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Trap door inside or out?


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Hi all. Any one have a preference for the trap doors inside the cage or out, and if so why?

 

I am gonna build my own cage traps using 1 inch galvanised mesh, not sure of the gauge yet though.

 

Mostly for squirrels, it will be 7X7 sides and 18 inches long at most. I think for the trip set up I envisage, it will have an internal door with external spring.

 

Any suggestions would be useful, including dimensions.

 

 

H

 

:gunsmilie:

Edited by Holdaway
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well it all depends. Inside is simpler but the cage has to be longer with the treadle far enough back to make sure the animal is in before the door drops. (common fault on cheap fox traps)

 

External needs a locking bar - bit harded to make. Something like this

 

post-2748-1206560828_thumb.png

post-2748-1206560803_thumb.png

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well it all depends. Inside is simpler but the cage has to be longer with the treadle far enough back to make sure the animal is in before the door drops. (common fault on cheap fox traps)

 

External needs a locking bar - bit harded to make. Something like this

 

 

Yep I see. It would be a bit more work but might be worth it. I will probably build both and test them. At 18 inches long, the treadle would be about 6 or 7 inches from the back of the cage, allowing plenty of room for bait on the internal. External trigger might be more work too.

 

:hmm:

 

Thanks for all the comments though guys, the more info the better!

 

Does anyone actually have any plans for one of these traps?

 

H

Edited by Holdaway
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Well its made. :clapper:

 

F*cked up big time though, made the trap opening 7X7 inches as I wanted, but forgot that the 1 inch mesh can't make an internal door of 7X7! :wallbash:

 

Door is 6X6.5 with side bars to prevent outswing. Bodged it but it still works!

 

Got some good clean bends to the corners too, using a piece of straight planking. (below)

 

The gauge was too fine also, 16 gauge wire is VERY soft and was able to bend all wire joints using my fingers. I need thicker guage next time.

 

A few bad photos below to show the thing in general. I used the mobile to take the pics so half are out of focus.

 

I "found" a roll of 2 inch 16 gauge on my roost shoot tonight along with 4 inch plastic drain pipes and as much 2 by 1 strapping as I can get in two car loads...

 

I feel some decent traps coming up..

 

BTW. My roost shoot accounted for 2 squirrels, 2 rooks, 2 pigeons, 1 magpie and 2 rabbits. I wing shot one rook in an oak from 60 yards and the magpies chased it up and down like there was no tomorrow. Decoy rook work for magpies? Or was it just because it was injured?

 

Best to all

 

H

 

 

Leaving wire edges to join walls with

post-16512-1206736345.jpg

Using thick plank to create folds

post-16512-1206736396.jpg

Using flat of axe to remove rounding on edges

post-16512-1206736448.jpg

nice clean crisp edges to corners

post-16512-1206736490.jpg

Now to bend loose edges inside final wall to lock together

post-16512-1206736526.jpg

Snip edges from remaining wire

post-16512-1206736579.jpg

The door... Doh! :censored: :realmad: :oops:

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Treadle plate or pan, using wire mesh until I can get Zinc plate

post-16512-1206736678.jpg

Very simple latch mechanism

post-16512-1206736730.jpg

 

All done and already working overnight. Nice pair of Jays I've got my eyes on...

 

H

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Just got myself a roll of 3" mesh 45" high. Would 45" be long enough for a fox cage and any chance of someone putting up a closer picture or a design for the sliding door trap and the trigger mechanism??

 

Cheers folks. Need this ASAP as we have a fox taking lambs locally.

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Thanks for that. Got you now. Even I might manage that. Have you had much success with it. I have another about 2ft square but have never managed a fox. Lots of other stuff though. A mate got a couple of cubs with it last year but that is all.

 

Thanks a lot though.

Beef (Fae gods country.)

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Well I have made a couple of traps now, and found a way of not using springs to close the door.

 

The door is free falling with a lock bar to stop it being pulled/pushed open by the incumbent.

 

I made a double ender last night and got one of the pesky Jays that have been stealing my squirrel bait.

 

I have posted a couple of pics below for your perusal.

 

post-16512-1206908794_thumb.jpg

 

post-16512-1206908861.jpg

 

post-16512-1206908880.jpg

 

post-16512-1206908899.jpg

 

Tomorrow will be a much better trapping day!

 

Is it possible to use a Jay in a similar fashion to a magpie call bird? I should imagine it is.

 

If I get another, I might knock up a larson...

 

Anyway, I have a couple of Jay wings for my fly tying now!

 

Good hunting all

 

H

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One of my traps was ruined this morning.

 

I have made a double ended trap using 2 inch galvanized mesh, the one that caught the jay. I made it with an inside drop door with lock bar. I went to check the traps this morning and whatever was in it bent the door out completely, I mean completely!

 

Whether I caught something incredibly strong, something opened it from the outside to get at whatever was in, or the mesh is too soft. Where can I get 1 inch galvanized mesh about 10 guage or even less for a decent price?

 

I don't really care how heavy they are, but if they can contain a rabid rottweiler I will be happy.

 

 

Bummed off H

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