Muskrats in the Spring

May 11, 2015 Nature, Trapping
Fading Sink Tulips

Spring is so brassy …

Spring is Big

Spring is Big

And sometimes, it brings muskrats …

Muskrat signs on the pond bottom – first of the season.  The fresh tan dirt on the normally dark bottom, indicates a muskrat has been holing out my bank nearby.

Tan dirt on pond bottom

Tan dirt on pond bottom

Tan dirt from ratty holing out my pond bank

Tan dirt from ratty holing out my pond bank

I found the hole – after 10 minutes or so of searching – had to bend up a pole to find it. It was narrower than others I’ve found.

Muskrat Hole Finding Tool

Muskrat Hole Finding Tool

So I grabbed a rusting #110 trap, set it, and placed it over the hole.  A stick helps keep it upright.  And a stake through the ring chained to the trap keeps everything from being carted away by other animals, or an animal wounded in the trap.  I think it’s usually fatal though.

A #110 Muskrat Trap set

A #110 Muskrat Trap set

Closer look

Taking a step back …

Some older nearby holes ...

Some older nearby holes …

I hope it hasn’t already eaten the water lily bulbs I put in earlier this spring.

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