Tunnel Signals

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

A couple of hours ago, I glanced out my kitchen window toward the bird feeders by the back field gate. I do that every time I'm near that window. And it's not just the birds I'm looking for either.

 

You see; Offering seed and grain to wild birds simply means we're offering it to wild rats too. How can we expect to attract feathered feeders - and be delighted when they turn up - yet imagine we will not, equelly, attract the scuttling furry feeders too? Only humans could accept such a strange and twisted logic. Personally, I don't. That's why I prepare for the less welcome guests at my table.

 

But, of course, going out every day, rain or shine, and getting down on your hands and knees to peer up a tunnel can be a pain in various joints and body parts. Probably the reason we sometimes find such rotted remains in the tunnels once set by the less enthusiastic, more Land Rover inclined 'Keepers? There's no need for any of that though. Not if you incorperate a simple Signal device into the tunnels you make to legally cover your traps in the first place.

 

I do. That's how I knew at once, from the comfort of my kitchen, that I'd just caught something. In case anyone here might be interested, I'll try to elaborate and explain this simple idea to you. It's not my brain child - far from it! - I simply read about it in an absolutley superb, old book on the ways of Rat Catching. The book, which I have in first edition (costs thirty quid that way, on average) has just been produced in el cheapo format by Ben Read of ebay fame. I don't have the links to hand, but check him out and buy a copy if you wish to learn far, far more than I can put down here.

 

The book is Rats and How to Destroy Them and it was written, in the 1920's, by Mr Mark Hovell ~ in honour of whom somebody really should erect a f***ing statue

 

Here are some images, which I've taken with just such an explanation as this in mind, as I've built myself a fresh stock of Tunnels.

 

 

Here's how I make my tunnels. I like a batton, either side of the trap, so that the creature feels only 'natural' wood, before he commits. It also strenghens the construction anyway. That wire, on the right, has a right angled turn, at the bottom, which simply snags beneath the free jaw of the trap - in this case, a Springer Mk 4.

 

 

And here's how the Signal looks as we await some action

 

 

And what to look for, once you've had a little visitation

 

 

Of course, in Real Life, things aren't always quite by the book - or cheap, forum talking! Here's what I saw .....

 

 

Oh and, finally, just to satisfy the younger viewers .....

Yes; I'd Really got one!

 

 

It shouldn't test your imagination too much to see how that all comes together. But, if you really want to learn about some cunning and labour saving Signals then please do buy that book. It's brilliant and I'm sure Ben Read's version will be every bit as useful to you.

 

Right. That done I'm off into town to buy some more rough planks. I'm going to build myself a stock of JohnB's 'See Saw' boxes ~ And I'll be incorperating Signals on those too, naturally! Why climb into a ditch when one only has to glance?

 

 

 

Hope something of the above may prove of use to someone?

[woodga 170]

cannot see any pics mate

good hunting all woodga :ph34r:

[IanB 0]

Fixed the pics for you ditch shitter, good topic mate

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

Thanks for that, IanB. But I can't imagine what went wrong there. I thought I'd done these shots exactly the same as I did my bat one. Must admit; The results did differ. I wondered. But I always check my own posts and actually looked at my pictures, in place. I'm obviously just not used to Image Shack yet. I'll have to watch that

[IanB 0]

Thanks for that, IanB. But I can't imagine what went wrong there. I thought I'd done these shots exactly the same as I did my bat one. Must admit; The results did differ. I wondered. But I always check my own posts and actually looked at my pictures, in place. I'm obviously just not used to Image Shack yet. I'll have to watch that

 

You can just upload them direct to the site mate, use the add attachment option when posting then use the insert into post if you want to add them to a certain part of your post

[Squirrel_Basher 17,102]

The signal is a bonus if you a lot to check .Good post .