Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss Muskrats!

Hey all;

While stocking Magnolia's with Rex today at my experimental pond #3 Rex saw a Muskrat hopping out of the water and up the bank. I hadn't seen any evidence of Muskrats or other destructive rodents to this point, and was pretty disheartened. Rex offered to grab his .40 calibur pistol and try to make quick work of the situation, and I gladly accepted his offer.

While I circled around to scout for evidence - a mudslide, burrow in the bank, tracks...anything, Rex was back on the dam and told me not to move...he had the critter in his sights!



Rex took careful aim - then "Pop!"

"Did you get him?"

"Hell YES I got him...he's over there squirmin in the pond. One more shot oughta finish him off."

"Pop!"

"Well....?"

"Oh yeah, he's a goner!"

I walked over to the edge of the pond and peered into the depths, fully expecting to see rivulets of dark red streaming into my recent Zooplanton bloom. But I saw nothing.

"Where is he, Rex?"

"Jeezus man, right beneath you!"

"What - over here?"

"No, right BENEATH YOUR FEET!"

"What, you mean HERE?"



Rex had, with all good intentions, mistaken my PVC drain, bubbling with the overflow from ponds 1-2, for a frolicking Muskrat beneath the surface.

"Oh boy...I'm sorry. It sure looked like a Muskrat from THIS angle!"

Sure doesn't look like one from this angle, now does it?



So...all kidding aside - I apparently have Muskrats present in at least one pond. Aside from today, I've seen no evidence of them anywhere else...but imagine when there's one, there's several.

Question is - should I be worried? If so, what's the maximum damage they can cause? How should I deal with this problem? I don't have the time to hunt them...should I try trapping?

Thanks guys - appreciate any advice.

Now that's a priceless story!!! The photo of pistol packing Rex is great too! So, how did the crappies do?

I will post a little story as soon as I get those pix downloaded...

Welcome to my world

The results of Rainman's shooting skills should be preserved in perpetuity.

Cecil, I know you only do fish, but do you know a taxidermist who handles PVC?

perhaps a plastic sturgeon?

Ah yes, the infamous White Muskrat, known to do more damage than the standard Brown Muskrat.

Dang I'm glad I didn't bring my Muskrat costume to the conference.

Rex would have shot the hell out of the pipes!

I may call Rex to help me cut up some PVC for structure. The jagged edges created by his bullet sculpture should really attract fish.

Good point Dwight.

I've got this nuisance wood around my property and I really need some to come in and shoot it. Maybe Rex could help?

This is what this looks like to us...






This is what it looks like to Rex...

Brettski...

This is why we love ya, buddy.

Oh, I got so caught up in your story that I completely forgot that you asked for advice.

My advice to you is: purchase Kevlar vests for your pipes, you never know when Rex might visit again.

Oh and I think Rex's new nickname ought to be "Quick Draw."

I'm laying low at the Conderosa. I've heard that I'm wanted.

Good thing, I hear that there is a PVC Posse out looking for you.

And the rest of the Hole-in-the-Pipe Gang.

not to mention the plumber's union local 69

Wow, this thing has some legs.

I know you were just about to get around to advising me on the Muskrat issue, allow me to provide a little gentle push into the current - Connibear 110 work?

Who cares about your stupid Muskrat, I wanna go PVC hunting with Rex.

Conibear 110's are pretty easy to set for a grownup - open, set the trigger, and place on the ground (underwater works fine) in front of an active hole; easier IMHO than muckrat sized legholds. The classic third option is a boxtrap. 110's can be set at pretty much any depth, the other two are supposed to be under enough water so the 'rats drown.

110 knock-offs go for about $5 here.

Check Nebraska's trapping regs to ensure legality (for instance, trap tagging, trapline check frequency, and staking requirements). Here in Ohio, no license is needed for lnadowners on their own property, if the muskrats are taken during regular trapping season. Some states have nuisance permits that allow trapping them at any time, IIRC.

P.S. Sorry TJ, I thought Bski's link covered the actual trapping info.

Point taken...do they have Conibear 55's, then?

Just use your Playdoh Fun Factory.

Brettski's thread was helpful, Esshup offered a lot of guidance there too. Okay, I have my solutions mapped out...back to quips regarding the PVC Rat.