We investigated the influence of sex and depth of body on escapes from hoop nets by red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta) to assess if escapes from traps potentially biased estimates of structure of populations. Turtles remained in traps ≥34 h and traps were checked at ca. 12-h intervals. Depth of body was not a significant variable in escapes from hoop nets, but sex was a significant variable, with only females escaping. This study provides evidence that previous reports on the inefficiency of hoop nets and on rates of captures that are male-biased could result from escapes rather than differential attraction to traps.