new to the flock Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Well started out today with setting some rat traps at a Mates ponds. The banks are being undermined and clapsing. Was trying to get there last week but as we had a freeze up with an inch of ice on the ponds thought I would wait. Setting a submersible drowning tunnel trap. The trap has one way gates that allow the rat to enter from either end but cant exit. The trap set underwater. Between the 2 ponds I set out 5 tunnel traps, and 4 float sets. Here is a float set going in. This set has two 120 conibear traps on it and will take rats from either end. A float set on the back pond. Setting a drowning set with a victor 1 pan trap. This float actually has room for 6 traps but I only had the one that style with me. Finding a leak...... Float set with an apple for bait. Cont'd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted April 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 It took 2 hours to get the 9 sets in, and then we were off to a bridge over Big Creek to set a pigeon trap for some training birds. Then we went over to the flats to see if the spring cats had arrived yet. Unfortunately they were not in yet. Although the fish were not co-operating we found other things to do to entertain us for a further 2 hours. cont'd It was then home to make dinner, and relax for a bit. We will make the rounds tommorrow to see if we have managed anything in the traps NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted April 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Well went out this morning in the snow and rain to check the rat sets. Didn't expect much from the floats yet as it usually takes 2 or 3 days for them to get comfortable with them. Most of the tunnels had nothing in them yet aswell, but one held a rat. Taking him out . My Helper...middle Little. On the tape. Will get over to check the pigeon trap a little later today....not expecting much as usually takes a day or two. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 God, that's massive What are they eating at this time of year? Do they hibernate? P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolk shooter Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Fantastic pics as always NTTF. SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnybgood Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 wow that rat is huge!!!!! good job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMY Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Interesting NTTF, what prevents protected or out of season species being caught in the Spring traps. ie Ducks or other bird life?? Hammy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted April 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Pedro, The rat is a musk rat and they eat aquatic vegitation and roots. They will also eat grass. They do not hibernate but spend their winters under the ice. Hammy, The floats will tip and sink if a duck or goose was to try to climb up on the float, and the bait is set in behind the traps so if any birds land on it they are clear of the jaws and triggers. A duck or goose may be able to reach over the side to steel a bite, but again would be clear of the triggers and jaws. In 20 years of trapping I have only had two accidental catches...one was a turtle when I use to bait the float traps on the triggers, and the other was a squirrel in a coon cubby set. Bait selection and placement are the biggest factors in catching correctly, in my opinion. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMY Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Thanks for the answer. Hammy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted April 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Forgot to take the camera today but 2 more rats. One in a tunnel and one on the float with the pan trap. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegeta Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 I cant see the tape measurement very clearly NTTF How big was he in inches? He looks huge. Some eating in him I'd say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
top gun Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 well done nttf keep up the good work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
young airgunner Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 great pics well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 I hate you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Nice pics Dan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted April 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 I cant see the tape measurement very clearly NTTF How big was he in inches? He looks huge. Some eating in him I'd say He was 13 inches to the base of the tail and 22 1/4 with the tail Best way to eat them is to roast with bacon over wrap, garlic, and potatoes. :blink: NTTF I hate you SISTER How was the pigeon shoot on Sunday? NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted May 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Well after 13 rats the traps have been empty for a week now, hopefully that will be the end of them for a while NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holland&Holland Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 That is interesting. Thank you for sharing H&H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 them rats are whoppers Dan....great right up and pics again B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted May 4, 2007 Report Share Posted May 4, 2007 Hey Dan over here you'd be in jail for feeding your saucepans on rat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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