stuartyboy Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 Just seen that the Goodnature Co2 trap has been approved for grey squirrels in a slightly larger configuration. Anybody used one/had any experience with them? Like the look of them and the thought of a trap killing squirrels without needing to be reset appeals. Though it is expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sciurus Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 Hi Stuartyboy At the last management meeting, our Society decided to buy a couple of Goodnatured traps to trial in an area far away from the nearest red squirrel. The idea sounds interesting but as always there could be disadvantages like the public sticking their fingers in! And catching non intended species. These traps are the ultimate recycling machine that leaves no evidence, so it is intended that the traps are monitored by trail cameras to see if they are as good as advertised. I am not involved in this scheme but as soon as I hear something I will give you feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartyboy Posted March 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 Thank you. That would be great and much appreciated. Killing of non intended species is a concern of mine too, but I'm guessing it's been sufficiently tested and that has been ruled out. I was thinking of locating it near one of my feeders. But first, I think I would try it out in a garden which has a lot of squirrels. For my own piece of mind i woukd likely put a open wheelie bin under the trap to catch anything killed, to test how accurate the counter is and to ensure no non target species are being killed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sciurus Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 Good idea. It would be interesting to hear how you get on as well. It may well be a month or two before I hear how the trial has gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 Been using the rat one for a year or so very good and beat the professionals when I had an issue at home mite 0 good nature 13 in the same period. Vance is also very good to deal with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartyboy Posted March 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2019 Thanks, if I get one will let you know how I get on with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted March 13, 2019 Report Share Posted March 13, 2019 Do you have a link? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartyboy Posted March 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2019 Sorry oowee, unsure how to. Google 'goodnature a18 trap' and you will see what they are Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sciurus Posted March 13, 2019 Report Share Posted March 13, 2019 https://www.gwct.org.uk/game/research/predation-control/goodnature-a18-grey-squirrel-trap/?utm_source=All Contacts&utm_campaign=e61b8dc675-Non-Mem-NL-150119&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_dd843c5cb6-e61b8dc675-23132947&goal=0_dd843c5cb6-e61b8dc675-23132947&mc_cid=e61b8dc675&mc_eid=c6ec54529 Hope this research link will help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted March 13, 2019 Report Share Posted March 13, 2019 Sciurus, I reckon anywhere near you is too precarious to use any kill traps for squirrels. They can move huge distances and are now on North Lancs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sciurus Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 On 12/03/2019 at 13:28, stuartyboy said: Just seen that the Goodnature Co2 trap has been approved for grey squirrels in a slightly larger configuration. Anybody used one/had any experience with them? Like the look of them and the thought of a trap killing squirrels without needing to be reset appeals. Though it is expensive I have now heard on the grapevine that our trial was not very successful,. It was felt that the design needs changing because the tunnel was too long and deterring greys entering the trap and that there were issues of cylinder leaks. Has anyone else tried the GN18 trap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 Our local Park has started using them in small numbers over last Winter but only in areas where it is impossible to shoot. They have put them up high enough that you need a ladder to reach them as one was stolen and camouflaging them makes them less effective because Squirrels are naturally inquisitive and drawn towards them being strange. No non target species have been found dead so far but foxes tend to remove anything dead within hours of it hitting the floor. Downside to date are price and the need to attend the trap regularly to see how many times it has triggered or change the Co2 capsule. WORD OF WARNING - these things keep a charge in the "chamber" even if you remove the capsule - I know of at least one person who put his finger inside an "empty" display model only to get his finger smashed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartyboy Posted May 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2019 I've just bought one. Hopefully will set it up over next few days and will update how it well it works or doesn't work. It seems to be well built anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartyboy Posted June 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 I've been using the trap over the last 3 or 4 weeks. The site has been in a large garden that is heavily populated with greys. A lot of young ones this time of year. Usually have 3 or more squirrels at a time on the bird feeders. I normally catch 50 to a 100 in a season with live catch traps. They are not trap shy. Set up the goodnature trap on the tree that the feeders are on. Used the supplied bait. Tried using the trap with feeders out on the tree and feeders taken down for comparison. Absolutely nothing caught. Not a thing. I've been catching squirrels for 25 years so have a bit of experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClemFandango Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 2 hours ago, stuartyboy said: I've been using the trap over the last 3 or 4 weeks. The site has been in a large garden that is heavily populated with greys. A lot of young ones this time of year. Usually have 3 or more squirrels at a time on the bird feeders. I normally catch 50 to a 100 in a season with live catch traps. They are not trap shy. Set up the goodnature trap on the tree that the feeders are on. Used the supplied bait. Tried using the trap with feeders out on the tree and feeders taken down for comparison. Absolutely nothing caught. Not a thing. I've been catching squirrels for 25 years so have a bit of experience. You aren't the first person I have heard tell a similar story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted June 17, 2019 Report Share Posted June 17, 2019 Whatever trap you use it should be in a place where you can check or have it checked twice a day. I like others have said would be worried about non target specieis being killed. I use modified cage traps in my small wood. I have made wire mesh peanut feeders which fit at the end, ahead of the treadle. Small birds can enter and access from outside and help themselves without setting the trap off. I did start to catch the occasional hen pheasant, so now have wire mesh covers over the whole trap which allows, tree rats and brown rats plus the occasional magpie to enter. Checked twice a day and if succesful despatched with air rifle or 410. I rate my 10 acre wood as a squirrel free zone as a result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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