Hey guys, there is this farm pond I fish, and all around it there are what looks like clam shells on the bank, broken open. What is gettinf these ans bringing them up on the bank?
Printable View
Hey guys, there is this farm pond I fish, and all around it there are what looks like clam shells on the bank, broken open. What is gettinf these ans bringing them up on the bank?
Freshwater mussels perhaps and probably coons or muskrats bringing up on to shore to eat. Or possibly a squatch, I dunno...
Chupacabra?
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...e5d1341f2f.png I believe it was this.
I'm right 97 percent of the time, the other 4 percent doesn't matter.
Typical Bigfoot behavior! Least according to BFRO tv show:Rofl:Rofl:Rofl On a serious note I see wading birds bringing them up and busting em open often around here. I am sure the muskrats and raccoons do as well.
must be
Very unusual for these fresh water mussels to be in a pond. They are found in river systems with some sort of current. It is either coons , mink or otter. Muskrats do not eat mussels. They are omnivores
These mussels are everywhere on sandbars on my local river.Quote:
Originally Posted by BANDIT
Is the biology lesson over yet? If so, I would like to enter exhibit A into evidence:Quote:
Originally Posted by BANDIT
https://www.tn.gov/twra/article/fres...s-in-tennessee
Lol, so are you saying bigfoot is bringing these mussels in from a river system and eating them while fishing in this pond?
And all the while not sharing with these omnivore muskrats?
Okay, looks like we will need photos, plaster cast made of the footprints, measurements of tracks, dna samples and witness statements to crack this case.
Lol......
Almost done with biology lesson
Facts About Muskrats
Dont forget that Bigfoot was playin fetch with the Chupacabra.
If it were muskrats wouldn't you see them during the day, or dont they make holes in levies? I see no slides down the bank or holes and have never seen any such animal while fishing.
Not sure about your neck of the woods, but I can tell you that seagulls are a big factor in the shoreline shell debris around this neck of the woods anyway. They dive, grab a muscle, fly up with it and drop it on the rocks on the shore. Then they feast.
I can for sure say that it ain't seagulls. The rednecks around here would have a field day with those things!! I can see maybe a crane doing this. There are several of those around here.
Bigfoot looking for freshwater pearls.
Shell crackers.
By definition if a muskrat is truly omnivorous he should eat a mussel. My bet is on a raccoon or 12.
I can for sure say that it ain't seagulls. The rednecks around here would have a field day with those things!! I can see maybe a crane doing this. There are several of those around here.
Coons, more than likely.
coons is my bet as well .....but never underestimate a Yeti ....you seen them Jerky commercials right ?
What, no Aliens landing and collecting them as a food source for the trip!
Hypothetically, if it were muskrats, how would you trap/eliminate them? I have had a muskrat problem in my pond recently and have had little success trapping or shooting them. Their tunnels just under the surface on the banks are leg breakers for livestock (and people).
I think they make traps for them. That would probably be a good question for a trapper. But I'm sure you could trap them. And I think that I have come to the conclusion that it probably is coons. Oh also, I want to thank everyone who has posted on here. You can usually tell when you are accepted on sites like this when your topic gets to be three pages long and most of the replies are absolutely off the wall ������Quote:
Originally Posted by scout-j-m
Sorry the emojis didn't work.:biggrin
Scout and Nubtush:
Coming from a trapper, there are a lot of ways to get ride of the target animal in question. Before starting, first I would ensure local game laws are followed. In Michigan, we can take certain animals on private land during any time of year if they are "doing, or about to do damage". You simply need a license of any kind.
Raccoons love waterways. They search all the time in the shallows for shellfish. Crawfish, clams, and small snails to name a few. Without getting in to way to much detail or highly intricate trapping techniques, the simplest way to trap raccoons is with the use of a DP (Dog Proof) trap. You can do a search for them and see how easy they are to use. Most importantly, you will not catch non target animals (such as dogs or cats) in them. Once set, you pour bait in the tube (next to water I would use some sort of shellfish bait, clams, tuna fish) and then a call lure. Once caught, they don't necessarily harm the animal and they can be released (if wanted) without damage. In Michigan, you cannot transport live animals from private land to release on public land. Dispatching them with a 22 is best. You can also use drowning rigs, but that is more than is needed.
As for Muskrats.... They are a hug pain when it comes to tunnels. Two ways to do it. One, you can contact a local trapper in the area and allow him to come and trap the animals (during season) when the pelts are prime. You take care of your issue, and they get to keep the pelts, carcasses and so on. If not: 110 and 120 conibear traps set in front of their tunnels do the job. It is a kill type trap that will snap their necks in pretty short order. Only downfall to this is you will only get one at a time. Their are several ways to trap muskrats. All have pros and cons. A float style rig with Duke #1's work really well and you can catch multiples off the same float. Another option is a colony trap set down in a water passage. Again, multiple catches can be had at the same time. Google colony trapping for muskrat, float trapping, or just muskrat trapping in general to get a better idea of the examples.
Hello: It's probably best to find a local trapper if you don't want to do the job yourself. He will know what methods are legal and the seasons, and if nuisance permits are available . Here in Iowa colony traps for Muskrats are illegal. Good Luck. O - R
We put them in our lake for the red ear . They are an awesome food source .Quote:
Originally Posted by BANDIT
i have the same problem , the clams are in about 7 feet of water roughly , i have both mink and muskrats...since muskrat are omnivores i would put the blame on the mink, plus the mink like fish.....they are very hard to get rid of....i am still trying...
There in the private lakes I fish, hook them a lot with a crankbait.Quote:
Originally Posted by BANDIT
They were put in our lake for the shell crackers (red ear)or so I was told . :popcorn