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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
I've got a beaver (I think) that is eating too many of my pond plants. Never got a close look, so could be muskrat or nutria, but it does have a den. Fortunately, the den isn't on the dam, but I'd still like to get rid of the critter.
Does anyone know a good trapper? Critter seems to be mostly nocturnal.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7 |
Muskrat will have a tail that looks like a snake following it as it swims. The beaver if you get to close to his den he will slap his tail at you.
Best and most effective way is to sit with a 22 on the shore at dawn and dusk. If eating your pond plants bulbs it will be a muskrat. If you want to keep the pelt or keep blood out of the water just shoot the water just under his head. The 22 shock wave will knock him out and he will drown with no mess. Same for beaver. Now is the time to get them before they settle in for the winter to have a bunch of baby's.
Too bad the pelt is really only worth $10 buck. As a kid I loved trapping them and cleaning them up for a few extra bucks.
If your going to trap them get some parsnip and leg hole traps. Check to make sure leg holes are legal!!! They can not resist parsnip on the trigger. Just cut a shelf in the mud bank to lay the trap on about 1" out of the water level. They love that flat ledge right next to the water.
I have a mink that is very crafty. We got one two years ago and another is trying to set up house keeping in our pond.
Cheers Don.
Last edited by DonoBBD; 10/10/17 05:30 PM.
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
Thanks! Sounds more like a muskrat, despite some older beaver sign.
Last edited by anthropic; 10/10/17 10:01 PM.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57 |
Frank, I would be more than happy to pass along trapping skills I was taught by Highflyer. If you are interested to learn about how to trap and remove fur baring pond pest just let me know. I am no expert but I have removed one very large beaver and 4 Otters in the last 12 months. I suspect from your most recent description here there may be an Otter in the mist.
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
Tracy
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