unclepesta 101 Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 I've moved onto another field that was seeded with grass in spring and was later cut for hay. The soil is very gritty in places, much like the stuff you get in rock salt so I expected the moles to have extensive territories because of the lean pickings. I trapped two yesterday morning, back filled the holes and flattened all the tumps so the grass cutter blades wouldn't hit them. Later on I borrowed the little tractor and surveyed the rest of the field (it is about fifty hectares), found at least five more runs and set traps in them. This morning on checking the traps I'd got two more but when I got to the area I'd flattened yesterday there was quite a bit of new activity including a new tump in the hole I'd back filled right next to where the dead mole lay. re- set could be a productive run some runs stay productive for years. Quote Link to post
Le Braconnier 49 Posted October 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 rain flooded my sets on a new job last week mole evacuated now i been waitin over weekend for it to drain back no mole no money Similar problem here with the rain Uncle P. I've been putting paint pot lids over the Talpex traps to try and keep the soil dry, but it only partially helps. Fortunately it is only a hobby for me. I'd hate to have to rely on it with the weather of late. Hope it gets better soon. Quote Link to post
earth-thrower 493 Posted October 17, 2012 Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 (edited) I've no use for them so I leave them at the side of the holes. A mate of mine in the UK freezes his and when he has enough takes them to an owl sanctuary. An older mate used to skin them and post a packet of skins to a company in London who made hats from them. But that was before the 1970's. Before WW2 millions of moleskins were exported to the States to be made into clothing and over here plumbers used the skins to wipe down hot pipes after soldering. I don't think there is any trade for them now other than a few for fly tiers. Interestingly enough,at the weekend there, a farmers elderly mother was kind enough to show me,a ladies jacket made from genuine moleskins.It belonged to her grandmother.This garment was the first ive ever seen,in all my years moleing ! It also seemed remarkably well preserved for its age. Edited October 17, 2012 by earth-thrower Quote Link to post
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