I’m new to trapping, what am I looking at here?

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Muskrat feed beds are generally in the water covered in little roots and rat poop. Could be a den up behind it or just a trail. Pics hard to tell.

the water is under the reeds and is about a foot deep. There’s a runner in the back that they are coming out on and there’s at least 25 similar spots  with trails in a 50 yard stretch.

[Dysfunctional Vet]

I like your outlook DV.
Yea, although not a classical feedbed, the rats been feeding there. You can set a small cage in the trail on the up side, where it’s going in to cut the cattail sprouts. I have also set colony’s on land in rat trails. They produce right along. Also set a colony in its trail where it enters the water after feeding. Have the entrance just under the surface. Trap will angle down away from bank. Have a “dive stick” across the top of bank entrance.
When going to bank the rat will clammer over the trap, dive stick. When heading back out, it will dive under dive stick and enter colony.
Also set the uphill cage in trail as a blind set, no bait.

im just trying to enjoy the ride. I did leave a colony and one cage but I tossed apple chunks in it. Lol
Picked up some new waders today so I can explore further.want to learn as much as I can so I can make an honest go at it next year. I only have 1 set muskrat boards, 1 set mink and a couple coon stretchers. Ideally I’d like to just catch a couple just to get a little practice and have a little bait for next year to get me started. I do appreciate your response.

[Loup Loup]

One other thing then I’ll let you go. I wire my rat cages to a stake (lathe works good for colony’s) or something solid. In case of high water or if a dog or Coon wants your rat and try’s to drag your cage away.

[TeacherMan]

Love the questions and pics. Zoom back a bit when you’re taking them. The area around the spot tells as much as the closeup itself does.

[Dysfunctional Vet]

One other thing then I’ll let you go. I wire my rat cages to a stake (lathe works good for colony’s) or something solid. In case of high water or if a dog or Coon wants your rat and try’s to drag your cage away.

yup, That’s a good suggestion to make, but I have definitely been wiring my cages off and watching USGS water levels to be safe.

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Love the questions and pics. Zoom back a bit when you’re taking them. The area around the spot tells as much as the closeup itself does.

As I’m starting out, I’m finding it hard to find tons of helpful info for the totally new guy, especially in Washington, so I thought I’d ask all the dumb questions and be the fool. That way future new folk could try to learn from my from what I’ve learned. I’ll work on getting better pics. Lol

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Well my trapping partner was super excited to go do a check this morning. I’m so glad he was with me today. Made it so much better, he’s been doing it all with me and he’s 4. He’s helped with building traps, set traps, walked all over the place looking for sign with me and has gone a few checks. He was super excited and said it measured, “huge”.
Thank you to everyone that has answered questions and given advice. Very much appreciated. But don’t worry, the saga will continue and I’ll keep asking them.

[Loup Loup]

Well, you are taking better pictures! Glad you took the boy along.
I don’t skin rats wet. I dry rats somewhat with newspaper. Then hang in a cool place over night with a fan if you have one. Any wet areas next day use more paper and fan.
I stay behind a day with my skinning.

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Well, you are taking better pictures! Glad you took the boy along.
I don’t skin rats wet. I dry rats somewhat with newspaper. Then hang in a cool place over night with a fan if you have one. Any wet areas next day use more paper and fan.
I stay behind a day with my skinning.

Its a great pic!!! Lol. The first thing I did when I got home was dry it off real good with rags and now it’s hanging in the unfinished basement until the little guy goes to bed, I’ll throw a fan down there and then I’ll attempt my first skinning. Wish me luck. I’ve watched a bunch of videos, but I imagine like everything else, getting your hands dirty is the best way.

[Mustelidae]

Good job Tim! That's a great picture 

[Dysfunctional Vet]

So as the saga continues I’m realizing that was a lucky catch as it’s towards the outer edge of sign. I’ll do some tinkering with traps and try again next weekend, but with the intention of placing traps where I’m seeing lots of feeding going on. In the pics, (hope they’re better) the “feed beds” are above the red line. It’s a muddy flat, about knee deep water, with a bunch of similar activity. Can’t seem to locate a house or tunnels into the bank. I’ll keep looking around. It’s highly enjoyable trying to figure them out.

[Dysfunctional Vet]

I’ve also been trying to track down the river beavers. So today I followed the drag marks into the water and down stream. They turned back towards shore and down a side channel right to this. Can’t see the back and definitely wide enough. Thought it was interesting. I think I just need to sit out here one evening just to watch. I’m intrigued.

[Frank The Tank]

I'm a retired Marine, and in my experience all vets are dysfunctional.  Make sure to come to the March Fur Sale/ meet up! 

Thurston County Fairgrounds
Group  · Members of Washington State Trappers Association
Rendezvous /Fur Sale Schedule
0800
WSTA has access to the building for set up.
0900
Check-in at the front desk.
Check-in fur at the receiving tables.
Intermountain Rep. available to receive fur.
CITIES Tagging provided by Steve Brownell (morning time only)
TBD - Demonstrations
1200
Fur Check-in closes
Lunch
Informal Meeting / social hour
Miss Rodeo fur vest presentation
1300
Auction
1400
Fur Buyer bidding closes
Bucket Raffle
1430
Fur Bidding results
Buyer / Sellers complete transactions
1600
Clean-up See less
Lacey, Washington

[Dysfunctional Vet]

I'm a retired Marine, and in my experience all vets are dysfunctional.  Make sure to come to the March Fur Sale/ meet up! 

Thurston County Fairgrounds
Group  · Members of Washington State Trappers Association
Rendezvous /Fur Sale Schedule
0800
WSTA has access to the building for set up.
0900
Check-in at the front desk.
Check-in fur at the receiving tables.
Intermountain Rep. available to receive fur.
CITIES Tagging provided by Steve Brownell (morning time only)
TBD - Demonstrations
1200
Fur Check-in closes
Lunch
Informal Meeting / social hour
Miss Rodeo fur vest presentation
1300
Auction
1400
Fur Buyer bidding closes
Bucket Raffle
1430
Fur Bidding results
Buyer / Sellers complete transactions
1600
Clean-up See less
Lacey, Washington

I’ll be there.

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Well I’m still out searching, looking, learning. Lots of reading, urbantrapper took me out on his line to show me some stuff. Very, very helpful and generous.
  Found a castor mound today,(at least pretty sure it is, anyway) thought I’d post an update. In my adventures…..
 Not much trapping going on, pulled the mink traps I had out, turns out mice are super hungry and I’m tired of feeding them. Lol
 Currently, tanning/ attempting to tan my muskrat and cleaned up the skull. Euro mount inbound.
Hope everyone had a great season.