Colony Trap Question

[Hank]

Maybe someone can help me. I have five muskrat colony traps to put out. I found two ponds that are right next to each other. They are separated by a single lane right of way. i can see the slides running down the banks from the road to each pond. It looks like the rats are using the road as a cross over. The banks are steep so the traps don't sit level they are sitting at the same angle that the bank is (underwater). Is this a good way to set the traps, or should I try to level them?

[Humptulips]

To be ideal you should have both ends so they can enter. Ideal isn't normal trapping for me. You always have to figure out a way to make things work.
You can set both sides of the crossover with the traps sloping. It turns your trap into a one way trap but you do what you can do.
I've set like that. I put the high end of the trap just under water with a dive stick and blocking to the sides and they will dive into the hole you have created when they renter the water after climbing over the road.

[Hank]

Thank you, Sounds like I'm on the right track. I have the traps set like you described I just have to go back and add the dive sticks.

[3nails]

 A little late maybe, but if your trap is set on a slope, the up hill door may not close when the rat goes in allowing him to go out without you being the wiser.