Post by southernlures on Jul 2, 2012 10:21:14 GMT -5
Muskrat trapping
Muskrats are by far the easiest fur bearer to take in traps. They in habit most ponds and lakes they also inhabit almost every water way in america. The types of traps needed for taking them are as follows 110 coni's are the trap of choice for most trappers but i still prefer the coil spring traps fron the 1 to 1 1/2 for them. The old victor stop loss trap are excellent muskrat traps.
When your looking to trap for muskrats. You must scout and look for sign of the muskrat in the ponds or lakes and streams that you intend to trap. First thing i look for is when you have clear water is to walk the edges looking for den entrances. These will have some under water entrances and some at the waters edge. Second id look for there runs. These are paths that they use under water to get from point a to b. These trail will be clear of all bottom debrie and the mud will be a differnt color than the surrounding bottom. The muskrats are vegetarian and they love the cattail plants. They will eat any and all vegatation around ponds and lakes. Thes eguys are very distructive to these areas as they will build there dens with in the dams and after the dens collapse they will leave large holes in the dams. And with enough of this damage you could loose a dam to this type of destuction.
But once you find the runs and den entrances you can set your traps in the runs and feeding areas. Here are some pics of muskrats taken in the foot holds i use. I like to use the 1 coils on drowners for them.
Muskrats are by far the easiest fur bearer to take in traps. They in habit most ponds and lakes they also inhabit almost every water way in america. The types of traps needed for taking them are as follows 110 coni's are the trap of choice for most trappers but i still prefer the coil spring traps fron the 1 to 1 1/2 for them. The old victor stop loss trap are excellent muskrat traps.
When your looking to trap for muskrats. You must scout and look for sign of the muskrat in the ponds or lakes and streams that you intend to trap. First thing i look for is when you have clear water is to walk the edges looking for den entrances. These will have some under water entrances and some at the waters edge. Second id look for there runs. These are paths that they use under water to get from point a to b. These trail will be clear of all bottom debrie and the mud will be a differnt color than the surrounding bottom. The muskrats are vegetarian and they love the cattail plants. They will eat any and all vegatation around ponds and lakes. Thes eguys are very distructive to these areas as they will build there dens with in the dams and after the dens collapse they will leave large holes in the dams. And with enough of this damage you could loose a dam to this type of destuction.
But once you find the runs and den entrances you can set your traps in the runs and feeding areas. Here are some pics of muskrats taken in the foot holds i use. I like to use the 1 coils on drowners for them.