Lowered the 110 trap near the old sink – as I noticed that the brown mud trail was refreshed, and it seems to spew from under where the trap had been – so now it’s blocking the bottom of that hole – I’m betting I get something.
Also, regarding the reed hutch at the back NW corner of the pond – it had freshly gnawed roots laying on top of it – right next to a new opening into the top of the hutch – it’s big inside.
And … I noticed mud extruding from the outside of the bank within a few feet of the hutch – explored that – and it led into a tunnel in the bank.
So, someplace new to set some traps – and an improvement made to my last trap set. And, I’m getting better at reading muskrat signs – they’re days are numbered, perhaps.
The deck benches boarded up one side for wind shield
nother view
Little Shot
Shots in Pots – both Little and Big
Little Shot, I think
same
I winterized the deck, for our 6 feral cats – they looked so cold yesterday – had to do something – so I whipped up the stryo hut in the pic, and screwed some boards to the deck benches, creating a wind screen – happy cats today.
No muskrats yet – enough half measures … today … full measures! So, this morning, I put on the boots (see pic), stepped into the muck … and found two muskrat holes, there may be more … and placed a 110 trap front of both holes.
Showing top of 110 trap, with two support sticks. Hole is in bank to right of trap.
At least one of their holes, at any rate.
It is in the part of the pond where the banks are highest, providing dry dwelling space to the little varmints. The tell was lighter brown pond bottom leading to the hole. It’s a few inches under the surface of the water, about the diameter of my fist. The muskrat(s) ate up so much vegetation, it’s finally possible to find their stuff.
Glad I found the hole, cause the hut I found earlier has an abandoned look to it today.
So, I grabbed some scrap wood, to tie the trap down. And I set the trap, and tried to place it over the hole, which was on a sloped bank, making it harder. But, the trap’s there. And, hopefully, the muskrats will use it.
Some pics of the trap, the yard, the pond, Boris the cat, and Kathy’s Bee Patch.
It was a grey and brooding day …
Ahh – the dock – always evocative.
View from bank above muskrat hole.
View from bank above muskrat hole.
A view of the submerged 110 muskrat trap, supported by two sticks.
A view of the submerged 110 muskrat trap, supported by two sticks.
A view of the submerged 110 muskrat trap, supported by two sticks.
A view of the submerged 110 muskrat trap, supported by two sticks.
muskrat hutch is in center of pic, behind the reeds
useless trap
Typical Phrags
After looking for 4 weeks, I finally found the muskrat’s dwelling. Made of reeds, as I’d suspected – due to the massive reed damage in the very back of the pond. The muskrat’s been destroying so much vegetation, that I could just see its hut. Some pics of the pond and the reed hut.
