Larson Trap Advice

[john b 38]

I know what you mean Logun, but funnily enough it seems to work better if you don't. It's almost as if having looked at the empty nest on and off for a while and not been able to investigate - once there IS an egg there and they can get it, the temptation is just too much.

 

That's not based on a proper scientific study though

 

Oh and Millets points are quite valid. A trap left unset and so unchecked will become part of the familiar environment more quickly.

[logun 91]

Not realy logun..if you leave the trap open it need's checking regular thus spooking anything in the area..if you leave it shut or unset for a while or locked open the prey species will get confident without being disturbed twice a day by daily checking..

each to they own but a pre baited trap that cant catch is a pointless exercise to me... so if it was locked oppen would you allow thhe bird to enter each day ,,take the bait before you decide to set for a catch.... best bait this time of year with hard frosts etc is rabbit .

[Millet 4,497]

Yes each to there own..

[logun 91]

john i can see your thoughts on this but you just as well put an egg in a made up nest to start with maybe..it will crab they attention first time around...and speed the trapping process up.... we all differ tho.

[john b 38]

My theory, and it is just a theory, is this.

 

How often in nature does a nest appear overnight with an egg already in it ? Never would be my guess.

 

However a new nest in a familiar territory implies a mated pair that are ready to have a brood. Time and again I see magpies returning to watch nest builders in hedges, keeping a distance but getting to know where the nest is likely to be.

 

My approach tries to mimic the cycle in nature - allowing the magpies to discover a new nest and keep coming back looking for the eggs.

 

. One thing that all the great trappers seems to be in agreement about is that the best results come when you think like the animal you're trying to catch. I may well be crediting them with too much intelligence but it seems to work for me.

[toby63 1,236]

I'm in the gun club but no one really knows much about trapping as far as I can see. Myself and my young fella are running 5 mink traps aswell. They are going a bit better. The club secretary contacted the local game council to see about a call bird but as of yet we have heard nothing.

 

Carlow,

What are you using for bait?

 

Toby will try that tomorrow or would I be aswell off doing it tonight?

just keep a steady amount of bread there to build there confidence

[Probuk 93]

I had 168 maggpies in my trap last year. Try feeding them with dog food..dry or meat. Keep it on top for a few days, then one of the days just put the food in the trap sections and they'll go in for it. Just got my trap out for the same thing but all the other birds in my garden are beating them to it at the moment.

 

Marty

[Probuk 93]

Got my first bird this morning

 

Marty.

[Jimy1971 13]

I've was given a live bird by a mate yesterday but there's not a sound out of it in the trap.Is this normal? Do they need time to get adjusted and start calling?

[Carlowhunter 27]

Glad you got a bird Jimmy because I havent caught one since. I will move my trap on saturday. As long as the bird is hopping around in the cage it will attract other magpies!

Edited February 28, 2013 by Carlowhunter

[remi700 99]

Aye they dont often call when your watching them but they'll be calling in the early mornings and thats when you'll find you catch most of your birds. Keep your trap moving is the biggest secret. It dosnt take much to 100 yards can often make the difference. If you dont catch for a day move your trap! Atb. read them out of it!

[Probuk 93]

I've was given a live bird by a mate yesterday but there's not a sound out of it in the trap.Is this normal? Do they need time to get adjusted and start calling?

The males tend to be the better call birds.. the more dominant he is the better he'll call. Youl know you have a good one when he kills any of the birds you put in with him..keep him as long as possible

 

Dont worry about a bird that seems mute, take it out of the area you cought it, these birds are very territorial and it wont take long before another bird from a new area comes to investigate it.

 

The above post is also good advice

 

.

 

Marty

Edited March 1, 2013 by Probuk

[Jimy1971 13]

Remi

I moved it earlier and stuck on my mates ucaller. Every magpie round here came into the yard but didn't go into the trap. Fuc***s lol

 

Probuck

 

Bird was caught about 10 miles away

[Probuk 93]

Remi

I moved it earlier and stuck on my mates ucaller. Every magpie round here came into the yard but didn't go into the trap. Fuc***s lol

 

Probuck

 

Bird was caught about 10 miles away

Be patiant mate, Magpies are very intelligent, there the kind of birds along with crow, jackdaws and jays that are good at working out puzzel's..if theres food in your trap IT WILL GO IN. Try not to disturb them and stay out of sight. Its only a matter of time mate. By the sound of it , if you have them visiting now there will be one or more in it by late morning today.

 

ATB

 

Marty

[Probuk 93]

What food you using.? I use cheap dry cat food, they love it. Dont do the egg thing you'll get nowhere, or the dead rabbit on top.

Feed them on the top of the trap till there use to landing and feeding with confidence. Then tie a food bowl leavel with the pirch inside the trap, no need to put food on top once you put it in the trap as you want them to go inside to feed. Look at it this way.. Your trap is basiclly a feeding station for magpies just be patiant and it will all come together.

 

If I knew how Id put a film clip on here to show you just how easy it is.

 

.

 

 

Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

 

ATB

 

Marty

Edited March 1, 2013 by Probuk