fenn trap setting for rabbits

[aaronpigeonplucker 32]

hi all,

i am going to receive some mk6 fenn traps genuine (thanks John B ) and am wondering how to set them for rabbits. i have read to set them down holes but because the ground is mainly clay in my area th rabbits tend to just make gaps in the thick bodering hedges around the paddock they feed in. i do not have permission to shoot or snare in ths paddock, as it has horses in it from time to time, but i do have permission to use protecetd fenn traps. should i make a tunnel and fit it in front of these gaps in the hedge and if so what specifacations fo the tunel? and do i need to use bait?

thanks, Aaron.

[aaronpigeonplucker 32]

?

[trappa 518]

Ive only ever used them in the holes themselves, so not sure about settting them for rabbits anywhere else but legally you will need to put them in a tunnel mate.

[Rolfe 2]

If setting for rabbits then they should be set within the overhang of the rabbit hole to comply with legislation, have a look at these pics to give you some idea. Clear the hole of stones etc., bed the trap into the tunnel floor well back in the hole, cover with fine soil so the hole looks completely natural, then hopefully you will be rewarded by a catch.

[IanB 0]

The type of scenario your explaing aaron is ideal for using bodygrips on run throughs, but I'd be very wary around ANY livestock, fenns are better for burrows as shown by rolfe...

[micky 3,325]

hi all,

i am going to receive some mk6 fenn traps genuine (thanks John B ) and am wondering how to set them for rabbits. i have read to set them down holes but because the ground is mainly clay in my area th rabbits tend to just make gaps in the thick bodering hedges around the paddock they feed in. i do not have permission to shoot or snare in ths paddock, as it has horses in it from time to time, but i do have permission to use protecetd fenn traps. should i make a tunnel and fit it in front of these gaps in the hedge and if so what specifacations fo the tunel? and do i need to use bait?

thanks, Aaron.

If possible,i try to set well into the holeso the rabbit ,and trap, are less visable,i also cover my traps with garden peat [its easier than riddling soil

[ellir0305 9]

i was really wary about sprinkling soil onto a trap after the safety was off for fear of breaking my fingers. probably silly i know but how do you remove the safety once the trap is immersed in soil and do you set the trap real heavy unlike for rats. i have only caught one rabbit in mine so for and it was a young stupid one.

[salukiwhippet 6]

I place the trap and cover it with the safety on and the trap set coarse, then just expose the latch and the safety, push the plate down as far as I dare, flick the safety off and then cover latch and safety by pushing soil back over them with a stick.

 

You want the trap set fine so as soon as thumper's front feet hit the plate, whack! and you have him round the head/chest.

 

James

[Rolfe 2]

i was really wary about sprinkling soil onto a trap after the safety was off for fear of breaking my fingers. probably silly i know but how do you remove the safety once the trap is immersed in soil and do you set the trap real heavy unlike for rats. i have only caught one rabbit in mine so for and it was a young stupid one.

Use a setting stick........a thin piece of hazel with a tapered end to slip under the trap plate whilst covering with fine soil (Keeping the saftey catch on) When you have covered the trap, gently smooth over the hole the stick came from and expose the saftey catch.......USING THE SETTING STICK.......flick the saftey catch off. This way you can NEVER catch your fingers...Also....you don't have to set fine at all for bunnies..........they are plenty heavy enough to fire the trap

 

Rolfe.

[ellir0305 9]

I place the trap and cover it with the safety on and the trap set coarse, then just expose the latch and the safety, push the plate down as far as I dare, flick the safety off and then cover latch and safety by pushing soil back over them with a stick.

 

You want the trap set fine so as soon as thumper's front feet hit the plate, whack! and you have him round the head/chest.

 

James

 

well i will have to rive up some hazel and make a few setting sticks sounds about the same as making broaches for thatching. so is garden peat better than soil as its lighter?

[micky 3,325]

I place the trap and cover it with the safety on and the trap set coarse, then just expose the latch and the safety, push the plate down as far as I dare, flick the safety off and then cover latch and safety by pushing soil back over them with a stick.

 

You want the trap set fine so as soon as thumper's front feet hit the plate, whack! and you have him round the head/chest.

 

James

 

well i will have to rive up some hazel and make a few setting sticks sounds about the same as making broaches for thatching. so is garden peat better than soil as its lighter?

Its easier to cart about when your setting a few traps,also its texture stops it running under the plate like fine soil will,you can allso put a square of tissue over the plate ,this will make your peat go further still,as Rolfe says ,theres no need to set to fine ,in fact i set mine a little harder so the squeakers can pass,leaving the trap for mam and dad.

[ellir0305 9]

thats a bloody good idea and should pretty much eliminate the problem of the soil running underneath.

 

i may have to dig them out and try again

[Rolfe 2]

I place the trap and cover it with the safety on and the trap set coarse, then just expose the latch and the safety, push the plate down as far as I dare, flick the safety off and then cover latch and safety by pushing soil back over them with a stick.

 

You want the trap set fine so as soon as thumper's front feet hit the plate, whack! and you have him round the head/chest.

 

James

 

well i will have to rive up some hazel and make a few setting sticks sounds about the same as making broaches for thatching. so is garden peat better than soil as its lighter?

You want to make a setting stick about 8-10 inches long and about 10mm thick as in the picture....you don't have to make it a work of art like me........i just like carving wood. Personally the sieved soil from the rabbit hole is as good as anything as the stones are all removed prior to sprinkling over the trap plate.

[ellir0305 9]

so do ou have some kind of small sieve for breaking up the soil over the top ?

[Rolfe 2]

so do ou have some kind of small sieve for breaking up the soil over the top ?

Make one out of an old small drawer or 4 pieces of wood........just fix a fine wire mesh over the bottom.......you can get sheets of fine mesh (about 5mm) from Wickes or similar.