Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations What critter would do this?

If I can figure out how to live capture them ask your DNR how much they will pay me to bring them over.

Oh they are five star alright.

2010 UPDATE
Trapper Joe came by the end of October to walk the pond perimeter and get ready for the MR trapping season. He normally takes his time and likes to talk, but not today. He steps out of his pick up and shows me a piece of paper with about 20 items listed. They are all the ponds he plans to visit today....he needs to make sure he has the correct amount of equipment for when the season opens.
I ask him if he minds if I walk along and maybe learn a bit. It was interesting as he points out old den areas and other tell-tale signs...or lack thereof. When we get to the area where he found a bunch last year, he is disappointed in the inactivity. In fact, after about 45 minutes of shoreline exam, he reports that he thinks there may be little to no MR action. Good for me, bad for Joe. He says that the sunlight conditions were not ideal and he wants to come back once more with his den probe to make sure. Fine by me.
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Sitting here now, and recently talking with my farmer pal about critters sighted in the area, it now dawns on me that we did see that mink this past spring. I'll bet he/she cleaned house.

Maybe yes, maybe no (the mink), but the dropping water levels might also have something to do with it. The 'rats would have to dig new homes because they would be too exposed with the lower water levels.

I know it may go against your plan, but if I was in your shoes I would also let him target 'coon. They play havoc with nesting birds, not only cavity nesters, but also the ground nesters. And because they swim readily, having an island for the ground nesters only offers slightly more security than a nest on land (it will help keep the opossums and skunks away).

Having another animal to target might help him out due to the low 'rat population. Fur prices are supposed to be up this year, so you might not have to offer a bounty on them like you did with the 'rats. Towards the end of last year, 'rats (XL size) were bringing $7-$8 in the round (not skinned) in this area.

The coons at our place know how to roll the goose eggs into the cold water and kill the eggs. The geese then leave and the coons work on the eggs until they break open. In 30 years I have never seen a successful goose nest here.