Guidance on trapping muskrats

[Graybeard]

I've decided I'm really not happy with the holes the muskrats are making in the peninsula of my pond and think trapping them might be the best course of action. I'd like to shoot them but the pond is too close to the state highway to do that legally or safely.

So what kinda traps do I need and how do I go about making it happen?

[Bogmaster]

 Bill,need a little info.Are there den holes ?These should be visible on a sunny day.110 or 160 body grippers can be set in front of these,they will take muskrats entering or leaving the den.
 Are there feedbeds?These are bits of cut vegetaion in small mats or piles(though with large populations,these can be large)these can be set with foothold traps,my preference is the #1 stoploss.These can also be set where the rats are coming up on shore.Also can be used at their toilets.
 WE will turn you into a A#1 rat man.
 Tom

[Graybeard]

So far we know for sure we have two muskrats and are assuming them to be mates and so are expecting a lot more in the near future. There are den holes where I could set the traps. So far they seem to be mostly eating the wheat we have planted around the pond and have cut quite a bit of it. We see some floating on the water but not in mats or large amounts of it. I have seen at least one spot where they seem to most often come out of the water.

Where can I buy a couple of traps? I have no need for more I don't think unless a lot more rats come to the pond than are there now. I assume these will come with some type of chain or cable or something and will need to be attached to a stake at the bank to keep them from drifting into the deeper water once caught?

The area where the holes are located are just below water line on the angled bank of my peninsula and it drops on down from there for a few more feet to the bottom level of the pond.

[Bogmaster]

 I have the traps you need Bill,in whatever number you wish.How much room do you have --going out from the den entrances, before it gets deep?
 Tom

[Graybeard]

The angle on the bank is about 30 degrees but they have pushed the dirt from making the holes out that way. I'd guess that from the entrance of the hole out to where the bank drops again is at least 18" or so but no more. I think two traps are all I'd need as there are only three den holes at this time that I've located and so far as I know only the two rats but I'm sure it won't take them long to have more. One of the three holes, the middle one, sorta caved in one day when I was walking around down there looking things over. I'm not sure if they cleaned out the caved in part or not.

Tom if you'd send me a couple you can deduct the cost from the remainder of what you owe on your banner if that's OK with you. Or you can bill me and I'll pay whatever is appropriate.

Bill Graham
3015 Alabama Hwy. 204
Jacksonville, AL 36265-5506

[Bogmaster]

 Bill,one last question,how big are the den holes.I ask to determine whether to send 110s or single spring 160's.
 Either way,I will mail out traps tomorrow.
 Then the fun begins,we turn you into an A-1 Rat Man.
 Tom

[Graybeard]

Dang Tom you ask tough questions with dangerous answers. 

Taking a new and closer look the way things are now I have at least 36" at each of the holes before the bank drops off. They've been busy since I last got that close. One hole appears to be about 9" in diameter and the other perhaps 7" across. That one is now above water level as the water is dropping due to the drought we're having.

I fell thru that middle hole again up to my knee. Walking in that area is getting unsafe it seems. I may have to have someone throw me a haul rope and pull me out when I set the traps there. Be sure to give me some instructions on setting them and placing them correctly.

[Bogmaster]

 Bill, the traps went in the mail on Tuesday.You should get them on Thursday or Friday.
 Call me when you want to start on the rats,and I will give you step by step instructions on setting .
 Tom

[Graybeard]

OK. As of yesterday we now know we have at least four. Me thinks they are like rabbits and are multiplying rapidly.

[Bogmaster]

 Muskrat=Marsh Rabbit. In your neck of the woods,muskrats have at least 3 litters a year.By the time the second batch has arrived,the first batch is more than likely ready to have their own litter.
 Tom

[Graybeard]

Don't know how long that first litter has been here but we've only been seeing them now for a couple of days.

[Graybeard]

Tom, the traps came today. Time for some trapping instructions. Post here or PM as you wish but posting here lets any others new to trapping muskrats see it as well.

[Bogmaster]

 Bill,I will give you a call this afternoon.We will go over body gripping muskrats.
 Tom

[fisher]

    i know hoe to trap muskrats. #1 or 1 1/2 trap(does not matter if it is coil spring ,long spring or double long spring.  You need a 2x2 and a small piece of plywood (for a platform to set the trap on)  and a knee brace for the platform with a nail into the 2x2 OVER the plat form. the idea is run the ring of the trap through the stake push the stake into the bottom of the pond (or river,stream, lake ,etc. ) with the platform about 2 to 3 inches under water. Place trap on platform  and put a slice of apple on the nail. The rat swims up to the apple and walla hit's the trap the weight of the trap pulls him to the bottom and he drowns next day remove  rat and re-set. The first time in a new area you will wear them out.