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#251259 03/13/11 10:02 AM
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Hello, All!
I just joined this group, hoping to learn the best way to control (read: get rid of!) snapping turtles in my pond. It's a small 1/4 acre natural pond, with an overabundance of the darn things.
Thanks for the help!
Mary Lynn in Northern Alabama

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Hello Mary Lynn and welcome to Pond Boss. Hang on for expert feedback.


JHAP
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"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives."
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First off.. Are you sure they are snappers? And if im not mistaken Aligator snappers are protected species in some places. Second why get rid of them?
They can be removed via traps.


I believe in catch and release. I catch then release to the grease..

BG. CSBG. LMB. HSB. RES.

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Oh, yes. They are snappers. They are not protected in my area. I want to move them because there are far too many (20-25 in a 1/4 acre pond), and I would like to attract wood ducks and mergansers to nest.
I have seen some traps, but have heard nothing about how effective they are.

Mary Lynn

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If you are talking about the floating traps. I removed 114 from my pond last summer using one. I used to have tons of turtles in my 6 acre pond now I hardly ever see one.

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Welcome to PB! You can set a trotline for them and bait it with chicken gizzards.


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
esshup #251342 03/14/11 06:05 AM
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Got a 22 rifle and a 10 year old boy?


It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
esshup #251343 03/14/11 06:07 AM
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Thanks for the welcome! My sister sent a link for the site, and derailed all my plans yesterday because I spent so much time on here looking things up!

So.. what do I do with the snappers after I catch them?? Is there 1 trap that's more effective?

Mary Lynn

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Unfortunately (???) I have neither. Don't think the neighbors would appreciate me with my 9mm semi automatic out there..... and beside.. don't they make quite a stinky mess as they decay..?? :-p

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I would favor catch and release if you feel the need to remove them. I really do not imagine that they are hurting anything. My fishing experience suggests that some of the best fishing spots are full of snappers. I also have never heard of anyone being hurt by one unless they were messing with them. I personally enjoy seeing them around.

RAH #251352 03/14/11 07:52 AM
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They are edible, and so are the soft-shelled turtles. If the snappers are 12" across or bigger, then it's worth the work to cut 'em up.

But, like RAH said, they don't bother humans, and rarely cause problems. The only problems that I've had is them trying to eat fish that I had on a stringer overnight.


www.hoosierpondpros.com


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3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
RAH #251354 03/14/11 08:00 AM
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Hey Mary Lynn Welcome to PB! I have mixed feelings about Snappers but this isn't about my feelings, its about yours. The floating traps mentioned above are your best bet. As for what to do with them, relocate far away/sell on craigs list/donate to local university-biology dept/etc. While I agree with RAH that I like looking at a few turtles...but having 25 in 1/4 acre???????? I also like a little Herscheys Kiss now and then, but I don't fancy the idea of someone cramming hundreds of them into every orafice of my body til I explode.


" EVERY DAY I'M AMAZED BY HOW MANY THINGS I DON'T KNOW AND HOW MUCH STUFF I DON'T UNDERSTAND"
esshup #251358 03/14/11 08:06 AM
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Welcome to the Forum Mary Lynn.
I have snappers in the pond and they don't seem to be a problem, there's alot of pro's and con's whether they eat many ducks, but they sure don't deter all the ducks that come to my pond.

Mary mentioned her main reason for wanting to get rid of them was she wanted ducks to nest on her pond, I believe that they impact very little on the duck population cause they eat mainly sick or dead animals.



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I can't see how floating traps would be efficient. First off you never see a snapper sitting on a log, because they don't and that's the concept of how a floating trap works they climb up on the float to sun then drop Into the cage side and can't get out, (usually floating traps are a big PVC floating square with netting in the middle..)
I know many people who trap snappers too eat and none of them use floating traps..

Sunken trap is tour best bet (if they are snappers for sure) basically it's a glorified blown up sized minoow trap use some kind of meat in te center to catch snappers put the meat in a sock and susmpenr in the middle of the trap..


I believe in catch and release. I catch then release to the grease..

BG. CSBG. LMB. HSB. RES.

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Yes.. it's the quantity that's the problem! I kinda like the Hershey's Kiss analogy.. may have to steal that one!
I've been looking on line, and traps run in the $125 range. Yikes! Any reason not to use a regular live animal trap? I would imagine that with long term use, rust would be a problem, but by then, hopefully..... no more turtle explosion!

And the reason I am blaming the turtles for the lack of nesting wood ducks and mergansers, is that they stop by, but don't stay. There are nest boxes, and the correct food supply and habitat... so I'm blaming the turtles!! :-))

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I like DD1's solution the best, except I use a 13 year old.


It's true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance?
Ronald Reagan
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The good Brian



Cisco #251413 03/14/11 12:51 PM
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Have this guy help get them out. shocked

Omaha #251475 03/14/11 10:12 PM
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Well.... that IS ummmm.... unusual?? I bet he won't travel all the way to Alabama to show off those skills, though........

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If not a 22, maybe a good air rifle like a Gamo.


It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Don't use an animal trap.. If you could find a way to build a 3'x3' by 2' tall cube then wrap it in chicken wire and put a cone shaped entrance in one end you'd be in business or about 20 bucks..


I believe in catch and release. I catch then release to the grease..

BG. CSBG. LMB. HSB. RES.

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Anyone else care to weigh in on the animal trap pros and cons?

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animal trap = con. It'd be durn hard to get them into it. If that style of trap worked for snappers, I'm sure it (or something like it) would be marketed as such.


www.hoosierpondpros.com


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3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
esshup #251645 03/16/11 07:47 AM
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Mary,
Honestly if you were closer I'd come over and do all this for you.. Don't waste your money on an animal trap it won't work, simple as that lol.. Do you have a son, grandkid, neighbor kid someone that could build up a trap I could send you a detailed blueprint, wish I could do more but what's been mentioned is your only real solution


I believe in catch and release. I catch then release to the grease..

BG. CSBG. LMB. HSB. RES.

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I can handle building the trap.... I know my way around the building trade. guess I'm just not clear on how to get them out of the trap??
Please do send the prints (MLWEIM1@gmail.com). I actually have a few people coming over Friday to help me start building a deck, so I have plenty of helping hands!
And you are welcome to come on down and catch turtles (and green sunfish, bass and catfish) and pitch in on the deck building!


ML

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