Henry Rifle Forums

Don't confuse nutria with muskrats. Muskrats are a native species and a natural part of every marsh ecosystem. Still trapped for their fur, too, and every state has a season for that and it requires a license. Nutria are not a native species and have been causing great damage to marshes, waterways. Serious problem animal in most southern states.

North Country Gal wrote:Don't confuse nutria with muskrats. Muskrats are a native species and a natural part of every marsh ecosystem. Still trapped for their fur, too, and every state has a season for that and it requires a license. Nutria are not a native species and have been causing great damage to marshes, waterways. Serious problem animal in most southern states.

Thanks for the info NCG. Have never shot one. The last time I saw a " mucrat " was when I lived on the east coast. Good to know!!

Definitely don't shoot a muskrat outside trapping season or without the appropriate license, not if you want to stay on good terms with your local game warden. Most states, though, have some kind of provision in their laws for muskrats and, especially, beaver, when they become pests and cause property damage. Do check, first, though, before shooting.

North Country Gal wrote:Definitely don't shoot a muskrat outside trapping season or without the appropriate license, not if you want to stay on good terms with your local game warden. Most states, though, have some kind of provision in their laws for muskrats and, especially, beaver, when they become pests and cause property damage. Do check, first, though, before shooting.

Definitely would do that thanks to you!

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I think they mostly inhabit low lands and valleys where the water meanders, slow moving.

Maybe I should hang the shooting tree from a tree, so that it gets a good sway going. Thanks for the idea

markiver54 wrote:

Mags wrote:.
Actually, NC has them. They are also referred to as river rats. Maybe you know them by that name.
https://www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/Spe ... -more-info

markiver54 wrote:No nutria around here, unless it's a form of opossum which I hate, got plenty of them around here. Unfortunately I have to bring out the Blue Streak for them around here.

To me, any rodent that really serves no purpose on the planet is fair game and good target practice. Now that you mention it Mags, we used to call them Muscrats...don,t see them here in the mountains though. Try those plates on a really windy day! Maybe that'll help...

markiver54 wrote:

North Country Gal wrote:Definitely don't shoot a muskrat outside trapping season or without the appropriate license, not if you want to stay on good terms with your local game warden. Most states, though, have some kind of provision in their laws for muskrats and, especially, beaver, when they become pests and cause property damage. Do check, first, though, before shooting.

Definitely would do that thanks to you!

in NC ===> Technically, they're supposed to be in the act of damaging property.

In North Carolina, illegally trapping a muskrat is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and community service. Shooting one illegally can cost up to $200 in fines. South Carolina's minimum penalties start at $94.

Most of the time, however, people are only caught if someone else reports them; rarely do wildlife officers actually catch someone illegally killing muskrats.


info per this link ===> https://www.greensboro.com/muskrats-a-n ... 79d89.html

info per this link ===> https://www.greensboro.com/muskrats-a-n ... 79d89.html[/quote]

Thanks jim, good info. Terrible about the boats. That would definitely be a reason to dispatch of them legally.

Another Nutria wandered into its demise this morning.

Good for you Mags...sure he'll be happy now in Nutria heaven..