Robert W. Minton, Thomas P. Wilson, and Christopher Manis

For this analysis we report on the effects of baited vs. non-baited traps on overall catch numbers for a 4-year period. We also report on the effects on species caught as a result of baited vs. non-baited traps. These analyses range from 2002 to 2005. Trapping effort for baited traps was greater for 2002 and 2005, while the trapping effort for baited and non-baited traps was the same for 2003 and 2004. Of the nine turtle species known to be in the Tennessee River Gorge, eight were captured during this time period. In 2003 and 2005, non-baited traps produced the higher number of captures. Baited traps captured more turtles during the 2002 and 2004 field seasons. The Cumberland slider (Trachemys scripta) was the most abundant turtle captured for both baited and non-baited traps and the total number caught was nearly the same. This was the only species in which this was the case. The common musk turtle (Sternotherous odoratus) was the second most captured turtle (n=228). However, 174 of these captures took place in baited traps. The stinkpot was the only species in which more were captured in baited traps. This analysis shows that there is a difference between baited and non-baited traps in regards to specific species within the Tennessee River Gorge.
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