How to Trap a Turtle

Turtles on land and in ponds can be pests when they eat their way through a vegetable garden or devour a stock of fish. Snapping turtles also present a swimming hazard and many wish to remove them for that reason. Some wish to trap a turtle for meat or for a pet. Turtle trapping skills are handy for many situations.

Instructions

Trap Land Turtles

1. Look for turtles in the early morning in spring and summer. If you see a box turtle or other land turtle in your yard, simply put on gloves, carefully pick up the turtle and place it in a container with tall sides.

2. Obtain a live animal trap that will not hurt the turtle. Look for a wire animal trap with minimum measurements of 17" x 17" x 36".

3. Bait and set the trap according to the trap specifications. Overripe fruit makes a good bait to trap land turtles.

4. Check the trap every morning and evening. Be sure the trap is in the shade if you cannot check it frequently.

Trap Water Turtles

1. Purchase a floating turtle trap or a hoop trap to trap water turtles.

2. Bait trap with a large amount of bait. Try carp or catfish pieces or native fish that the turtles have been eating.

3. Locate the trap wherever you have seen the most turtle activity. Check rocky areas for turtle droppings.

4. Secure the trap carefully, following the manufacturer's directions. Hoop traps are attached to the bottom of the pond or lake with stakes.

5. Point the entrance to the hoop traps downstream, such that the turtles have to swim upstream to enter the traps.

6. Check traps at least once a day for any catch.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash hands thoroughly after handling turtles, which may harbor the bacteria salmonella on their shells and skin.

• Never allow children, who are more susceptible to disease, to handle turtles.

• Be cautious of snapping turtles, as their bites can be quite dangerous.

Resources

• Floating Turtle Traps.
• Standard animal traps.
• Live animal traps.
• Turtle traps and extensive turtle-trapping information.
• Traps and bait.