muskrat huts - sprung traps

[WIF]

My son and I have been trapping some muskrat houses and feeder huts with some success, but we are having quite a few sprung traps. Only one has had sign of a rat being caught and wringing out - the rest have been plugged full of debris. We are not covering the traps when we place them. Combination of 1.5 coils, 1 ls and some 1 ls w/ stop loss guards. Any advice?

[SgtWal]

They're called feeder huts because the rats take food there to eat. Your traps are too close to the opening. Two choices. Move trap back from opening or down opening along one side.


wayne

[thebeav2]

Are you trapping In the feeders or huts?

Gary

[upcoyote]

Thats how trapping huts goes. If you ever get a chance to observe rats on a hut do so. They are ALL OVER it, sliding and swimming around. With all this activity, your traps wire/chain/stake are getting bumped, a lot of times before one has a chance to step in it. Trap could be getting flipped, debris gets pushed up, etc. Set as far back as possible, this will increase your chances, and limit your chain and wire, dont have more than what is necessary

[Bogmaster]

A lot of times,traps are filled with debris as the rats go to repack the area you opened ,to trap the hut.
The better job you do on replugging,the less traps will be sprung by debris.
If the rats feel any air seepage ,they will bring material to fill in your entry point,and many times ,your trap.
Tom Olson

[trappnman]

speaking of rat houses- driving down the WI side of the river yesterday- EVERY little backhole and water was covered with rat houses. Most I've seen there in years.

[Bogmaster]

Sure wish that was the case here,Steve.
Tom

[trappnman]

we came back up the MN side after dark- would have like to see what we had.

I'm not seeing as much sign on the creeks- but am on a normal pace ..