Fisheruk Posted November 29, 2017 Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 For those who are serious about controlling Grey Squirrels I thought I would share some information about the use of static feeders. It is about bringing the Squirrels to you so that you have a safe location to shoot them, with minimal effort and time. The straps which I use to hold them onto the trees are stainless steel cable ties. I found the the plastic ones were vulnerable to Shotgun shot and squirrel teeth, no such problem with the SS ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted November 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zetter Posted November 29, 2017 Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 (edited) Got echo this Fisher the landowner on one of my perms asked me to thin the squirrels out a lot as they were causing damage. One feeder in the belt of wood he wanted sorting had them coming in like mad. After about 4 sessions they have been wiped out for the time being. Feeders are so much more productive especially when natural food has dropped off. Also you have benefit of a know range to shoot at and a static target which bodes really well for clean kills. Edited November 29, 2017 by Zetter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted November 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 The steel plate stops the rimfire bullet passing through the feeder where it would smash the jar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zetter Posted November 29, 2017 Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 Mine is steel clad to stop the ******* eating the feeder when they try and work out how to get into it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted November 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 Yep it has that advantage too I have put a mesh bottom on my later versions to allow the crud to fall out. The earlier ones had a wooden bottom which became nasty and sticky very quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strongman Posted November 30, 2017 Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 This looks like a really good idea. I’ve got a couple of questions. How long did it take the squirrels to work out how to get into the feeder? Does the steel plate cause a ricochet hazard or do you have to shoot at it square on to try & eliminate this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted November 30, 2017 Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 (edited) I made a couple from some stainless steel chimney pipe I had left over. I had a 45deg bend which I put on the bottom and blanked that off with metal sheet and made a small feed tray ..inch and half square, where the pea nuts feed into. I screwed this to a tantalised piece of decking board and put another piece of decking board at 90 degs as sitting area. Strapped to a tree with 1 inch ratchet straps. I have hundreds of small birds using it and saw one squirrel running away, but that one has since died. As in a previous thread I think they will work better if away from 'ready meals' like pheasant feeders, because the other one I made is in such a position and is not being used by squirrels. I'm working with the Keeper to sort out a more suitable spot with no feeders near by. Only using air rifle here so no chance of serious damage or fliers. Found a couple of round metal lids which fitted the top of the pipes with a half brick to keep them there. They are a very good idea. Edited November 30, 2017 by Walker570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted November 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 19 minutes ago, Strongman said: This looks like a really good idea. I’ve got a couple of questions. How long did it take the squirrels to work out how to get into the feeder? Does the steel plate cause a ricochet hazard or do you have to shoot at it square on to try & eliminate this? It depends, but I have seen them opening the feeders regularly within a day of placing. Bearing in mind I am regularly killing greys which are using them, the new ones get the hang of them constantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strongman Posted November 30, 2017 Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 I'll get a couple knocked up and let you know how I get on. Looks like a perfect way to while away a few hours over winter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted December 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2017 This is how they work. http:// http:// http:// Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie-fox Posted December 5, 2017 Report Share Posted December 5, 2017 Are these available to buy? I’ve got a few woods i thin out the grays in.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 On 05/12/2017 at 19:13, Archie-fox said: Are these available to buy? I’ve got a few woods i thin out the grays in.. Now come on Archie you must be able to knock couple of these up, the feeders fisheruk has up are getting emptied probably twice a week at the moment, 5 feeders with one or two getting hammered and the others seeing regular use, good idea for bringing the squirrels in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted December 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 On 05/12/2017 at 19:13, Archie-fox said: Are these available to buy? I’ve got a few woods i thin out the grays in.. You can buy domestic squirrel feeders with Perspex fronts and wooden lids. My experience is that the Squirrels trash them pretty quickly. That’s another reason why I have metal lids and steel fronts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 (edited) These are the feeders supplied in the Woodlands where I shoot - don't know who made them but I think they are a few years old - pellet marks have been created AFTER passing thru the Squirrels heads - .22 AA S410 @ 25 yards. feeder 1 feeder 2 Edited December 9, 2017 by bruno22rf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 (edited) Both excellent. Have a free day tomorrow, I feel a project coming on. I like the flap top type because it prevents other creatures getting in there. Having said that, the ones I have made from stainless chimney pipe and a small2x2 inch tray at the bottom with a half inch slot for peanuts to fall through does attract a lot of small birds as well as squirrels. 969 photos on the trail cam in 48hrs. I have a few places for those flip tops and have plenty of materials. Thanks for the heads up. on edit .... to start them off, do you put some peanut butter around the flap? Edited December 9, 2017 by Walker570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertt Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 Bought a Squiggle lid feeder off fleabay for a tenner about a year ago. Fantastic had 6 this morning on it and its been producing all week. Couple of bite marks on it but very much in tact, I have the shelf broadside on so as not to be shooting at feeder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 2 hours ago, Robertt said: Bought a Squiggle lid feeder off fleabay for a tenner about a year ago. Fantastic had 6 this morning on it and its been producing all week. Couple of bite marks on it but very much in tact, I have the shelf broadside on so as not to be shooting at feeder. Can you post a picture Robert? They certainly look heavy duty Bruno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertt Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 (edited) Edited December 9, 2017 by Robertt Error Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted December 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 4 hours ago, Walker570 said: Both excellent. Have a free day tomorrow, I feel a project coming on. I like the flap top type because it prevents other creatures getting in there. Having said that, the ones I have made from stainless chimney pipe and a small2x2 inch tray at the bottom with a half inch slot for peanuts to fall through does attract a lot of small birds as well as squirrels. 969 photos on the trail cam in 48hrs. I have a few places for those flip tops and have plenty of materials. Thanks for the heads up. on edit .... to start them off, do you put some peanut butter around the flap? Doesn’t seem to be necessary. 5 hours ago, bruno22rf said: These are the feeders supplied in the Woodlands where I shoot - don't know who made them but I think they are a few years old - pellet marks have been created AFTER passing thru the Squirrels heads - .22 AA S410 @ 25 yards. feeder 1 feeder 2 They look like they have been made up from old Warfarin hoppers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 See what you mean about the shelf now Robert, what are you putting in the feeder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted December 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 On 30/11/2017 at 18:37, Strongman said: This looks like a really good idea. I’ve got a couple of questions. How long did it take the squirrels to work out how to get into the feeder? Does the steel plate cause a ricochet hazard or do you have to shoot at it square on to try & eliminate this? If you have Squirrels in your wood they will certainly find it and work out how to get inside within the day. I’ve never had a ricochet or bounce back. A 40gr bullet just flattens against the steel, after it has gone through the critter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertt Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 Peanuts but some folk prefer wheat. I think they are really switched on to bird activity to locate feeders. When filling feeder I leave some nuts on the ledge and within minutes the birds turn up. Today , after filling I sat down in my hide and a Nuthatch turned up and within 30 seconds a squirrel. Nearly caught me out. But thats how easy it is. Checking the zero for the current wind conditions is a must. I think it was wednesday , fired a zero shot ( Air Rifle ) and within minutes one turned up obviously not spooked by the shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted December 10, 2017 Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 Fisheruk - you may well be correct as the previous control method was Warfarin laced Wheat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted December 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 3 hours ago, bruno22rf said: Fisheruk - you may well be correct as the previous control method was Warfarin laced Wheat. You can see how indiscriminating that method of delivering Warfarin to Squirrels was. Just think of how much other wild life would have been affected by the spillage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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