Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Trapping => Topic started by: Buck457 on May 21, 2022, 02:15:40 PM

Title: WCO Work
Post by: Buck457 on May 21, 2022, 02:15:40 PM: I have recently received my WCO certification as well as several calls about abandoned baby animals. Does anyone have any recommendations on a resolution? relocation is not permittable and they certainly would not want the poor thing dispatched. Thank you in advance.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Humptulips on May 21, 2022, 05:53:42 PM: If they truly are abandoned there is not much you can do for them. I would not get in a hurry about euthanizing them. The mother might come back but if she has been hit by a car or something and doesn't come back I would let the customer decide,
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 21, 2022, 06:30:37 PM: Lots of people see a baby animal alone and go "oh no it's abandoned!!!" Which may be the case sometimes. However, the mother might just be off doing something and will come back and find the baby later. They get restless and like to wonder around out of there hiding holes sometimes.

Lot's of people see baby fawns by them selves and don't know anything about deer. Pick them up and cause a bunch of problems. Which of course does not apply to WCO work as we are not licensed to mess with big game animals. Just a example I use.

If it's there solo for days, then mother might have been killed and they only thing you can do is trap and euthanize it. Save it from suffering. First question to ask is how many days have you seen it alone? I'm guessing most your callers will say its the first time seeing it alone and just explain to them just cause its alone does not mean its orphaned.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Buck457 on May 21, 2022, 11:08:39 PM: Thank you very much. I really appreciate the input.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Mt.Beaver on May 26, 2022, 08:49:23 PM: See if there is a PAWS or other animal rescue group in your area and the animal can be taken to them. They can then use all that money donated to them to help animals.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Buck457 on June 02, 2022, 09:44:25 PM: I am having a difficult time trapping river otters that are living under buildings where I cannot access, I would greatly appreciate any guidance, tips or tricks to getting these critters into a trap just outside of their entrance.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 02, 2022, 10:18:07 PM: If it’s a choked down point where they are going in and out a double door swim through/run through trap should be money on picking them up.

A lot of guys don’t have them but it’s a handy tool if you plan on doing a lot of work with beaver or otters.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Buck457 on June 03, 2022, 07:34:05 AM: i use vandervort swimthrough traps. however i am currently working a couple of jobs where the otter has about 80% access under the buildings, so there isn't really a choke point that i can funnel them through.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Humptulips on June 03, 2022, 07:57:55 AM: Here is a thought, If the otter are causing problems under this wide open house and you catch them there will probably be more otter later that will cause the same problems. Perhaps you could sell the customers on an exclusion job. You could fence it or seal it and if the otters still needed to be caught you could make your self that choke point.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Buck457 on June 04, 2022, 08:47:58 PM: Thank you Bruce, i will give that a try if my current adjustment does not work. I basically stacked and filled his run with Vandervort swimthrough traps... :chuckle:
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Humptulips on June 05, 2022, 08:31:00 AM: Quote from: Buck457 on June 04, 2022, 08:47:58 PM
Thank you Bruce, i will give that a try if my current adjustment does not work. I basically stacked and filled his run with Vandervort swimthrough traps... :chuckle:
I had a job last year where I had 5 piled up to fill a channel. :chuckle:
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Norman89 on June 05, 2022, 04:08:47 PM: I have several spots where I have 2 stacked or 3-4 side by side with a big dive log over the top, cover all the water possible. The otters got wise to it after the second time passing that area and started a land trail around it, pretty interesting how quick they learned to avoid that particular pinch point
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Buck457 on June 14, 2022, 11:12:35 AM: I am still struggling to catch this river otter, does anyone have suggestions? maybe a bait or scent?
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: greenhead_killer on June 14, 2022, 12:34:40 PM: Throw a big bass lure or flasher in your trap. Tie it so it won’t mess up your trigger but that it can be seen while swimming. Hopefully a little current to keep it moving. I caught a 5#+ trout using this on a private pond two years ago. Not intentional, was targeting otters but they had left the area
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Humptulips on June 14, 2022, 04:28:07 PM: Is this strictly dryland or is a water set possible?
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Buck457 on June 16, 2022, 11:07:35 AM: This is strictly dry land. I have caught one otter so far, there is one more and they are very trap shy. I have blocked off all around the building and left one entrance with the traps in place. hopefully i catch the second otter. I am always trying to glean the wisdom from the more experienced trappers, so any tips for dry trapping otter is greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Humptulips on June 16, 2022, 11:17:22 AM: Quote from: Buck457 on June 16, 2022, 11:07:35 AM
This is strictly dry land. I have caught one otter so far, there is one more and they are very trap shy. I have blocked off all around the building and left one entrance with the traps in place. hopefully i catch the second otter. I am always trying to glean the wisdom from the more experienced trappers, so any tips for dry trapping otter is greatly appreciated.
I know what you are dealing with. If one otter sees another caught, they can become almost impossible to get to go near a trap or even the same location sans trap. The only option I can think of is to apply for a Special Trapping permit and put in a padded jaw trap in a different hole.
OK, one other thought, if the otter can be excluded from entering under the house does it really need to be caught?
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Buck457 on June 24, 2022, 10:56:17 AM: I finally caught the otter and installed fencing around the building. that job is done. now i have another job where a river otter is messing with a domestic dog. The owner wants me to trap the otter before his dog gets injured. Thank you for your advice and guidance.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Buck457 on July 07, 2022, 10:37:09 AM: ok, I've got another difficult WCO job for mountain beaver. does anyone have tips or tricks on how to catch them and how do I prevent them from returning. Is there an effective way to repair the damage they have caused to the hillside? i appreciate your help and guidance.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: JakeLand on July 07, 2022, 12:08:34 PM: Small cage in front of the tunnel opening and bait with half a apple , be prepared to catch a rat or squirrel too
You can’t prevent them from showing up again and the tunnel repair ehhh that’s the homeowner problem
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Norman89 on July 07, 2022, 04:09:18 PM: Quote from: JakeLand on July 07, 2022, 12:08:34 PM
Small cage in front of the tunnel opening and bait with half a apple , be prepared to catch a rat or squirrel too
You can’t prevent them from showing up again and the tunnel repair ehhh that’s the homeowner problem
Yes the damage isn't really your issue, your there as a professional trapper to solve the animal issue for the property owner. In the past I have just kicked the dirt back in the hole and raked it flat, only did that as there were livestock in with them and broken leg on a horse or cow is no good
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Buck457 on July 08, 2022, 11:14:17 AM: Quote from: JakeLand on July 07, 2022, 12:08:34 PM
Small cage in front of the tunnel opening and bait with half a apple , be prepared to catch a rat or squirrel too
You can’t prevent them from showing up again and the tunnel repair ehhh that’s the homeowner problem

As I has suspected. i think i will throw a large amount of chili powder down each tunnel and push the dirt back in the hopes of preventing a new residence from moving in.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: AL WORRELLS KID on July 18, 2022, 12:50:51 PM: If you have the Permit, I wouldn't use this set up where the Kids or a Cocker Spaniel could get caught, but a place like under a House Boat where Otters are tearing up the Styrofoam, safe and out of sight it should work out nice.
A little bit of "Mink Musk" will help an Otter get mad enough to take his mind off getting caught. :tup:
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Buck457 on July 19, 2022, 11:11:23 AM: Quote from: AL WORRELLS KID on July 18, 2022, 12:50:51 PM
If you have the Permit, I wouldn't use this set up where the Kids or a Cocker Spaniel could get caught, but a place like under a House Boat where Otters are tearing up the Styrofoam, safe and out of sight it should work out nice.
A little bit of "Mink Musk" will help an Otter get mad enough to take his mind off getting caught. :tup:

Thank you AL, if I receive an otter call on a dock I will definitely try this.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Buck457 on August 24, 2022, 07:26:54 AM: Ok, I've got an odd one here. I've recently been working a nuisance coyote job where a client's domestic dog is being attacked by a pack of denning coyotes. I was able to trap one and had a few misses. So, I changed up my a few of my sets making 4 bone sets. three T-bone sets and a large bone just laid on the ground as a backing. I went to check my traps yesterday and found 2 of the T-bone sets with the bone pulled out of the ground and laying on top of where the trap is buried and the large bone the same. Does anyone have any idea what may have done this? i tested the traps and they are firing normally. Whatever did this did not step on the trap. Either it is a smaller animal like a spotted skink or a larger animal like a mountain lion. Speculation is much appreciated.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: JakeLand on August 24, 2022, 08:30:30 AM: Quote from: Buck457 on August 24, 2022, 07:26:54 AM
Ok, I've got an odd one here. I've recently been working a nuisance coyote job where a client's domestic dog is being attacked by a pack of denning coyotes. I was able to trap one and had a few misses. So, I changed up my a few of my sets making 4 bone sets. three T-bone sets and a large bone just laid on the ground as a backing. I went to check my traps yesterday and found 2 of the T-bone sets with the bone pulled out of the ground and laying on top of where the trap is buried and the large bone the same. Does anyone have any idea what may have done this? i tested the traps and they are firing normally. Whatever did this did not step on the trap. Either it is a smaller animal like a spotted skink or a larger animal like a mountain lion. Speculation is much appreciated.
probably crows
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 24, 2022, 10:04:30 AM: :yeah: Birds would be my guess to.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Buck457 on August 24, 2022, 10:50:11 AM: Quote from: JakeLand on August 24, 2022, 08:30:30 AM
Quote from: Buck457 on August 24, 2022, 07:26:54 AM
Ok, I've got an odd one here. I've recently been working a nuisance coyote job where a client's domestic dog is being attacked by a pack of denning coyotes. I was able to trap one and had a few misses. So, I changed up my a few of my sets making 4 bone sets. three T-bone sets and a large bone just laid on the ground as a backing. I went to check my traps yesterday and found 2 of the T-bone sets with the bone pulled out of the ground and laying on top of where the trap is buried and the large bone the same. Does anyone have any idea what may have done this? i tested the traps and they are firing normally. Whatever did this did not step on the trap. Either it is a smaller animal like a spotted skink or a larger animal like a mountain lion. Speculation is much appreciated.
probably crows

This is a heavily brushed in and covered area. I have not seen any crows in this area.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: LDennis24 on August 24, 2022, 10:57:49 AM: Crows and Ravens will arrive at first light to pick up food on their usual routes. They know to stop at my chicken house at 5:00 a.m. and then I never see them the rest of the day. They are smart birds.
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: JakeLand on August 25, 2022, 07:39:03 AM: Good old trench sets get them
Title: Re: WCO Work
Post by: Buck457 on August 30, 2022, 10:31:41 AM: Quote from: JakeLand on August 25, 2022, 07:39:03 AM
Good old trench sets get them
I will definitely try this. Thank you.