Snapping turtle trap?

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Hi All, it was suggested in the ducks forum that I look here for help with a possible snapping turtle. We have had four ducks for three years. We let them out for pond time most evenings, with some supervision. The pond is about 1/4 acre and is very muddy full of red clay (Oklahoma), so no visibility. The pond is stocked with channel catfish that are now about four pounds. There are also slider turtles present, but I’ve assumed no snapping turtles since we haven’t had issues in the three years.

Yesterday evening, the ducks were out and I heard one alarm quacking. I looked out at the pond and saw only ducks and water, but one duck was quacking and seemed upset, about 20 ft from shore. This is not unusual as they are often startled, probably by the catfish looking for food. Soon after, the ducks came up to go in the coop for the night, and the startled duck had a laceration on her neck. It looks like something sliced open her neck amd pulled skin back, so there is a 2x2 area of exposed muscles.

So, likely aqueous predator. The only fish are the channel cats, sunfish, and “minnows”. I’d like to try to catch any snapping turtles but I don’t want to hurt the sliders. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

 

[sourland]

Do an Google search on 'snapping turtle traps' - they are relatively easy to make, and any incidental catches can be released. I read your other thread, and am still debating whether or not it was a snapping turtle that injured your duck.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Do an Google search on 'snapping turtle traps' - they are relatively easy to make, and any incidental catches can be released. I read your other thread, and am still debating whether or not it was a snapping turtle that injured your duck.

Thanks for the suggestion. I’d love to hear any other possibilities you are thinking about! Whatever stripped her skin was SHARP!

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Ok, so we’ve made a trap to catch the snapping turtle, if one is living in our pond. I hope it catches something (so I know it works). It’s baited with old ground venison… Actually, I shouldn’t say “we” as our 18 yr old daughter did all of the work! I did see a coyote near the same area two days later, so now I’m wondering if a land predator actually grabbed the duck at the shore. I could have missed that part and just arrived for the duck freaking out in water…

 

[mowin]

Client of mine had a lab pup she was boarding get injured one very hot afternoon in a 5' fenced in area that contained a pond. She was not swimming, but lounging in ankle deep water. She started yipping and had a very nasty bite on her. Obviously, the bite was because the pup stepped in the wrong spot. I suggested it was a snapping turtle, and She bought a turtle trap and caught a 25lb snapping turtle.

 

[lwharran1]

Hi All, it was suggested in the ducks forum that I look here for help with a possible snapping turtle. We have had four ducks for three years. We let them out for pond time most evenings, with some supervision. The pond is about 1/4 acre and is very muddy full of red clay (Oklahoma), so no visibility. The pond is stocked with channel catfish that are now about four pounds. There are also slider turtles present, but I’ve assumed no snapping turtles since we haven’t had issues in the three years.

Yesterday evening, the ducks were out and I heard one alarm quacking. I looked out at the pond and saw only ducks and water, but one duck was quacking and seemed upset, about 20 ft from shore. This is not unusual as they are often startled, probably by the catfish looking for food. Soon after, the ducks came up to go in the coop for the night, and the startled duck had a laceration on her neck. It looks like something sliced open her neck amd pulled skin back, so there is a 2x2 area of exposed muscles.

So, likely aqueous predator. The only fish are the channel cats, sunfish, and “minnows”. I’d like to try to catch any snapping turtles but I don’t want to hurt the sliders. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

I would make a trap for the turtles except the lake is not attached to my property and everybody has their yards fenced. That's why I made sure the ducks were bigger than the turtles before we released them... They're so big now and I'm so proud. I think I did the right thing but I dont know how my neighbors feel about having so many around. Im just one that believes in any animal having a chance no matter what it is except for snapping turtles, snakes and gators of any kind. Those I would be happy to live without

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

I would make a trap for the turtles except the lake is not attached to my property and everybody has their yards fenced. That's why I made sure the ducks were bigger than the turtles before we released them... They're so big now and I'm so proud. I think I did the right thing but I dont know how my neighbors feel about having so many around. Im just one that believes in any animal having a chance no matter what it is except for snapping turtles, snakes and gators of any kind. Those I would be happy to live without

Well I made a trap that never did catch a turtle! I’ve since had the turtle grab a duck’s foot and I had to wade out and grab the turtle before it would let go of the duck it was trying to drown! Unfortunately, the turtle was too slippery for me to hold onto, so it got away from me. I tried again to trap it with the trap pictured above but I again had no luck with that. Ducks have been locked in a run with occasional access to a kiddie pool ever since.