A 10' length of 4" PVC pipe, four 4" 90 degree long turn elbows, a 1/4 pint of PVC cement, 25 feet of 48" wide 1/2 X 1/2" opening galvanized garden fencing and a couple (4-1/2) hours labor and we're 90% finished with Turtle trap number 1.

Decided not to use the flotation foam unless we later find we actually need it. I have to finish attaching the climb-up ramp on one side, make a 2nd one on the opposite side, and install a 3" diameter bait cone sticking up from the bottom center. Should be in the water by noon tomorrow.

This is great Cappy My granddaughter may need one in my tank she loves to catch turtles

Get em

Great Stuff is not flotation foam, it absorbs water and expands further. If you want flotation, use split pipe insulation or garage door foam panels

let us know how it works!

x 2

I may build one after hearing how yours works.


Tbar

Locked and Loaded by noon ...

Is that for crawfish or minnows?

turtles^^^^

i really want to know if this works

I'm guessing the theory here is that turtles will climb in over the top of the PVC to get at the bait, but will not be able to crawl back out because the pipe is slippery?

That and, if you look at the design closely, it floats high enough out of the water that once inside, a turtle can't reach up to get a foothold onto to anything to climb out with. Two of the four sides have fencing "ramps" that make it easy for a turtle to climb up onto the top of the pipe from the outside.

The bait cylinder in the center was filled with (1) a dead training pigeon, (2) a chopped up frozen whole Shoveler and (3) chopped up frozen skinned Gadwall. We had an extra whole frozen Shoveler that was just placed into the bottom of the main basket.

There are other "sunning" type traps that don't employ bait but rely on turtles crawling up onto the pipe to sun them self and then slip into the inside area. I wanted to try a more pro-active approach, at least initially.

The "float" should support a bit over 230 pounds in my calculations. You might get one side down below water level with a little less than half that. As long as you dont load it up with 20 pound snappers all on one side, everything should be great! Cant wait to see the pics.

All you need now is a cajun stew recipe. (or to dig a hole!)

Snapping Turtle Stew:
2 lb Snapping turtle in pieces
1 Onion, med, sliced
2 c Celery, chopped, incl greens
1 c Lima beans, soaked overnite
3 Potatoes, diced
2 tb Butter
8 oz Potatoes, can
1/2 c Parsley, chopped
Salt & pepper to taste


Melt butter in frying pan and brown turtle meat, cut in cubes 1" or larger, on all sides. Remove turtle meat. Add 2 quarts water and bring to a boil. Return to fire, add turtle meat and all remaining ingredients. Cook slowly for 45 minutes or until turtle is very tender. VARIATIONS: After browning turtle, make a roux with butter then add water. Add 1/2 jigger of good sherry to stew when serving. Add 1/2 C bell pepper, chopped, to veg. mixture.

Any takers yet?

Just came back from visiting our wetlands to check on the draw down. Will post a separate topic about that in a few minutes after pics download. Stopped by the turtle trap to look and there was one small (4" diameter) slider swimming around in it. It was 46 degrees and the wind roaring @ 21 mph from the SE when we left. Still in the low 50s and blowing now so maybe a little warmer and calmer day before we start getting any takers.

When I read "Ninja Cappy" I wasnt expecting what I just saw, I was looking for something more like this:

I bet that thing fills up on the first sunny warm day we have.......

Had to move this back to the first page (past the spam) . . . cant wait to hear the results!

Results are simple, turtle walks into the trap and can't get free, like watching paint dry.

Is there a field manual for identifying turtles prior to entry of the trap?

Turtles might be able to get a bait too easy through the wire from the bottom of trap?

Should be interesting to see.

Totally agree.

Cappy, any results yet?

x2! I'm curious.

yes, we're all dying to know if you've been catching the little suckers now that it is warming up a little

Results so far have been disappointing. We've only gotten 3 one time and four the next. I suspect the high winds are having an effect. I'm not seeing turtles as we usually do when the water is flat so kinda think they will be around to try the trap before long.