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Post by trapfever101 on Sept 11, 2012 20:15:35 GMT -5
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Post by mark572 on Sept 11, 2012 20:18:50 GMT -5
Looks like rat dens to me! great sets right there!
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Post by happersilderness on Sept 11, 2012 20:30:53 GMT -5
Musquash
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Post by sniperbbb on Sept 11, 2012 20:37:56 GMT -5
Youve been reading too many NAFA reports. They look more like feeder holes to me, especially with all the food leftovers in the holes. Regardless..great places to pick up rats,mink,beaver or otter. |
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Post by nycoyotehounds on Sept 12, 2012 5:17:55 GMT -5
feeders
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Post by dvranish on Sept 12, 2012 7:38:03 GMT -5
Hard to say. How big are they? For sure Muskrats will use them. David  |
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Post by grizzley on Sept 12, 2012 12:43:56 GMT -5
Rats for sure, chewed up grass gives it away.
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Post by alwright on Sept 12, 2012 15:18:03 GMT -5
Go for the otter. Hope you have got no limit on how many you can tag.
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Post by cmr2 on Sept 12, 2012 16:36:59 GMT -5
muskrats herehave alot of shells in front of the holes or under a dock/boat
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Post by trapfever101 on Sept 12, 2012 16:59:07 GMT -5
hey thanks guys, that is helpful, just to let you know, our pond is just a small one, approx. 150 ft. (50 yards) long and 90 ft. (30 yards) wide, with just a very small stream running into it. i guess i should have given you guys this info at the beginning of my thread, sorry about that.
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Post by happersilderness on Sept 12, 2012 17:10:07 GMT -5
Youve been reading too many NAFA reports. Where do I get a NAFA report? I hear that term constantly from my friend... |
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Post by sniperbbb on Sept 12, 2012 17:29:24 GMT -5
Youve been reading too many NAFA reports. Where do I get a NAFA report? I hear that term constantly from my friend... NAFA likes to call muskrats "musquash" about every other sale for some odd reason. |
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Post by wolf1199 on Sept 12, 2012 17:40:39 GMT -5
If you say there are lots of clam shell around the openings that would indicate otter activity. Clams are one of there main diets. I would fire a 220 in the entrance. Big enough for otter and small enough for a rat or mink.
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Post by trapfever101 on Sept 12, 2012 17:43:10 GMT -5
If you say there are lots of clam shell around the openings that would indicate otter activity. Clams are one of there main diets. I would fire a 220 in the entrance. Big enough for otter and small enough for a rat or mink. is it possible for otters to live in such a small pond, with such a small stream feeding it? They wont necessarily take up perminent residency of your pond. however, i have seen it many times where a family of otters stubles upon a stocked pond and will hang around temporarily till they clean the pond out of fish. then they move on. otter eat alot. and a family of otter can clean out a small stocked pond faster then you think. |
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Post by sniperbbb on Sept 12, 2012 18:04:57 GMT -5
If you say there are lots of clam shell around the openings that would indicate otter activity. Clams are one of there main diets. I would fire a 220 in the entrance. Big enough for otter and small enough for a rat or mink. Muskrats also partake of the mussels. |
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Post by sniperbbb on Sept 12, 2012 18:05:46 GMT -5
If you say there are lots of clam shell around the openings that would indicate otter activity. Clams are one of there main diets. I would fire a 220 in the entrance. Big enough for otter and small enough for a rat or mink. is it possible for otters to live in such a small pond, with such a small stream feeding it? Live in? Probably not, though it would be part of their circuit of their territory. |
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Post by BEAST on Sept 12, 2012 18:56:46 GMT -5
This stream is like 6 inches deep at its deepest. The pond is like less than a quarter of an acre in size. I thought otters were more like river animals.
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Post by minifoxer on Sept 12, 2012 19:33:06 GMT -5
Not Otter. Not for that habitate, and your area  Muskrats for sure. Glad someone in PA's got the 'rats! |
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Post by BEAST on Sept 12, 2012 19:35:38 GMT -5
Another thing. Since this is the first year they have been seen in that pond, creek. Should we wait another year to trap them or just hit them now.
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Post by sniperbbb on Sept 12, 2012 19:43:11 GMT -5
Another thing. Since this is the first year they have been seen in that pond, creek. Should we wait another year to trap them or just hit them now. You can let them go for now unless your pond dam isnt very tolerable to muskrats. |
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Post by haydenmekeland on Sept 13, 2012 13:11:18 GMT -5
a bank den for a rat good spot and good luck!
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Post by castormaster on Sept 13, 2012 19:29:05 GMT -5
Ok rat hole it is, with possible otters visiting. What sets would you guys use if you were to set it?? Sounds like throwing a 220 at the entrance has already been suggested.
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Post by trapfever101 on Sept 14, 2012 6:58:35 GMT -5
so you guys are thinking definitely a coni? i was thinking of maybe a # 1 or #1 1/2 foot hold right there by the entrance. but i realize that would be very hard to hide in that mud, at least for me, an amateur.
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Post by sniperbbb on Sept 14, 2012 7:45:07 GMT -5
You don't need to hide the trap...just keep it under water. I would set one or two footholds on each corner of the opening if there's enough room.
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Post by trapfever101 on Sept 14, 2012 15:02:23 GMT -5
I would set one or two footholds on each corner of the opening if there's enough room. there are about four of these holes in the bank, should i set all the traps at once? or should i sorta work each hole at a time? and would you guys suggest stakes, or drowners? |
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Post by sniperbbb on Sept 14, 2012 17:23:23 GMT -5
I would set one or two footholds on each corner of the opening if there's enough room. there are about four of these holes in the bank, should i set all the traps at once? or should i sorta work each hole at a time? and would you guys suggest stakes, or drowners? On these sets, you definitely want drowners, too good of a chance at mink with these sets to risk them being destroyed by otter or raccoon. As far as which holes to set...set the ones with the most activity. If you have the time and the traps, you can set the ones that arent so active since they are good mink set locations. |
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Post by trapfever101 on Sept 15, 2012 8:22:02 GMT -5
ok thanks for all your input guys, i will now be much more educated on how to trap these locations this fall, i will post pics if i get anything out of them.
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Post by minifoxer on Sept 15, 2012 9:31:03 GMT -5
Just remember, the Harvest of Otter is prohibited in the Wonderful state of Pennsylvania. |
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Post by trapfever101 on Sept 15, 2012 15:49:55 GMT -5
yes, would have to release, if i caught one of those beautiful hides.  |
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Muskrats for sure. Glad someone in PA's got the 'rats! 
