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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 733
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OP
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 733 |
Have some bass ponds, went out the other day and saw 12 or more box turtles, what effect do they have on my pond. WOuld it be worth my time thinning them out.
Same with the rats but not as many.
Right now the bass are healthy and plentiful, the NP are there too but the smaller ones are a little skinny.
Thanks
Water is the basis of all life, by design!
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,722 Likes: 282
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,722 Likes: 282 |
Box turtles are terrestrial and have no negative effect on your pond. They are also on the decline in many parts of the country. It would be very irresponsible to kill any.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent  Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,513 Likes: 832 |
Agree with RAH on the box turtles having no effect on the pond.
If you're talking about muskrats, and your pond was created by building a dam, then they can compramise the integrety of the dam by tunneling into it. I have no tolerance for muskrats or beavers in a pond.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 529
Fingerling
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Fingerling
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 529 |
Are the rats 2 legged or 4? That would change the caliber of the tool.
Last edited by Sniper; 07/19/11 06:01 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,712 Likes: 3 |
Maybe our good friend Dr. Dave Willis from SDSU will check in and see this. Somehow, I don't think that South Dakota box turtles would have much effect on a pond. I'm also wondering if they are truly box turtles. Usually, they aren't much into living in watery homes. Can you post a picture? In any event, I would not try to eliminate them. Most turtles don't eat a lot of fish, and they eat a heck of a lot of undesirable critters. Here is a great booklet about South Dakota turtles: A field guide to South Dakota turtles. I too have to ask -- what kind of rats? Good luck, Ken
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2 |
The only turtle I can think of that seems to be half and half water and land turtle is a wood turtle, but they don't live in South Dakota. I know box turtles like to hang out around wet areas, but they aren't going to actually being wandering around in water much over their head for long...
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 733
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OP
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 733 |
I will try and get pictures.
They are muskrats, and must think that they have a new summer home.
Time to charge rent!! hehe.
Water is the basis of all life, by design!
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 475
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 475 |
Muskrats? They make new ones every day! I recently dealt with a Beaver problem, and got rid of some rats along the way. Arrowhead, and bulrush is making a big comeback! When I was a kid, I remember getting mad at my dad for shooting muskrats in the summer. The pelts were worth $6.50 in 1980.... alot of easy money with a few 110 conibears!And anyone who had a pond would let you trap 'em too!
Wow 1980, I sound like an old timer...............
Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer.
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