Snapping Turtle Trapping & Removal

We don’t get too many calls for snapping turtle removal, but it is still a service that Frontline Animal Removal offers.

We recently completed a job at a series of small ponds that are soon to have some new ducks added.  The owner wanted to reduce the number of mature snappers that were living there before adding the new, little ducks.  Removing the mature snappers was what we were tasked with and that is what Frontline Animal Removal did.

The pictures and description below provide some information on what snapping turtle removal looks like.

Snapping Turtle Removal in Ohio

The first important piece of information to understand for snapping turtle management is that Snapping Turtle Removal in Ohio is governed by the Fishing Regulations, not the Nuisance Wildlife Rules.

Therefore, before anyone attempts to remove a turtle, he/she needs to have a valid Ohio fishing license.

The rules for turtle trapping are found within the Ohio Fishing License Regulations that are published annually.  The rules can be found online or in the pamphlet that is available when one purchases a fishing license in person.  The turtle regulations, specifically, are found on page 13 of this year’s (2022) regulations and are reproduced here:

As you can read, snapping turtles are able to be trapped in the second half of the year- from July 1 through December 31.  Some people are surprised that there is a season for them.

There is also a size limit, 11 inches.  And, only snapping turtles and softshell turtles may be taken.

Like all traps in Ohio, the trap’s owner must be identified and live traps must be checked at least once daily.  

Turtle traps made of netting (like ours pictured below) also must have ways for smaller turtles to get out and have to be straight in design.

Trapping Snapping Turtles

Frontline Animal Removal uses turtle traps made out of pvc, wire hoops and netting that are circular in nature.  

They are placed partially in the water and staked down (usually along weed edges) where turtles travel and hunt.  The traps are also baited which encourages turtles to swim into them.  Once inside, the larger turtles can’t figure out how to get back outside of the trap.  They are alive and feisty when the trapper comes to remove the turtles.  The trap must be removed from the water to facilitate the trapper’s removing the turtle form the net.

Here are some pictures which show the trap and the process:

Snapping Turtle Removal | Akron, Canton, Kent

Snapping turtle trapping doesn’t get a lot of love on our web page because we haven’t been hired to do it all that often.  But, if you have a pond that you would like snappers removed from, give is a call.

We have turtle traps and the experience to reach your turtle management goal!