scorpius Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 I have a problem with rats at my fishing lake, I don't posses an air rifle so use a 410 shotgun, poison is not an option because of the wildlife, I have tried setting a "live trap" and to date have caught next doors cat twice, 2 moorhens, and a hedgehog, I cannot justify the cost of night vision equipment so rely on a torch but the white light seems to spook them, do you think a red filter would be better, or can anybody offer any suggestions please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 get a red T20 off the bay but you will also need a charger and batteries (18650) little tip is to buy a decent digi charger as the Chinese ones are unreliable, carls customs on the bay do a decent deal on the torch, put out some liquidised tuna on trays around the lake, that way they stay and don't run off with the food, you can also widen the beam on the T20 for close in work, failing that have a word with dave G off here, he will sort you a 501b in red, a smaller torch but certainly just as good atb Evo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukkat Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 a big white sheet on the ground, will make it easier to spot, (used to do this when i was carp fishing and bait them with chocolate, but did use an old air rifle and an old torch with some red cellophane over it bought from the craft shop (or off the red sweets in the quality street box!!) atb glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedge Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 I'm sure if you offered some people free rat shooting you would get someone with NV enabled air rifle to come sort them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 Are you allowed to shoot with lead near water or does that only apply if you're shooting at birds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simjakcal Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 get a red T20 off the bay but you will also need a charger and batteries (18650) little tip is to buy a decent digi charger as the Chinese ones are unreliable, carls customs on the bay do a decent deal on the torch, put out some liquidised tuna on trays around the lake, that way they stay and don't run off with the food, you can also widen the beam on the T20 for close in work, failing that have a word with dave G off here, he will sort you a 501b in red, a smaller torch but certainly just as good atb Evo do you know the price of a tin of tuna .... cheap dog/cat food liquidised mine get Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaxiDriver Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 a big white sheet on the ground, will make it easier to spot, (used to do this when i was carp fishing and bait them with chocolate, but did use an old air rifle and an old torch with some red cellophane over it bought from the craft shop (or off the red sweets in the quality street box!!) atb glenn You bait carp ..with chocolate ?? ...........how bizzare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorpius Posted November 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Thanks for the good advice, re lead I believe this only applies to wild fouling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 can you easily see the difference between rats and water voles at night, as remember they are a protected species found at fishing lakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorpius Posted November 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 A rat will kill a water vole, hence they have disappeared, the number of birds has decreased due I believe to their nests being raided by the rats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimfireboy Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 Fenn trap under a box. Set it up on a run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedge Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 I was going to suggest Fenn traps but thought that Mrs Moorhen or Mr Hedgehog might not like it. God forbid you get the neighbours cat. I know they shouldn't be able to get to it but I once caught a pheasant in mine and that had a box on it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man o kent Posted November 10, 2014 Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 A reliable countryman with some terriers and maybe a smoker, may be an option. And on the plus side, they will do it for free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubris Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 Thanks for the good advice, re lead I believe this only applies to wild fouling. I feel like being a pedant (pronounced peeee-nis) today. I don't fish but if I remember the law correctly it applies to fishing as well, hence lead weights must be over a certain size. Anything smaller, such as most shot weight, is made from other things just like in the wildfowling world. Not sure how close a rat has to get to the water before you have to start worrying about the legality of .177 or .22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 I feel like being a pedant (pronounced peeee-nis) today. I don't fish but if I remember the law correctly it applies to fishing as well, hence lead weights must be over a certain size. Anything smaller, such as most shot weight, is made from other things just like in the wildfowling world. Not sure how close a rat has to get to the water before you have to start worrying about the legality of .177 or .22 You could shoot a rat swimming across the lake with a 12 gauge loaded with lead and not be committing an offence , shoot at a duck or goose flying over it with the same then you are , shoot at a pigeon flying behind the duck and your not ! It was a really bright spark that came up with our lead / non toxic laws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 I should go for a guy with terriers and a smoker, shoot what you can and get wise with the traps. Poisons used correctly are safe though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 Poison, get some cash bags from the bank, fill with poison and close the end up. Ram down rattys hole with a stick. The plastic bag keeps the poison fresh until the bag gets eaten through. Alternately use poison dispensers. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 I feel like being a pedant (pronounced peeee-nis) today. I don't fish but if I remember the law correctly it applies to fishing as well, hence lead weights must be over a certain size. Anything smaller, such as most shot weight, is made from other things just like in the wildfowling world. Not sure how close a rat has to get to the water before you have to start worrying about the legality of .177 or .22 Hi Just to say to those unaware you can get and use copper .22 pellets this. avoides any chance of a lead water discussion or issue All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 You could use Prometheus pellets too, they're lead free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 What is wrong with poison, if you use appropriate bait boxes and apply correctly it will go in killing rats day and night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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