How to get rid of snaping turtles in farm pond

[bcp]

I think the answer, if all else fails, is a 22 mm.

That would be about a 7 gauge shotgun. It would probably work even with a yard or two miss.

Bruce

 

[lizdp2]

Thanks so much, never thought of placing an ad in the local fish shop, - where they sell bait and night crawlers, I presume? Will try that. Should the trap be placed parallel with the water or at a right angle with open door facing the water do you know? The bank is a little steep. We already caught something in the trap but unfortunately it was not this big old turtle that I am after.

 

[lizdp2]

Hi Bruce, I think the 22 would be the better choice but time will tell. Thanks for your reply.

 

[lizdp2]

Hey!! SUCCESS !! Caught today in the trap the huge turtle that I have been trying to trap for some time. Relocated him in Hudson River where he undoubtedly came from anyway, originally, years ago. I want to thank everyone that was kind enough to respond and every bit of info helped. I have his picture but it wouldn't post. Big sucker, head the size of a man's fist, over a foot long not including the tail. Would estimate him to at least 20 years old. No turtle soup today. Now there are two smaller ones I see basking, they - are - next !!! This website is the best!!!

 

[Xfaxman]

---------- I think the answer, if all else fails, is a 22 mm. ---------

That would be about a 7 gauge shotgun. It would probably work even with a yard or two miss.

Bruce

Hi Bruce, I think the 22 would be the better choice but time will tell. Thanks for your reply.

Yep, but it is 22 caliber, not mm. 22 millimeters is just over 3/4 inch, or about 7 gauge.

 

[sld]

The only good snapper is a dead snapper. Almost lost my finger to one years ago and kill them whenever I get the chance.

 

[Egon]

Has draining the pond been considered?

 

[lizdp2]

Well I got him in the trap on day 2. To drain this pond would call for heavy equipment and he could probably hole up in one of many holes around the bank while the dredging and draining was going on. I drained my mud-bottom pond once when I did dike repair on one end of the pond end and road repair on the other. No $small job. The trap proved to be the best solution. I fed this turtle first for about a week untll he got used to coming to the bank, then I left the trap with fresh fish as bait and he went for it. So I had to outsmart him too.

 

[lizdp2]

Update! caught the (male) mate of the female snapping turtle mentioned above, three days later in my Tomahawk trap. That's two down. I see a 3rd one lurking in another area from where these 2 were caught. Trying to lure him to the bank (and the trap) with fish scraps as I did the others. This trap is the best solution, so far, for controlling these predators.

 

[lizdp2]

A few weeks ago I posted in this column plea for help for catching snapping turtles in my pond. Wish to report that I have achieved SUCCESS!! Trapped 3 so far and working on catching the 4th. I got a large Tomahawk turtle trap and after "conditioning" these large turtles to approach the pond bank for food, I managed to catch three big adult turtles. Used trap baited with fish scraps from the local fish store, and trap left there overnight. One VERY LARGE female and then two males since May. I see a 4th too. Like the man says, if you have 3 turtles, you have more. You just haven't seen them yet. Unfortunately caught 2 large raccoons too in the turtle trap and for this reason, I wish I had bought the trap with a back door also, not just the single door in front. Now working on getting that 4th turtle. Thanks everyone.