live catch traps

[Guest georgehare]

As you probably have read, this year im gona be sorting out the vermin and doin alot of the keepering on a friends shoot.

 

I was talking to him last night and he said about getting on top of the rats and mink. i am planning on puttin poison down but was also thinking about live catch mink/squirrel traps. was wondering are these the same as fox traps i.e baited and the door shuts when the bait it tugged on ??

 

has anyone got any plans for one ? or some pictures to show how they work ?

 

Thanks GH

[rarms]

I wouldnt go for poison. Most of them stay in the food chain too long.

[matt101]

basically i hate poison, the reason for this is that even if the target animal eats the bait and dies there is a posibility that another animal could pick up the poisened animal and die a long painfull death itself, i rekon that traps such as fenns, bodygrippers, cage and all other humane traps are a hell of a lot better than poison, because firstly u can seen what uve caught, u can show the farmer/landowner what uve caught and u know that they were dispatched quickly and humanely.

if i were u, id forget the poison and get some decent traps and learn how to use them to good affect. if u look after them they will last u a long time and take care of a lot of vermin.

 

 

cheers

 

matt

[velveteens]

Try to stay away from poison. Fen traps and Cage traps are all you need. It is the siting and baiting that will give you success.Cage traps are the small rat type.

[rarms]

>only prob is its a small shoot and with a small budget

 

Hope they can afford the compensation when a beaters dog eats a mouse which has died from poison :(

[Grimescar-keeper]

Dont use poison but use the stuff that clogs up inside of the rodent so is harmless to anything bigger than rats and squirels.

 

Not sure what its called but ask at the loacal agri merchant.

 

Chris

[The Big Fish]

:(

Edited March 24, 2006 by The Big Fish

[velveteens]

I think you,ll agree poison is a no-no.If you have a large amount of holes to do chuck turfs on most of the holes .Run an old tractor or diesel landy and shove a pipe over the exhaust with the other end down the biggest entrance hole.Your terrier should do the rest as the rats stagger out p.d.q. A small jill is also the dog,s nuts. If there are any farm or agricultural auctions go along and have a gander. I got a lot of my traps usually. in an old cardboard box with junk in. Somebody has already given you good advice about the dangers of poison. Hope this helps. Remember shooting ain,t ever cheap if you do it right.

[rjimmer]

If you catch a female mink, don't kill her.

Set another trap alongside so that she attracts males when she comes in season.

I don't know how often that will be or if the strategy is even valid.

It's just something a keeper from up north told me.

[youngshot]

i would sugest poison! but use eradi rat!!

 

 

http://www.eradi-products.com/

 

 

it works a treat!!

 

 

youngshot

[Teal]

I recommend fenn traps (but remember they must be in a tunnel or covered to prevent non targets getting in). You might want to try spring snaring the rats, this can be quite effective but is more the 'sport' angle. Fenns will also work on squirrels, use peanut butter or maize. Baiting a site before you have traps there is also a good suggestion, especially if using the live catch traps. Agree with the poison comments, I would only use it in buildings.

 

Rat traps have two mechanisms- the one you mentioned about tugging it, but also (more commonly?) with a plate trigger raised and food at the back, so when weight on the plate it springs and shuts the door.

 

IF you're not already on top of the foxes, some snares are invaluable asset, but make sure you check them once a day.