Please note: This page is under construction.  It will be frequently updated.

How Do You Catch Turtles?

How To Catch A Turtle / Catching Turtles

How to Catch Turtles

Welcome to the official 'how-to' page for catching freshwater turtles.  This page was designed for the beginner turtle hunter- to give some of the techniques involved, from beginner techniques, to extremely advanced techniques.  It is important that, as a beginner, you do not attempt any advanced techniques without certified instruction from a Turtle Master, or Grand Master.

If you are under the age of 18, you should not ever go turtle hunting, or attempt turtle-net construction without the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian. 

Now, let us begin your training....

PART ONE- Preparation For The Hunt

To be a successful Turtle Hunter, you will require the following materials:

1) One Large Fishing Net (ideally an aluminum landing net, with at least a 3-4" hollow handle)

2) One long, wooden pole (ideally the handle off of a broom, or rake) [Recommended, but optional]

3) One 5" x 1/4" [approx] threaded bolt with thumbscrew washer [Recommended, but optional]

4) One Inflatable raft [required only for raft hunting- entirely optional]

5) One pair of POLARIZED sunglasses [optional, but STRONGLY recommended] 

6) One old pair of tennis shoes [note: these shoes will get dirty, smelly & wet]

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT- Binoculars, Water/beverages/snacks, Camera, Bucket, Hat, Sunscreen, Life-Vest, underwater goggles/snorkel, towel, bugspray, sunglass eye-straps. 

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 PART TWO- Constructing Your Turtle-Hunting Net

A Turtle Hunter's net is your most important piece of gear.  It is akin to the lightsaber of the Jedi...or the blaster of the Corellian smuggler.  Your net is your weapon......you must think of it as an extension of your arm.  

To construct the ultimate turtle-hunting net....you must follow the directions below.  This design, personally conceived and crafted by the Grand Master Turtle Hunter- Brad Gottlieb is the product of years of cumulative research and design, and will yield you the finest and most effective turtle-hunting net available anywhere in the world today.

Step 1- Purchase a net with a hollow handle, many of these will have a rubber/plastic handle on the end that you will have to puncture in order to expose the hole of the net's shaft at the base.

Step 2- Take your wooden stick (i.e. handle from a broom or rake) and see if it will fit into the hole at the base of your net.  Typically this will not fit right away...which requires you to shave off some of the wood on the top of your stick in order for it to fit into your net's shaft.  Ideally, you will want about SIX inches [or more] of the stick to fit into the shaft of the net.  

Step 3- Drill a 1/4" hole (or the size of whatever bolt you purchased) through the bottom of your net's hollow handle, approximately 3" deep into where the extension stick will sit.  Make sure you drill the hole straight, so your bolt will cleanly fit into one side, and out the other.   

Step 4- Drill a 1/4" (or the size of whatever bolt you purchased) hole through your extension stick, again approximately 3" in, approximating where you would like the bolt to go through the net's handle, then through the extension stick, then out the other side of the net's handle.

Step 5- Drill a second hole in the opposite end of your extension stick for your wrist-rope attachment.  String your wrist-rope through this hole and secure it with an excellent knot.  On the opposite end of this rope (you'll want the rope to be about 6 feet long or so to start with) tie a slip-knot, allowing this to attach to your wrist securely, preventing the accidental loss of your net, and also allowing you to throw your net at a selected turtle target.  This somewhat advanced technique is known as "Tossing the Bucket."

Step 6- Insert your extension stick into the net's hollow handle...run your 5" x 1/4" bolt through the holes in your net handle, and your extension stick handle, effectively securing your extended net into one piece. [ Make sure the extension stick does not fit too snugly into the shaft of the net, because the wood will expand when it's wet, and if your fit is too snug, you wont be able to pull your extension stick out of the net's handle when you're finished]  Next- Take your thumbscrew washer and lock that bolt into place. The purpose for purchasing a bolt that sticks out so far, is that this allows you to anchor your index and middle fingers onto it, giving your striking momentum much greater force and accuracy. Next- Loop the slip-knotted end of the wrist-rope attachment onto your wrist and you are IN BUSINESS.  

You have now constructed the ultimate Turtle-Hunting net.

It is important to note that this net is to be used ONLY for the catch-and-release sport of Turtle-Hunting.  To use this net to catch turtles to sell, eat, or any other purpose is illegal and you will be fined by authorities if you are caught using it in such a way, so please only use this net only to catch our turtle friends, and then gently let them go back into their natural habitat.

Any ranking turtle hunter will be stripped of any ranking for life if they are found to be in violation of this.  Please be kind and respectful to the turtles...and to all animals.

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PART THREE- Selecting Your Hunting Ground

Selecting your hunting ground is of paramount importance.  If you don't chose the proper area...you will find yourself going home after a frustrating day of searching for turtles that.....simply aren't there.  Large lakes are typically worthless...unless they have inlets or bays that have minimal chop and have fallen trees or logs that would allow the turtles to bask on. 

Turtles are cold-blooded, which means they have to sit in the sun to heat their body temperature in order to obtain energy.  This is why you'll see them sunning themselves on a log.  This is why you should stick to turtle hunting on days that it is particularly sunny outside.  Also, if it is windy out and/or there is chop/waves on the surface of the water, it will make spotting the turtles extremely difficult...and turtles will be much less inclined to be out floating in the water if so.  

What you're really going to want to look for is a medium to large-sized pond, or a small lake.  If the pond has a large population of snails, crawfish, small fish and/or plants it will be much more favorable for you as a hunter, as these provide an ample food supply for turtles...usually increasing the turtle population size in the pond.  

Bottom line is- you want a sunny, not-windy day at a medium to large pond, or a small lake....ideally one with a lot of fallen trees or logs in it, giving turtles a place to come out of the water to soak up their energy from the ambient sunlight.  Scope out the area too......if you don't SEE any turtles there after spending some time there looking....it's probably best to try a new area.

Once you've found yourself a good hunting spot.  It's time to begin the hunt!

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PART FOUR- The Hunt

Now, you are ready to begin the hunt.  For you beginners, this will be a day long remembered.  Hunting turtles requires you to move silently, sit patiently, and strike out without hesitation, with perfect accuracy.  Don't go out expecting to be a professional on your first time out....becoming an adept turtle-hunter takes years of practice.  You WILL have fun though!  

Your first step after arriving at your selected hunting grounds, and after you have assembled your net and secured the wrist-rope to your wrist is to select your first area for attack.  When turtle hunting...you must attack not as though you are a mindless, brute soldier, blindly following orders from an equally ignorant commanding officer.  No...as a turtle hunter, you must act independently, as though you are a ninja.  Stealth, silence, patience and accuracy are your key weapons in this battle.

Once you have found your attack position, settle in for a bit of a waiting game.  Turtles have EXCELLENT vision (they can see in ultraviolet), and a very keen sense of smell as well.  Turtles can also hear fairly well also, so your movement and noise should be kept to an absolute minimum.  Given their excellent eyesight...it's a very good idea to wear some sort of camouflage, or at least stick with earthy colors...avoid any bright colors...these will easily give away your presence to the turtles.

Turtles have body language too, just like people do.  READ THEIR BODY LANGUAGE AND USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE!  If you approach a turtle, and you see his head and/or feet extend out- he is on guard.  STOP MOVING!  Wait patiently until the turtle relaxes again and then start moving slowly again.  Make as little noise as possible.

Experienced hunters rarely, if ever will even try to attack a turtle when it's basking on a log.  This is an extremely difficult catch that rarely works, and usually scares the turtle so much, they scoot outta there far away.  If you see a bunch of turtles on a log- you want to get them OFF of that log, and into the water.  This is the only reasonable way to catch them.  If you sneak up and allow them to become somewhat wary, so that they casually drop in the water....this is a much better scenario.  The turtles are then not very spooked and will often surface in the water not far from where they just dropped in.  They are now an "easy" catch.   IF, on the other hand, you think you're some sort of turtle-master and go charging at that log-full of turtles with your net- you will NOT catch any, and you will terrify them so much, you'll have to wait there for a solid 30 minutes for them to even think about coming back into that area again.  DON'T DO THAT!!!!

Once you've got your turtles where you want them (in the water) you can prepare your attack.  It is extremely important that you chose the right moment to attack, and that you make that attack count.  This is so important because once you launch your attack...you will alert every turtle for hundreds of yards to you presence and intention.  They now think you are a big animal that wants to eat them and they do not enjoy that.  So, essentially- you've got one shot to get that little guy and if you miss (which you will, and will often do- have no illusions about that) then you're not just starting from scratch- you're starting from wayyyy behind scratch, because now they all know you're there.

Of course, they will forget, eventually, and they will come gingerly back towards the shore....but it will take time.  Be patient with them and remember- they think you want to eat them....it's not a game to them!  

When you're eyeing up turtles in the water, you'll realize that your mind is playing tricks on you.  All of a sudden sticks, leaves and rocks start to look a hell of a lot like a turtle.  Learn to distinguish reality from illusion here- but again, this takes time and it will happen.  It even happens to the most experience hunters from time to time.  All of this simply adds to the excitement of turtle hunting.

Once you see a turtle in the water...and you think you've got a chance to catch it- go for it!  Jump out and hit the water with that net (be careful not to hit the turtle with the net's metal edge in the process) and do a full swoop underwater.  If the turtle submerges before your net gets there (this happens often) look which way he swims/dives and aim your attack at that precise spot....it's not as easy as it sounds, but you will get better with time.  When you pull up that net with a turtle in it....congratulations, you are now a successful turtle hunter!  Your next step is to send us a picture of you with your turtle and net and we will post it on our Turtle Gallery page.  You are also now eligible to be a member (for free- there's never any cost) of the National Turtle Hunting Organization.  Also, if you provide us with proof of your catch (pictures), you may be promoted to be a ranking turtle hunter in the NTHO.  Send us your pictures and turtle-catching stories and, provided you meet the proper requirements,  we will send you an official Turtle-Hunter Rank Certificate with your name and rank on it (for no charge).

Welcome to the club, Turtle Hunter.

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PART FIVE- The Jargon

Here is a list of some frequently used terms by turtle hunters.  You should familiarize yourself with all of these, and use them frequently.

Ace- Successfully catching a turtle

Deuce- The act of catching two turtles in one net-swipe/attack [very rare]

Triple Threat- The act of catching three turtles in a one net-swipe/attack [extremely rare]

Cracking the Pyramid- The act of catching more than three turtles in a one net-swipe/attack [only the Grand Master has ever done this]

Tossing the Bucket- The act of throwing your net (attached to your wrist rope) towards a distant target

Bonzai- A dangerous, advanced lunging attack.  Only possible if geographically viable.  (video to come soon)

Scratch- An attempt to catch a turtle that comes up- empty

Lizzypinched- Getting bitten by a turtle

Dunk the Bucket- Losing your net in the lake/pond

Shoeshanked- Losing your shoes in the lake/mud.

Shoeshank Redemption- Finding your lost shoe by digging it out of the mud (tough to do)

Frogman Swipe- trying to catch a turtle with an underhand (net is submerged before the swipe) attack

Stickshafted- attempting to catch a 'turtle' that ends up being a stick/log, etc. (i.e.- anything that ISN'T a turtle)

Foxholed- being in a position of stealth, preparing or waiting for the right moment to attack

Fox Two- The act of launching your attack/net-swipe towards a turtle-target

Drop the Ball- prematurely giving away your existence/position to turtles, and scaring them away

Shell Shocked- Going Home after a session of Turtle-hunting and catching ZERO turtles

Sticky Fingers- catching a turtle with your bare hands

Hording Shell- Keeping a caught turtle as a pet

Rocking The Green- generic term applicable to anyone using improper technique, or making a rookie-type of mistake

Waste Basket- a poorly made turtle-hunting net

Turtleizing- generic term for raft or boat turtle-hunting

Droptics- Losing your sunglasses in the water

Ticklish Dance- inadvertently startling turtles with a reflex action (sneezing, reacting to a bug bite, etc.)

Earning a Shell- Being promoted to a ranking turtle-hunter

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PART SIX- The National Turtle Hunting Organization

The National Turtle Hunting Organization was founded in 2004 by Turtle Hunting Grand Master- Bradley D. Gottlieb.  The organization is a non-profit entity, whose existence is for recreation only.  To become a member in the NTHO, you must submit a photo to us HERE of a turtle you have caught, along with the story of how you caught it, and how you became interested in Turtle-Hunting.

After you submit a picture and story to us, you will be eligible to become an official ranking Turtle hunter.  Your first Turtle-Hunting rank would be a Turtle-Apprentice.  Don't let the name fool you, becoming a turtle apprentice is an esteemed position, and if you are officially promoted to such, we will e-mail you a certificate of your rank as well that you can print out and frame to put right above your diploma.

The Turtle Hunting Rank System and requirements is as follows:

[Please note: you may be promoted to ANY rank at ANY time for ANY reason by a Turtle-Hunting Grand Master, but ONLY by a Grand Master]

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Turtle Hunting Apprentice

To be promoted to Apprentice, you must catch one turtle and submit a photo and catch-story HERE

You may be promoted by any ranking turtle-hunter above the rank of 'apprentice', though you must inform the turtlemaster.

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Turtle Hunting Journeyman

To be promoted from apprentice to Journeyman, you must catch one SNAPPING TURTLE in the presence of an Adept, Master, or Grand master and submit a photo and catch-story HERE

You may be promoted by any ranking turtle-hunter above the rank of Journeyman, though you must inform the turtlemaster.

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Turtle Hunting Adept

To be promoted from journeyman to Adept, you must catch a turtle with your bare hands in the presence of a master or Grand Master.

You must also perform a Deuce (catch two turtles in one net) in the presence of a Master, or Grand Master

you may be promoted by any ranking turtle-hunter above the rank of Adept, though you must inform the turtlemaster.

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Turtle Hunting Master

To achieve the coveted 'Master' Rank, you must:

a) be a ranking Turtle Hunting Adept

b) Perform a Triple-Threat (catch three turtles in one net) in the presence of a Master or Grand Master

c) submit an essay to a Grand Master.  Upon review of your essay, the Grand Master will Determine whether or not you are qualified and distinguished enough to be promoted to 'Master'.  If you are meet requirements a & b, please submit your essay to the Grand Master HERE.

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Turtle Hunting Grand Master

[Please note: At this time, there is only ONE ranking Grand Master in the world- Brad Gottlieb.] 

To be promoted to Grand Master, you must first be a ranking Turtle Master.  You must also: 

a) catch more than three turtles in a net with one swipe [crack the pyramid]

b) provide a real-life demonstration for such a glorious promotion to a ranking Grand master 

c) be accepted and promoted by a ranking Grand Master

Get Rocked at Doc's!

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