Five Tips for Using Hoop Turtle Traps

Hoop turtle traps use a netting with an opening on one end. You place bait inside of them and wait for turtles to enter and get caught. There are a few things you should know to catch turtles more efficiently. This article will give you a few tips for using hoop turtle traps.

Location

Turtles love being in the water. You can use hoop turtle traps in any body of water that they enjoy being in. These bodies of water include rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes.

Bait

You will also need to use bait to lure them into the hoop turtle traps. One turtle can eat a lot of fish. If you don't use enough fish, your bait will disappear very quickly. Therefore, you need to make sure you use a lot of bait in your hoop turtle traps. You can possibly catch multiple turtles if you use enough bait, so you will catch more turtles in less time.

Size

It's also important to use the appropriate size trap to catch turtles while they're out foraging. Hoop turtle traps only come in two sizes, so this shouldn't be difficult. You should use the small variety when you are targeting turtles are a a few inches to a foot long. Large hoop turtle traps should be used to catch turtles that are one to two feet long.

Drowning

If you want the turtles you catch to stay alive, you will need to erect the hoop turtle traps correctly. If you submerge the traps too far in the water, the turtles will drown. The top of hoop turtle traps should be secured at least two inches above the surface of the water. This will give the turtles enough space to breathe. You should be aware that most traps will sag if you set them on stakes, so you should set them at least a foot above the water to allow for the sagging.

Direction

The direction you set your hoop turtle traps is sometimes important. If you use them in ponds or lakes were there is little water flow, you do not need to set them a particular way. If you use hoop turtle traps in streams or rivers with water flow, you will need to have the entrance of the traps facing downstream. You want the turtles to have to swim upstream to get captured.