Need Help

[Doubtndude]

Well the other day we ( the wife & I ) were out staining the back deck and I spotted some thing "differnt " in the feild and me being curious I strolled out at this critter . My neighbor who was watching us stain the deck ( I think watching her more then me ) but he ask what I was seeing and we come up on a snapping turtle:yikes:.
Now we been here since 2002 and never seen one out here let alone in broad day light it was walking from the neighbors pond to our pond now my question is do I allow said critter to stay or do I find a way to remove said critter?
I dont want it turning my pond into a buffet :SHOCKED: I have alot of Smallies, Perch, Rockies and Crappies .
So any one know any one that either wants to try & trap it or remove it or should I let nature run its course?:help:

[zfishin]

I wouldn't let it near your pond, those fish are more valuable :)
there is a season for turtles - check the DNR site for more info.
I've heard turtle soup is good :D
I think Michigan Out of Doors did a turtle stoy back in the Kelly Goch days. some guy used a bluegill on a string to catch turtles.

[Contender]

FWIW - you are not allowed to shoot them. (I am not a turtle lover...just a heads up, its in the regs book)

I do not think they would hurt your pond, and most likely have been there before. Very common to see them right now, and the females are laying eggs, or have already laid them. M29 near St Johns Marsh is littered with Snapper road kills the past two weeks.

Sure someone would be happy to trap, and use for soup, when the season opens. (Not sure if it already is open, or when it opens...have to check regs book)

I say let nature take its course, then share in the soup with the trapper later.. ;)

[UNREEL]

And those are some BIG turtles.

Would be like hitting a boulder @ 50mph.