Turtle - Man

[2ndHand]

Looks like I have a small snapper in my pond ( looks to be about 12" across the shell). Besides calling Turtle man, what's the best way to get rid of it? Trap it or just shoot it? Would a .22 do the job?

 

[Ogemaone]

.22 in the head will work. Or use a circle hook tied to wire or heavy duty line baited with a piece of bluegill or meat should do the job. Tie the line to a tree or a stick in the ground on the pond edge.

 

[Jameson]

Why the desire to get rid of it? Eating the fish in the pond?

 

[2ndHand]

Why the desire to get rid of it? Eating the fish in the pond?

Eating fish and my son doesn't want to swim with the snapper.

 

[2ndHand]

.22 in the head will work. Or use a circle hook tied to wire or heavy duty line baited with a piece of bluegill or meat should do the job. Tie the line to a tree or a stick in the ground on the pond edge.

Thanks for the reply Ogemaone - If I try the circle hook, how far out into the pond should I place it?

Thanks!

 

[non-pro-archer]

Thanks for the reply Ogemaone - If I try the circle hook, how far out into the pond should I place it?

Thanks!

I would put the bait where you see the turtle the most, it doesn't take them long to find it

 

[Ogemaone]

When I have caught them, I usually have 8-10 feet of line out from the shore.

 

[2ndHand]

I would put the bait where you see the turtle the most, it doesn't take them long to find it

Sounds good - I have a pretty good idea where it appear to hang out. Thanks!

 

[2ndHand]

When I have caught them, I usually have 8-10 feet of line out from the shore.

Thank you!

 

[SD51555]

Ok, if nobody else is gonna ask, I'll do it. Are you gonna eat it? I don't have the foggiest when it comes to dressing a turtle, but the older folks in my family swear it's good eatin.

 

[huntall]

Ok, if nobody else is gonna ask, I'll do it. Are you gonna eat it? I don't have the foggiest when it comes to dressing a turtle, but the older folks in my family swear it's good eatin.

I have cleaned them and ate them when i was young, but only a couple types we would eat.
soft shell(illegal to keep now) and loggerhead( aligator snapper i think)

 

[fuldraw]

Treble hooks on a trot line seem to catch them to you might want to use a stainless leader with a swivel to get them

 

[2ndHand]

Ok, if nobody else is gonna ask, I'll do it. Are you gonna eat it? I don't have the foggiest when it comes to dressing a turtle, but the older folks in my family swear it's good eatin.

Not planning on eating it - just would like it gone. My dad told me they taste good too - like chicken - I'll stick with chicken...;)

 

[Ogemaone]

I saved the shell from the last one I caught. Figured it would make a nice decoration for the cabin.

 

[2ndHand]

I saved the shell from the last one I caught. Figured it would make a nice decoration for the cabin.View attachment 1490

That's a nice shell. What's the size & did you polish or spray a clear coat on it? Thanks!

 

[Ogemaone]

It's about 16". I sprayed several coats of polyurethane on it inside and out. It's quite the chore getting everything cleaned out of the inside. I spent about a hour scrubbing the moss off the shell to get it clean. The kids thought it was a cool project.

 

[strawhead]

Looks like it is right at 16 inches. :rolleyes: In WI slot is 12-16 inches.

 

[2ndHand]

It's about 16". I sprayed several coats of polyurethane on it inside and out. It's quite the chore getting everything cleaned out of the inside. I spent about a hour scrubbing the moss off the shell to get it clean. The kids thought it was a cool project.

Nice job - it looks nice...;)

Did you use a circle hook to catch it? How do you place the trap in relation to the bait? Thanks for your help!

 

[Ogemaone]

I used a circle hook. I attached the hook to a 24" steel leader and tie it to around 10 feet of braided nylon fishing line. I tie it to a tree and throw it in the water. I usually try to use a 3-4" bluegill. You don't want to much line out or you risk the turtle getting snagged under water. I caught that one in my pond. Same as you, kids didn't want it in there for swimming plus I didn't want it to eat fish.

 

[Ogemaone]

You can also tie the line to a milk jug and throw it out in the pond.