Got A Squirrel Culling Job Coming Up

[Matt 160]

Pretty sure the tunnel is not law now matt

Interesting....

 

The original approval from the STAO '95 said:

 

The trap shall be used only for the purpose of killing or taking grey squirrels, mink, stoats, weasels, rats, mice and other small ground vermin (except for those species listed in Schedules 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) and fitted with an artificial tunnel which is suitable for the purpose.

Whereas the STAO '12 says:

 

The trap may be used only for the purpose of killing grey squirrels, mink, stoats, weasels, rats, mice and other small ground vermin (except for those species listed in Schedules 5 and 6 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981).

 

The trap must be set within the housing provided by the manufacturer.

 

So yes, it looks like you are right Nod.

 

Thanks for the update.

[torchey 1,328]

As said kania,s , fenns they,ll all do the job although the price of kania,s i wouldn,t be wanting to loose any...What about knocking up some of these they do the job and won,t break the bank...

 

theres a thread on here some where

[socks 32,253]

Isn't it illegal to use a rat trap for killing squirells ... I know the one in the picture is a shot squirrel placed for photography purposes .........

[heritage 202]

The cubby or a tunnel of some kind is still a requirement..., things have got very confusing of late as the wordings have now changed but in a recent conversation with a NE representative I was shown a passage that stated you must still take the required precautions to protect non target species ( or words to that effect).....so true to form they no longer say you need a tunnel but they no longer say you don't..........I'm sure someone more computer savvy than myself could post this section but on a personal note its always better to err on the side of caution and use one.....

[john b 38]

 

Pretty sure the tunnel is not law now matt

Interesting....

 

The original approval from the STAO '95 said:

 

The trap shall be used only for the purpose of killing or taking grey squirrels, mink, stoats, weasels, rats, mice and other small ground vermin (except for those species listed in Schedules 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) and fitted with an artificial tunnel which is suitable for the purpose.

Whereas the STAO '12 says:

 

The trap may be used only for the purpose of killing grey squirrels, mink, stoats, weasels, rats, mice and other small ground vermin (except for those species listed in Schedules 5 and 6 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981).

 

The trap must be set within the housing provided by the manufacturer.

 

So yes, it looks like you are right Nod.

 

Thanks for the update.

 

 

Not so fast

 

I had a detailed discussion with people at Natural England last year and I disagree.

 

The 2012 STAO also added a new clause right at the very start and which applies to all traps. Sneaky I know.

 

(2) The approvals given by paragraph (1) are subject in all cases to the conditions that —

(a)the trap must be used in accordance with the instructions (if any) provided by the manufacturer; and

 

(b ) so far as is practicable without unreasonably compromising its use for killing or taking target species, the trap must be used in a manner that minimises the likelihood of its killing, taking or injuring non-target species;

 

 

 

Now in my view, and it is only my view, when using a KANIA outside, on a tree for instance, the only way in which you can achieve 2b is with a tunnel. The trouble is that its down to interpretation and until there's a court case it's all just opinion.

[Outlaw Pete 2,224]

Just idle curiosity. But, wouldn't sticking a Kania 'upside down' on a tree, as Socks shows there, just about preclude the likelihood of pretty much anything but a squirrel getting in there and managing to fire it?

 

I mean; what else clambers up trees? Mink can. It's not completely beyond the realms of possibility that one could climb up and stick its head in. Out of curiosity. If so? Bonus!

 

Pine Martens, obviously. You guys see many of those?

[john b 38]

Woodpeckers are the primary risk species with Kanias

[heritage 202]

Op., its a little difficult for me to tell as I'm looking on a smart phone but as far as I can see socks hasent fitted the kania upside down., its fitted in the usual way allowing the target species to enter the trap from the underside...

I think the kania is by far the most effective squirrel trap there is but a lot of people seem to think the galvanised body is a "cubby" when it isn't., its merely the traps housing....

[Phil Lloyd 10,738]

I am a fan of the Kania....

 

As to whether the statute says, you must use a tunnel,.as a legal requirement, or not...personally,..I would always try to provide some kind of extra 'walk in' as an added protection,.. against non target species...

You can purchase a purpose made, cage frontage or utilise a homemade, wire mesh tunnel ...

 

In todays climate of litigation, it pays you watch your back....if ya get my drift..

 

All the best, and good trapping,..regards, Phil.

[Outlaw Pete 2,224]

Woodpeckers are the primary risk species with Kanias

 

Jesus, John! And how do you stop those creeping into any form of 'tunnel' ? Surely they'll go just about anywhere a squirrel will, in this respect?

 

I think EN, or who ever, should figure that one out for themselves and then stipulate Their solution. After all, they're saying you can use this trap. Then they'll skin you if it all goes tits up.

 

I just don't see a sign saying " No Woodpeckers Allowed " working.

 

 

Op., its a little difficult for me to tell as I'm looking on a smart phone but as far as I can see socks hasent fitted the kania upside down., its fitted in the usual way allowing the target species to enter the trap from the underside...

 

 

That'd be the way it's showing. Yes.

 

So, I guess one set in a roof space would be in the 'Tipped over' position? Cool.

 

 

As it happens; I've never even handled a real, live Kania. So, you'll have to forgive my somewhat sketchy 'understanding' of them.

 

Littering a woodland with multiples of £70.00's out of my bank account? I wouldn't relax too well. And it wouldn't be thoughts of whacking a woodpecker that would keep me awake at night either!

[heritage 202]

I agree.....,they are very expensive but you just can't deny how good they are & I imagine a pro pester would soon recoup there investment in such kit.

its not something I've ever done but listening to those that have,the kania also performs brilliantly when used as a ground set.....

[john b 38]

If you want to get really 'edgy' Peter, try the 2500 model - no back box. Now this model really does need a tunnel

 

 

(edited to say that pic is a bit bigger than I was expecting, but atleast you can see the detail )

 

Edited July 25, 2013 by john b

[Outlaw Pete 2,224]

John; I think that shot amply illustrates what a Beast the Kania is! I can feel the whack of that spring from here!

 

But, surely, that model's made and sold (presumably with some form of explanation that it's) to be fitted to your own 'cubby'. I mean, you would hardly be trying to set that thing in like a 'rabbit hole' type situation.

 

I'm guessing it's cheaper and you build the 'missing' stuff on yourself? Is that the idea?

[john b 38]

All I can say Peter is that although we stock the 2500 we regard it as a fairly specialised piece of kit. We prefer to have a good chat with anyone that buys one to make sure they know what they're doing.

[Matt 160]

John, I'm embarrassed... I now remember us having a conversation about this... the detail of the STAO has been reduced but the overall conditions have been tightened....

 

I don't think I'd want to be the one in the dock defending the first prosecution....

 

Something was niggling away in the back of my mind about this scenario, and I think I discussed it with the bods at EN at the time of the change.

 

And, yes, the modified pro-victors are more than capable of dealing with squirrels, but they are NOT legal for that purpose.