Trapping muskrats has long been a traditional outdoor activity for many enthusiasts and an effective method for controlling the population of this small semi-aquatic rodent.

As a beginner, it’s important to understand the basics of muskrat behavior and their natural habitats to increase chances of success and ensure an ethical and humane trapping experience. With the right knowledge and equipment, even newcomers can quickly become skilled in trapping muskrats.

Recommended Traps

Body Grip Traps

Body grip traps are effective for muskrat trapping due to their design, which quickly and humanely dispatches the animal.

These traps have a large square frame and powerful springs, allowing muskrats to be easily targeted. When setting these traps, pay attention to the muskrat’s pathways and place the trap accordingly.

Coil Spring Traps

Coil spring traps are also a popular choice for trapping muskrats. These traps consist of two powerful springs attached to a jaw-like mechanism.

When the muskrat triggers the trap, the jaws close with great force, ensuring a quick capture. Coil spring traps should be placed in shallow water near muskrat dens or other frequented locations.

Foothold Traps

Foothold traps are a traditional choice for many trappers. These traps have two jaws that close when a muskrat steps on the trigger, securing the animal’s foot.

Foothold traps can be placed near muskrat dens, on floating debris, or on trails. These traps are known for their versatility, and can be used in different situations.

Conibear Traps

Conibear traps are a type of body grip trap with a rectangular frame. They are designed to capture and kill the muskrat with the strong force of the springs.

Conibear traps are best used in narrow channels where muskrats frequently swim or travel through.

Live Cage Traps

Live cage traps are a humane option for those who want to capture muskrats without causing harm. These traps consist of a metal cage with a door that closes when the muskrat enters to eat the bait inside.

This method allows the trapper to safely relocate the muskrat to another area. When using live cage traps, be sure to check them frequently to avoid causing unnecessary stress to the captured animal.

Float Traps

Float traps are a unique method of trapping muskrats that involve a floating platform, which is placed in water where muskrats are known to forage.

These platforms typically have traps, such as foothold or body grip traps, attached to them. When the muskrat climbs onto the floating platform, it triggers the trap, ensuring a successful capture.

Trap Setting Techniques

Den and Burrow Sets

Den and burrow sets are ideal for targeting muskrats within their natural habitats. To set up a den set, locate an active muskrat burrow entrance, either underwater or above water within the bank. Place a trap at the entrance, ensuring it is stable and secure.

For burrow sets, position the trap inside the burrow, making sure it is properly concealed. Successfully trapping muskrats with den and burrow sets requires patience, observation, and proper trap placement.

Runway Sets

Muskrats frequently use established trails to move through their territory. A runway set aims to take advantage of these well-traveled paths. Locate a muskrat run, typically characterized by a narrow underwater channel with a clearly visible entrance.

Place a trap within the run approximately six to twelve inches below the water surface. Keep the trap secured with a stake or weight so that it remains in position. The muskrat will swim into the trap as it moves along its usual route.

Slide Sets

A slide set capitalizes on muskrats’ tendency to slide into the water from the bank. Identify an active slide by looking for a narrow, worn path leading from the bank into the water.

Place a trap on the slide, submerging it slightly under the water. Make sure the trap is stable, preferably anchored to nearby vegetation or a stake. As the muskrat uses the slide, it will encounter the trap and be captured.

Float Sets

Float sets are an effective technique for trapping muskrats in deep water. To construct a float set, create or purchase a floating platform made of wood or foam. Attach the trap to the float and anchor it in a location where muskrats are known to be active.

Bait the trap with vegetables or muskrat attractant, making it an enticing target for the muskrats. When the muskrat visits the float set, it will be caught in the trap. Remember to regularly check and reset these traps as needed.

Muskrat Bait and Lure

Natural Food Sources

Muskrats have a diverse diet consisting of various plants and small aquatic animals. You can use some of these natural food sources to attract them to your trap. These include vegetation such as cattails, root vegetables like carrots and parsnip, apples, and other parts of plants that muskrats may eat.

Additionally, muskrats are known to consume small aquatic animals like crayfish, mussels, frogs, and insects. Using these natural food sources as bait can enhance the effectiveness of your trap.

Commercial Lures

There are commercially available muskrat lures that you can use to attract them more effectively. These lures often contain scents or ingredients that are highly attractive to muskrats, including oil of anise.

When using commercial lures, carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure successful trapping. Keep in mind that some lures may also attract other animals such as beavers, raccoons, or coons, so be prepared to secure your trap accordingly.

Homemade Lures

If you prefer to make your own muskrat lure, you can use some of the natural food sources mentioned earlier, combined with additional scents or ingredients to enhance their attractiveness.

One common homemade lure is a mixture of peanut butter and apple bits. This combination produces a strong scent that can lure muskrats toward your trap.

However, homemade lures may not be as potent as commercial options, and you may need to test different formulations to find the most effective combination for your specific trapping location. Remember to be cautious when using homemade lures, as they might also attract unintended animals to your trap.

Trapping Safety and Equipment

Protective Clothing

When trapping muskrats, wear protective clothing to ensure safety and reduce the risk of injury. Wearing gloves helps protect your hands from sharp objects and animal bites.

Additionally, waders are crucial for navigating the wet environments where muskrats are commonly found. This water-resistant gear enables trappers to move comfortably and safely in shallow water while setting and checking the traps.

Trap Preparation and Maintenance

Proper preparation and maintenance of muskrat traps are crucial for optimal performance and to ensure the wellbeing of the animal. Follow the guidelines below:

• Clean and deodorize traps between each use to eliminate any human scent or remnants of previous catches.
• Check trap mechanisms for functionality by testing the trigger and springs before each use.
• Remove any rust or debris that could hinder the trap’s performance or impede its ability to close properly.

Using well-maintained equipment will make your trapping experience more efficient, effective, and humane.

Trap Anchoring and Staking

An essential aspect of muskrat trapping is the correct anchoring and staking of traps. This aids in:

• Swiftly submerging the trapped animal, ensuring a quick and humane end.
• Preventing the loss or theft of traps.
• Reducing the risk of non-target species coming into contact with the trap.

Use sturdy stakes or tangle stakes to anchor traps securely in position. Some options include:

• Slide sets: These are an effective method for trapping muskrats. Ensure that the trap is appropriately weighted, such as using a #1½ trap or using a tangle stake, to quickly pull the trapped animal underwater.
• Bank den sets: Place a bodygrip trap at the entrance of a muskrat den and anchor it with a stake or sliding wire system to secure it in place.

Properly anchoring and staking traps will make your trapping experience more successful and ethical.

Catching Multiple Muskrats

Use of Multiple Traps

Catching multiple muskrats can be made more efficient by strategically placing a variety of traps around muskrat habitats. Given that muskrats are abundant in many areas and relatively easy to trap, employing multiple traps can help increase the chances of capturing them successfully.

Using different types of traps, such as wire mesh traps, box traps, or body-gripping traps, allows trappers to target various muskrat behaviors and movement patterns.

When placing multiple traps, it is important to look for muskrat signs, such as burrows, tunnels, and trails. Observe their feeding areas and place traps near their most active locations. This strategy will increase the chances of catching multiple muskrats, as they will likely be attracted to their preferred feeding and resting spots.

Colony Trapping

Colony trapping is another effective method for catching multiple muskrats. A muskrat colony trap is designed to catch several muskrats at once without the need for bait.

These traps are made of wire mesh and are typically longer (e.g., 36-inch) to accommodate more muskrats. The trap doors are gravity-operated, allowing muskrats to enter but not exit.

To effectively use a colony trap, place the trap in shallow water near muskrat activity signs. The trap should be positioned at an angle, with one end resting against the bank or vegetation and the other end submerged in the water.

This setup encourages muskrats to enter the trap while they are swimming or searching for food.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most effective trapping method for muskrats?

Muskrats can be effectively captured using foothold traps, live traps, or colony traps. For example, the Tomahawk Rigid Muskrat Colony Trap is 36 inches long and can catch up to 10 muskrats at once. The most suitable method depends on the trapper’s goals and preferences, as well as local regulations.

How can I safely remove muskrats from my pond?

To safely remove muskrats from a pond, use live traps, such as Havahart live muskrat traps. Position the trap near a muskrat’s entry or exit point to increase the chances of successful trapping. After capturing the muskrat, relocate it to another area, complying with local wildlife regulations.

Which bait works best for catching muskrats?

Muskrats are primarily herbivorous and prefer plant-based baits. However, when using slide sets—a technique that places foothold traps along trails where muskrats enter and exit the water—no bait or lure is typically required.

What is the proper way to set up a muskrat live trap?

To set up a muskrat live trap, choose a trap at least 30-40 inches in length. Place the trap near a muskrat slide or at a known entry/exit point. Monitor the trap regularly and always follow the trap’s instructions and applicable regulations.

Are there specific regulations for muskrat trapping?

Yes. Regulations for muskrat trapping vary by state, province, or country. Trappers need to follow local laws, including licensing requirements, trapping methods, and the relocation or disposal of captured animals.

What are the common uses for captured muskrats?

Captured muskrats can be harvested for their fur, meat, or simply removed for pond or land management purposes. If trapping for meat or fur, trappers must ensure they adhere to local wildlife regulations and sustainable trapping practices.

Wrapping up the Guide to Trapping Muskrats Successfully

Muskrats are among the easiest furbearers to trap, making it an accessible venture for those interested in learning about trapping.

Choosing the appropriate trap, understanding helpful techniques for setting traps, and selecting the best bait and lure can drastically improve the chances of successful capture. Next, check out our Complete Guide to Woodchuck Trapping!

What’s the difference between first focal plane vs second focal plane?

A first focal plane reticle enlarges and shrinks as you adjust the magnification while the second focal plane remains the same size.

Why does that matter and which focal plane scope should you choose?

By the end of this article, you’ll fully understand both types of focal planes so you can choose the best rifle scope for your needs.

Let’s get started!

What is the First Focal Plane?

There are two locations where a reticle can be installed within a rifle scope: the first focal plane (FFP) or the second focal plane (SFP).

With a first focal plane scope, the reticle is physically placed on the “front” of the erector tube assembly and magnification lenses. The first focal plane is furthest from your eye when looking down the sight.

How does that make a difference?

With a First Focal Plane scope, the size of the reticle will appear to grow or shrink as the scope’s magnification is increased or decreased, respectively.

Now that you’ve got the basics, let’s talk about the pros and cons…

First Focal Plane: Pros and Cons

With the first focal plane optics, the reticle size is going to scale up or down with your magnification adjustments.

This means your trajectory markings, or holdover values, are going to remain accurate regardless of what magnification setting you’re on. This is great news if you hate doing math!

But, it comes at a cost…Literally.

The price is often higher by virtue of its more complicated construction. A first focal plane reticle is also typically associated with higher-end scopes.

With first focal plane scopes, the reticle will look small and thin with less power while the reticle will be thicker at higher power.

It can be easy to lose those thin reticle lines, especially against dark backgrounds. Although, some of the best Leupold riflescopes have illuminated reticles for better visibility.

Also, the reticle can cover too much target at the highest setting. If this is a dealbreaker to you, that’s where Second Focal Plane comes into play…

What is the Second Focal Plane?

The most common design is SFP, or a Second Focal Plane scope. It’s also referred to as Rear Focal Plane.

With a second focal plane scope, the reticle is placed behind the magnification lenses on the erector tube assembly.

The second focal plane scope is closer to your eye. Therefore, the reticle stays the same size at any magnification range.

Now, let’s talk about the pros and cons of this…

Second Focal Plane: Pros and Cons

Its lightweight, great resolution, and durability against heavy cartridges make it a popular choice among hunters and law enforcement.

With the second focal plane, your units of measure per each hash mark (MOA or MRAD) represent the same value regardless of your magnification setting.

However, the spacing for holdover in the reticle is only correct at the highest magnification setting. So, it’s not always reliable for variable long-range shooting.

For example:

Let’s look at the Viper HST 4-16×44. This is a second focal plane scope with a magnification range of 4-16x. The Viper HST has hash marks representing 1 MOA but this is only true at its full magnification: 16x.

Of course, you can always do the math in between. But it becomes complicated and confusing and we all know that’s no bueno.

Second focal plane scopes are more commonly seen in the average riflescope and they’re easier to manufacture. That’s why they’re typically less expensive.

First Focal Plane vs. Second Focal Plane for close-range shooting

A second focal plane scope is more suited for close-range hunting and defensive shooting.

Why?

Because you have a strong and easy-to-see reticle even at the lowest magnification. With low-powered optics, like 1-4X optics, this is a highly undervalued feature.

When it comes to a First Focal Plane scope, you can easily lose sight of your marks at low power. This can be a hassle when you need to make adjustments for the wind or distance— especially for older eyes.

Since you’d have to zoom out to get the rest of the marks in the scope’s view, your target shrinks relative to your view. If you’re hunting small game, this can be an inconvenience.

First Focal Plane vs. Second Focal Plane for long-range shooting

First focal plane scopes are best for competitive and long-range precision shooting.

The hash marks represent the same value across all magnification levels. It allows you to use and trust those holdovers at any given point in your magnification.

This is an advantage for spotting impacts and misses for corrections. It’s also very helpful if you need rapid and precise follow-up shots.

Hitting something at longer ranges means getting as much precision as possible. With a second focal plane scope, making those fractional MOA adjustments becomes far more difficult.

Conclusion

The truth is— it’s a matter of preference and intended use. There is no “better” between the two focal planes.

Higher magnification ranges are better in a first focal plane scope. Lower magnification is fine for second focal plane scopes.

If you’re into precision shooting, especially in matches, and you don’t mind the cost: a first focal plane riflescope is great to have.

If you won’t be taking many shots where you need to “hold” for windage or elevation, a second focal plane scope is more than enough. Plus, it won’t necessarily break the bank.

There are other things you need to consider before buying an optic— like choosing the best quick detach scope mounts. At least when it comes to a SFP scope vs a FFP scope, you won’t be scratching your head anymore.

Since we’re on the topic of upgrades, my AR-15 A2 front sight removal guide is up. Go check it out!

Ever wondered how big is a moose compared to a human? Adult Moose usually measure up to 9 feet (2.8 meters) in terms of body length. Compared to a human, the average moose has a much bigger body overall, while also having a total body mass that is in the range of ten times that of a person at the same height.

A common sight in the colder regions of North America, moose are generally friendly creatures that pose little of a threat when approached. They’re known for their distinctive calls, deer-like antlers, and their bulbous noses that make them easy to tell apart from deer or elk.

But how big can a moose get, compared to a human?

Moose are the biggest representatives of the deer family, and a single look at one will tell you why. Larger than any horse, deer, or other hoofed animals, the moose towers above most mammals including us humans. If you want to know more fascinating facts about moose and their impressive bodies, feel free to take a look at our quick fact sheet below!

Related Reading: Do Moose Come Out in the Rain?

How Tall is a Moose?

While it is easy to see that moose are incredibly massive animals, and their bodies can easily dwarf those of us human beings, there is the question of how tall moose really are, not just how big overall. Being four-hoofed animals that never walk upright, the total body dimensions of a moose are a bit misleading when it comes to visualizing just how large a moose looks when put next to a human.

Adult moose measure about 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.2 meters) in height when measured at the shoulder. However, when the head and antlers are taken into account and the moose stands tall, this figure can eclipse 10 feet (3 meters).

As you can tell, the measurement of a moose’s height paints a different picture than the sole body length numbers alone – however, it should still be quite clear to see that moose are gigantic animals, and even smaller specimens will have us, humans, walking in their shadows due to their sheer mass and size.

How Big Can a Moose Get?

Over the course of a moose’s life cycle, their bodies change and develop quite radically, just like ours. Therefore, how big a moose can get depends on a few factors.We’ve laid everything out in the quick overview below. It should give you everything you need to know about the dimensions of a moose.

• First note that moose exhibit sexual dimorphism, i.e. females are of different size and appearance than males. A female moose will not grow antlers, and is on average about 60-70% the body mass of a comparable male
• There are a few recognized subspecies of moose, the largest of which is the Alaskan moose. The so-called Taiga moose, which is common across Central Europe, Russia, and parts of Kazakhstan, is noticeably smaller
• As moose age, their bodies grow larger and stronger. Male moose start growing antlers after about a year of age, and they renew them after every mating season. At their peak, the antlers alone can be over 6 feet (1.8 meters) long, somewhat shorter in the case of Eurasian moose
• Moose calves are about the same size as horse calves, but they grow very quickly and reach adult size after a year
• The biggest moose ever confirmed was a male Alaskan moose shot in 1897 – it measured 7.6 feet (230 centimeters) tall at the shoulders and weighed 1,800 pounds (816 kilograms)

Why Are Moose So Big?

While it is obvious that moose are some of the largest herbivores found in North America and Eurasia, the less obvious fact is the answer to the question of why their bodies are as massive as they are.

The truth is that moose need to be so large in order to properly survive in their natural habitat. The cold temperatures and harsh seasons that moose often experience in Alaska and Siberia have effected great evolutionary pressure on these animals – and it shows.

Moose have many tricks up their sleeves in order to cope with their home climate. For example, their many hairs are hollow on the inside, which helps them insulate for added warmth.

The incredible weight that moose pack on is also no coincidence – large volumes of fat storage provides another way to weather the freezing temperatures outside, so moose like to keep themselves well-fed.

And in turn, this excessive body weight needs to be supported by strong limbs and muscles – which is why the body of a moose needs to reach its uniquely humongous dimensions in order for these animals to thrive.

In fact, when moose are introduced to warmer climates (as is unfortunately the case more and more often these days as areas historically populated by moose undergo climate change), their bodies suffer greatly. They lose weight, experience chronic stress, and female moose will also develop fertility issues.

All in all, the short answer for why moose are so big is that they have evolved more so than almost any other four-hoofed herbivore to survive exceptionally well in the cold.

No wonder, then, that there is only one animal that shares the moose’s habitat and can rival it in size – the bison, another mammal whose gigantic body is mostly the result of evolutionary pressures intended to make it easier to survive freezing winters.

Related Reading: Can You Ride a Moose? Has It Ever Been Done?

How Big Are Moose Antlers?

The antlers are easily the most recognizable aspect of the moose’s appearance. However, just like deer, moose “renew” their antlers every season, and with each passing year the antlers grow longer, taller, and more intricate. It should also be noted that female moose (cows) never grow antlers.

The antlers of an adult male moose are typically up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) long end-to-end. The moose with the longest antlers are by far the Alaskan variety, while Eurasian moose tend to display slightly shorter specimens.

The antlers of a moose can add significantly to the animal’s overall size, though most formal measurements of moose are based on the height measured at the shoulders.

Why Are Moose Antlers So Big?

Though they add a lot of distinctiveness to the visual appearance of a moose, it is a question worth asking why moose grow their antlers to such an impressive size to begin with.

The antlers of the moose are used for display purposes, indicating a male’s sexual prowess and overall health and strength. If multiple males compete over a single female, they will actually use their antlers to fight. The victor is then generally taken to have the stronger antlers, and by extension the stronger, healthier body with the superior genes. Therefore, natural selection has led to most moose growing impressively large, intricately-shaped antlers.

The moose’s antlers might not be as significant to the animal’s daily lifestyle as most other parts of their bodies – however, when mating season strikes, their antlers are their number one tool of choice in order to attract the perfect mate. And in cases of rivalry between male moose, they can serve as potent weapons and displays of strength!

Are Moose Dangerous?

Now that you know all the basic facts about the size of the average moose you might encounter in the wild, you might be a bit worried that these large animals with their weapon-like antlers could pose a threat to your or your loved ones. But is it true that moose are dangerous animals?

While moose are certainly massive and strong enough to cause serious damage to people and their property, they are not very aggressive animals. Generally speaking, it is hard to provoke them, and incidents where moose attack humans have been incredibly rare throughout history.

The moose is not an animal that will charge or attack a random bystander for no good reason. As long as you keep your distance and do not make any moves that could be considered threatening, you should be perfectly safe.

If a moose does charge you, it is also a good idea to flee and not try to do anything to calm it or go any closer – moose can run at 35 mph (56 kph), and they generally only let go once they realize that their aggressor has given up.

Continue Reading: How Long Is Moose Meat Good in the Freezer? [ANSWERED]

Without question, spring snow goose hunting requires a large decoy spread. But the act of merely scattering a lot of white decoys in a field doesn’t ensure you’ll suck in wave after wave of hungry geese.

“A lot of guys think it’s just about numbers,” said Andy Dively of A&A Outdoors in Frankford, Del. “But putting out 1,000 decoys doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to get shooting. You have to put thought into how you set them.”

Typically, Dively starts out early in the morning with a spread shaped like a triangle. The wide end is downwind and the point, where the hunters hide, is upwind. The spread is fairly sparse at the downwind end, with decoys thicker as the rig stretches toward the hunters.

“Snow geese are greedy,” he said. “They’re constantly jumping over one another, flying upwind to get to the front of the chow line. We try to imitate that with our spread.”

“A big flock of 2,000 snows is going to be wide when it hits the spread,” he said. “Then we funnel them in tighter as they fly up the rig.”

Wind speed dictates how many decoys Dively uses on a given day.

“If the wind is 15 mph, I want to put out every decoy I have – say 1,500 or so,” he said. “The harder it blows than that, the more I scale back my numbers. You don’t need as many when it’s windy. I’ll shorten up the rig and make it tighter when it’s real windy, too.”

Positioned For the Shot

About 30 yards downwind from the hunters, Dively plants 15 flyers on poles of varying heights from 3 feet to 8 feet high. Those decoys are clustered on the right side of the spread. Then, 8 yards in front of the hunters, on the left side of the spread, Dively places eight to 10 more flyers.

In the snow goose game, perfect shooting means 20 to 25 yards.

“Any closer than that and the shooting gets tough, because guys think they have to have tighter chokes and big shot,” he said. “At 25 yards, you get a nice shot pattern. We’re most successful when we have shooting at 25 yards.”

What the geese are doing when they slide from one set of flyers to the next, Dively said, is heading for the front of the chow line, where they expect to find the best food.

“I think they hit the first flyers, and then they see the others and think there are birds jumping in front of them,” he said. “They don’t like getting beat to the front.”

Midday Loafing

At around 10:30 a.m., Dively changes his rig. “Now I’m expecting birds that are looking for a place to hang out through the midday,” he said. “They’re not as aggressive anymore.”

Dively spreads out his decoys. He doubles the distance between them, instead of being 1 to 2 feet apart. Also, he’ll spread out his flyers throughout the rig and push them down into the dirt, so they’re only about 2 feet off the ground.

“What this setup looks like is a relaxed flock,” he said. “The flyers just look like birds that are jumping up to stretch their wings before landing again. We kill a lot of snows at this time of day with this setup, because most guys just stick with their morning setup. They don’t change it around.”

Afternoon Feeding

Snow goose hunting is best when it is windy. The decoys come alive and the birds fly lower. But guided hunters can’t pick and choose days afield based on the wind. When there is no wind, Dively sets up his standard morning rig, but instead of using the wind to guide the setup, he arranges decoys based on the expected approach. That will be the “downwind” end of the rig. Instead of hiding hunters at the upwind end, they are positioned at the extreme downwind edge.

“The geese are going to flare when they see there’s no movement, so we set up in a spot where we’ll have a chance, hopefully, to shoot while they’re still looking things over,” he said.

Sound Systems

Electronic callers play a key role in the spring snow goose hunt. Dively runs a pair of two-speaker systems in the downwind end of his spread. Each plays recordings of relaxed snow goose sounds – primarily the signature murmur of a big flock of snows.

At the upwind end of the rig, Dively runs a pair of four-speaker calling systems playing aggressive feeding noises. The hunters lie in wait there, so the goal is to entice incoming, hungry snows to key in on this area.

“E-callers can be really effective on certain days,” he said. “The windier it is, the better they seem to work, because the sound really carries downwind and flocks can hear it from a long way off.”

The ability to control the volume with a remote is important. E-callers blare loudly to distant flocks to get their attention, but should be toned down as birds get closer.

Motorized Motion

This year, for the first time, it appears Pennsylvania hunters will be allowed to use motorized motion decoys during the later part of the snow goose season. The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s board of commissioners was expected to approve them at a January meeting. Hunters have been allowed to employ electronic decoys in Delaware and other states, however, for quite some time.

The only motion decoy Dively uses is a rotary machine, often called a “snow goose tornado.” These machines have two or four flying snow goose decoys attached to long arms that spin in circles. Place the rotary machine as close to hunters as possible.

Hunters can create more erratic movement in the spread with a flag. To the geese, it looks like a bird jumping up to move to the head of the feed line.

Strategically Big

Successful spring snow goose hunters use incredible numbers of decoys. Go big, but put some thought and strategy into placing your spread.

P.J. Reilly hunts geese and ducks from New Holland, Pa.

An Orillia, Ont. angler says he has caught what could be an Ontario record burbot.

On Jan. 25, Sebastien Roy says he was ice fishing on Lake Simcoe with a buddy, looking for some whitefish.

Roy, 32, said the spot they had planned on fishing was open water, so they had to make an adjustment.

“It’s kind of luck as we ended up fishing a spot we usually wouldn’t fish,” he said.

Roy said his first fish on the ice was a burbot — a form of freshwater cod. “It was a really small one, ” he said. “But it was my first burbot ever.” Roy continued to jig a small Vibrato spoon just off the bottom. Twenty minutes after he had caught his first fish, another one hit.

This fish was much heavier, and pulled Roy’s jigging rod over in a tight arc. When it got near the ice hole, Roy said he knew he had something special.

“It’s really clear, Lake Simcoe,” Roy said. “And the minute I looked down the hole I knew it was a record. It was one of the biggest fish I’ve ever seen swimming around.”

Roy said he called his partner, Steve, over and and they pulled the burbot from the hole together.

“Oh my God bro, that’s a giant,” said his partner.

They measured the fish as nearly .99 metres (39 inches) long, with a 48 cm (19 inch) girth. Roy borrowed a scale from some other anglers on the ice and the scale read 18.3 pounds.

A check of the Ontario burbot records via smartphone revealed the fish he had landed was a potential Ontario record.

Roy, who prefers to release his fish, also learned he had to keep the fish to qualify for a provincial record.

Back on land, the anglers looked for a place to weigh the fish. Two scales were tried, but Roy finally weighed the fish on a certified scale at Zehrs market, in Orillia.

“The guy at Zehrs was amazing,” said Roy. “He let us weigh. In kilo’s it weighed 8.145, so times 2.2 gives you pounds, so it was 17.9 on a certified scale. And we got all this on video.”

Roy said he initially had to store the fish in a toboggan full of snow, as it was too big for the freezer.

“My girlfriend wouldn’t like it if I left it in the freezer,” said Roy. “It’s a big fish.”

He said he has filled out the proper forms and plans to enter his giant fish for record book consideration.

Roy said he had read about the giant burbot caught by 18-year-old Landan Brochu, of Thunder Bay, on March 5, 2016.

• Ontario teen lands record-breaking freshwater cod

Brochu’s fish weighed 16.8 pounds and measured .94 metres (37 inches) long and was 55.9 cm (22 inches) around. It is also the pending Ontario record.

Alesha Howran, of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH)/Ontario Record Fish Registry said Brochu’s fish will be announced as the new record in March 2017, barring any other burbot from 2016 being entered.

However, she said if Roy’s burbot meets all the proper requirements, it may be announced as a new Ontario burbot record in March 2018.

The present Ontario record burbot weighed 15.8 pounds and was caught by Ernie Arpin, on March 14, 2003. That fish measured .93 metres (36.5 inches) long by 53 cm (21 inches) around.

If Roy’s trophy burbot makes it through the OFAH/Ontario Record Fish Registry requirements, it will be the first time in recent memory a fish from southern Ontario will have that title.

Both Arpin and Brochu’s fish were caught in the same northwestern Ontario reservoir, located just north of the town of Nipigon.

The burbot is the only gadiform freshwater fish and is closely related to the marine common ling and the cusk fish.

Once considered a nuisance by many anglers, burbot have become something of a phenomenon in recent years.

Although Ontario has a growing reputation as a home to giant burbot, the king of them all came from another Canadian province.

The International Game Fish Association records the world-record burbot as being caught in Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan.

That fish was caught by Sean Konrad on March 27, 2010. Konrad’s world record burbot weighed a whopping 25 lb 2 oz (11.4 kg).

Fish records are typically measures in pounds. One pound equals .45 kilograms.

Gamo is a Spanish company that has been manufacturing air rifles since 1961. The company is best known for its high-powered, high-velocity rifles. In recent years, Gamo has been advertising the Magnum as being the fastest pellet gun on the market. So, is it?

Gamo Magnum FPS

The Gamo Magnum boasts an impressive FPS of 1,650 in .177 caliber and 1,300 in .22 caliber. To put that into perspective, most pellet guns have an FPS of around 700-900. So, there’s no doubt that the Gamo Magnum is a powerful air rifle. But is it the fastest?
The Gamo Magnum is capable of reaching speeds up to 1650 fps and 1300 fps with PBA Platinum ammo, making it ideal for taking down rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and crows. The fixed fiber optic front sight and fully adjustable fiber optic rear sight help you keep your target in sight, while the 11mm scope rail with scope stop provides a stable platform for mounting your favorite optics. The rifled steel barrel and SWA (Shock Wave Absorber) recoil pad work together to deliver precise shots with reduced felt recoil, while the all-weather ambidextrous thumbhole stock ensures a comfortable grip in any conditions

Other features of Gamo Magnum

In addition to its high velocity, the Gamo Magnum also features a precision rifled barrel, fiber optic sights, and a shockwave absorber recoil pad. These features make the Gamo Magnum a great choice for both beginners and experienced shooters alike.

Other Product features:

• 11mm scope rail with scope stop
• Rifled steel barrel
• SWA (Shock Wave Absorber) recoil pad reduces felt recoil by up to 74%
• All-weather ambidextrous thumbhole stock with black rubber inserts on grip, forearm and cheekpiece
• Custom Action Trigger (CAT) independently adjustable 1st and 2nd stage, allows you to tailor you trigger
• Automatic cocking safety system
• Manual safety
• Recoil Reducing Rail maximizes scope lifespan with 99.9% recoil compensation
• Includes 3-9×40 adjustable objective scope and mount

Optics Features

• 3-9x magnification
• 40mm adjustable objective lens
• 1″ tube
• 30/30 reticle with fine crosshairs, perfect for target acquisition
• 40 ft to 12 ft field of view
• 3.5″ eye relief
• 21.6 oz
• 13.5″ long
• Fogproof
• Shockproof
• Wateproof
• Includes lens caps

Conclusion

So, is the Gamo Magnum the fastest air rifle on the market? Based on its advertised FPS, it certainly appears to be. However, there are other factors to consider when choosing an air rifle, such as power, accuracy, and user-friendliness. If you’re in the market for a new air rifle, be sure to do your research and choose the one that’s right for you.

For more on the best air rifles on the market, see this post

Ever since the sushi fad first touched down in Canada, we have been avid consumers. Starting hesitantly, as most did, with California Rolls and eventually working our way up to plates full of Sashimi, sushi has become a staple of our diet and has become the same for millions of people across North America.

Being avid anglers, however, eating this much fish caught by other people seemed somewhat wrong. Lake caught walleye and pike had always been more enticing to us than haddock or cod and our choice of salmon has always favoured lake-bound Kokannee over farmed Atlantics.

So, to combine our favourite hobby with one of our favourites foods, we decided to give our favourite freshwater quarry the full sushi treatment – taking a freshly caught walleye from a pristine northern Ontario lake, filleting it on the front of the boat, and eating walleye sashimi right on the water as we fished.

All was perfect in the world of Fish’n Canada… that was until we told a local biologist about our experiment.

After a full lecture about metre-long worms, small yellow grubs, and other parasites, we were just happy to have made it home alive.

Fast-forward 20 years, the fear instilled in us by that biologist has all but worn out and we are ready to tackle the subject once more and, with a little help from our friends, answer the question of “can you eat freshwater fish raw?” once and for all.

The Doc’s Perspective

Gord Pyzer is known as “the Doc” not just because he has put doctorate-level hours into fishing, but because he has over 30 years of experience as a senior manager with Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources.

This made him the perfect man to run our raw fish questions by as he would know exactly what kind of potential parasites our favourite fish were holding and what kind of damage they would do if they were consumed by humans.

What kind of parasites do freshwater fish carry?

Yellow Grub

Yellow Grubs are perhaps the most common parasite we see in our fresh water fish, often found nestled into the tails and flesh of panfish such as Perch and Bluegill. These unsightly grubs (actually parasitic flukes) make their way into the water via fish-eating birds, where they then mature inside aquatic snails before venturing out in their mature form to find their host fish.

Thankfully, these grubs are harmless to humans and, even if eaten live and raw, would only add a bit more protein to your diet.

Black Grub

Black Grubs, more commonly called Black Spots, are very similar to Yellow Grubs in every way except the markings they leave on the fish.

Like the Yellow Grubs, these parasitic flukes enter the water through fish-eating birds, mature inside of snails, and then find their target fish.

Once the worm enters its final host, the fish responds by forming a hard cyst made from a black pigment to trap the worm, creating small black spots throughout the fish’s body and temporarily pausing the spread of the parasite. These cysts remain closed until the fish is eaten, typically by birds, where the cycle starts over again.

Thankfully (again), this parasite is not transmittable to humans but will add a bit of crunch to your fillets if they are not picked out.

Broad Fish Tapeworm

If you found the last two parasites gross, you may want to stop reading.

Known formally as Diphyllobothrium latum, the broad fish tapeworm is the largest tapeworm that can infect humans and is present in many of our freshwater fish. “Large”, in fact, may be a bit of an understatement as these behemoths have been measured in humans at over 30 feet in length.

In our recent podcast episode, Gord gets into a story about a friend of his experiencing this first hand after consuming some undercooked Lake Trout.

Since these parasites like cold water, Lake Trout are one of the more frequent hosts of these worms, however, they are also very prominent in Whitefish, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Smallmouth Bass.

Fortunately, for those cooking their fish, these worms will not survive the frying, baking, or smoking process and, if you have eaten a lot of trout, you have likely consumed them without noticing. For us sushi eaters, however, contracting these worms is a real possibility.

Gord’s Reccomendation:

Gord says that the decision to eat raw fish ultimately comes down to your perception of risk vs. reward. As he says in the podcast, “is eating that piece of raw fish really worth a 25-foot tapeworm?”

From Gord’s perspective, the answer to this question is obvious and he would much rather fry up his fresh-caught walleye than take the chance and consume it raw. As Gord says, “there are no medals for self-inflicted wounds.”

The Chef’s Perspective

After getting scared to death by Gord’s tapeworm stories, we wanted a more positive take on eating raw freshwater fish.

Chef Antonio Meleca is not only a chef to the stars and host of Fish’n Canada’s Fish du Jour series on YouTube, but is also an avid angler who frequently consumes his catches raw

In fact, Antonio has blended his hobby and his work on several occasions, including once with Kit Harington of Game of Thrones fame, where he prepared Smallmouth sushi and sashimi, caught by the actor right on the shores of Lake Nipissing (listen here).

So how did Kit and Antonio survive the process tapeworm-free?

How do you prepare freshwater sushi?

Antonio says that anytime he prepares freshwater sushi, he uses the same process he would for tuna or salmon. This starts with the gutting process, which should start as soon as possible after the fish is caught. When filleting, Antonio says he is then always keeping a close eye on the flesh for grubs or worms. In most of our non-bottom-dwelling freshwater fish, these parasites are not microscopic and can be easily spotted or felt.

Next, the fish has to be frozen for at least 48 hours below -18 C. In the sushi world, this is called IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) and is the time and temperature necessary to kill any harmful parasite that could be living in the meat. Unfortunately, most household freezers cannot reach these temperatures so some local connections to those with commercial-grade freezers may have to be made.

After the freezing process has been completed, the fish can be prepared any way you like. On the day with Kit Harington, sashimi and ceviche were the preference. However, Antonio has also used raw Smallmouth and Walleye for rolls which are sweetened with brown sugar and soya sauce.

Antonio’s Reccomendation:

Antonio says that freezing fish at the IQF standard -18C for two days makes it perfectly safe for consumption and, when done correctly, can make excellent tasting sushi of your favourite freshwater fish. Antonio does emphasize, however, that household freezers DO NOT reach these temperatures and, as a disclaimer, he cannot recommend making sushi at home without the proper equipment.

The Food Safety Perspective

To break the tie, we wanted to interview someone who could give us the food safety perspective of eating freshwater fish raw.

That man was Ken Cashin, a food safety consultant at Innovative Quality Solutions on Prince Edward Island.

In our interview with Ken, he echoed much of what both Gord and Antonio had said by stating that when eating any raw food, whether it be trout, salmon, beef or oysters, there is always a risk.

However, some fish provide a far greater risk than others. With oysters, for example, which act in the ocean as filters for known toxins, people rarely think twice about consuming them raw despite the massive health risks that can result from improper handling.

With something like a raw freshwater trout or walleye, on the other hand, the risks of serious illness are far lower yet many people wouldn’t dream of consuming it raw.

Ken’s Reccomendation

Like Gord, Ken says eating raw fish is all about weighing risks and deciding how much you really want that sushi. Like Antonio, Ken also reiterates that all risks can be avoided through proper handling and freezing. “The process is simple,” said Ken, “freeze the product, kill the worm.”

The Verdict

So can you eat freshwater fish raw?

The quick answer is yes.. with a caveat.

As both Antonio and Ken pointed out, the parasites found in our freshwater fish cannot survive the IQF freezing process carried out on traditional sushi, meaning all you have to do to make your fish safe to eat raw is to freeze it at -18 C for at least two days.

This, however, is much easier said than done as most household freezers cannot reach these temperatures.

For those looking to skip this process, the decision to eat raw freshwater fish ultimately comes down to your own calculation of risk vs. reward and whether you think your eyes are keen enough to spot the tapeworms that are patiently waiting to grow to record sizes in their next host.

Let us know in the comments below whether freshwater sushi will be added to your next shore lunch menu.

For the full interviews with all three of our guests, check out the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever else you get your podcasts.

If you like sitting around the sea and savoring your free time, drone fishing is something that can be appealing to you. While fishing works as a fantastic pastime, a drone can make it much more fun and ensure that you have a catch every time.Whether you plan on doing it as a career or a hobby, drone fishing offers many benefits. So, how does it work? What do you need to do it? Is fishing with drones indeed the future? Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is Drone Fishing?

As its name suggests, it is angling with the use of a flying robot. Drone fishing offers several ways to simplify the process of fishing. Rather than gamble your time away with a chance at getting good fish, you can utilize unique drone features to optimize how to get the fish you want.There are many ways to do drone fishing, depending on how much work you want to do yourself. For starters, you can use the fishing drone to scout for a fishing area. Rather than using the drone to pull the fish, you use it as an aid to scout for an excellent place to fish and find the best spots you can use. Some drone fishers connect their underwater camera to check out the local fish population. You can use your drone camera to scope the local waters if you’re hunting for specific fish like tuna, salmon, or others.Another way to do drone fishing is to use it as a bait release drone. As the drone flies around, it casts off the bait, giving you ample opportunity to catch fish. You can use various types of bait to get more fish, from throwing chum to get more fish in one area to using worm bait to reel in fish.The most common use of drones in fishing is to reel in fish, known as “dropping the line.” Rather than use a fishing line, you can have a drone do the catching for you. Depending on how much interaction you want, this can be the least fun part of drone fishing. However, this is also the best way to get a catch every time.Drones are fantastic for career fishing, especially if you like reeling fish from your boat. You can extend your catch range or add a few extra meters to your fishing zone.

How Does Drone Fishing Work?

If you’ve never done any boating or have been away from this hobby for a while, you may be wondering what goes into doing these activities. In this case, it’s best to start with the basics. First, you need to know the laws surrounding the use of your drone. Most countries have regulations regarding where and when you can fly your craft. While some places allow you to use yours freely, others require you to get a license, register your aircraft, and adhere to other requirements. Next, you need to learn how to pilot your drone. You must learn how to control your copter and maintain and fly it properly. You need to learn special piloting techniques if your drone is huge. Third, you must ensure your drone is equipped for fishing and not just for show. There are several types of bait-dropping mechanisms, depending on your drone model. For example, SplashDrone 4 and Fisherman FD1 are purpose-built drones with integrated bait droppers. They also have a remote-controlled line release and many more. Another type of drone includes a tension-triggered release line, which utilizes DJI-compatible bait droppers.Finally, you need to find a good spot to launch your drone. There are plenty of great places for launching a drone, from public waterways to private property. Depending on your needs, you can also use your boat or fly from the shore as a staging platform.

Who started drone fishing?

Drone fishing was not always how it was today. Fishing with drones is still a new activity even after a few years. The activity started with a certain Milton Frear, the owner of JCMatthew in New Zealand. The company deals with different high-quality adventure brands and technology, from camera equipment to personal transportation.

Frear was the distributor of SwellPro in New Zealand, one of the first waterproof drones publicly available for purchase. He used the first-generation waterproof drone, the Mariner, for bait-dropping on the beach in 2014. This personal choice was a clever use of a feature not for its intended purpose.How?The Mariner had a release mechanism initially designed to drop live-saving equipment during an emergency. However, as a lifelong fisherman, Frear understood the novel way of utilizing the feature to drop some bait and get the fish going.Later on, several people started using their drones for fishing too. In particular, Jaiden Maclean of Sea Ulcer wanted to prove if they could fish using drones. Their Youtube video, “Drone Fishing For Tuna,” was a testament to the viability of fishing with a good drone.Their video went viral, garnering as many as 5.3 million views and influencing an audience that loves fishing and flying drones, combining them into one unique hobby. This inspired many would-be anglers to try drone fishing, and it took off from there.Swellpro is the first company who made a waterproof purpose-built fishing drone with an integrated release mechanism. This allows easy fishing and combines scouting, baiting, and angling in a single drone loadout.

Is Drone Fishing Worth It?

Drone fishing is an enjoyable activity for many people, especially due to its many benefits. Whether you’re doing it as a hobby or as a career, using a drone to get some good fish is fun. While some may think it’s less challenging, it also has its own technical hurdles that you need to overcome.So, is drone fishing worth it? Yes! Here are some benefits you can expect when you start drone fishing.

1. Extend The Range Of Your Cast

As the title implies, this allows you to extend the reach of your casting. While a conventional rod has a range of 10 to 15 meters, your aerial capabilities can extend that to as much as 100 meters. This allows you to cover a wide radius, making your chances of getting a snag or a fish much higher.While you can always use a boat to find the fishing spots you want, you can also use a drone and stay on the shore. This gives you a way to go fishing in locations that need a boat to access it, offering a richer space to gather the fish you want.

2. You Have Better Control Over Your Lure

When using conventional rods, you have to rely on hardware to release your hook and lure. When the bait hits the water, your gear must do the rest. The issue with this approach is that you have no say in how the lure behaves once it enters the water. If you use a deep-sea fishing rod, then it can sink to the bottom, making it hard to retrieve them. The mobility of an aerial vehicle gives you more control over your gear. You can quickly move to the best location to make your drop. You can also adjust how fast you move your gizmo, allowing you to bring it in fast or slow, depending on what you’re trying to achieve.

3. Scout For Good Fishing Spots

Using your UAV, you can simultaneously do two things: find a great place to angle and find the right spot for the right species. Scouting with a boat or a kayak can be limiting. If you can’t access an area by boat, then all you can do is hope for the best. On the other hand, when you use your droning to fly over the ocean, you can find a great location for different types of fish and sea life. This lets you modify your technique to make sure you get what you want.

4. Saves Time And Money

While most hobbies cost money, this one can actually save you money, especially if you do it regularly. Unlike traditional boats, you don’t require gas, insurance, or anything else with drone fishing. All you really need is an appropriate form of electricity to power your drone and your other fishing gear.. While you may be thinking it’ll take a lot of time to get the hang of doing this kind of recreational sport, it actually saves you time and effort. As compared to traditional forms of sports, this one doesn’t take as much physical exertion. You also don’t need to lug heavy boats or drive your car to get some fresh fish.

Can You Use Any Drone For Fishing?

If you’re thinking about getting into drone fishing, then you might be wondering if you can use your old drone to do some cool tricks. While it can, the results will be less than stellar. You want them to have the right specs.For starters, you want the drone to be 100% waterproof, from the copter itself to the camera and reeling equipment it uses. Drones can easily die with a strong splash of water with a big wave. You want the vital electronic parts protected so you can keep it operational.You also want a fishing drone that can handle high wind resistance and high payload capacity. The oceans pack strong winds, so your drone should be able to handle somewhere between 29 to 50 kph winds. As for payload, depending on the fish you want to catch, you want to go up to 1 to 2 kgs, which is enough bait to catch you a tuna.You also want a drone with a long flight time to allow for more drops per single charge. This also gives you more time to get your drone come back to safety if you’re fishing from the beach. You also want a good, high-quality camera, preferably an underwater camera for better scouting.

What Are The Best Drones For Fishing?

There are three excellent options on the market if you’re looking for fishing drones. Depending on your needs, every drone offers a different feature. These include:

SplashDrone 4

SwellPro’s SplashDrone 4 is a 5th-gen waterproof drone, offering features that fit every drone fisher’s needs at every skill level. It can float and has IP67 seawater proofing, with the ability to withstand Beaufort Force 7 winds (31 mph/50kph) during its flight.It also offers a swathe of features that allow multifunctional payload and open interface design. This allows you to equip the SplashDrone 4 with optional 1- to 3-axis payloads, from 4K, night vision to thermal cameras. It has a 30-minute flight time without load, with around 12 to 15-mins flight time with payload.

Fisherman FD1

Fisherman FD1, on the other hand, offers almost the same specs, with an IP67 seawater proofing and a max payload capacity of 2kg. It also has a max wind resistance of 44.75 mph/ 72 kph but an equivalent flight time to the SplashDrone 4. Its massive casting range gives you a 1.6 km radius and up to 6 bait drop missions per charge.

Spry+

Spry+ offers a different value than the SpalshDrone 4 and FD1, working as a lighter scout drone with an 800 m control range. Its 4K30fps camera offers easy scouting opportunities for high quality video opportunities. Its waterproofing and corrosion resistance offers a way to scout the waters with no issue at all.

How Much Does A Fishing Drone Cost?

The normal price range for a quality, durable, and functional drone for fishing and outdoor/aerial photography is between $1000 to $2000. This depends on factors like the brand, type, and weight of the product. The cost varies, depending on the features and capabilities you want your droning to have. Some models like the Spry+, for example, are much cheaper compared to other options. The Spry+ costs somewhere around $1000, while the SplashDrone 4 costs around $1800.While this may sound expensive for fishing, you need to remember that a fishing drone can replace several fishing equipment. It can replace a set of fishing rods, scouting gear, boating fees, and underwater cameras.

What Is The Longest Flight Time For A Fishing Drone?

The 20 to 30-minute battery life of most standard consumer-grade fishing drones, which is more than enough for an average fishing trip. The SplashDrone 4 and the Fisherman FD1, for example, can fly for 30 minutes without any load. It can traverse the 1-2km radius of your cast, offering you plenty of opportunity to get the bait in the water. Most recreational drone users spend around 15-20 minutes to do multiple bait drops. A few minutes is more than enough to fly the drone over great distances.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why you should consider drone fishing. From its versatility to the sheer amount of things you can do, drone fishing is the future. From helping you find the best place to dropping your lure, you can do so much with one amazing tool. If you’re looking for a great way to spend your time, then investing in a quality fishing drone is one of the best decisions you can make.