How to Build Turtle Traps
- 1). Construct a square wood frame out of the four sections of board with the hammer and 20 D nails. Make sure the edges of the boards are flush. Use two to three nails on each edge to ensure the frame is sturdy.
- 2). Cut a piece of chicken wire to the size of your box. The piece of chicken wire should be approximately 2 foot square, though you may wish to cut it to ensure it overlaps the wood frame.
- 3). Place the chicken wire on the bottom of the box. Use the staple gun to secure the chicken wire to the frame. Staple each corner of the turtle trap and at least two staples down each side. Use as many staples as you feel necessary to secure the chicken wire to the trap.
- 4). Flip the turtle trap over so the open side is facing up. Drill two holes slightly bigger than your metal rod approximately 1 inch from the top and 6 inches from one end of the box (as seen in the picture).
- 5). Slide the metal rod through the holes leaving about 1 inch of rod sticking out on each end.
- 6). Nail the 18-inch board to the outside of the turtle trap so that it leads from the ground to the top edge of the trap on the side nearest the metal rod. This board will act as a ramp for the turtles to crawl into the trap.
- 7). Drill two small holes on each side of the 8-inch board. The holes should be directly across from each other, approximately 1/4 inch from the board's edge. Make sure the board sits flush against the 18-inch board to allow the turtles to crawl toward the middle of the trap, but do not nail it to the side of the trap.
- 8). Attach the 8-inch board to the metal rod using the safety wire. Safety wire will be sturdy enough to allow the board to flip over without snapping. This board is known as the teeter board and will flip over when the turtle reaches the end.
- 9). Place a small piece of uncooked meat, such as fish or beef in the bottom of the trap for bait and set the trap in the water at the edge of the pond. Secure the trap to a rock or piece of wood if needed to keep it from floating away.
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