What Kind of Critter will do this to pond dam

[nc redneck]

Hey Murph
Thanks for your SERIOUS reply. Down south we take guys like you on a Snipe hunt. Let me know when you want to go on one. Lot of swamps and thorns to get through, but when you taste that snipe you will want to do it again. Any better way to kill a Bee - Muskrat combo ??????????????

 

[Fossil Farm]

The photos you posted show a ground bee nest (ie yellow jackets, etc.). It is possible the bees found an opening in an old muskrat den to use. If the area around the nest is indented, it is an old den. Groundhogs will have much more dirt thrown around if it is their primary hole. If it is their escape hole, not so much. But if others have seen one muskrat, you more than likely have several. When muskrats are actively digging, you will see a mud flow from the site and where they are storing their food supply, you will see grass, cattails, weeds, etc. stuffed into a den. Usually early morning or late night if you sit still, you will see them on the surface moving around and gathering food. Look for muskrat scat on any rocks that may be above waterline. Best to trap them as soon as trapping season starts in your state. If colony traps are legal, use them to get more than one at a time. Conibear 110's otherwise. Muskrats are not too smart, so you should be able to get them pretty easily. Good luck.

 

[Sysop]

Most underground dwellers have more than one hole. Toss a roadside flare in the hole and cover the hole, watch around the area for smoke exiting other places. At times it even chases out any current "residents", so have a .22 handy.

 

[nc redneck]

Fossil Farm
Thanks for your input, greatly appreciated. I don't think we have groundhogs here but could be wrong. We have seen Wild Turkeys and Coyotes flourish in the last few years. Not unusual to see a flock of 25 wild turkeys walk across field. My tenant ( avid sportsmen) got to witness 2 large Tom turkeys fight there way across bottom of field where pond is. He said they would fight for 20 minutes then separate and go back at it. I would have loved to see it in person. Property is a rental now but planed as retirement place in a few short years.
Thanks
Scott

 

[murphy1244]

Hey Murph
Thanks for your SERIOUS reply. Down south we take guys like you on a Snipe hunt. Let me know when you want to go on one. Lot of swamps and thorns to get through, but when you taste that snipe you will want to do it again. Any better way to kill a Bee - Muskrat combo ??????????????

Sorry That's what I did to my Yellow Jacket nest. The pic you posted looked like their Honey Comb. Was wrong about the Muskrats.

 

[nc redneck]

Murph
No big deal, and no hurt feelings. I have learned so much from this sight. Truly appreciate learning from others. However Snipe hunt option is still open.
Thanks
Scott

 

[murphy1244]

Murph
No big deal, and no hurt feelings. I have learned so much from this sight. Truly appreciate learning from others. However Snipe hunt option is still open.
Thanks
Scott

Bigger Snipes up North maybe mounting size. Come on up.!

 

[Bill 55]

Sure looks like a skunk dug out a bee's nest. Muskrats will have their den where they can swim in and out. If you can find the entrance go to TSC they sell fumigation bombs, light the fuse and stuff it as far back the tunnel as you can

 

[SPIKER]

I agree about the yellow jacket nest and was dug out by skunk most likely. Ya got lucky as if ya drove over it mowing most likely you would have ended up getting a flyby or worse... I got two nests wiped out last week, first I seen of them last week... One of the local poo kitties finished off a nest in my woods right where I needed to work day before I got there

Muskrats will burrow just below average water level and up slightly above water level 4 or 5 feet deep into the bank/dam. They (tunnels) tend to collapse when walking along the bank and often have a muddy water trail out into the water. There will also be a RUN into the pond (muddy bottom but smooth no weeds etc) so that is clear indicator. They can be trapped with a Conabear 110 trap as best bet placed in the run coming into the opening at water level with some weeds/grass over it. Other way is to take a ear of corn and hammer a big nail into it and into the dam so corn is standing upright at waters edge & plink them with 22 or good pellet gun at dusk/dawn... We hunted them in the swamps here for years and trapped them in 70/80 made good money then too as kids.

Mark

 

[riptides]

I'll second or third the conibear traps. Every rural homeowner that has water should have one or two available.

Ahh, you might want to call your local county animal control and see if you can classify them as "pests". This might get around any non-seasonal trapping limit.