Let's talk Otters !

[musher]

Trappers shouldn't forget that it is easy to over trap otter. They turn a large circle and, therefore, can be exposed to many trappers. This means that a "real good" year might mean several "bad years."

I'd like to hear more about dirtholes for otters.

[thebeav2]

Over the years I have caught 6 otter In dirt hole sets. These sets were made for coyotes near water.
Could be something to try.

Beav

[NattyBumpo]

Well so far no one said anything about toilets. Otter like to crap on high flat banks along rivers and creeks. Their crap looks dark with crayfish shells and pinchers or fish scales in it and it is usually real runny. Then they scratch up grass, leaves or whatever debris is there.

Look for trails coming out of the water from these toilets and set them. I set 280s or 330s right where the trail goes into the water.

Like I said I dont trap otter on land or with bait, but here is a killer dirthole set for otter: make 2 dirtholes about 14" apart set trap in middle of the 2 holes bait or use scent in one hole and leave the other empty. This will certainly get the otters foot as he looks into both holes.

[robertw]

Natty Bumpo,
When I mention flat sets I am either referring to an otter toilet or an artifical toilet that is created at the site.

I use a lot of mink urine on these toilets / sets. Works for me. You will catch alot of bobcats, coons and the occasional fox in these sets as well though.

[thorsmightyhammer]

A small trickle a foot wide and 6" deep leading to a large lake will outperform a 10" wide river heading into the mountains and going no where.

Good point FH. This is true especially under the ice. Better be some prey somewhere in the water system or going to check alot of empty traps.

mink99 I have caught otter using edge type sets with a little blocking under the ice. I dont think I would recommend them in open water. Too many other set locations that would be better.


I have caught a few otter going through culvets. Again under the ice, if it was open water I wouldnt have set there.

If you can tell I trap my otter under the ice. Why? Because with our low limit of otter in Mn I wait almost until the end of season to target them. The later in the year I wait the more the otter has a chance to singe and singe will add to lighten up the color of an otter. And of course as we all know the lighter the more dollars.

What trigger configuration do you guys like best on a 330. Myself for submerged traps I have come to like a long trigger in a v shape that fills up the trap. I file the dog so the traps goes off quickly. I also like a tensioned trigger. Got tired of catching rats.

[musher]

S49: What do you mean by a tensioned trigger?

The only thing worse than catching 'rats in otter sets is catching flying squirrels in marten sets ....

[thorsmightyhammer]

Musher I mean by a trigger that I can adjust the tension required to fire the trap.

The ones I am currently using are Species Specific tension triggers. They are no longer being made but can be found.

Carl Jones at CDR trap company has come out with a version that I am going to try that I am sure will work.

[trappnman]

also -don't be afraid to take up some of the scat, rolled up grass and sand from a toilet station and use it elsewhere.

[musher]

What's the principle behind the trigger? For example, on a foothold you tighten a screw to increase pan tension.

Also, do you adjust by pounds? If so how many pounds for beaver/otter?

[thorsmightyhammer]

The species specific trigger has is like a bolt on replacement trigger but it has four small bolts and I think the CDR trigger has three. Two bolts to hold the wiire to the clasp and two bolts to tighten the the clasp to the trap jaw. The clasp comes in two pieces. The more you tighten the top bolts the more tension is required to set off the trap.

I cant guess as to the maximum tension i have used. But I am sure it is over five pounds. I have set them where I have to physically push the trigger to set it.

[mink99]

Good memory from otters set!

Double on a large river with elbow set on top with toilet on the bank.

Take 3 weeks and a tonne of rats before catching this one last winter!


A winter double make my day!

[musher]

Salut Mink!

Nice pics. Was that a metric tonne or imperial ton of 'rats? ;D

Was your elbow set location natural or man-made?

[mink99]

Its a roots just below the bank and I just make a big hole under to fit a 220 Belisle. I also do a kind of otter slidding to the river. Lots of eyes appeal.
I have some luck a couple place with elbow set for otter.
They can resist, and most of the catch from the river, a few from the bank!

[Foxy5]

verry good picture my friend..