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smart muskrat #5519927
05/11/16 11:37 AM
05/11/16 11:37 AM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 377
New York
Jim Comstock Offline OP
trapper
Jim Comstock  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 377
New York
Just started on a small pond with a smart muskrat. The guy had used 110's and floats with apples and footholds for a month and a half he said. I put out cages in some den holes as a changeup but nothing in the first couple of days. Any secrets anyone wants to share? Pond is very thick with weeds, hard to see the den holes. Found a few, but I guess not the right ones. Can't use colony or multi-catch, which really wouldn't be a problem, only one rat he says. Put in a beaver cage hugging the bank even with the water level to cover some area as we have caught many rats by accident in them. Overkill, but also have taken a lot of rats in 660's too. Had a feeling it would not be a snap after the briefing.

Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5519934
05/11/16 11:43 AM
05/11/16 11:43 AM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 481
Northern MN
M
MN4Life Offline
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MN4Life  Offline
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M

Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 481
Northern MN
Buddy of mine always said there are 10 rats for every one you see.


2020-2021 Goals
57/75 Beaver
15/100 Muskrats
3/1 Fox
0/4 Otter
0/1 Bobcat
5/1 Coyote
0/1 Marten
1/3Mink




Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5519978
05/11/16 12:51 PM
05/11/16 12:51 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 377
New York
Jim Comstock Offline OP
trapper
Jim Comstock  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 377
New York
Anything is possible, but there shouldn't be manny. Think he may have caught a rat. Pond is really dinky, more like a big puddle, in the front yard, not much mystery to it. He has been seeing just one. Will ask him to spray paint it florescent when he sees him, LOL.

Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5520033
05/11/16 02:19 PM
05/11/16 02:19 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,100
Adirondacks, N.Y.
T
trapdye Offline
trapper
trapdye  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,100
Adirondacks, N.Y.
Jim, any chance that he traveling up to the pond from another area thru the outlet.


John's Nuisance Wildlife Control
If you like what you do for a living, It's better than a vacation. Most days.
Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5520066
05/11/16 03:20 PM
05/11/16 03:20 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,966
St. Louis Co, Mo
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BigBob Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,966
St. Louis Co, Mo
Any obvious runs? Might try setting the largest Coni you can in suitcase set, flat on the ground/water with the hinges pointing along the run, with a large paddle pan level to the ground.


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Beware! Jill Pudlewski, Ron Oates and Keven Begesse are liars and thiefs!
Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5520289
05/11/16 08:20 PM
05/11/16 08:20 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 377
New York
Jim Comstock Offline OP
trapper
Jim Comstock  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 377
New York
Dead water, man made pond, nothing to work with really, no inlet or outlet to amount to much. There is a drain tile, dry for now. I guess the guy got one a year ago in that, but nothing doing with it now. Pure weeds, nothing that could be called a run either. Largest coni I have is 10x30, big enough, LOL. Weighs 16 pounds, made of 5/8. I had a 16x30 but cut it in half and still hate it. Sometimes I don't know why I do these things, other than I just like to weld.
I might try my handy dandy Tomahawk net with the 15 foot handle. Worked on a baby coon on a roof once. Caddy Shack.

Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5521678
05/13/16 09:35 AM
05/13/16 09:35 AM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,825
Bland Virginia
2 TRAPS Offline
trapper
2 TRAPS  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,825
Bland Virginia
Drain the pond. No pond no rat


HMC Mfg.
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Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5522182
05/13/16 08:47 PM
05/13/16 08:47 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,590
SW Pa
B
Bob Jameson Online content
trapper
Bob Jameson  Online Content
trapper
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,590
SW Pa
When I have a single or small population and don't catch in a couple of nights I go out for an evening at dusk and watch for where the wakes develop from a swimming rat. That will give you an idea of the den location and its first evening swim pattern.

They can den in some very subtle places leaving few traces of their den site or some of the obvious slick underwater smooth runs that are associated with a high use traffic den site.

Once I know that I use a 3/8" fiberglass fence post with trap clips on the pole just below the water surface and attach two foot holds to the clip that hold the traps one on each side of the pole with a bait clip just above the water level with some rat gland on a piece of white fiber fill.

Carlis Stevens of Sudden Valley supply in Missouri sells them. They are very good for rats in pond waters.

Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5523124
05/14/16 09:27 PM
05/14/16 09:27 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 377
New York
Jim Comstock Offline OP
trapper
Jim Comstock  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 377
New York
Thanks Bob. A local trapper just showed me that set up a few weeks ago. That just might work. I will give it a shot. I do need to spend a little time there looking it over. I get lazy and plowing along, need to check it out in the evening, lounge chair, gin n' tonic or the like.

Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5523194
05/14/16 10:43 PM
05/14/16 10:43 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,809
Lower Alabama (Daleville)
L
LAtrapper Offline
"Professor"
LAtrapper  Offline
"Professor"
L

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,809
Lower Alabama (Daleville)


Note to self- Engage brain before opening mouth (or hitting the ENTER key/SUBMIT button).

Ron Fry

Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5523212
05/14/16 11:11 PM
05/14/16 11:11 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 889
Tama country IA
1st RiverRat Offline
trapper
1st RiverRat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 889
Tama country IA
Shooting a possibility ?


Adam Utterback
Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5523437
05/15/16 08:56 AM
05/15/16 08:56 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,590
SW Pa
B
Bob Jameson Online content
trapper
Bob Jameson  Online Content
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,590
SW Pa
Thank you Ron for finding that topic link. I attempted to find that to show Jim but obviously I wasn't successful. We all get complacent at times with our work until we start getting frustrated. Then we have to determine another course of action. I have had several jobs like yours over the years.

Now the program I follow is the first night after no catches I am posted at dusk with one or more individuals in various positions to cover the size of the pond or lake. Usually we get a read on the position and inspect it the next day and set it up.

Many jobs we do are the result of very small rat populations that seem to migrate into these water courses up a small trickle feeder tributary or across the ground as they will do at times and just set up house keeping. They certainly can give you some challenges when the sign is limited to none and it is weedy with rip/rap banks serving to complicate things further

Our kind of work is certainly much different in many cases then fur trapping as you need to do a clean out and must get the last one so to speak. Of course until they move in once again.

Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5523460
05/15/16 09:27 AM
05/15/16 09:27 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,476
Central IA
TRapper Offline
trapper
TRapper  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,476
Central IA
Setting up a rat job tomm and possibly another one later in week....colonies

Re: smart muskrat [Re: TRapper] #5524659
05/16/16 02:32 PM
05/16/16 02:32 PM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 24
South Dakota
_
_fletch_ Offline
trapper
_fletch_  Offline
trapper
_

Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 24
South Dakota
Originally Posted By: TRapper
Setting up a rat job tomm and possibly another one later in week....colonies
If you could post some pics of your setup that would be great. I just landed a contract for removing muskrats from six lakes in a 393 home subdivision, and am limited to using colony traps. I need to follow Bob Jameson's advice and do some night watches, because not only do all of the lakes have fountains, but we've also had a lot of rain, and the water is so murky I can't find anything substantial as far as runs or dens.

Sorry Jim Comstock, did not mean to hijack your thread, but I have been watching this one with great interest.

Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5524824
05/16/16 06:46 PM
05/16/16 06:46 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,590
SW Pa
B
Bob Jameson Online content
trapper
Bob Jameson  Online Content
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B

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,590
SW Pa
A couple of years back I had a muskrat call right in the middle of a town with houses side by side right up to each neighbors fence. Some homes only had 8 feet between them. The home was about a quarter mile or so from a river but right in the middle of a residential section.

The lady that called had a 6x6 plastic pond with a built in pump housing attached to the pond edge to keep the water circulating. She had wiring and lights as well as a little 6 ft. humpback wooden bridge going from her sidewalk to the pond. Just a little back yard. A very busy cluttered area with all the ornaments some folks feel are cute.

Just to the left of her little pond about 2 feet was a chain link fence ( her property boundary ) bordering her neighbors yard whose very old garage built on blocks and had an ash base underneath and was about 18" beyond the fence and close to the pond.

The pond liner was already removed and most of the water drained out. Just to lay out the situation a bit. That job was the most challenging muskrat job I have ever had in my life. It turned out to be a female muskrat and 3 juv. about 1/2 grown living in that setting.

I had to use every method of knowledge and types of equipment to finally catch all those rats. I should write an article on that job as it was not only difficult but a bit embarrassing when you think you have about all the answers with respects to catching about any animal. You get a wake up call and then the survival instincts of that animal were extraordinary to say the least.

Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5524878
05/16/16 07:32 PM
05/16/16 07:32 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,735
Northern Illinois
M
MChewk Online content
trapper
MChewk  Online Content
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,735
Northern Illinois
Saw this when Jim C. posted it...coincidentally I had just finished a muskrat job just as described.
Initially I set the tiny pond up with colony traps....setting one den and covering every little trail going through the reeds. I caught exactly 2 rats....1 adult and one tiny kit. There were no droppings to be found just little piles of fresh cut cattails. While checking the pond perimeter ....AGAIN...I stepped into a deep run up to my crotch. HMMMM. Using my toe I felt an opening and went back to the truck for a bodygripper and a stand. I set the opening up and since I was already wet walked back around the perimeter....yep found another deep run and set it up. Next check I had 2 kits in the 110s....nothing in the colony traps. Finished up catching 1 more adult and 2 more kits all in 110s.
Always learning....

Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5525167
05/16/16 10:24 PM
05/16/16 10:24 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 377
New York
Jim Comstock Offline OP
trapper
Jim Comstock  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 377
New York
Thanks guys. Going to set the rod with a foot trap on it tomorrow I believe. Looks to be a neat rig. I told the guy to shoot it, but he is leery I guess. When he moves the rat disappears. He would need to sit.

Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5527114
05/18/16 10:29 PM
05/18/16 10:29 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
Stools


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

Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5530962
05/23/16 08:30 AM
05/23/16 08:30 AM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 377
New York
Jim Comstock Offline OP
trapper
Jim Comstock  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 377
New York
The rod set up with some gland lure did not interest the rat. The client took one of the 1-1/2's and set it where the rat had been and then it moved to the other side of the pond. But there is good news, he shot it with a pellet gun yesterday. Said it weighed 4-1/2 pounds. Yippee! Amazing what smart animals will do. I spent more time on the smart rat than the last two beaver jobs that produced 7 beaver.

Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5534595
05/27/16 08:30 AM
05/27/16 08:30 AM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,828
Southwest Michigan
M
Michigan Trappin Offline
trapper
Michigan Trappin  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,828
Southwest Michigan
I do believe this is one of the most humbling professions there is
There is always some animals that will not follow the script


Every day is a gift from GOD, don't waste it!!

If they have plenty of food, give them something interesting to smell
Re: smart muskrat [Re: Jim Comstock] #5534631
05/27/16 09:18 AM
05/27/16 09:18 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,590
SW Pa
B
Bob Jameson Online content
trapper
Bob Jameson  Online Content
trapper
B

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,590
SW Pa
I believe it is a good "grounding" reminder for all of us to be challenged at times. I know I have been humbled a few times in my lifetime and one of those circumstances was involving a lone female muskrat with a couple kits. She did all in her power to avoid my capture attempts on a regular basis.

I will not forget that experience when wildlife exhibits strong avoidance behavior in a non typical and typical setting. It is truly a sobering moment when one contemplates such an event. Their adaptability is remarkable at least as rational thought is concerned. Just showing if there is a will there is a way.

To me it just makes us have a new understanding about things. I do believe I am a better trapper as a result of those experiences and I have gained a more profound respect for the survival instincts of wildlife in general under some circumstances.

I guess situations like these discussed may provide us with some clarity and some support as to why the last animal left to remove may present far more challenges then that of the previous captures.

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