Sciurus Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 Checking my squirrel traps today, I found I had caught this critter:- The trap was in ferns in a small pine plantation about a mile inland. I knew it was larger than a polecat but there had been reports of a pine marten on the other side of the lake and I didn’t know whether I had a pine marten or a mink. The only mink I had seen, was around my Grandmas neck 50 yrs ago ! This was a lot bigger, it had a large hairy tail and a face like a small terrier. It was very very aggressive, with a staccato cry and smelt terrible. I only had a sub 6lb air rifle, it was pouring down and I didn’t know anyone who could correctly Id it so I jammed open the trap to release it and it wouldn’t leave! It just wanted to snarl and bite me. It really wanted to take me on, so I left it snarling and let it take its time to wander off. Checking on the web, it looks more like a mink. Could one of you knowledgeable chaps like @islandgun confirm what I had caught and what I should have done please? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 I'm saying polecat. The stripe across the face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 It's a polecat coloured ferret. Wild polecats are like hens teeth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 its a polecat buddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 Polecat and you should have shot it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishy735 Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 Polecat Just now, JDog said: Polecat and you should have shot it. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumfelter Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 3 minutes ago, JDog said: Polecat and you should have shot it. And break the law, good advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshAndy Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 You were not confident on your identification, you did the right thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 7 minutes ago, stumfelter said: And break the law, good advice! What law would that be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumfelter Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 Just now, JDog said: What law would that be? According to the BBC the polecat is protected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 as above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medic1281 Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 You were unsure so let it go. Perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 1 minute ago, JDog said: What law would that be? as above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 At the end of the day what it was is irrelevant now, you weren't sure at the time so no option other than what you did. No point being brave and shooting it then finding yourself answering some difficult questions at the police station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 From Shooting Times: ”The polecat is listed in schedule 6 of the 1981 Wildlife & Countryside Act, and Schedule 3 of the 1994 Conservation Regulations. Under these laws, certain methods of taking wild polecats are prohibited. These Acts prohibit the deliberate or intentional setting of traps, snares and so on for polecats without a licence. Where traps are set for other (pest) species, the 1981 Wildlife & Countryside Act requires that reasonable precautions to prevent injury thereby to any wild animals included in Schedule 6. Regulation 41 of the 1994 Conservation Regulations prohibits the use of traps that are non-selective according to their principle or conditions of use for taking or killing of protected animals, including the polecat. In addition, the 1995 Spring Traps Approval Order specifically excludes the use of spring traps for the capture of any species listed in Schedules 5 and 6 of the 1994 Wildlife & Countryside Act. It is legal to shoot polecats with appropriate firearms, and there appears to be no lawful reason why polecats (harmed or otherwise) caught in traps cannot be shot or kept in captivity. All in all, a confusing state of affairs.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumfelter Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 Mistle thrush to peregrine, jackdaw to blackbird and now mink to polecat. Is anybody else worried? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 8 minutes ago, stumfelter said: According to the BBC the polecat is protected. Ah the BBC law. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12gauge82 Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 8 minutes ago, Medic1281 said: You were unsure so let it go. Perfect! Spot on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sciurus Posted June 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 Thanks guys, I have never seen a polecat before and assumed they were ferret sized. This was one big vicious critter totally fearless with a penchant for squirrel flavoured peanuts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 1 minute ago, JDog said: Ah the BBC law. The BBC is correct, it is protected. But in this instance it could have / should have been shot. So everyone is correct 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wb123 Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 I would again say if unsure letting it go is the only option, in my book you did the right thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 That’s also very true. If in doubt, don’t. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 You should have sent it to Ditchman to clear his moles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 🤣🤣🤣 What, and deprive him of another 6 months of entertainment?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 As said above, you were unsure so did the right thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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