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Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: ] #4698711
10/21/14 08:45 AM
10/21/14 08:45 AM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 917
Naples, NY
A
austinp Offline
trapper
austinp  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 917
Naples, NY
Originally Posted By: Jim Wallner
Tim is without a doubt one of the best water trappers in the country.


No question about that... for sure.

Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: MnMan] #5677027
10/23/16 12:54 AM
10/23/16 12:54 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,568
Gitche Gumee Wisconsin
RiversNorth13 Offline
trapper
RiversNorth13  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,568
Gitche Gumee Wisconsin
Originally Posted By: MnMan
Trapstickman has tried muskrat floats in MN and decided that they are not for him.





Simplify your methods to the point of perfection.

Become fast,efficient & effective.

The real "SECRET" to successful trapping.

KEEP IT SIMPLE!

.
Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6032985
10/22/17 05:18 PM
10/22/17 05:18 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,568
Gitche Gumee Wisconsin
RiversNorth13 Offline
trapper
RiversNorth13  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,568
Gitche Gumee Wisconsin
Ttt




Simplify your methods to the point of perfection.

Become fast,efficient & effective.

The real "SECRET" to successful trapping.

KEEP IT SIMPLE!

.
Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6174099
03/01/18 10:19 AM
03/01/18 10:19 AM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57
Ontario,Canada
The North Offline
trapper
The North  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57
Ontario,Canada
Would floats work better in spring or fall?

Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6174112
03/01/18 10:36 AM
03/01/18 10:36 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
trapper
The Beav  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
Spring.

They are up on everything In the spring leaving their scent.

Last edited by The Beav; 03/01/18 10:37 AM.

The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6174123
03/01/18 10:50 AM
03/01/18 10:50 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
trapper
The Beav  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
austinp Dosen't have a clue. Last time he was going to go to the Dakotas he was going to use nothing but 160s and drag a canoe back to all those sloughs and set the world on fire. Then he got all his traps stolen from behind the shed. LOL

Never did 500 In a check but did 300 a few times with a partner.
Set 10 stools In a 30 yard location and It only takes minutes to check them. Weaken the trap springs and It speeds up things. Checking twice a day at the peak Is what you need to do.
I can remember setting 40 some traps on this dead end road and when coming back already having 28 rats In those traps.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6174256
03/01/18 12:28 PM
03/01/18 12:28 PM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57
Ontario,Canada
The North Offline
trapper
The North  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57
Ontario,Canada
Perfect Thanks
Any idea on good float idea that is conpact light and effective. need to make lots of them. Did review this thread and got a few ideas but just seing if anyone has a new idea

Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: WranglerSK] #6174677
03/01/18 08:43 PM
03/01/18 08:43 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,165
Central NC
T
traprjohn Offline
trapper
traprjohn  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,165
Central NC
Originally Posted By: WranglerSK
taking one spring off the coil on my 1 1/2's.


or you can buy some single coil traps.


www.sevenoakstrappingsupplies.com for trap mods and gear
The 10 Commandments are not suggestions.
Buy a soldiers meal EVERY chance you can.

Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6174835
03/01/18 10:28 PM
03/01/18 10:28 PM
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 355
NY
V
VH60 Offline
trapper
VH60  Offline
trapper
V

Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 355
NY
Ive been wanting to try floats out for spring rats for a while . I pulled this post up about a week ago and decided to get to work on it . I have a few spots that hold rats but it is very difficult to find bank dens or runs but every log , hump , rock etc sticking out of the water has rat droppings on them . I figure floats and / or stools would work . I decided to try floats first . I paid close attention to what Beav and Calvin had to say about floats being too wide etc . I figure that know what they are talking about so I tried to make a narrow float that would just fit my BMI 1 1/2 and also make the rat stand up for the bait .

I ripped a 2X8 down to 6" , added wire sides and two posts to attach bait to with a few extra holes for lure etc. The wire and bait posts come right out for portability . It didn't work . Its too narrow and wants to tip over too easy . I had to add stabilizers . After experimenting a little with length for stability I found that they had to be about as long as the float itself .


This is what I came up with . It floats and isn't tippy . It forces a rat over the trap if he wants to get up on it and makes him stand up to get the bait . I don't have big numbers of rats . Im concerned about misses as Beav stated . I haven't put it out yet as I just finished testing stability and we have a big noreaster coming . I will try to get it out on saturday and report the results

Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6175461
03/02/18 01:47 PM
03/02/18 01:47 PM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,558
lewis county,new york
N
newfox1 Offline
trapper
newfox1  Offline
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N

Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,558
lewis county,new york
I make mine similar to trapper les,40" long 8" wide trap close to the end bait on both sides of trap,i want to catch them by the front foot,they drown eaisier I like 1.5 long spings.

Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6175703
03/02/18 05:49 PM
03/02/18 05:49 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
trapper
The Beav  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
Try some without the wire and some with. But I don't think you need the wire.
The rats will be all over that float. And as long as you have the traps close to the bait you should be Ok.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6175841
03/02/18 07:56 PM
03/02/18 07:56 PM
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 355
NY
V
VH60 Offline
trapper
VH60  Offline
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V

Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 355
NY
Will do Beav . I added the wire to force the rats over the trap if they want on or to get the bait . I don't have a big rat population so I don't get a shot at multiple rats and I don't want them to have many options .

Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6176184
03/03/18 01:05 AM
03/03/18 01:05 AM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,386
williams,mn
trapper les Offline
trapper
trapper les  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,386
williams,mn

This is all you need. Nothing fancy, or time consuming to build.


"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6176324
03/03/18 09:00 AM
03/03/18 09:00 AM
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 355
NY
V
VH60 Offline
trapper
VH60  Offline
trapper
V

Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 355
NY
Simple , efficient and effective , where the heck is the fun in that Les ?? LOL . I need to channel my OCD ! But I will try that also .

Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6176495
03/03/18 11:30 AM
03/03/18 11:30 AM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,386
williams,mn
trapper les Offline
trapper
trapper les  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,386
williams,mn
We aint taking them to the county fair, lol. It's not a Stratevarious . laugh

The muskrat just has to climb up with not too much room to spare, and for me, the trap doesn't have to be under water. The rat climbs to the highest perch while attempting to eat the bait, which is usually parsnip or apple. It's just that simple.


"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6176608
03/03/18 02:21 PM
03/03/18 02:21 PM
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 355
NY
V
VH60 Offline
trapper
VH60  Offline
trapper
V

Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 355
NY
I just banged out a no fun version of the rat float . It was quick and simple = no fun except for the spike sticking up from the middle . THAT has potential for a few memories to be made ! Nothing that won't heal I hope ! . I'm loading up now to check a few beaver sets and if we're not in flood stage i'll put these floats out .

Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6176643
03/03/18 03:34 PM
03/03/18 03:34 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
trapper
The Beav  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
I'm affirm believer the bait should be at least 8" above the surface of the float.

A rat can access that bait and never get In that trap. With the bait being up high the rat has to get on the float and stand to get the bait. The more It moves around the better your chances are of catching It. The other thing Is a rat can get caught and the next rat comes along and finishes off the bait. And never make contact with the second trap.

But even with no bait you may catch some rats. I pile of rat dropping placed between those traps Is even better. And don't forget to use a bit of lure. It won't hurt your odds.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6176655
03/03/18 04:14 PM
03/03/18 04:14 PM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57
Ontario,Canada
The North Offline
trapper
The North  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57
Ontario,Canada
I like it maybe hang the bait on a stiff wire

Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6176706
03/03/18 05:29 PM
03/03/18 05:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,446
Houghton Lake, MI
strike2x Offline
trapper
strike2x  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,446
Houghton Lake, MI
I make my muskrat floats with root beer.


Wish I had more time to trap....
Re: Making Muskrat Floats [Re: gwade] #6176820
03/03/18 08:04 PM
03/03/18 08:04 PM
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 355
NY
V
VH60 Offline
trapper
VH60  Offline
trapper
V

Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 355
NY
Floats out . Not exactly where i wanted them . The water is very high . My beaver traps are under two feet of water . I have seen rats swimming in both these spots though . I think I will elevate the bait on Les's style of float though . Beavs observations make a lot of sense . I have a bunch of old closet rod and a 1 1/4 inch spade bit . Ill drill a partial hole into the center of the float like I did with the complicated float and put in a 10" piece of closet rod . A couple of screws to hold bait and a few extra holes to hold Qtips dipped in lure and it should be good to go . The rod can be easily pulled and reinserted for stacking .

Parsnip , apple , Hudson Seal and Mark Junes muskrat frenzy .

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