Putanges - The Movie!

[Nicepix 5,650]

On the subject of copying old mole traps. What about this one described as from the 19th century..........

 

 

There is a modern version available in the States.

[earth-thrower 493]

The Putange design is at least 300 years old. The story goes that Louis XIV who had commissioned the building of the Palace of Versailles in the 17th century was so pi$$ed off with moles ruining the landscaped gardens that he employed a team of mole trappers to deal with the problem. They used the simple metal Putange which may have started off as a hazel powered trap. A hazel branch being split, the un-split end bound by wire and the two split parts whittled down to narrow prongs with small hardwood prongs set into them and in use held apart by a wire trigger. As such there is no patent so anyone can and do make copies.

 

Traditionally there are two types of Putange; the one you see in the video is set using a lever or pliers, and the other type has the prongs crossed over and can be separated using your hand to squeeze the spring;- 'Putange a Main'. There are also variations including Putange type traps used for trapping voles and smaller animals. The Bavarian type is not designed for moles, but the terrestrial vole, which is a nuisance on mountain pastures. That has a circular end and looks quite odd.

 

When I first started using these I could find French made traps in small quantities in most hardware shops and garden centres. In the last six months or so most of the suppliers I got my traps from have started selling poor quality traps made in the Far East. Most of these have chains to retain the triggers and the metal wire used is noticeably thinner than the French made traps. They are also much shinier and are pigs to set from new, but don't retain that shine for very long. It is a sign of the times, just like Duffus and Talpex types, the retail buyers go for the cheapest rather than quality and that invariably means Chinese.

 

Last year I bought a dozen unbranded Putanges from a small hardware shop that initially were absolute b'stards to use. They kept crossing over and it was impossible to re-set them without a vice. I eventually managed to tame them by re-aligning the legs using a vice and pliers and they now work fine. I realised that they had been made from stainless wire and showed zero oxidisation. When i went back to the shop to get some more they had taken them off sale because of the problems. I can't get to know where they came from otherwise I would order a lot more.

Interesting stuff,...Ive seen an article or two, on the current mole catcher of the 'Palace of Versailles'. It seems hes establishing a 'mole catchers network', over where you are ? (France). Hes also got his own team,for commercial work, & i think hes interested in a ' National mole catching school ' , as well FFS !,.......So, theres a fair chance 'mole catchers' are soon to be 'ten a penny', in France now (sadly) ?,....just like over here ? Talk about 'jumping on the bandwagon',....lol,....(wonder, where he got the idea, from ?)

Edited December 24, 2015 by earth-thrower

[earth-thrower 493]

On the subject of copying old mole traps. What about this one described as from the 19th century..........

 

 

There is a modern version available in the States.

Cheers, for showing,....looks unusual, a rarity, & collectors item, no doubt ? lol

[Nicepix 5,650]

 

The Putange design is at least 300 years old. The story goes that Louis XIV who had commissioned the building of the Palace of Versailles in the 17th century was so pi$$ed off with moles ruining the landscaped gardens that he employed a team of mole trappers to deal with the problem. They used the simple metal Putange which may have started off as a hazel powered trap. A hazel branch being split, the un-split end bound by wire and the two split parts whittled down to narrow prongs with small hardwood prongs set into them and in use held apart by a wire trigger. As such there is no patent so anyone can and do make copies.

 

Traditionally there are two types of Putange; the one you see in the video is set using a lever or pliers, and the other type has the prongs crossed over and can be separated using your hand to squeeze the spring;- 'Putange a Main'. There are also variations including Putange type traps used for trapping voles and smaller animals. The Bavarian type is not designed for moles, but the terrestrial vole, which is a nuisance on mountain pastures. That has a circular end and looks quite odd.

 

When I first started using these I could find French made traps in small quantities in most hardware shops and garden centres. In the last six months or so most of the suppliers I got my traps from have started selling poor quality traps made in the Far East. Most of these have chains to retain the triggers and the metal wire used is noticeably thinner than the French made traps. They are also much shinier and are pigs to set from new, but don't retain that shine for very long. It is a sign of the times, just like Duffus and Talpex types, the retail buyers go for the cheapest rather than quality and that invariably means Chinese.

 

Last year I bought a dozen unbranded Putanges from a small hardware shop that initially were absolute b'stards to use. They kept crossing over and it was impossible to re-set them without a vice. I eventually managed to tame them by re-aligning the legs using a vice and pliers and they now work fine. I realised that they had been made from stainless wire and showed zero oxidisation. When i went back to the shop to get some more they had taken them off sale because of the problems. I can't get to know where they came from otherwise I would order a lot more.

Interesting stuff,...Ive seen an article or two, on the current mole catcher of the 'Palace of Versailles'. It seems hes establishing a 'mole catchers network', over where you are ? (France). Hes also got his own team,for commercial work, & i think hes interested in a ' National mole catching school ' , as well FFS !,.......So, theres a fair chance 'mole catchers' are soon to be 'ten a penny', in France now (sadly) ?,....just like over here ? Talk about 'jumping on the bandwagon',....lol,....(wonder, where he got the idea, from ?)

 

 

I've heard rumours that the Chamber of Agriculture are trying to get the funding for mole trapping courses as part of their Colleges of Agriculture network. Mole trappers are as rare as hen's teeth out here and many old farmers don't believe that moles can be trapped in enough numbers to make it worthwhile so they don't bother. Once strychnine poisoning was made illegal there has been virtually no commercial mole trapping and given that they breed four times a year out here you can imagine how the population has increased. The fields are full of mole hills and one English farmer I work for has said that the contractors who do silage cutting are now refusing to work in such fields because of the damage to their machinery. Hence the Chambre de Agricole now wanting to train mole trappers.

 

The guy who has the Versailles contract runs company called Taupe Green which is basically a franchise operation. He provides the training, equipment, uniform and vehicle and the trapper pays a fee to him. I think that there is only a dozen or so of his operators in the country.

[Phil Lloyd 10,738]

I am relieved, that we are well established locally,...and this feeding frenzy and mass producing of contemporary mole trappers will (hopefully) not effect my chosen path...

Edited December 24, 2015 by Phil Lloyd

[earth-thrower 493]

 

 

The Putange design is at least 300 years old. The story goes that Louis XIV who had commissioned the building of the Palace of Versailles in the 17th century was so pi$$ed off with moles ruining the landscaped gardens that he employed a team of mole trappers to deal with the problem. They used the simple metal Putange which may have started off as a hazel powered trap. A hazel branch being split, the un-split end bound by wire and the two split parts whittled down to narrow prongs with small hardwood prongs set into them and in use held apart by a wire trigger. As such there is no patent so anyone can and do make copies.

 

Traditionally there are two types of Putange; the one you see in the video is set using a lever or pliers, and the other type has the prongs crossed over and can be separated using your hand to squeeze the spring;- 'Putange a Main'. There are also variations including Putange type traps used for trapping voles and smaller animals. The Bavarian type is not designed for moles, but the terrestrial vole, which is a nuisance on mountain pastures. That has a circular end and looks quite odd.

 

When I first started using these I could find French made traps in small quantities in most hardware shops and garden centres. In the last six months or so most of the suppliers I got my traps from have started selling poor quality traps made in the Far East. Most of these have chains to retain the triggers and the metal wire used is noticeably thinner than the French made traps. They are also much shinier and are pigs to set from new, but don't retain that shine for very long. It is a sign of the times, just like Duffus and Talpex types, the retail buyers go for the cheapest rather than quality and that invariably means Chinese.

 

Last year I bought a dozen unbranded Putanges from a small hardware shop that initially were absolute b'stards to use. They kept crossing over and it was impossible to re-set them without a vice. I eventually managed to tame them by re-aligning the legs using a vice and pliers and they now work fine. I realised that they had been made from stainless wire and showed zero oxidisation. When i went back to the shop to get some more they had taken them off sale because of the problems. I can't get to know where they came from otherwise I would order a lot more.

Interesting stuff,...Ive seen an article or two, on the current mole catcher of the 'Palace of Versailles'. It seems hes establishing a 'mole catchers network', over where you are ? (France). Hes also got his own team,for commercial work, & i think hes interested in a ' National mole catching school ' , as well FFS !,.......So, theres a fair chance 'mole catchers' are soon to be 'ten a penny', in France now (sadly) ?,....just like over here ? Talk about 'jumping on the bandwagon',....lol,....(wonder, where he got the idea, from ?)

 

 

I've heard rumours that the Chamber of Agriculture are trying to get the funding for mole trapping courses as part of their Colleges of Agriculture network. Mole trappers are as rare as hen's teeth out here and many old farmers don't believe that moles can be trapped in enough numbers to make it worthwhile so they don't bother. Once strychnine poisoning was made illegal there has been virtually no commercial mole trapping and given that they breed four times a year out here you can imagine how the population has increased. The fields are full of mole hills and one English farmer I work for has said that the contractors who do silage cutting are now refusing to work in such fields because of the damage to their machinery. Hence the Chambre de Agricole now wanting to train mole trappers.

 

The guy who has the Versailles contract runs company called Taupe Green which is basically a franchise operation. He provides the training, equipment, uniform and vehicle and the trapper pays a fee to him. I think that there is only a dozen or so of his operators in the country.

 

Thanks Clive, really interesting info, there. "The fields are full of molehills" ?,...."Mole trappers are as rare as hen's teeth out here",....? "Once strychnine poisoning was made illegal there has been virtually no commercial mole trapping,etc ",.....sounds like heaven !, really appealing ! ha ha. Seriously though,and as youve expressed, it probably wont stay like that, for too long ? Also, i wasnt sure if "strychnine baits" were widely used over there ?,....i know that 'alphachlorarose' was however, approved for mole control, at one time in France ?,....although its effectiveness, was questionable,against moles ?

Edited December 24, 2015 by earth-thrower

[earth-thrower 493]

I am relieved, that we are well established locally,...and this feeding frenzy and mass producing of contemporary mole trappers will (hopefully) not effect my chosen path...

Phil, why did you 'scrub' most of that statement, you made here ?,...Cause it was excellent !,....ive noticed you have the knack, of putting across your feelings on such matters,really well, & that passage largely summed up , what was going wrong,with the current state,of affairs (well, in my view, anyway ! lol),......i strongly agreed, with it all ?,...(Now, can you put it back up, & more importantly, can i print it off & send it to certain figures/representatives of these " molecatching organisations " ?) lol

Edited December 24, 2015 by earth-thrower

[smithie 2,443]

I am relieved, that we are well established locally,...and this feeding frenzy and mass producing of contemporary mole trappers will not effect my chosen path... For several years, I was approached by Pest Control Supply Wholesalers to do Forums, Seminars,..courses, etc, for commercial pesters to learn the trapping game...

I was offered good money for a day's work at various venues,..but I always refused...

I believed that no man,.still active in the trapping game would ever be willing to educate potential competition,..Nobody who traps for profit, would ever be so fecking dumb as to help out complete strangers,..

 

BUT,..I was wrong....

 

I had not taken into account,..the lust for glory,..the desire to be famous,..the need to feel as though they were special that some men crave..As a lifelong trapper/Moucher/ hunter,..I have spent many years 'walking alone',..so, I jumped at the chance to join ALL the available Societies, Clubs, Associations, Facebook pages, etc, etc...

I wanted to chat with my fellow trappers,..I wanted to be part of some large family of like minded souls,...but , once again, I was wrong...

 

Mole catching is no longer a mystery,..the proverbial cat is now, 'out of the bag'....

 

In the future,..we will have molecatchers coming out of the fecking woodwork,.prices will drop and it will become a dog eat dog business, where the only real winner will be , the customer....

 

I am all for education,..and I have benefited from the kindness and patience shown to me, by other trapping men,..but,..to turn what has always been a specialist business, into something that everyone can have a quick earner from,..is not for me..

 

'Loose lips, sink ships',....

 

happens in most trades. bet most of us fit our own doors etc. joiners won't be happy about that.

 

just got to be good so people keep coming back I suppose..

[earth-thrower 493]

Well "smithies" got it back up, in full now,...lol

[Nicepix 5,650]

Whilst I can agree with the philosophy of keeping the paying public ignorant Smithie has a point. I am as guilty as the next man of Googling a solution to problems to save paying a tradesman and I'll bet most of not all others on here are too.

 

There will always be those who follow you around, picking up tips and then doing it themselves next time. Thankfully there will always be those who cannot bring themselves to kill a mole or who can't grasp the essential skills of the task. Or who would rather pay than spend time crawling about the garden.

 

There will always be some work for mole trappers and in my view the better businessmen will always outdo the better mole trappers. Even a trapper of average skills is more skilled than the customer.

[Phil Lloyd 10,738]

 

Phil, why did you 'scrub' most of that statement, you made here ?,...Cause it was excellent !,....ive noticed you have the knack, of putting across your feelings on such matters,really well, & that passage largely summed up , what was going wrong,with the current state,of affairs (well, in my view, anyway ! lol),......i strongly agreed, with it all ?,...(Now, can you put it back up, & more importantly, can i print it off & send it to certain figures/representatives of these " molecatching organisations " ?) lol

 

 

Hi Earth Thrower,..I am pleased that you agree with some of my concerns,....as for you wanting to contact the various Assosiations, Societies, etc to put forward such remarks,...well,.I've been there, done that.. had it out with them,..but,.we do not agree

 

A prominant figure in one of these Societies, Guilds, etc, ..once said to me, "Phil,..we must all help to train the new mole trappers",..

 

He continued by saying,."Do you want the ancient Art of Molecatching to die out "?

 

My reply was short,....."Yes,...as far as I am concerned,... let it fecking die out,...you can resarect it again,... when I am dead and buried "

 

Edited December 26, 2015 by Phil Lloyd

[Torquemada 288]

In every industry, not just pest control, there is a constant supply of new people coming in.

 

As established, experienced, credible, trained and skilled professionals our competitive advantage is not in restricting the knowledge we have, but in how we apply it.

[earth-thrower 493]

In every industry, not just pest control, there is a constant supply of new people coming in.

 

As established, experienced, credible, trained and skilled professionals our competitive advantage is not in restricting the knowledge we have, but in how we apply it.

No offence. i dont get that second sentence ?,...(im maybe not bright enough !) lol

[Nicepix 5,650]

What he is saying is the pure knowledge is only part of the equation. It is the skill in applying it that makes a difference.

 

For example; everyone knows that you put a trap in a mole tunnel. But how big is the hole? How do you tune a trap to get it to perform efficiently? How do you set it? How long do you leave it? What happens if the trap becomes clogged with soil?

 

All that comes with experience. Not knowledge.

[Phil Lloyd 10,738]

Er, yeah,.kinda stating the fecking obvious ...

 

In the Pest Control Industry,..(and for many years, I was a successful, Rats, Mice and Crawling Insects wallah,.)....it is imperative that the operative is competent (and to stay in line with current legislation),..is fully trained and certificated,.. and aware of all his actions.

This is obvious,..we all know this....

 

However,..as for the mole trapping business,..(and for some of us it is a full-time business),...we need this monthly turnover of newbies entering the game,..like a hole in the proverbial head..!.

 

These Guilds, Societies and Associations, (at one time, I belonged to them all ) run regular Training Days...it is their life's blood.. The questions you raised Nicepix,.will all be raised on the courses and demonstrated with gusto....Mole Trapping is not witchcraft, it is not some lost art,..but it does require a certain knack...

 

Now, I have nothing against anyone making a living,...of course not,..but, very few of these guys who have just taken the day's training on as providing 'another string in their bow' kinda thing,..are, as you so rightly say,.most unlikely to all become trapper of the fecking year,.or even financially survive for long,..but,...facts are,..every hard won trapping method, tip and essential hints that many of us have willingly passed on to various parties,..are now being sold on to trainees .. I soon realised that the craic on the forums and the question and answer section,..was a cheap learning curve, for the various Instructors and Trainers....

They were great listeners..

Every pound a tyro trapper takes out of a local man's pocket,..and every job they take on,...is one less for us...

 

What part of this truism can't you comprehend Nicepix ?

You cannot stop progress , (if that is what it is),.but I sure as hell don't have to like it !

 

So,..we go on, as we have always gone on,....and rest assured, we will survive

 

Ps...Just seen a guy on a Facebook Page selling Putange Traps,..he is using your wee film as a training aid for his customers....Unbelievable...!!

Edited December 28, 2015 by Phil Lloyd