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Post by barnman73 on Nov 7, 2009 0:04:42 GMT -5
I looked at all of the great posts of FLOAT designs. So many have exposed bait...I live in Illinois, can I also have exposed bait? Because it is in the water?
I really could use the DEFINITIVE answer on this.
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Post by hawkeye on Nov 7, 2009 0:34:30 GMT -5
I don't know about Illinois but in Oregon exposed bait means bait that is exposed, so I think not. There's a reason for that law, it's not just to make trapping more difficult for you, and it would hold true on land or water.
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Post by hawkeye on Nov 7, 2009 0:39:20 GMT -5
You could still use bait, just cover it with a piece of bark or leaves so that it isn't visible.
But this is your best bet, this is from Dobbins catalog, but there are scads of good muskrat lure out there.
MUSKRAT #1
This muskrat lure has the ingredients that muskrats crave. It works well at all lured sets. Has proven itself all over the United States. Order #LMR1 $4.50 - One ounce Order #LMR4 $15.00 - Four ounces
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Post by barnman73 on Nov 7, 2009 9:01:07 GMT -5
Yes sir, thank you very much. I think what I did not get across was looking at the photos included carrots as an example right on the the whiskers of a 110. Or a apple sitting in the middle of the float. I am assuming that is a No-No.
My brother lives in Oregon (Portland).
I have used Muskrat lure in the past, and I have a new bottle for this season. I guess I need to just build a couple of these and experiment.
Thanks so much.
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Post by rszwieg on Nov 7, 2009 15:44:34 GMT -5
In WI it's exposed bait consisting of any part of an animal that can be seen from above. That means fur, flesh, bone, etc.
The last time I used corn for 'rat bait ducks got interested. In fact I've never had much luck with bait on rats except one a whole corn field!
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ytd
Rat Trapper
Posts: 135
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Post by ytd on Nov 18, 2009 19:36:00 GMT -5
Last I knew, exposed bait is legal in Illinois, for water sets. On land exposed bait has to be at least 30' away from a trap.
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ytd
Rat Trapper
Posts: 135
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Post by ytd on Nov 18, 2009 19:57:54 GMT -5
I just went to the Il DNR site. According to their site.....
It is unlawful to place set, or maintain any leghold trap within 30 feet of bait placed in such a manner or position that is not completely covered and concealed from sight, except this shall NOT apply to water sets. Bait means any bait composed of mammal, bird or fish flesh, fur, hide, entrails or feathers.
NOTE: Leghold traps set on land may not be placed around exposed bait such as animal carcasses.
Hope that clears things up for you. Try parsnips, apple slices, and carrots on your floats. And if you can find any muskrat feed beds, transporting some of the roots, grasses/weeds and droppings from those will often entice rats onto your floats. And stay away from using corn. Ducks and geese like it too.
Good Luck!
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Post by huckleberry on Dec 11, 2009 21:41:07 GMT -5
Perfectly legal to use exposed bait IN WATER while trapping in IL.
A word of caution though. If or when you use a float with exposed bait, use the type float that covers the bait from above. This will serve two purposes. one it will help in keeping other non targets from getting into the trap, and it will also keep birds from sitting off your traps. waterfowl especially. Ducks and young geese like to sit on top on some floats if it will support them.
A litle trick when useing floats around here. If you set them in less then 1 foot of water, and have them anchored pretty well, set a #2 or #3 below them. (I have even made a mound under some to shallow the area up some). Don't be surprised to find a mink in that underwater trap.
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Post by trapper7 on Dec 17, 2009 15:57:46 GMT -5
I have used rat floats sparingly. In MN you can't have exposed bait, so I just let them float out there without any bait and did catch rats. Bait is probably a better option, but they will work without bait too.
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Post by wheelers on Dec 22, 2009 12:05:18 GMT -5
Never had enough luck with them to warrant using them.
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Post by trapper7 on Jan 6, 2010 16:17:47 GMT -5
Neither have I.
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Post by backwoodsman on Jun 8, 2010 12:31:38 GMT -5
Exposed bait in water is legal but I'd be very cautious using it. Bunny cops will give you crap about it too. We use alot of floats. Heavy lure is a must then we add fruity baits ie:leftover's from canning jellys n jams etc. Cherry is a big muskrat draw. We cut a hole in the top of some of our floats for rebaiting and reluring. A bait container under it with cotton balls etc makes a good lure holder. We have some floats that arent covered but most of ours are or at least the middle where the lure/bait is. Mashed, frozen mulberries are good for rats(and coons and greys too). Till the flooding and then the freezeup hit last year we were really nailing the rats on floats. Over half and probably approaching 2/3's of our rats came from floats as the water was up and down constantly and then it flooded alot of the ponds over the dams. When we trapped the Illinois and Sangamon river heavy we used floats for almost everyone of our rats. Closer to the bank the float is the higher the chance for coons and an occasional mink. Alot of variables but ours are usually in knee deep water about 4'-8' from the bank. We have a pole we drag them around with and check them etc. Its about 6' long so they have to be kept within that range.
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Post by hotwire on Jun 26, 2010 7:04:23 GMT -5
T hing with floats is you don't need any bait or lures as rats and mink will use them if they are there just as a feeding or resting station. If legal to do so I would put them out a month or so before the season so they find them and get use to using them. Now mind you a lure or bait will definitely help increase your catch but it is not necessary.
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Post by williambevels on Aug 2, 2010 15:21:02 GMT -5
baits are not needed if set up right.first here is some pictures were floats will work on rats and mink.the key is the current .many times mink will take to the bank but rats will climb on to rest when they swim in semi or fast water.not always the case when they swim down stream but they will work under these conditions here is a location for beaver,otter,mink ,rats,and coon. the key location is at the point of the river hwy here is some more
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Post by barnman73 on Aug 12, 2010 8:42:30 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the great information on this question. This will be very helpful. I am still not very good at catching muskrats but I have really had luck using them as a great chance to get more land to trap.
Thanks!!
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Post by trapper7 on Aug 17, 2010 11:10:45 GMT -5
The biggest advantage to using floats for rats is that they are unaffected by rising and dropping water levels.
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Post by backwoodsman on Aug 17, 2010 22:23:46 GMT -5
They are also quick to set up and run too from a boat. Bait/lure/set/traps etc is all self contained and with a simple anchoring system you can really get alot of these out in a short time. With multiple trap floats in good areas you can really hammer the rats with double and sometimes triple catch's.
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