Well, I had nailed their entrances with the new trap sets yesterday – BUT – sometime during the night, they saw their entrances blocked, and rather than trip the traps, they dug an escape hole out the bank. Further, they had turned the newly set trap sideways, so they could continue using the old entrance apparently – and I’m guessing they did this from outside the hole, by pushing on the handle. They had also dug a new underwater entrance 2m from the ones I’d successfully blocked with the traps. Smart muskrats.
Lowered the 110 trap near the old sink – as I noticed that the brown mud trail was refreshed, and it seems to spew from under where the trap had been – so now it’s blocking the bottom of that hole – I’m betting I get something.
Also, regarding the reed hutch at the back NW corner of the pond – it had freshly gnawed roots laying on top of it – right next to a new opening into the top of the hutch – it’s big inside.
And … I noticed mud extruding from the outside of the bank within a few feet of the hutch – explored that – and it led into a tunnel in the bank.
So, someplace new to set some traps – and an improvement made to my last trap set. And, I’m getting better at reading muskrat signs – they’re days are numbered, perhaps.
No muskrats yet – enough half measures … today … full measures! So, this morning, I put on the boots (see pic), stepped into the muck … and found two muskrat holes, there may be more … and placed a 110 trap front of both holes.
Showing top of 110 trap, with two support sticks. Hole is in bank to right of trap.
At least one of their holes, at any rate.
It is in the part of the pond where the banks are highest, providing dry dwelling space to the little varmints. The tell was lighter brown pond bottom leading to the hole. It’s a few inches under the surface of the water, about the diameter of my fist. The muskrat(s) ate up so much vegetation, it’s finally possible to find their stuff.
Glad I found the hole, cause the hut I found earlier has an abandoned look to it today.
So, I grabbed some scrap wood, to tie the trap down. And I set the trap, and tried to place it over the hole, which was on a sloped bank, making it harder. But, the trap’s there. And, hopefully, the muskrats will use it.
Some pics of the trap, the yard, the pond, Boris the cat, and Kathy’s Bee Patch.
It was a grey and brooding day …
Ahh – the dock – always evocative.
View from bank above muskrat hole.
View from bank above muskrat hole.
A view of the submerged 110 muskrat trap, supported by two sticks.
A view of the submerged 110 muskrat trap, supported by two sticks.
A view of the submerged 110 muskrat trap, supported by two sticks.
A view of the submerged 110 muskrat trap, supported by two sticks.
