a subscription to T&PC, I wrote an article on this very topic. You may have to dig, but it's in the 2002, Aug issue, entilted, "Mudslide Muskrats"
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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
[Re: cj's trapping]
#421137
11/20/07 12:10 AM
11/20/07 12:10 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488 Northwestern New York(Elder)
Jonathan
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"Wilson"
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CJ's thread describing his intent and description has worked for my muskrat trapping efforts, long before his ink, for well over 50 years of trapping for them. The advice is simple and deliberate. No need for a #110 in this situation; however, they do have their place in the muskrat drama, but not here.
My "willow" stakes punched securely into the muck through the trap's ring in Wisconsin marshes for forty years of muskrat trapping, with a 1-1/2 long spring Victor nailed through it, has been sufficient to capture my target muskrats. And, without fault, to catch and drown incidental raccoon, mink and otter that happened by. Never lost one of either in that incarnation of the set.
Jonathan
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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
[Re: cj's trapping]
#421149
11/20/07 12:16 AM
11/20/07 12:16 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,650 Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB
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The problem I have with using footholds is wring outs so I quit using them. Even with deep water, they are not drowning. I totally agree with your technique and I end up passing on a lot of sign just like you have pictured due to the rats escaping I have already lost half a dozen with footholds this week alone. The weight alone of a 1 or 1 1/2 will drown a rat if you have deep enough water....WITH NO abstructions...ie...cattail, weeds, etc. This is a sure fire set. If you have rats getting away, there is something other than deep water allowing it. What kind of setup are you using on your traps frozen? I use a lot of 1.5's for rats and most of them are drowned in less than a foot of water even on sliders.
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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
[Re: frozentoes]
#421505
11/20/07 10:26 AM
11/20/07 10:26 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,296 Michigan 19 yrs old
kylevandyke
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i know i sure am trying it this afternoon when i get out of school!! Great post CJ!
whitetail madness all..... year....long!!!
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Re: Sign trapping muskrats....EASY PICKING'S
[Re: lobo]
#422639
11/20/07 10:29 PM
11/20/07 10:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,296 Michigan 19 yrs old
kylevandyke
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put 16 sets out, half were #1 long springs in the method as described above, except i set quite a few existing mud slides and made a few of my own, i staked the traps as deep as i possibly could to keep the trap where i wanted, will my Long springs weigh enough to drown the rats alone or not?? I also made a few floats today i will set out after work tomarrow afternoon, thanks again for the GREAT post CJ and the helpful info from everyone else!!
whitetail madness all..... year....long!!!
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