Fenn Tunnels

[mickyatch 37]

hey lads just wondering if some people can attach some photos of there fenn boxes and fenn setts, ive built two but have about 8 more to build wanting to do some with the hole cutter on the end of the cordless but not sure what size in mm i need ? any help appreciated

 

[Outlaw Pete 2,224]

..... wanting to do some with the hole cutter on the end of the cordless but not sure what size in mm i need ? any help appreciated

 

 

Sorry, Micky. It's just not clear ~ to me, anyway ~ exactly what ye mean here.

 

Is it an entrance hole, into a run through tunnel? If so; 2" would suit most purposes. Don't know what that is, in mm.

 

If you're new to all this and wanting to find all the esoteric low down on exact dimensions for this basic shit? I understand one of the lads on here (Four ~ something ~ Acres) sells a good little book of exactly the sort of plans you'd be seeking.

 

I've not seen the book. And my apologies for not remembering, right now, the poor guys name. (John?) It is late ..... But, from what I've heard? It'll be a god send to you and will save endless stress.

 

I'm sure someone will be along shortly, to make better sense of all this

[Mr Muddy 141]

100mm is the size you’ll want mate.

 

I think it’s actually the law, or certainly recommended. It’s something to do with by-catch, otters perhaps? not sure.

 

I did put the design I use on here a few days ago. Here’s the link: http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/topic/312637-squirrel-box-plans

[Mr Muddy 141]

I meant to say 100mm ‘maximum diameter’

 

ATB.

[Matt 160]

100mm is the size you’ll want mate.

 

I think it’s actually the law, or certainly recommended. It’s something to do with by-catch, otters perhaps? not sure.

 

I did put the design I use on here a few days ago. Here’s the link: http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/topic/312637-squirrel-box-plans

No, it's not the law.

 

The law states that you have to take 'reasonable measures' to ensure non-target species are not at risk. What constitutes 'reasonable'? Only a magistrate or judge can decide that.

 

The best tunnels are the simplest ones. A simple three sided wooden tunnel, just big enough to contain the trap, is ideal. Use some hazel sticks, or high tensile wire to restrict the entrance to stop inquisitive noses of dogs etc, and it'll be fine.

 

I used to have about a hundred wooden tunnels knocking around the place. I'd place them all out and then clip the traps onto a staple in the side of the tunnel when I wanted to use them.

 

Trapping squirrels in large blocks of forestry it was essential to have something simple and lightweight to house the Fenns.

 

The book that Pete mentions is 'Trap Making Step by Step' by John Bryan of Fourteenacre. Well worth the investment if you are of a DIY bent and enjoy making stuff.

 

Click this link to go to Johns site and see the book

[Keeper eley 367]

Yh john is a top bloke and has got everything you will need! Very handy that he is only 2 miles down the road!

[Mr Muddy 141]

100mm is the size you’ll want mate.

 

I think it’s actually the law, or certainly recommended. It’s something to do with by-catch, otters perhaps? not sure.

 

 

I haven’t just imagined this.

There is defiantly a 100mm or 95mm rule somewhere, and now I’m thinking about, it’s defiantly something to do with otters.

It might just be about crayfish traps, although maybe you’ll want to have a quick look into it if you’re after mink with fenn tunnels. Just to be on the safe side.

 

 

2nd thing:

 

Matt said; “Trapping squirrels in large blocks of forestry it was essential to have something simple and lightweight to house the Fenns.”.

 

Not that I’m ever likely to get involved in this type of work, but I am interested: How did you price a job like that?

Was it like moles = money per squirrel? Or per hour? Per hectare? What?

 

Atb

[Matt 160]

I haven’t just imagined this.

There is defiantly a 100mm or 95mm rule somewhere, and now I’m thinking about, it’s defiantly something to do with otters.

It might just be about crayfish traps, although maybe you’ll want to have a quick look into it if you’re after mink with fenn tunnels. Just to be on the safe side.

 

No there isn't.

 

If there was, I'm sure you'd be able to provide actual evidence of it.

 

I think that what you may be referring to are 'guidelines' which are NOT law.

 

2nd thing:

 

Matt said; “Trapping squirrels in large blocks of forestry it was essential to have something simple and lightweight to house the Fenns.”.

 

Not that I’m ever likely to get involved in this type of work, but I am interested: How did you price a job like that?

Was it like moles = money per squirrel? Or per hour? Per hectare? What?

 

Atb

I worked out how long the job was going to take and priced accordingly.

 

Back then, (20 odd years ago) I worked on the basis of charging £100 per day. I did a 3 week trapping programme, allowed for spending half of every day doing it and charged it at around the £1000 mark. In addition, I did a lot of warfarin poisoning on that job, which was a day every two weeks using their own poison hoppers. I did a bit of supplementary trapping in areas of high activity to drive down the amount of bait eaten (I was paying for the bait as part of the job) and carried a .410 around on the bike while I did the traps and hoppers so that I could shoot as many as possible too.

 

From memory, one year I caught 112 in Fenns in 14 days in one block.

 

There isn't the money around in Forestry these days; back then, 'management' grants were available for new plantings and the FC wanted to see actual evidence that the money was being spent on management and not just disappearing into the general income pot. It was a good contract that I enjoyed doing. I'm still in contact with the Head Forester of the day, although he was made redundant and has moved onto other things these days. I used to get lots of work gassing and ferreting clearfell prior to replanting, and doing a bit of deer management.

 

Happy days, but never to be repeated sadly.

[Matt 160]

Of course, the best tunnels are those made from natural materials found in the locality:

 

[perthshire keeper 1,239]

matt i agree 100% guide lines ARE NOT THE LAW..the gwct are the worst for this they make then seem and sound like the law....but ile not get wound up about that

 

 

one of my biggest regrets is never takeing pictures of my tunnels in scotland as i was proud of them (sad right?!) all made from stone dug in at gate ways,banks,log and rock piles..the stones were all carefully chosen on my daily rounds and piled up in likely spots then when i had enugh little piles out i would spend a day digging them in the slates were from a old crumbled down building on the estate...

 

once we put a wind break bank in down a wood side out of waste soil it was about 15ft at the base and 10 ft tall and maybe 100m long..i made 2 15 ft tunnels out of sarking board and laid them on the ground each a third of the way from the ends of the bank....and the digger coverd them over with the soil...2 years later they had all grown with plants and grass and at the base of this huge bank was 2 15 ft long fenn tunnels and their was barely a day went by their would not be something in them...i also put a false earth in their too for foxes....too good a chance not too

 

over the years i killed hundreds if not thousands of critters in them tunnels all year round.. and i have to admit i get a bit bitter and my teeth clench when some one shows me a ply wood box plonked under a hedge with a hole in each end saying-- taa daa thats a fenn tunnel......NO! thats a box for catching rats at best...

 

but then i used to take the time and dig in mini false earth type things for stoats rats and weasles out of 2 inch clay drain pipes and house bricks.......

[moxy 617]

Those little plywood boxes do me as fenn tunnels just plonked under hedges. It's a tunnel that you put a fenn in????

 

It doesn't matter for toffee how creative your tunnel making skills are. If there is no run there or a way to direct your target towards the architectural masterpiece. It isn't going to catch or at least not productively.

 

How about the tunnels similar in design that happily guide thousands of rabbits into drop boxes?? Are they just good for catching rabbits!!?

[perthshire keeper 1,239]

Those little plywood boxes do me as fenn tunnels just plonked under hedges. It's a tunnel that you put a fenn in????

 

It doesn't matter for toffee how creative your tunnel making skills are. If there is no run there or a way to direct your target towards the architectural masterpiece. It isn't going to catch or at least not productively.

 

How about the tunnels similar in design that happily guide thousands of rabbits into drop boxes?? Are they just good for catching rabbits!!?

agree their moxey its location location location... but i had to make mine blend in as much as possible and if they were noticed?...they had to look good.

 

i think the drop boxes work soo weel because their used in conjunction with rabbit netting it the only way thru....... and we had thousands and thousands of meters of deer/rabbit proof fence on the estate and i would cut it and put a wooden tunnel in their with a fenn in it... very good for all kinds

[moxy 617]

Here PK get your teeth clenched

 

A ply fenn box set for mink under netting on a koi pond.

[stubby 175]

I make mine from bending 2x2 pigeon mesh, I then either add mesh to the ends with one 2"x2" hole cut out, or use twigs pushed into the ground, caught many rabbits,squirrels and rats in these

[perthshire keeper 1,239]

moxey thats not too bad at least its coverd over with rocks.....the ones i get giddy about is the new ply look just sat their lol