Magpie trapping using Larsen

[Lmarie]

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

[kennett]

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

[rimfire4969]

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.

[tiny tim]

ours is doing ok and had 15 since christmas

[Lmarie]

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

[ColinF]

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

[r1steele]

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.

[Alycidon]

Foxes will also be attracted by a split rabbit, so go tooled up when on the trap run.

A

[kennett]

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,

[tiny tim]

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

[Westley]

Be VERY careful using rabbit as bait, once had RSPB claiming the trap was set for sparrowhawks because of rabbit bait.

[malantone]

 

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 year

I 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.

[Lmarie]

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

[r1steele]

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.

[Lmarie]

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

[pboro shot]

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

[r1steele]

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.

[Lmarie]

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

[r1steele]

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.

[matone]

Try dog biscuits or bread,may be more like what they`re scavenging depending on location.

[Konnie]

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 ****

[r1steele]

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.

[kippylawkid]

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)

[Elby]

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

[scolopax]

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.