This is why I trap (pictures of trapped animals)

[British Red]

As people may have read, we are having real rabbit problems this year - and, as well as shooting, are using cage traps to manage the numbers - they are effective

Young Rabbit Caught by British Red, on Flickr

Well, today I rolled a really unusual "rabbit" out of one of the traps

Hedgehog in ball by British Red, on Flickr

After a while, the snuffle hog unrolled (it only rolled up when removed from the cage - it had been scratching fleas when I first saw it)

Unrolled Hedgehog by British Red, on Flickr


...and trundled off none the worse for wear

Hedgehog leaving by British Red, on Flickr

I feel quite good about our trapping ethics today

 

[Clouston98]

That's nice to see, I love hedgehogs too .

 

[John Fenna]

Mrs Tiggywinkle is free!

 

[Macaroon]

That's a nice post to read whilst having an early lunch, prior to what looks to be a good soaking - I'll be out there with the dog and horses now 'till around 8 pm.

 

[greensurfingbear]

We used to have cages out for grey squirrels at work. We kill them and take blood samples to monitor squirrel pox.

We once caught a hedgehog in a trap we'd left out and it rolled up as soon as we got near it. We couldn't get it out the trap, while it was rolled up it was to big for the trap door. Definitely less obliging than the one you got there Red!

Not so much of a problem with rabbits here, I rarely see any. In fact the last one I saw was white and black and looked like it'd been let loose rather than a wild one.

However we've got a grey squirrel raiding the bird feeder in the garden and I'm pretty sure it took the young veg shoots too! I'm trying to convince the missus to let me shoot it, or at the very least trap it..

 

[Harvestman]

Excellent. Hedgehogs need all the help that they can get, and it is always good to see one. Rabbits, by contrast, are just tasty.

 

[kaiAnderson]

we have humane mice traps that we use then wonder down the fields and release them, although me brother did tell me his work friend trapped a mouse humanely, and forgot about it for 2weeks. may have to get a rabbit trap as they are running our garden ragged.

 

[Pete11]

Nice one.

Pete

 

[atlatlman]

We used to have cages out for grey squirrels at work. We kill them and take blood samples to monitor squirrel pox.

We once caught a hedgehog in a trap we'd left out and it rolled up as soon as we got near it. We couldn't get it out the trap, while it was rolled up it was to big for the trap door. Definitely less obliging than the one you got there Red!

Not so much of a problem with rabbits here, I rarely see any. In fact the last one I saw was white and black and looked like it'd been let loose rather than a wild one.

However we've got a grey squirrel raiding the bird feeder in the garden and I'm pretty sure it took the young veg shoots too! I'm trying to convince the missus to let me shoot it, or at the very least trap it..

I shot two a few years back. They make a very nice stew.

 

[Shewie]

I could do with a couple of hedgehogs to sort out our snail and slug problem

 

[atlatlman]

I could do with a couple of hedgehogs to sort out our snail and slug problem

Snails are to good for the hedgehogs. Get the garlic butter out.

 

[Baelfore]

I love the pic of the hedgehog strolling away.

"I have fair more important places to be!"

Thanks for sharing

Ste

 

[Jackdaw]

What cage trap are you using British Red?

 

[Stringmaker]

Nice work and lovely pics.

On my way to work I must see at least one or two hogs that didn't make it across the road every morning and it saddens me a bit. We humans keep fragmenting their habitat (at best, at worst we just destroy it), so they have to cross roads.

Good on you

 

[dwardo]

Automated slug eating machines rock!

 

[British Red]

What cage trap are you using British Red?

I use a variety. The one shown above is a basic pressure release (no springs) 30" rabbit trap. its at least 9" square - many I find are to narrow or too short for a big buck to easily enter. There is a short raised platform that links mechanically to the door release. Works well but because its geared to "rabbit weight" small critters will not trigger it. That's good in that you don't have to release them, bad in that they can rob out the bait. Smallest thing that triggers them is a particular female blackbird known as "stoopid" (she has no fear of anything - even running rotovators where she will jump in their path for a worm). She just sits there till I let her out though

I find for smaller creatures (e.g. rats) that a spring loaded mechanism is needed to slam the door fast as their bodyweight doesn't close it fast enough. That kind need a real "hair trigger".

 

[Jackdaw]

Do you still remember the supplier? If so, could you PM me their details. I'm fed up of buying rubbish that is poorly made and would prefer to spend my money on kit that is recommended.

 

[Quixoticgeek]

Did you let her free next to the veg patch? Best slug protection you can find is a hedgehog!

Julia

 

[JonathanD]

Did you let her free next to the veg patch? Best slug protection you can find is a hedgehog!

Julia

Nah, it's these fellas....

 

[British Red]

Julia - she was by the veg patch when I caught her

Jon, I've tried using children before but honestly, they are more destructive than cats.