Funky thanks for bringing this topic up!! I was hoping someone would For the last 5 years we have not had a snapper but have enjoyed having several painted turtles, and I have 2 turtle 'floats' out for them to sun themselves on (one on the SE and one on the NW corner so they move from one to the other as the sun moves across the sky).
But 2 weeks ago we got our first snapper, not as big as yours, maybe 18" across, but still historic looking!
I don't see him eating fish pellets, the painted turtles seem to ignore them although i have seen them swim up and sample one or two.
I want the snapper out, it freaks my wife out and I don't see the painted turtles on the floats anymore. I wonder if they are more stressed with big snapper around?
How do I get him out? I don't want to shoot him, just trap, catch with line and hook and then relocate him/her.
My wife got up the other day and he had come out of the pond, walked up to the house, tore up the soft dirt and woodchips in several places by the house, presumably laid eggs, and went back to the pond. Must have been in the dead of night as the dog was there during the day hours and would have given him some discouragement on his way close to the house.
I have read all kinds of interesting tips online. I like one suggestion where someone set up a 55 gallon barrel with some type of hinged 2x4 or 2x6 from the water, up to the edge and then over the edge. The turtle uses the ramp to seek out a nasty smelling chicken liver or beef liver treat in the barrel and then his weight once over the edge tips the teeter totter and in he goes. That would be my kind of idea. Although I have no chicken or beef livers (where does one find these?) and I only have 55 gallon barrels cut in half around here so would have to see if we could do this in shallow water?
Trot line?
