Hey

[Aaro]

Hey everybody,
   I have a question for all you trappers. My family has a pecan orchard that we farm and my part of the farming is keeping all of the critters from eating all the nuts before they get ready. I shoot them as I can but being still in shool I cant be there all the time. So my question is what kind of trap would yall suggest for squirrels? We have both Greys and Fox. The only stipulation is that it has to be dog safe as we have 6 the smalles being the same size as most of the squirrels. Also what ideas do yall have for crows? Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Aaro]

Nobody has anything to say??

[RdFx]

A use small squirrel size box traps.  You could use small body grips set on pole or tree limbs... I put up a 2/4  with 110  or 55 body grips about 18 inches apart and put bait  in between  traps... ive set as many as 8 body grips and have had 8 squirrels hanging.. one job i took 31 squirrels in five days.... on crows you would have to use large pigeon trap and  bait  with doors open for a week or so but you would only make one catch of crows and they wouldnt come back as they learn fast and are smart... Shooting crows would be best if possible in yr area with shotgun and  crow calls with owl dummy set up to draw them in... after shooting first  crow or more put one crow  under owl dummys feet or near feet and use crow in distress and crow s will come right back in.... You have to be camoflauged good as if crow sees you before shooting they boogy out or just stay out of range of yr shotgun..... Good Luck

[Aaro]

Yeah Crows are real smart usally cant get withen 150yds of the little jokers. We havent had our annual crow shoot yet but it is coming soon! :wink:  Youll have to exuse me I have never had anyting to do with trapping but what is a body grip? You lost me after you said that anyway thanks for replyin.

[RdFx]

a body grip and conibear are one and the same except the word conibear pertains to a specific make  body grip... The body grip is a lethal trap that hits the target behind the skull and  usually kills it  instantly if a proper size body grip is used and set properly.    Contact  your state trapping association and get some help... Dont go buying and setting any without  instruction and proper set up... they are a very good tool but you have to know what your doing just like driving a car or airplane... you can get into trouble if you dont .  Also  the body grip doesnt choose   what it euthanizes so you have to know how to set it and where to set it to protect fm   trapping   small pets ect.  No differant  with any tool,, you have to know how to use it..

[Aaro]

Thanks man Ill do some research into that. I think setting them in the trees will prevent them catching small pets. Grandpa suggested setting those large rat traps on the sides of the trees. Maby that will work.

[Mallard]

Snap type rat traps will work on squirrels. I use them in boxes, baited with penut butter and sunflower seeds pressed into it. The concept I believe works with the box is the fact that the squirrel has to extend it's neck to get at the bait, offering a good neck shot. You can beef up the spring a bit with something wedged under the ends of the coils, such as a nickle or something. here's a photo of my set up.

[Aaro]

Cool idea mallard ill give that a try. Whats the kill count on that one that you have so far and how long have you had it set for? Is I      y or does it stay clean becase it they bleed you might have trouble getting the next one to go in there.

[Mallard]

Actualy the photo is when I built them a couple years back. They are nice and weathered now. Not sure what the count is, but its a bunch. I have a dozen of the boxes at work at any given time for gophers, red squirrels, squirrels, etc... They are effective. In reality they were made for weasel trapping in the winter, but decided there's no sense letting them sit if they can be used for summer work + get a good scent on them. As far as blood goes......not a big issue with a snap trap. Replace the trap when it starts getting too weak to keep the kills quick and humane.

[Wackyquacker]

Bill, for use in a private orchard out of the general publics eye, could the traps just be fastened directly to the tree's trunk above pet and kids reach?

[Mallard]

I would guess that would work fine, aside from the possibility of a bird or something when using this type of bait. Maybe just go with the penut butter, and drop the seeds. Another possible problem is the approach angle of a full sized fox or grey/ black squirrel. The box forces the approach from the right side and as well exposes the neck for a clear strike where it counts. If a squirrel was to approach from the side or above, it may hinder the effectiveness. Not sure though....never tried it.

[Aaro]

I have tryed the nailing it to a tree idea and it doesent work. I recon it becaues of the approach angle?

[Wackyquacker]

Never considered birds.  I can just see a squirrle luanched after triggering the trap while perched on the "snapper", lol

Somewhere I recall folks using plastic milk containers to accoomplish the same thing as your boxes.  If this would work it may eliminate a bunch of wood work.

[Mallard]

Cow tippin and squirrel flippin......Count me in! lol

woodwork is a good excuse to get in the shed during the off months, and like I said....i use them for winter weasel trapping to boot, so I like the enclosure.  Milk cartons would serve the purpose, for the topic at hand, but check to make sure there is clearance for the squirrel flipping bar.  :-)

Heck Tom......they're even made out of cedar.  :-)

[Wackyquacker]

Ya know, the milk carton thing may have been for foot holds.  Heck I don't remember but some guy was trapping on skis or snow shows and I thought he was catchin weasals.  

Now you go back to the shop and make some saw dust :-D