The Muskrat - an Update

[Eupher]

Mrs E called me at work at about 4 p.m. yesterday afternoon and told me that Lexie, the Wonderpuppy, was stalking the muskrat that had apparently come back to the pond - this after I shot at him and missed the day before.

Lexie was VERY interested in this damned muskrat, who would dive and sneak away when Lexie got too close to it. Lexie's a good swimmer, but she's not quick enough to deal with the muskrat in the water.

And I don't even want to think about what might happen if Lexie got the thing backed into a corner. She might come out on the losing end and that's not a good way to go.

So, I got out the shotgun again, loaded 2.75 inch 00 buck (instead of the 3 inch which I had in the gun the day before), lined up, and fired.

Scratch another muskrat. Left a blood trail in the water, so there was no doubt. Plus, a chunk of him remained floating in the water.

I'm pretty sure Lexie found the carcass this morning, but I don't wanna know what she might've done with it.

That's notch #2 in the shotgun.    

[debk]

Muskrat - 1

Eupher - 2.

 

[NHSparky]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCk3bnvO5Y[/youtube]

[Eupher]

Muskrat - 1

Eupher - 2 3.

 

FIFY. Got another one yesterday. Lexie managed to snag one of them out of the water this morning and was eating it when I interrupted her picnic.

Mrs E was freaking out. I think the dog is just bein' a dog.   

[debk]

FIFY. Got another one yesterday. Lexie managed to snag one of them out of the water this morning and was eating it when I interrupted her picnic.

Mrs E was freaking out. I think the dog is just bein' a dog.   

ewwww....

[Eupher]

FIFY. Got another one yesterday. Lexie managed to snag one of them out of the water this morning and was eating it when I interrupted her picnic.

Mrs E was freaking out. I think the dog is just bein' a dog.   

Got another one this morning. The Marlin Model 60 in .22LR is a dandy little rifle.

Little bastard just gurgled after he was hit.

That makes 4. 

[Eupher]

I'd forgotten about this thread.

About six months ago or so, I got another one with the Marlin. The little bastard tried to hide in some algae/weeds, but I saw him and dispatched him with one well-placed round.

And then yesterday, I saw another one swimming in the pond. Went and got the Marlin and went out to the little peninsula and waited.

He surfaced to breathe and BANG. Another one gone.

That makes 6 total.

You'd think the little bastards would LEARN.

We have a zero tolerance policy on muskrats. 

[obumazombie]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCk3bnvO5Y[/youtube]

My first thought as well. Muskrat Susie, Muskrat Sam.

[Gina]

poor little guys 

[Eupher]

poor little guys 

You do realize they damage pond dams and other water sources, right? How'd you like for your house to be downstream of a pond that let loose after a couple of these rodents worked their magic on the pond dams?

Owning the freakin' property on which the pond is located, I sure as hell wouldn't want that to happen. Insurance is bad enough without contending with these vermin.

[Gina]

You do realize they damage pond dams and other water sources, right? How'd you like for your house to be downstream of a pond that let loose after a couple of these rodents worked their magic on the pond dams?

Owning the freakin' property on which the pond is located, I sure as hell wouldn't want that to happen. Insurance is bad enough without contending with these vermin.

I can't feel sorry for them?   

[Eupher]

I can't feel sorry for them?  

I'd rather you feel sorry for ME since I had to go out to the pond and slay the poor, dumb bastard before I went to freakin' rehearsal. I would much rather have spent the time being productive elsewhere, TYVM.  

[Gina]

I'd rather you feel sorry for ME since I had to go out to the pond and slay the poor, dumb bastard before I went to freakin' rehearsal. I would much rather have spent the time being productive elsewhere, TYVM.  

I bet if you went out on your porch and blew your horn for a few hours it would run them off 

[Eupher]

I bet if you went out on your porch and blew your horn for a few hours it would run them off 

I do that, and it doesn't work. It actually attracts them -- like the friggin' geese that come cruisin' in for a landing just after I'm done warming up. 

[mamacags]

My dogs would have rolled in the rotting leftovers for days.  I think I would much rather have them eating the muskrats.

[AllosaursRus]

Mrs E called me at work at about 4 p.m. yesterday afternoon and told me that Lexie, the Wonderpuppy, was stalking the muskrat that had apparently come back to the pond - this after I shot at him and missed the day before.

Lexie was VERY interested in this damned muskrat, who would dive and sneak away when Lexie got too close to it. Lexie's a good swimmer, but she's not quick enough to deal with the muskrat in the water.

And I don't even want to think about what might happen if Lexie got the thing backed into a corner. She might come out on the losing end and that's not a good way to go.

So, I got out the shotgun again, loaded 2.75 inch 00 buck (instead of the 3 inch which I had in the gun the day before), lined up, and fired.

Scratch another muskrat. Left a blood trail in the water, so there was no doubt. Plus, a chunk of him remained floating in the water.

I'm pretty sure Lexie found the carcass this morning, but I don't wanna know what she might've done with it.

That's notch #2 in the shotgun.    

I dispatch them water rats every time I find one in the pond! I'm pretty sure my Lab can dispatch 'em herself, but I doubt she could do it without gettin' bit herself! Damn things eat the goose and duck eggs that mother nature deposits every year. For that reason alone, they get a death sentence!

[BlueStateSaint]

I do that, and it doesn't work. It actually attracts them -- like the friggin' geese that come cruisin' in for a landing just after I'm done warming up. 

Sounds like a plan to get the bastards . . . !

[longview]

Hmmm... muskrats are bringing about $9/hide according to trapper today mag auction results.  Of course you can't blow them apart or let the dog play with them.

[AllosaursRus]

Hmmm... muskrats are bringing about $9/hide according to trapper today mag auction results.  Of course you can't blow them apart or let the dog play with them.

9 bucks is hardly worth the trouble! Skinnin' for fur is a whole nuther deal! If ya don't do it just right, they won't take 'em. Coyotes on the other hand are bringin' about $150! They're well worth it!

[Eupher]

Hmmm... muskrats are bringing about $9/hide according to trapper today mag auction results.  Of course you can't blow them apart or let the dog play with them.

Well, I'll just leave that sort of thing to those who don't mind getting a little bloody.

[Eupher]

No. #7 dispatched this morning. He surfaced, and when he saw me standing there, he dove back under most ricky-tick. I waited. The sun was coming up, there was a hint of frost on the ground, air nice and fresh, and the dogs were waiting on the other side of the pond (and gated off from me altogether).

So after he came back up again, he was less anxious, less panicky. I slowly raised the Marlin into firing position and, like they say, One Shot - One Kill.

Big bastard, too. He actually floated belly up and did not sink.

[vesta111]

No. #7 dispatched this morning. He surfaced, and when he saw me standing there, he dove back under most ricky-tick. I waited. The sun was coming up, there was a hint of frost on the ground, air nice and fresh, and the dogs were waiting on the other side of the pond (and gated off from me altogether).

So after he came back up again, he was less anxious, less panicky. I slowly raised the Marlin into firing position and, like they say, One Shot - One Kill.

Big bastard, too. He actually floated belly up and did not sink.

At least you are not using underwater traps to drown the critters.   A clean shot is better then  to torture the little guys.

I dislike all traps that cause harm to people or animals. If one cannot dispatch either with a quick kill then the hunter become more animal then the one they are hunting.

[Eupher]

Naw, I wouldn't do an animal like that, vesta. A clean kill is what I'm looking for. The Marlin does a good job that way.