Squirrel Snaring

[Rolfe 2]

I have been experimenting a bit this last fortnight with an adaptation of the squirrel pole set-up in a tiny little copse that only I have access too. Due to running low on wire, I was looking for an alternative to replace the twisted brass snare wire I had been using. I remembered I had some success using some Anti-Roosting bird wire on some rat-benders a while back and so fashioned myself some squirrel wires and so far they have worked a treat.

The bird wire consists of 7 strands of stainless steel wire which is nylon coated (UV resistant) and is only 0.7 mm thick.........this combined with a 22kg breaking strain makes for an extremely thin but strong snare wire. The nylon coating makes for a sweetly closing noose with minimal friction and the tiny crimps make the whole set-up really light weight. The 100M roll of wire, the crimping tool and crimps fit easily in to a pocket so it is easy to knock up fresh wires on site in a few seconds.

 

I just wondered if anyone else out there had tried using this bird-wire for snaring???????.

 

It's hard to see from the picture but i have had most success with the bottom of the noose about 3 inches off the trunk, it is held in place by a freezer bag tie on to the hazel loop, with the wire stapled to the underside of the trunk. The set up pictured, caught this half grown youngster this morning and over the last two weeks i have had 11 squirrels form this tiny copse (most in the cage but 4 snared). I'm not trying to teach anyone to suck eggs........just describing a little set-up that so far is working well for me........but i will keep experimenting with different set-ups and different locations.

[Axholme Ferreter 0]

Sometimes it has been a bit quiet in the trapping and snaring section but just lately there have been some truly excellent threads and this is yet another very informative one from Rolfe.

Well done again and keep up the good work.

All the best

AF

[lamperman 12]

i used the same wire a while ago rolf and it worked well for me as well mate

i found it was verry visible when the sun was out but did the trick

nice to have some good threads on here for a change

[OldTrapCollector 377]

Maybe that same stuff would work well for rat benders too Rolfe - might be worth a try to see how it compares to brass ...

 

OTC

[Rolfe 2]

Maybe that same stuff would work well for rat benders too Rolfe - might be worth a try to see how it compares to brass ...

 

OTC

 

I remembered I had some success using some Anti-Roosting bird wire on some rat-benders a while back and so fashioned myself some squirrel wires and so far they have worked a treat.

 

OTC Yes thats where i got the idea from as i had used it in the past.........it is friction free basically due to the nylon coating, but i am going to give it a real good try on the squirrels to see if it is the real deal...might even try a couple of rabbit wires with it.

[OldTrapCollector 377]

Oh sorry Rolfe - I over-read that part of your post

 

Sounds like it could be useful stuff though, How much does it retail for, with the cable crimps?

 

OTC

[moley 115]

i have never bin a fan of brass wire for rat or squirrel snares as i have heard of as much as 1 in 5 snapped snares which i find unacceptable ,i used to use pike trace wire , 45-60 lb breaking strain , good to use and bad to see only ever had 1 snare snapped and that was pegged to the ground rather than on a beam or leaning log

[froese11 1]

wow looks great. I'll have to try that sometime. Great thread

[heritage 202]

Some time ago i used to use a very similar wire myself, it was nylon coated stainless steel that came in several different diamaters/breaking strains.it was on small(green)pocket sized spool and the manufacturer even included the relevant sized st/st crimps.If i remember right it was called cardoc and was quite cheap,but im not 100% sure if its still available.

[DUCKWING 302]

i have never bin a fan of brass wire for rat or squirrel snares as i have heard of as much as 1 in 5 snapped snares which i find unacceptable ,i used to use pike trace wire , 45-60 lb breaking strain , good to use and bad to see only ever had 1 snare snapped and that was pegged to the ground rather than on a beam or leaning log

 

TOTALLY AGREE MOLEY ,

 

IVE USED BOTH THE TRACE WIRE AND STAINLESS STEEL ..........

I PREFER THE STAINLESS STEEL AS IT TAKES A NICE LOADING ........ IMPORTANT FEATURE IN SNARING SQUIRRELS

 

ROLFE .......... YOUR WIRES DONT SEEM TO BE LOADED ........... ?

 

HERES A COUPLE OF OLD PHOTOS OF A FEW OF THE SETUPS I USE ........................

 

ALL SNARES LOADED WITH SWIVELS AND QUICK CLIPS ..............

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALL THE BEST

 

DUCKWING

[Rolfe 2]

HI DUCKWING Not sure which context you are referring to "loaded" if you mean having swivel and quick release clips attached.... then as you will see in the bottom picture the wires have this fitted. If you mean loaded as in tensioned (which i think you do) then this bird wire is excellent for this, I try to reverse tension mine IE with noose wanting to close (for squirrels and rats only though).

I Like your set-up it looks good........have you tried the bird wire.......if not its worth giving it a go. As I say i am still experimenting a little with different set-ups etc and would need to trial it in a variety of different settings and locations before coming to a final conclusion.

Like Moley and yourself.......I prefer the stainless steel over brass any day......especially on rat-benders it just seems that more friction free......!

Anyway........thanks for the input guys on the thread........keep any ideas and opinions coming in as we can all learn something new at times, that's what makes the trapping game so intriging.

 

Regards

 

Rolfe.