Snapping Turtle Removal

[ovrszd]

Turtle trap 3.1. I built one that was quite successful for the pond at the ranch but the moving parts needed regular service. This unit has no moving parts. It's sitting on a pond in town for "testing".

So what do you do with the turtle once you've caught it??

 

[JohnfromPA]

When I was around 19, I caught a big snapping turtle like that in the creek behind our house and moved it over to a large creek (almost like a river) so it wouldn't end up someplace it didn't belong or get tortured by the a-hole kids in the neighborhood. A big plastic trash can and a piece of meat is all you need.

 

[farmgirl19]

I would have never let it into the pond. It will eat the vegetation, as well as the fish. If you want to trap it, to save taking a shot in your pond, fine. But once trapped, kill it! They are very prolific, and also can carry diseases such as Salmonella. If you are careful, you can catch the turtle with a fishing hook, baited with chicken liver. Once caught, cut its head off.

I just find the .22 easier and quicker.

 

[whistlepig]

I have caught several using 50 pound test line with a steel leader, big hook, and a chunk of meat. I would tie the the line to a tree on the bank.

 

[farmgirl19]

Yes, I learned the technique when fishing for catfish and I kept catching snapping turtles. Now, i just use them for target practice! If you get a shot exactly right, you can split the shell, and that leave fish food in a stock tank (pond, to non-Texans).

 

[creekbend]

My Father had three ponds on the Farm when I was growing up. Instead of shooting the Snappers and chancing a ricochet, we would catch a couple of Blue Gills, cut out the eyes and put one eye on a hook. Even though the turtle sometimes won't be hooked securely, the turtle will keep his jaws tight until you get him on the bank. Then we took an axe to the turtle. BTW, most Snappers won't relinguish their hold until you dispatch them.

 

[brin]

My father in law and I trapped snapping turtles in the lake on our pond and we ate them...Turtle soup...Try it...Google for a recipe...don't waste those turtles...Take a stick and let him bite it then cut off his head with a hatchet...now your safe and then go from there...Good Eating..

 

[farmgirl19]

I have often heard about turtle soup. Never tried it though. Maybe I will have to find a recipe and consider it now!

 

[whistlepig]

They do make excellent turtle soup.

 

[farmgirl19]

That settles it! This winter, I am going turtle "fishing"! I love to cook, and in the winter, I ALWAYS have a pot of soup on the stove to simmer. (Yes, home-made, from scratch!) This gives me one more variation.

I have to ask......Does the turtle give everything a fishy taste or smell? I might not want it simmering on the stove all day. :confused3: