Author Topic: marsh muskrats???? (Read 979 times)

creekchub · « **on:** June 25, 2005, 09:28:39 AM »

well i finally got permission to trap muskrats in a marsh with alot of huts!!! i always wanted to trap this marsh ever since i was a small lad, how different is marsh trapping compared to ditch and creek trapping. i have never had the opportunity to trap such a place, any and all help will be greatly appreciated. i have mostly body grippers and 1 1/2 coil springs to use!

Bogmaster · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2005, 05:06:11 AM »

Chub,marsh trapping is a differant ball game altogether compared to ditch trapping.
I use #1 stoploss almost exclusively.I set from 2 to 4 traps per rat house.
I do take quite a few coon every year when trapping these rat houses,thats why I wouldnt use body grippers.If you do,you will miss out on these coon.
Any specific questions you have,we will try to answer them.
Tom

creekchub · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2005, 10:47:20 AM »

is that depending on the size of the hut? and how do you set these stoplosses at the hut, i was instructed by the land owner not to destroy the huts. any tips on finding den entrences. sorry for the

?'s but like i said this catttail marsh trapping is new to me i do have a few cage colony traps to use in trails

Bogmaster · « **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2005, 04:35:49 PM »

Where I trap,the muck around the rat houses is 2 to 3 feet deep.Very hard to find entrances,if you can,the colony traps are great.
It is against the law here ,to damage the houses.I take my fist,and right at the water line I punch an indentation.The trap is placed in front of this indentation,it is visble for a long ways,and all rats ,mink and coon are drawn to it.
Tom

creekchub · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2005, 11:13:51 AM »

thanks for the information so far tom.. dont seem to be many rat trappers here or there tigh lipped! "lol" do you recomend a bait or lure at these hut sets? and how do you think foat sets would work, or should i seek out feed beds instead

Bogmaster · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2005, 01:25:21 PM »

Chub,floats work well on areas where they dont compete with natural resting spots.Ditches and bog lakes are where I have used floats with good results.
I don't use lure,most of the time when marsh trapping,but I do use it when float trapping.
Feedbeds are great places to set for rats.But here again,I don't set them when I trap big marshes .My reason for this is simple-----Minnesota weather.Rat houses are easy to find even after a foot of snow,not so with feedbeds.If we were to get a sudden snowstorm or freezeup,I would end up paying a hard price to find buried and frozen in feedbeds.
Tom