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How to Capture a Snapping Turtle

The snapping turtle, or Chelydra serpentina, is a large aquatic turtle with a big pointed head and a long, thick tail. It inhabits water bodies such as swamps, ponds, rivers and reservoirs, spending most of its time underwater. This reptile is sometimes considered a pest, as it eats the same food as fish. However, snapping turtles are favored for their succulent meat, which resembles chicken breast and tastes good in stews or soups. Make use of a hoop net to catch a snapping turtle, whether you need to capture it for relocation purposes or for cooking.

Things You'll Need

Hoop net
Two 4-foot-long wooden poles
Wire strips
Small pieces of raw chicken liver or raw beef neck

Instructions

- 1
  Consult the relevant government body in your state to see if it is legal for you to catch snapping turtles. You should also find out whether you need a fishing permit and how many snapping turtles you can catch in one fishing trip.
- 2
  Set the hoop net at dusk in the part of the water that is inhabited by snapping turtles. Ensure that the hoop net is only partially submerged, with the top of the hoop net above the water. This will help you to capture the turtle alive and enable it to breathe properly.
- 3
  Fasten one 4-foot-long wooden pole on either side of the hoop net to stretch and extend it. Drive the wooden poles two feet into the ground under the water to firmly secure them, and attach them to the hoop net with wire strips.
- 4
  Position the mouth of the hoop net trap downstream. This will make it easier for the snapping turtle to enter the trap. Place bait, such as small pieces of raw chicken liver or raw beef neck, inside the hoop net to attract the snapping turtle.
- 5
  Examine the hoop net in the morning for trapped snapping turtles. Exercise great caution while extracting turtles from the trap. Lift turtles out of the net by holding them from behind the head and near the neck with both hands. This will prevent the turtles from turning their head around and snapping at you.

Animals & Science