Snapping Turtle Removal

[number9L]

My pond has lots of snappers. I've seen some BIG ones come to the surface but by the time I got my gun they were gone. Most of the ones I've seen and shot have been about as big as a basketball and smaller. Last time I was mowing on the tractor by the bank I looked around to back up and seen a HUGE one. His neck was stuck way out and looked like it was as big a round as a Skoal can. It was so big it took me a few seconds to realize it was really a turtle. Same story on him though, I ran and got my gun and he was gone when I got back.

We had 2 ducks given to our boys a few months ago. They were pets and had their wings clipped. They were playing in the pond all the time and one of them only lasted 2 nights. Just vanished. I thought a coyote or wolf got him but couldn't find any sign of bones or feathers anywhere. The other duck was really rattled by his brothers fate evidently because he wouldn't even go back near the pond. For weeks that duck would NOT go around the pond. Then he got a little braver and started hanging down around a pontoon dock we have parked on the edge of the pond. I told my boys that day, "he's getting too brave and a big old turtle's gonne be laying there waiting on him if he don't watch it". That was the last day we've seen him.

My shop sits about 15-20' higher than the pond and makes a great place to sit in the rocking chair and watch for them. I can see about 3/4 of the pond from there with no sun glare off the pond. Just keep an eye out for a big dark spot coming to the surface and then the head pops up out of the water. I've probably shot 30+ with my 10/22. A friend of mine told me that a 22 wouldn't penetrate their hull at that distace (about 50yd), but I cought one crossing the driveway one day and head shot him. Then I put 3 shots into his hull and walked down to see for myself. All 3 shots went in. I shoot everyone I see.

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[Soggy Bottom Outdoors]

I concur with most all posts here but.........be sure it is a common snapping turtle and not a "alligator" snapper. They are endangered and therefore protected from hunting and you could receive a hefty fine for it. A catch and relocate might be a better idea for these turtles.

 

[brin]

My pond has lots of snappers. I've seen some BIG ones come to the surface but by the time I got my gun they were gone. Most of the ones I've seen and shot have been about as big as a basketball and smaller. Last time I was mowing on the tractor by the bank I looked around to back up and seen a HUGE one. His neck was stuck way out and looked like it was as big a round as a Skoal can. It was so big it took me a few seconds to realize it was really a turtle. Same story on him though, I ran and got my gun and he was gone when I got back.

We had 2 ducks given to our boys a few months ago. They were pets and had their wings clipped. They were playing in the pond all the time and one of them only lasted 2 nights. Just vanished. I thought a coyote or wolf got him but couldn't find any sign of bones or feathers anywhere. The other duck was really rattled by his brothers fate evidently because he wouldn't even go back near the pond. For weeks that duck would NOT go around the pond. Then he got a little braver and started hanging down around a pontoon dock we have parked on the edge of the pond. I told my boys that day, "he's getting too brave and a big old turtle's gonne be laying there waiting on him if he don't watch it". That was the last day we've seen him.

My shop sits about 15-20' higher than the pond and makes a great place to sit in the rocking chair and watch for them. I can see about 3/4 of the pond from there with no sun glare off the pond. Just keep an eye out for a big dark spot coming to the surface and then the head pops up out of the water. I've probably shot 30+ with my 10/22. A friend of mine told me that a 22 wouldn't penetrate their hull at that distace (about 50yd), but I cought one crossing the driveway one day and head shot him. Then I put 3 shots into his hull and walked down to see for myself. All 3 shots went in. I shoot everyone I see.

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Google for a turtle trap...bait it with chicken...catch turtles...kill, clean and make soup.

 

[M E Race]

Basic southern turtle trap. 3ftx3ftx4ft welded wire box with one end closed and the other end with a flat flue angled inward with about a 4 inch gap in center. Use clips on the closed end so you can open it to place bait (hang from top were they can't reach it from outside) and remove any caught turtles. When you place it in pond or stream leave at least 6 inches of top out of the water. If not they will drown. Once caught let them bite on a broom stick and chop head off. Beware, the head can still bite after it's cut off,and they will take fingers off with one bite! Once the head is off turn on the side and use hatchet to cut shell between legs on both sides. Crack open like an oyster and go after it with a sharp knife and skinning pliers. I'm not to keen on turtle soup or stew but I love it fried.You will be surprised at how much meat is on a large turtle. NEVER TRY TO PICK UP A LIVE SNAPPER FROM THE SHELL,THEY CAN REACH AROUND, AND YOU WILL BE GOING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WITH THE TURTLE!

 

[creekbend]

I concur with most all posts here but.........be sure it is a common snapping turtle and not a "alligator" snapper. They are endangered and therefore protected from hunting and you could receive a hefty fine for it. A catch and relocate might be a better idea for these turtles.

I respect your views, but I, myself would rather kill an "Alligator Snapping Turtle" than attempt to capture it and relocate it. I just wouldn't tell anyone. Those Boogers are fearless. They look like they come directly from the Age of the Dinosaurs. I've had experience with them in the Glades.

 

[Don87]

I respect your views, but I, myself would rather kill an "Alligator Snapping Turtle" than attempt to capture it and relocate it. I just wouldn't tell anyone. Those Boogers are fearless. They look like they come directly from the Age of the Dinosaurs. I've had experience with them in the Glades.

No alligator snappers around these parts. But if there were........that's the best idea...........shoot and shut up.

 

[94BULLITT]

Anytime I have live action I call the Turtleman.

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[lizdp2]

I too had the same problem. Had some comments going in this column back in May. Unless you sit there patiently with a gun, that's not going to work. I found the only thing that works is a turtle trap, cost near $100.00 but it works. Caught not only 2 huge snappers I had seen, but 4 more that surfaced one by one over the summer. I used Dollar-store frozen fish as bait. When caught, you must RELOCATE them. We put ours in a large river about 4 miles away. They follow the stream bed routes and get into your pond that way. They are persistent. They are nasty. Don't put your hands near them even when they in a trap. Feel free to contact me.

 

[TimberXX]

We caught monster turtles in a 40 acre lake 20 years ago. We caught a sun fish, filled it with large bass hooks, and attached

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[TimberXX]

We caught monster turtles in a 40 acre lake 20 years ago. We caught a sun fish, filled it with large bass hooks, and attached Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

... And attached the hooks to two Clorox bottles. We has to use steel leaders after several failed attempts.

These turtles were so large I saw them take down full size geese.

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