'Rat damage

[cat daddy]

Feb 1st is a little early but skinned some 'rats today with significant bite marks on them already

[trapperguy22]

i skinned two beaver  the other day with bite marks on them. it does seem early!!!

[Smossy]

What is this thread in relation to? Muskrat?

[pnwmtnmn]

Spring muskrats start fighting for breeding rights, same with beaver. Mostly the males but some females will have bites and tears in the hide as the season progresses.

[Smossy]

Spring muskrats start fighting for breeding rights, same with beaver. Mostly the males but some females will have bites and tears in the hide as the season progresses.

Ahh didnt know that, Good to know then thanks

[pnwmtnmn]

Caught a beaver one time that was BADLY cut up an being the crazy type person I am I skinned it. George Brady called it the rawhide net.

[cat daddy]

Know what you mean George, just pulled my line and one of the 'rats i skinned today stretched xxxlarge but at two dime size holes in him.

[big wood]

1 sleep beaver I caught last year had 50 pluses bite marks on him and it sold for $22. I am going to call it quits a round February 20 for water trapping

[Jonathan_S]

If you guys can help it, stop trapping muskrats soon and save them for next year  they are pretty trashy this time of year and they get worse quickly.

For new guys:  when you've skinned a rat look at the kidney area on the inner part of the hide.  When it's dark and blotchy there, you're dealing with shedding.  When that area takes way longer to dry before skinning is a symptom too.

Awesome pictures!

[PlateauNDN]

this thread just got interesting...bite marks on a beaver hmmmm...tagging

[KFhunter]

What is this thread in relation to? Muskrat?

Yup - it's the rat rut season


and beaver rut