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Rats the size of dogs! Ostrom did you import these from..................

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1K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  spoonfish  
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#1 ·
Rats the size of dogs! Ostrom did you export these from Knew Jersey to aggravate me? They so big my boys couldn't handle them.......................

Not! George these "rats" ain't as big as you have in Knew Jersey, they the usual Onadatra zibethicus. The common muskrat. We had a dry fall and my pond dropped about four feet. Hadn't paid much attention, but when that water level fell I knew I had trouble. Muskrat workings everywhere. I do not like muskrats in my ponds. They have established in the dam and usually the mink keep 'em killed out. Not now. Mink musta move 'cause of global warming.

A few years back I had a problem with beaver, but an SKS solves that little problemo.

Had a neighbor kid wanted to trap so I gave him a shot. I burn guys who ask to trap here. Even threw the **** hunters out this year. They had been here for over twelve years. Kid was gonna use 110 Connabears and I ok'd it. Wanted to snare but mys dogs don't need no snare wrapped around their tootsies. He set 12 traps yesterday and came this morning to check. Picked up two nice prime pelts out of three active runs.

How you kill the "rats" in Jersey George?

Slipped in a picture of the lad with his Dad and another neighbor. Damb kid didn't even have boots so his Dad had to wade out. Do you guys stretch yours or just skin 'em.

Maybe I could send some muskrat meat to the guy in Florida who sent me the gator meat. Would that be a fair trade?
 
#2 ·
My self I prefer shooting to trapping I know of too many dogs and people get caught in a trap and nobody around to help but to each his own are the **** hides bringing much nowdays around there used to hunt them with ex fatherin law in SE Mo enjoyed it but have not gone in years never tried Muskrat hunting though
 
#4 ·
Nice looking rats. Back in the day, when I was a tad younger, I used to trap the heck out of them. Skun em and stretched em too. Saved the meat cuz them pond wabbits is very tastey. Now, a little tip for the youngster thats trapping. Have him build float boxes to set out there in the pond.(google it. I aint no school teacher) Rats are dumb as a post.(no pun intended). Set #1 longsprings on it and every rat in the pond will want to check them out. They will step on a trap just to see what will happen. They will be out of your dogs reach too. Also, have junior spike a piece of carrot on the trigger of the 110 conibear. It works every time and your pond will be rid of most of them critters, for now. BTW, dang nice of you to let the boy trap your pond.
 
#5 ·
PB here's a pic. of me Many years ago. This is opening day catch all caught in s.w. Iowa under the ice with 110 conibears. They opened up forneys waterfowl refuge that year to trapping to thin down the muskrat population. I averaged around 100 rats per day once I got my line all set and ended the season with 3000+ rats a couple dozen mink and a dozen beaver that I set some 220's for but the rats would usally find the 220's first. I was actually running my line 2 or 3 times a day at times.

The first week or so I had to wear waders as the ice wasnt very thick and would fall thru at times. Made for some hard work. Went thru several axe handles that year chopping ice.

Yes that car is a pacer... (I know your going to ask)
It was a lot cheaper on gas than my truck and I would put chains on the back tires and that lil sucker would go about anywhere when the snow flew..
With the back hatch it made for lots of room and a great little trapping vehicle. Housed my **** hounds on many of a nights hunt too but that's another story. It just smelled funny after a while...

Didn't shave much back in those days huh. BG would be proud if he saw a few other pics I have...

 
#8 ·
spoonfish said:
PB here's a pic. of me Many years ago. This is opening day catch all caught in s.w. Iowa under the ice with 110 conibears. They opened up forneys waterfowl refuge that year to trapping to thin down the muskrat population. I averaged around 100 rats per day once I got my line all set and ended the season with 3000+ rats a couple dozen mink and a dozen beaver that I set some 220's for but the rats would usally find the 220's first. I was actually running my line 2 or 3 times a day at times.

The first week or so I had to wear waders as the ice wasnt very thick and would fall thru at times. Made for some hard work. Went thru several axe handles that year chopping ice.

Yes that car is a pacer... (I know your going to ask)
It was a lot cheaper on gas than my truck and I would put chains on the back tires and that lil sucker would go about anywhere when the snow flew..
With the back hatch it made for lots of room and a great little trapping vehicle. Housed my **** hounds on many of a nights hunt too but that's another story. It just smelled funny after a while...

Didn't shave much back in those days huh. BG would be proud if he saw a few other pics I have...

View attachment 165458
Click to expand...
DANG Troy & I thought I was a trapper, You could sure give me lessons, & that many rats was alot of work. putting them up.
Jim
 
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