Rat traps

[TeacherMan]

Someone made a comment in one of my other threads about how you can use a rat trap now in WA? I've killed tons of stuff in AK with these. Very interested in hearing exactly what that law states. Could I use one on a drownder for muskrat?

Thanks

[Machias]

Rat traps have been legal even when all other body gripping traps became illegal.  If you could rig it up you can use it, not sure it would have the gripping power you need to drown a rat though.  Lots of guys have been using them for years on weasels, they have taken a few mink, but most mink will walk away and I have a feeling they would not hold most rats.  Maybe someone has more experience and I'm clueless on the subject. 

[JakeLand]

I have gotten many a weasle with the old school wood plank victor rat traps but I would have to agree that there is not enough power in them to kill a muskrat or a mink  thats my 2 cents kep us posted

[TheNoob]

I am thinking that it would work out well if you used a float setup. And had a small wait so if they tryed to get away it would be like a drown set to. Hell im not sure but it sounded good in my head. Or the bottom of the float would have the drown line and it is hooked the the trap so when they tryed to get away they sink..    

[TeacherMan]

I'm thinking putting an L lock on a drownder cable. I think it would hold them long enough to drowned them. Can you modify them? Give the strike bar some extra grip little teeth.

[TheNoob]

I have been told that people have modified the spring to be stronger but that is all I know

[Machias]

Most guys put a penny under the springs to increase the spring tension a bit.  I still think you'd lose far more than you held, but might be worth a go.  Let us know how you do.

[huntingfool7]

Seems like putting an L lock on them would give them something to pull against.  Give them a chance to pull free. 
Maybe drill a couple holes in the wood and add some pencil lead for weight?

[pnwmtnmn]

All it takes is 4 oz to drown a rat, so by adding a 6oz fishing weight to the trap and a one way slide wire you might be able to hold one long enough to drown it . maybe time to experiment a little.

[TheNoob]

I think an L lock on the bottom of the float on a small wire would work out well with a weight at the bottom. When they get smacked with the trap they will freak out and fall or jump off the flaot and go down. And what do you all use for bait?

[pnwmtnmn]

You can use Anise oil, banana flavoring, you can buy both at the local grocery store. Apples, parsley, Lettuce, carrots. Just a drop of the oils on the float is enough for a week.

[TeacherMan]

I always used cinnamon flavor apple sauce. I also make my own gland lure with muskrat glands and a few other things that is dynamite.

[TheNoob]

send some to me.

[Humptulips]

Here's what the law says:

"Body-gripping trap" means a trap that grips an animal's body or body part. Body-gripping trap includes, but is not limited to, steel-jawed leghold traps, padded-jaw leghold traps, Conibear traps, neck snares, and nonstrangling foot snares. Cage and box traps, suitcase-type live beaver traps, and common rat and mouse traps are not considered body-gripping traps

As you can see common mouse and rat traps are legal to use. You can modify them but not too substancially. If you get too carried away they will not be considered common anymore.
I have been building some for civets (not tested yet). I feel that they might be usable for muskrat but just a feeling so far.
I added a kill bar for the strike bar to go by; Epoxyed the staples so they won't come out when they get wet; laquered the wood to keep it dry; strengthened the springs by lifting the back end of the spring and remodeled the trigger slightly.
I made sure I left the trademark on the trap (Victor Rat Trap). It doesn't look much different then factory.
I wouldn't get too carried away with modifying them.
We have spoken to WDFW about this before and they will let a little modification slide but we will lose them if we get too carried away.

Very important to get an animals head positioned correctly for the strike I think.

On another note a good muskrat lure is mint toothpaste.

[Machias]

I wonder if Victor would make us a rat trap big enough for beaver.  2x6 board and a 330 spring and strike bar.  Honest officer it's a common rat trap.......in Indonesia.