by Randy Augsburger

Created on: August 01, 2008

Muskrat trapping is a fun and easy way to get started in the world of furtaking.

Back in the 1970's during the last fur boom muskrats could bring more than $10 each.
Now they bring much less than that but are still worth pursuing.

Anytime I smell fresh mint that I have walked on it takes me back to the wild mint growing along the banks of that river where I made my gas money as a teenager.

Most trappers young and old got their start on the lowly muskrat.
The reason being is that they are easy to catch, easy to skin and their fur is easy to put up correctly.

There are three main types of traps used for muskrats.

The first is the body grip or Conibear trap.
Conibear is a brand name but for so long it was the only body grip trap available most trappers call all body grip traps Conibears.

These traps are made of rolled steel and form a square. When set they are placed so the animal must pass through them.
When set off they snap around the animals body killing it quickly.

The second type of trap used for muskrats in the leghold trap.
This is the stereotypical trap you see. It has two jaws and a spring that holds them closed.

The jaws do not have teeth. Teeth on traps were found to be a detriment to their efficiency.
When holding an animal in a trap you want the jaws to not damage its leg, You just want a good tight hold. Teeth damage the leg and can cause the animal to twist its leg off and suffer.
So if you have an old trap with teeth hang it on the wall or sell it to a collector but don't use it.

The last trap is a cage or colony trap.
It is placed in front of the muskrat den and they push their way into it while swimming out of the den then quickly drown. I have caught as many as five muskrats in a single colony trap overnight.

Now we get to setting the traps.

Muskrats are water animals so you will need a water source, a creek or pond where there is some muskrat sign.
You will see their dropping on rocks or logs protruding above the water.

Once you have found a population of muskrats, you must seek the landowner's permission to trap.
Never trespass in order to trap it gives everyone a bad name and you could end up paying a steep fine.

Now walk over the area you intend to trap and look at all the sign.
Do you see where they have left their droppings on a log in the water?
How about a spot in the weeds where they have matted the vegetation down.
A trail into the water?
How about a hole into the bank from the water?

All of these places are good to set traps.

A Conibear or colony trap can go

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>