What type of trap for Jackdaws, Crows & other Corvids??

[Oly 12]

I have a crow & general corvid problem.

 

I want to reduce the number of jackdaws etc in the area around my house. (if I could get all my neighbours to go out simultaneously I would shoot them! ). However, I live in a pretty built up area (I have considered shooting them with an air rifle out of the house but the other half isn't keen!) hence I need to rely on a trap. I don't have a masive garden and therefore require quite a compact trap, I have used larsen traps previously for magpies but was wondering if anyone knows of any other designs that are more compact/effective for jackdaws etc.

 

Or IS a larsen the best way forward in this situation?

 

Pictures/links/design drawings are greatly appreciated when replying to this topic too!

 

Thanks in advance,

Oly.

[Yokel Matt 918]

Larson trap is about as compact as they get really mate and are very effective.

[Oly 12]

What about circular funnel traps - any experience? As on this website link:

 

http://icwdm.org/handbook/birds/Magpies.asp#LinkTarget_997

[Oly 12]

This is another good link to a funnel trap

 

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$departme...f/all/agdex3496

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

Oly; Considering the research ye appear to have put in across the WWW, mate, It seems a pity ye couldn't have studied This very board a bit better.

 

Top trap - Aussie one - is a tweak on the " Ladder Trap " John of Galway's just shown us, holding his Hoodie.

 

American 'Funnel' Trap? No smaller than a Larsen. Personally ~ and I speak here from the back of my head, Not any experiance! ~ I'd try the Larsen on Jack's, before bothering to make the Walk In Funnel.

 

Why? And here I speak from direct Observation of Jackdaws: They seem perfectly happy to drop down the most narrow shafts. Chimney pots and such. I've watched them (in amazement!) do it. Granted. They do walk about too. But why bugger about when a Larsen should do it and are readily available? Plus I Know a Larsen will also take Maggies. Not certain if a 'Round Funnel' would also double up for them?

 

But forget the Ladder Trap in ye garden. It's Huge!

[Guest The Big Fish]

Doesnt have to be 'huge' Ditch!

 

The one thing to note when using the ladder type trap when catching jackdaws, is the buggers seem to be able to fly up at an angle and get out, so wire boxes that hang down from the ladder (on each entry point) need to be fitted to prevent this from happening.

The good thing about the ladder style trap, is that they keep catching all day long, whereas the larson is done and dusted after two. But the ladder style needs a fair bit of prebaiting.

 

I wonder if the uncaught jackdaws, upon seeing their buddies caught in a larson would shy away and be wary the trap?

They are canny feckers, highly intelligent.

[kurgan 5]

i wouldnt shoot them if you live in a built up area , i did out in the back garden within 10 minutes there must have been over a 100 magpies screaming at the house it was that bad i had to take the wife and kids shopping for a few hours till they bugged off that was after i had shoot over twenty of them ,i mean it the whole street came out to see what all the noise was about ,scared the hell out of the wife and kids never seen anything like it

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

Doesnt have to be 'huge' Ditch!

 

 

Is that a fact, Fisher? Obviously, I bow like hell to your superior knowledge and experiance of these things, mate. You've been a 'Keeper. I've only ever had back yards! 'Back of my head'. I'm here to learn as much - or far more - than I can impart

 

Having stood there though and watched Jack's pop down a standard chimney pot, then pop out again, ten minutes later ~ like; f*ck knows what they do in there?! ~ I really do wonder what could keep them in!

 

Fortunatly, for me, it isn't a problem. Here we have Jack's like england has Road Hackers. But a 'Bird Cone' on the pot puts paid to them. That or ye get a delivery of 1 cwt of Ash twigs, plus all the filth and disease these birds can permeate ye entire home with!

 

Personally, I like Jackdaws. Kept them, as a youngster. Brilliant little birds and really quite attractive. But, as a job? I'd proof. Reach for a rifle if they started else where. Trapping them? To be honest; I've always rather thought I'd as soon release any I found in one of my traps - if they weren't being a clear and obvious 'Pest'. Surely they're the Least harmful of the Corvidae?

 

 

Kurgan; Soon as I get me another gun here, I'm out to shoot a Magpie! Then invite The Lads round!

[moley 115]

i have caught jackdaws in squirrel cage traps , loads of times , just bait with bread or wheat,if your wanting to catch a few at a time then a simple wire cage of around 2 ft x 2ft and about 10inch high with a funnel will do the job, make sure the funnel is a fairly tight squeeze for them at its narrowest point or put bob wire on like a pigeon trap, just have it so they can get in and out the top or one side for a few days and then set the trap

[Guest The Big Fish]

Having stood there though and watched Jack's pop down a standard chimney pot, then pop out again, ten minutes later ~ like; f*ck knows what they do in there?! ~ I really do wonder what could keep them in!

 

Why Ditch, they be nesting in there :11: and boy do they pack a nest into a chimney

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

One I have in mind was a bit late for nesting, Fisher. Also - interestingly - it was well and truly getting dark. I figured he'd gone down there to roost ~ but, no; He came out after a while. I was tempted to tell this (rather nice, town) house what was going on up there! I can only assume they simply like such situations?!

 

Oh, and having personally pulled 25 Gallons of Ash twigs from One of my own chimneys ....? I sure as hell know they can build a Nest!

 

 

Moles: Teriffic input, mate! Cheers! I'm certain many of us will learn from that

[Oly 12]

Cheers for the info so far, and especially to Moles for the info on squirrel and funnel traps!

 

Still undecided...but with Larsen traps are they that effective without a live calling bird?

 

i wouldnt shoot them if you live in a built up area , i did out in the back garden within 10 minutes there must have been over a 100 magpies screaming at the house it was that bad i had to take the wife and kids shopping for a few hours till they bugged off that was after i had shoot over twenty of them ,i mean it the whole street came out to see what all the noise was about ,scared the hell out of the wife and kids never seen anything like it

 

Does anyone else have any type of experience of this? Also what are the rules about shooting an air rifle in your own back garden...which is a 7ft high walled garden that nobody can really see into?

[Yokel Matt 918]

Catching the bait bird is the tricky bit. A clutch of eggs or plate of cat food is what i use but it normally takes a while. As for shooting them with an airgun... why not.. provided you take sensible shots ie. not on the chimney pot or garden wall.

[kurgan 5]

to shoot a airifle it must be on private land or in a privately owned building with the permission of the owner, preferably written. It must not cause fear or annoyance to neighbours or passers by, and the pellet must not go beyond the boundaries of the property. Than means back garden shooting is legal, but extreme precautions to contain the pellet and avoid annoyance or fear to neighbours must be taken. Carrying or discharging an air weapon in the street, or in local woods without the owner's permission, could result in up to 5 years imprisonment.

hope it helps

[Oly 12]

Thanks for all the info, much appreciated