How to Build a Tunnel Trap for Muskrats

Muskrats are aquatic animals that often swim underwater to access their dens or when moving from one location to another. They usually follow distinct trails leading to their underwater den entrances, feeding areas or other places they frequently go. A tunnel trap set on one of these underwater trails is an easy method to capture traveling muskrats. Tunnel traps are available from many trapping supplies retailers, but it's easy and less costly to build them yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • 24-inch section of 8-inch stovepipe
  • 2 eight-inch-to-4-inch stovepipe reducer fittings with male ends
  • Drill
  • 4 Self-tapping sheet metal screws
  • Tin snips
  • Hammer
  • Two-by-four wood block, 10-inches long
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a slit in the 8-inch, male end of the 8-inch to 4-inch reducer fitting, using tin snips. There's a shoulder on the fitting that prevents the reducer from being able to slip completely inside the stovepipe. Snip from the edge, to the shoulder and past it and additional inch. This slit will allow the reducer to compress an allow it to be pushed completely inside the stovepipe.

    • 2

      Repeat with the second reducer.

    • 3

      Set the reducer on a concrete floor with the 8-inch side down and the 4-inch side up.

    • 4

      Place the section of stovepipe vertically over the fitting.

    • 5

      Lay a 2-by-4 wood block across the upper end of the stovepipe and strike the block with a hammer, driving the stovepipe down onto the fitting until the bottom edge of the pipe is even with the outer edge of the fitting.

    • 6

      Set the other reducer on the floor, turn the pipe over and drive it into place as you did in the step above.

    • 7

      Insert a pair self-tapping sheet metal screws through the pipe, into the reducer fitting to hold them in place.