Crayfish

[Bushwhacker]

Ok I have looked at pictures of the two (native and signal) and I am not sure I would be able to tell the diff.
So can anyone point out an easy way to tell the difference for us 'duffers'?
I fancy the idea of trying to catch some with a string and bacon rind, but don't want to pull the wrong ones out!
Alan

You'd find it easier to tell in the flesh.
Natives have rough claws on top and signals have smooth claws, signals also have a white flash at the pincer joint.

 

[TrickyT]

You need a license to cart crayfish. It is all detailed in the post here

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38583&p=720596#post720596

I received my 3 tags, license letter and return form the other day. Fairly painless operation.

Regards

Trevor

 

[santaman2000]

I won't go into the licensing thing cause I have absolutely no idea. We usually catch crayfish (crawfish) by using a long handled, thin mesh net to rake up the debris from the bottom of the ditch or stream then turn it over on the bank to pick out the crawfish. I don't know if that would be legal there are not however because it could disturb bottom habitat. Usually we only eat those over 4 inches or so, anything less is great bait for fin fish though. How do you cook then there?

 

[georann]

Dunno if im allowed to post links to another forum :O but heres an article (if you can call it that) i wrote on the topic of licensing (with the intention of writing a full guide on crayfishing) http://woodlife.ning.com/forum/topics/a-quick-guide-to-crayfishing

Happy fishing
Dan

P.S Licensing is really easy & free so its a good idea to get one. better than having your traps removed, being tracked down and fined.