lordofthewings Posted May 18, 2009 Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 I put out larsen traps for the first time ever. I put a plastic crow in the first one, caught a crow, took out the decoy and left the crow in the trap, caught another crow, put that in a trap, and repeated this untill I had four traps with crow,s in them. Over the next five days I caught six more crows. The traps were moved regularly and there still seems to be a few crows around, but I,ve not caught one in the last seven days. Would you say this is the normal pattern or have I done something silly. There is over half a mile between the outside traps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huntinlass Posted May 18, 2009 Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 They get wise to the traps and you will find unless you put them in a completely new area, where one hasn't been in sight for a good distance, they will avoid them. Are you using any bait? or just a call bird. If not put some rabbit in the trap- Try putting a chicken egg inside each of the traps (blow the yoke out and fill with plaster that way they get used over and over.) Its not uncommon to go a spell without catching but you will find you might catch them in dribs x drabs now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordofthewings Posted May 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 Huntinglas. Thanks for that, yes I was baiting them with eggs like you say ,and with pigeons, but I think that you,re advice on moving them completely is best. I,ll probably bring them in for a week or two then see what happens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huntinlass Posted May 18, 2009 Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 (edited) another thing that maybe putting them off is if you are nutting the crows that you catch and are leaving feathers lying about. It could be the same with the pigeons that you are using for bait aswell-if you are not plucking them. Edited May 18, 2009 by Huntinlass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted May 18, 2009 Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 You may have removed the territorial birds and all you have left is the non territorrial non breeding birds that are not, at the moment, regarding the area as their patch. It will not take long though before a pair take on the ground as their own and try to push any newcomers out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted May 18, 2009 Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 Starting to get the same problem with the magpies. They must either get wise to the idea or just not be territorial.... another excuse to get the barrels warm though, so its not all bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordofthewings Posted May 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Thank you all for your input and interest, I,ve decided to withdraw all the traps for the moment. The shoot will be drilling the maize within the next fortnight so I.ll have a couple of days decoying, then put the traps out again when the maize starts to sprout by then some of the birds will have become terratorial. LOTW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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