Muskrat Float Set

[trapper_max]

what is the best waty to make a float set for muskrats? any pics?:smile-mad

[Mister ED]

Max -

Go to Trapperman.com and do a search on muskrat floats. There was a thread on there a couple weeks back with pics. One float I thought was pretty cool used 1x2 welded wire and swim noodles. Pretty light weight and stackable.

[gunrod]

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=166112&highlight=floating

There were some more pictures floating around last season but I couldn't find them at the moment. Here's some good directions though.

[Sprytle]

Hey Max..

These are what i built last year.
2- 2x4's with flat plywood underneath and a couple small 2x4's on top.
They do not have to be this big , or have so much grass piled up in the middle , even though it seems to work good. Now i just put some mud on to steady the trap and a little grass with some apple in the middle. Hope this helps.

The traps are secured underneth the bottom plywwod by a bent nail.

-Bob:)

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/3043/medium/100_0076.jpg

[Mister ED]

Here is the link to the thread on T-man. I thought they were pretty slick and would imagine they would work fine. What do you guys think?

http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/319041#Post319041

[FMann]

I don't have any pictures but what I did was take a piece of 1X6 and hooked the trap underneth with a metal staple then just placed the trap on the top and jamed it in the cat tails. I used a piece of apple for bait it worked. I used a #1 longspring trap with this set up. The piece of 1X6 was about 24inchs long but can be any lenth.
Hope this helps.

[FixedBlade]

How are these. I have como'd since the pic's were taken.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v638/AnimalsOnly11111/floatph2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v638/AnimalsOnly11111/floatph3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v638/AnimalsOnly11111/floatph1.jpg

[trapper_max]

thanks. fixed blade, what is the white thing on top of the grass? keep em coming!:corkysm55:corkysm55:corkysm55

[Mister ED]

Fixedblade -

Did not realize that other set posted over there, were yours. Did you use 1x2" wire as well?

[Northcountry]

Did you use 1x2" wire as well?

Since a 110 is about 5" x 5"...I'd say FB is using 1/2" x 1" mesh.

My floats are just scrap plywood with 2x2's for the float/guides. I stable a small arch of chicken wire in the middle and cover it with grass. This makes it look like a little island but really adds no wieght to it....

http://www.parlin.com/non-game/Float%20set%20with%20rat.JPG

[Mister ED]

Since a 110 is about 5" x 5"...I'd say FB is using 1/2" x 1" mesh.

Good point N.C., guess I shoulda realized that.:rolleyes:

Got the video today ... thanks.

[FixedBlade]

Yes the wire is 1 x .5. The white on top is a piece of white foam to represent an apple.

[Rustyaxecamp]

NC - is that a cut up apple on your set?

You rig that with a conibear or foothold? I can't tell in the pic.

[Northcountry]

NC - is that a cut up apple on your set?

You rig that with a conibear or foothold? I can't tell in the pic.

Erik,

I think it was an apple on that particular float. There was a wild apple tree on the drive to my line, just off the side of the road...and I would often stop and throw a few into the bed of my truck. If it wasnt apple then it was potato. Both worked.

I use Victor 1-1/2 LS for drowning setups like this...because theyre good and heavy. But for 'rats in deep water I think any foothold will work on a float.

Not saying that my floats are really all that good, but I happen to have a pic of the construction, for what its worth...


http://www.parlin.com/non-game/pic7740.JPG

[gunrod]

Pretty darn good to me. I'm gonna do a few up soon. They work well in the early season.

[trapper_max]

what is the styrofome for on the float? anymore pics? i made a couple floats and will post pics later:cwm27:

[Northcountry]

what is the styrofome for on the float?

Buoyancy.

That float was built out of scrap materials I had in the barn one night. Its a pretty small float for holding two "heavy" traps, some soggy grass and a rat climbing up on the end...so I figured a chunk of 1-inch thick styro insulation would help.

As it turned out, the float actually rides too high for my liking...so I put a handful of rocks on the styro as ballast. They also are a bit too narrow and tip side-to-side pretty easily. If a rat decides to climb up from the side the float would probably flip and dump the traps.

Like I said, my design isnt all that great but maybe it'll help you with ideas of what and what not to do.

Good luck.

[gunrod]

NC, you could run some 2X4 pieces perpindicular to the float about a foot on each side to stabilize. You could even run another piece parallel to the float off the perpindicular pieces to create outriggers like canoes to stabilize.

[trapper_max]

today i decided to try to make a float set and i think it is pretty good. it needs to be camo'ed and ive got the stake ready. after about 1/2 hour hour and several cuts, this is what i got.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa202/mr_cool_08/IMG_4984.jpg?t=1187121790

there is a cucumber on top to represent an apple or carrot.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa202/mr_cool_08/IMG_4983.jpg?t=1187121879

[Sprytle]

Looks good Max! That'll work... hope to see some pics of your success in the coming months!:D

-Bob:)

[Rustyaxecamp]

When the set is ready, does anything hold the traps in place or do they just sit there?

[trapper_max]

they are just sitting there. i have the ring nailed to the 2 by 2s. what should i do different?

[Sprytle]

I usally put just a bit of mud on the trap boards to kinda "bed" the traps then they wont slide or tip.

[Jonathan64]

For members who have contributed photos for the muskrat float thread on T-man, the link has been upgraded and revised for your reference. The corrected link is in Mister ED's post on page - 1 of this thread here, compliments of Mr. Duncan.

Jonathan

[CageTrapper]

Well...
Your on your way by making a Float Set..One thing is wrong though.

You said that it floats to high, and you're going to be using Rocks..Why not putting Screen down where the traps sit on. Instead of using wood, which is the Floating Kind. Also, you don't have to use the Bar that will kill the muskrat, if you have them nailed to the float, the muskrat will do that with the trap on it's foot, and the weight of the trap will bring it down. You may want also to use a Heavier Trap. Like a #4 or 5 Coyote Trap set..This will bring the Float down also.

Hope this helps
CageTrapper
Stan's Predator and Varmint Control

[Fur-minator]

You may want also to use a Heavier Trap. Like a #4 or 5 Coyote Trap set..This will bring the Float down also.



Page 40 of the hunting and trapping guide says: "it is illegal to use a foothold trap with a jaw spread exceeding a number 2 foothold trap when taking mink or muskrat."

Just FYI.

[CageTrapper]

Again...

If your going to put the apple on top of the muskrat float trap, you may attract Ducks, and other wildlife, like coons to your set as well.

Apples tend to rot kinda quick, so instead of using Apples, go to the Grocery Store and get some Parsnips. Take a Potato Peeler, and get about 5 and place upwards the stalks, Then.......Place the Grass over the Parsnips. The Birds won't see it as well, and the smell of the parsnips will carry across the pond, or stream..

If you want a curosity Lure, take a Muskrat Calling Scent, and put this also near the bait as well.

This will help considerably.

Stan

[CageTrapper]

Page 40 of the hunting and trapping guide says: "it is illegal to use a foothold trap with a jaw spread exceeding a number 2 foothold trap when taking mink or muskrat."

Just FYI.


OOPS..your right..I was thinking about my Animal Damage Control work I do.

Good Point.

Stan