Massive numbers in short time frame?
#7985076
11/02/23 08:31 AM
11/02/23 08:31 AM
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Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 624 Washington
Jingles
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 624
Washington
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Need to get massive? number of musk rats caught in a short time frame. Have several colony traps out but not pulling the numbers of rats I think is needed to make a substantial dent in the population before freeze up with ice and snow. Being in WA restricted to cage type traps, no body grip or footholds, any recommendations as to how to increase the numbers over 18 in a week? Rough estimate would be probably looking at between 75 & 100 need to be removed. Currently have 6 colony traps in the water with 1/2 baited with a carrot looking to pick up at least 1 floating colony this weekend. Thanks for any replies
The job of a Patriot is not to protect his country but to protect the people from the tryannical government
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Re: Massive numbers in short time frame?
[Re: Jingles]
#7985132
11/02/23 09:48 AM
11/02/23 09:48 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,484 NWWA/AZ
Vinke
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,484
NWWA/AZ
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Never baited a colony off dry-land. Does it work? Guessing not well.
How did you come up with the 100 rat figure?
More traps Larger colony traps (I use 8x16 with a bite door quite often) I usually do not take advantage of the 72 hr rule until a couple of days in Better sets, Move traps that do not produce. Use a vessel or walk the water edge to scout
You have over 100 days, should be able to catch 1 rat a day
Slightly used Shoes 4 sale,,,,,,May special,,, Act Now... Free Sock with every purchase
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Re: Massive numbers in short time frame?
[Re: Jingles]
#7985830
11/03/23 08:16 AM
11/03/23 08:16 AM
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Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 624 Washington
Jingles
OP
trapper
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 624
Washington
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Came up with the estimated number by looking at damage to the dike holding the lake back, have walked the bank and looked at it via a boat, property owner took out the hut and brought in equipment to clean out any cattails, also by figuring these rats are similar to land rats and mice for everyone you do see there are 10 you don't see. Yea probably could do 1 rat a day, already pulling 2 or 3 but would like to have a life other than checking rat traps all winter.
Last edited by Jingles; 11/03/23 08:22 AM.
The job of a Patriot is not to protect his country but to protect the people from the tryannical government
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Re: Massive numbers in short time frame?
[Re: Jingles]
#7985977
11/03/23 11:08 AM
11/03/23 11:08 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,015 N Central Iowa
iayogi17
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,015
N Central Iowa
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ok, I have a couple of questions How big of an area/lake/pond are you talking about? The owner already did habit disturbances, by removing the hut and veg? and you're go in after that to catch the muskrats?? How much experience do you have trapping muskrats? and to gauge their population?
Brad Mohr
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Re: Massive numbers in short time frame?
[Re: Jingles]
#7986351
11/03/23 10:44 PM
11/03/23 10:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 624 Washington
Jingles
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 624
Washington
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ok, I have a couple of questions How big of an area/lake/pond are you talking about? The owner already did habit disturbances, by removing the hut and veg? and you're go in after that to catch the muskrats?? How much experience do you have trapping muskrats? and to gauge their population? Lake is probably about 5 acres in size, yea owner had habitat removed so not sure if there was only 1 hut but dead.cattails around most of the bank surrounding the lake. The dike was rebuilt 2 years ago and is "honeycombed" with burrow holes not to mention one side of the lake is the side of a rock slide so rocks and openings into the rocks absolutely everywhere. First year water trapping and doing a SWAG about population as when on the lake checking traps not uncommon to see 8 or 10 rats in various locations along the shore and traversing the lake. Estimated population as stated before using land rats and mice where the ratio was 10 to 1, for every one you do see there are ten you don't see. Jim when you mention swing type doors are they similar to the doors on colony traps?
The job of a Patriot is not to protect his country but to protect the people from the tryannical government
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Re: Massive numbers in short time frame?
[Re: Jingles]
#7986676
11/04/23 02:01 PM
11/04/23 02:01 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,484 NWWA/AZ
Vinke
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,484
NWWA/AZ
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Slightly used Shoes 4 sale,,,,,,May special,,, Act Now... Free Sock with every purchase
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Re: Massive numbers in short time frame?
[Re: Jingles]
#7986679
11/04/23 02:08 PM
11/04/23 02:08 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,484 NWWA/AZ
Vinke
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,484
NWWA/AZ
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Slightly used Shoes 4 sale,,,,,,May special,,, Act Now... Free Sock with every purchase
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Re: Massive numbers in short time frame?
[Re: BvrRetriever]
#8007721
11/30/23 10:36 AM
11/30/23 10:36 AM
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Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 624 Washington
Jingles
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 624
Washington
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Rats 48, 49 and 50 taken out of traps yesterday ice thick enough boat would break it up going to traps so guess have to put everything on hold til thick enough to hold my 140 pounds
Last edited by Jingles; 11/30/23 10:36 AM.
The job of a Patriot is not to protect his country but to protect the people from the tryannical government
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