Rimfire Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 Hi Guys, I have just been sniffing around the RSPB website in response to Jonos concern about wood pigeon numbers when I came across another little chestnut. With regard to trapping Magpies, I found this little ditty: "Is it legal to trap magpies? Magpies can be trapped and killed but there must be a specific reason and the person doing it must hold a licence. Please contact Wildlife Enquiries for further information." I think this is confusing as I believe they are refering to the DEFRA Open Licence and if this is the case, then their wording is misleading. Any thoughts? Regards Rimfire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 I thought it was legal to trap magpies as long as its for pest control purposes, especially in a larsen trap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 My understanding of The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 is that it is not illegal for Larsen traps to be used to catch magpies, provided that you have the authority of the owner or occupier of the land. However, I am not a lawyer, and I could be wrong so it pays not to place the trap where it can be seen easily by Joe Public. Also don't start trapping until early April - there is no point in starting this early and the call birds can die of the cold if used at this time of year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elma Fud Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 I believe, and I maybe wrong. But DEFRA signs what is known as a General Licence this enables all authorised person(s) as stated by Double H to trap magpies. Countryside act 1981Section 5 (1)(a,b,c,d,e) It is not unlawful for an authorised person to use a cage trap or net to take pest species Remember: Larsen traps have to of a certain size. i.e. be large enough that the decoy bird can stand up right. and be wide enough for the decoy bird to spread it's wings. Remember fresh food & water. A healthy call bird will catch more corvids Countryside act 1981. Section 8 (1) it is an offence to keep or confine any bird in a cage or receptacle which in length, breadth or height will not permit the bird to stretch it's winds freely. The exceptions are 1. poultry 2. When conveying birds 3. At public show/ competion for a period not exceeding 72 hours 4. when undergoing treatment by a vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimfire Posted March 12, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2004 Hi Guys, You are all coming up with the same sort of thoughts that I had. This means that their website is misleading, a genuine error or deliberate action, I wonder? Regards Rimfire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Columbus Polumbus Posted March 17, 2004 Report Share Posted March 17, 2004 Probably deliberately misleading to provoke the bunny huggers to either vandalsie, steal or report your traps. Inform BASC and CA let them sort it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted March 17, 2004 Report Share Posted March 17, 2004 Also don't start trapping until early April - there is no point in starting this early and the call birds can die of the cold if used at this time of year. I allways tell people the same! Anybody having trouble catching Jays in a Larsen Trap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted March 17, 2004 Report Share Posted March 17, 2004 RJ, Never bothered with Jays - they're a lot easier to stalk and shoot than magpies, as they constantly give away their position by screeching to each other and often present quite an easy shot, which is something a maggie is far too smart to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quercus Posted March 17, 2004 Report Share Posted March 17, 2004 Anybody having trouble catching Jays in a Larsen Trap? Never tried, are you having problems yourself or are you about to tell us how to do it? Q Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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