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#523837 07/22/20 08:43 AM
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I've noticed a few cattail stalks laying down over the past week or so.

Found this yesterday. The white stuff is shredded cattail root. There was another spot down the bank with the same mess.

[Linked Image from hosting.photobucket.com]

Wondering if this looks like something a muskrat would do?

Daughter's doberman killed one in the driveway a few weeks ago.

Augie #523840 07/22/20 09:25 AM
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With those facts it appears to be rats. Have any trees been chewed (eliminate beaver) ?
















Augie #523845 07/22/20 10:12 AM
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No chewed trees. I did notice some beaver sign on the creek when I was mushroom hunting back in the spring, but I haven't been down there lately to see if they stuck around.
They've moved in a few times over the years, but they get washed out in a big rain, then the creek dries up when summer comes so they usually give up and leave pretty quickly.

Neither of the varmints is welcome in my pond, so...

[Linked Image from hosting.photobucket.com]

Augie #523846 07/22/20 10:33 AM
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Augie, I bet it's rats. They are a constant nuisance in our neck of the woods. One even got into the electrical harness of our F150 and tried to nest there. It did not end well for anyone involved.

You may see them swimming in the early morning.

Last edited by Bocomo; 07/22/20 10:34 AM.
Augie #523850 07/22/20 11:47 AM
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Cutoff cattails like that, are just the Muskrats way of reminding you to keep the 17hmr handy. smirk

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Augie #523861 07/22/20 06:21 PM
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These hot days are the perfect time to grab a cup of coffee and sit out there early on a weekend morning with just about anything, but a 17HMR is the ideal choice,, and have some fun.


All the really good ideas I've ever had came to me while I was milking a cow.
Augie #523899 07/23/20 07:55 AM
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Three green herons this morning but no sign of rat movement.

Think I'll buy a couple or three traps. Duke 155s are $8.50 at Southern Snares & Supply.

Augie #523905 07/23/20 10:51 AM
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If going the trapping route, the trick is always placement.
I recommend the Trap Stabilizer Stands to help with that.

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Appreciate the tip. It's been 40 years or more since I did any trapping.

I think I've identified the general area where the varmint is burrowing into my pond dam.
If I can find his hidey hole it will be curtains...

Augie #524087 07/29/20 08:10 AM
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I believe that I've discovered the absolute best possible solution to removing the rats from my pond.

Step 1) Go fishing

Step 2) Leave wife and daughter at home with margaritas and a Ruger 10-22.

They killed three of the varmints yesterday evening. Said they saw four or five, but three is a good start.

Augie #524090 07/29/20 10:35 AM
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Are they any good at lily eating snappers...If so, send the Margarita recipe a few days in advance...I get it the ingredients, and they're hired (while we go fishing).

Congrats on the good start!


Fish on!,
Noel
Augie #524091 07/29/20 11:03 AM
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I had one a week ago for the first time on my 1 yr old pond. Never trapped before. Bought 2 of the 110 traps and, Bob's your uncle, dead rat. Trapping knowledge acquired, pond reclaimed, celebration beer.

Augie #524093 07/29/20 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Augie
I believe that I've discovered the absolute best possible solution to removing the rats from my pond.

Step 1) Go fishing

Step 2) Leave wife and daughter at home with margaritas and a Ruger 10-22.

They killed three of the varmints yesterday evening. Said they saw four or five, but three is a good start.


Nice work!

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A trotline or jugline baited with some stinky meat would be the easiest way to get rid of those snapping turtles. Leave a package of boneless chicken breasts in the sun for a couple days, or catch a couple or three hand-sized HBG and kill em. Use big, like 10/0 big, treble hooks, and make sure the hooks are sharp.

Augie #524222 08/02/20 10:23 AM
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I shot two more Friday evening. Didn't see any movement yesterday. Think I'll start plugging burrows now. If they get dug back out I'll know there are more that need killing.


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