running a trap line

One more down!

It's not any sort of trophy so I didn't take the photo. It's a juvenile (a button buck) - probably the littermate to the four that ended up in one trap a week ago. We had a serious problem in the barn like we do a few times a year. I have Aussie pups right now, so I can't really poison the rats in case one were to curl up and die in my puppy nursery. Anyhow, running the trap line is much more fun.

Cats don't work and I haven't had one in years. I tried every method with cats from keeping them a little hungry to feeding them like an athlete. I have tried both wildish cats and domestic ones with not much luck other than my dogs and one horse occasionally getting attacked by a hormonal kitty in a bad mood. My pack of Aussies have produced more mouse killing than cats ever have for me. Rats, however are another story. I guess these field rats are too big and toothy for my aussies to catch and they're just plain hard to get bayed up so I could send in a bulldog (don't think I haven't thought of this - Meat Head will catch ANYTHING that is bayed). These darned rats are a challenge!

Any ideas on the trap, lance? I don't know what type of trap door mechanism would hold a big rat while still allowing others to come in. The problem is that they can use their "hands" to pry things open, and I wouldn't put it past one to partially open the trap door to free a friend or family member.

Cheers!
M