Lmarie Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 I need to trap some nuisance magpies, a friend has kindly lent me two Larsen traps to use, I will be using eggs to bait the traps with as I don't have a call bird and just wondered if anyone could offer any tips or alternative bait etc Or if anyone has a call bird I could pick up from Cheshire or the midlands that would be great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 Bit early yet, larsens work best when the birds are paired up and territorial, also call birds wont survive out in the open at this time of year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 You could try a split rabbit in one trap, it might be a while before you get one then at least you have a call bird. Carefull in really bad weather with the call bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny tim Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 ours is doing ok and had 15 since christmas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lmarie Posted February 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 Thanks for the comments...I will be very careful with the call bird...after all he'll be doing me a favour ...if I can get one there will be knowledgeable people keeping an eye on him until I check the trap as per legislation...I do have plentiful rabbit though if need be, thanks for that, failing in getting a call bird I will bait one will rabbit and one will eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinF Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 Try some quail eggs, they are a more like a wild bird egg in size and colour than a chicken egg. You can buy them at the supermarket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 Thanks for the comments...I will be very careful with the call bird...after all he'll be doing me a favour ...if I can get one there will be knowledgeable people keeping an eye on him until I check the trap as per legislation...I do have plentiful rabbit though if need be, thanks for that, failing in getting a call bird I will bait one will rabbit and one will eggs They do like rabbit but so do birds of prey. Be careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 Foxes will also be attracted by a split rabbit, so go tooled up when on the trap run. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 ours is doing ok and had 15 since christmas Good, but I did only say they work best later on, i have caught them in autumn but not as quickly or as easily as in spring. And personally I wouldnt make a call bird sit in an open sided box, in possibly freezing temperatures, howling gales and driving rain, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny tim Posted February 13, 2014 Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 Good, but I did only say they work best later on, i have caught them in autumn but not as quickly or as easily as in spring. And personally I wouldnt make a call bird sit in an open sided box, in possibly freezing temperatures, howling gales and driving rain,your right, I have it in a very sheltered position so it cant get wet and no wind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted February 13, 2014 Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 Be VERY careful using rabbit as bait, once had RSPB claiming the trap was set for sparrowhawks because of rabbit bait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 You will need a call bird that is a stranger to the area for best results. you might catch one and it`s mate, then swap it to a trap out of area, as your working two traps this should be possible. also call birds wont survive out in the open at this time of yearI have my trap in the garden in front of a shrub with two sides from prevailing wind boarded and a roof on it, I have closed the catching traps but I still have the resident pair around the trap every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lmarie Posted February 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 I opened up the two traps on Friday and baited with eggs and I was unable to get a call bird. I decided aganist baiting with a rabbit following the good points made and i know there are buzards in the area. The two traps are at the same place but not awfully close to one another. I've not been able to catch anything as of yet :( even though there are around 15 magpies around the traps everyday! Both traps are well sheltered in case I did manage to get a call bird, but not too enclosed so they should still seem inviting to the maggies. Would moving the traps be beneficial or a hinderence to the task in hand? And again, any further advise would be appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted February 20, 2014 Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 I opened up the two traps on Friday and baited with eggs and I was unable to get a call bird. I decided aganist baiting with a rabbit following the good points made and i know there are buzards in the area. The two traps are at the same place but not awfully close to one another. I've not been able to catch anything as of yet :( even though there are around 15 magpies around the traps everyday! Both traps are well sheltered in case I did manage to get a call bird, but not too enclosed so they should still seem inviting to the maggies. Would moving the traps be beneficial or a hinderence to the task in hand? And again, any further advise would be appreciated Did you put any holes in the eggs as chipping them a bit can help, just give a couple a poke with a nail or the tip of something pointed. You could also put one or two on top of the trap as an easy enticer and confidence builder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lmarie Posted February 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 yes that's exactly what I did. I put 2/3 in each side and 1/2 on top of each section. I cracked the odd one on top and left in open so they could see the yolk. I even cracked one near by on the floor and that one was eaten! But all the others, including those on top was not. As far as I'm aware the area has never had Larsen traps down before so I am quite surprised they haven't gone for it, even considering the time of year etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pboro shot Posted February 20, 2014 Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 As said dont use rabbit I make a birds nest then put 3 eggs in useally pheasant leave one wholecrack one and completly empty one scatter shell theres no real reason other then thats the way I was thought but it works in winter I put bit of bread on around trap as a added attraction caught loads like this so no need to do much else in my opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted February 20, 2014 Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 As said dont use rabbit I make a birds nest then put 3 eggs in useally pheasant leave one wholecrack one and completly empty one scatter shell theres no real reason other then thats the way I was thought but it works in winter I put bit of bread on around trap as a added attraction caught loads like this so no need to do much else in my opinion Usually works well this way and the white of the bread is a good eye catcher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lmarie Posted February 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 Thanks guys! I will try putting some bread out today and I'll see if I can get any other type of eggs, I'll also pop in waitrose on the way home later and see if they stock quail eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 Thanks guys! I will try putting some bread out today and I'll see if I can get any other type of eggs, I'll also pop in waitrose on the way home later and see if they stock quail eggs The Quail eggs are a closer representation of song bird eggs and are better than hen eggs in general. Do you or anyone you know have any contacts with a gamekeeper as that's your best chance of a call bird. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 Try dog biscuits or bread,may be more like what they`re scavenging depending on location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted February 23, 2014 Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 I start off with white bread make sure traps are checked as you will get blackbirds until you get a call bird, I use rabbits pigeons etc, split them open first never had a raptor in one yet.I feed my call bird on dry cat food gocat etc as it makes less of a mess than carrion covered in **** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted February 23, 2014 Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 I start off with white bread make sure traps are checked as you will get blackbirds until you get a call bird, I use rabbits pigeons etc, split them open first never had a raptor in one yet.I feed my call bird on dry cat food gocat etc as it makes less of a mess than carrion covered in **** This is a legal requirement and must be checked at least once in any 24 hour period. Believe me, raptors are quite often caught accidently in Larsens and can get very angry when your trying to open the doors to release them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippylawkid Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 I know everyone has their prefered baits for the traps. Pheasant eggs are good but I have found most success using butchers bones (See sporting pictures) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elby Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 Also when you do catch a magpie a bit of tipex on it's wings fools the other birds into thinking it's a stranger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 I say this every year and will keep on saying it. Forget trapping magpies, it is a Larsen trap wasted. Get a carrion crow call bird in the trap. Carrions are far far more damaging to game and wildlife than magpies ever will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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