Help with trapping magpies!
 

Hello everybody!
So, I have a couple of magpies living in and around my garden and they're chasing all the other birds (or killing them). And because you can't just buy a Larsen trap in Belgium, I made my own. I placed it in the middle of the garden with some tin foil, dog food and some eggs, hoping they would notice it, but I think they don't. I don't want to use a dead animal, because it will smell bad, and the trap is pretty close to my house, and I need to catch a bird first, to use it as a call bird. Also, they didn't make their nest in my garden, so I can't just put my trap underneath their nest. Can someone give me any advice? Thanks!

Louis

If it is legal to kill them, and it isn't legal everywhere, I suggest a good pellet gun. If they are hanging around then simply sit and wait and pop them when the chance arrives. Magpies are smart birds and you'll probably only have to shoot 2 or 3 and the rest will move out.

Well, unfortunately it isn't legal to kill them. I have permission to catch and remove them elswhere.

Well, from having done ADC work before, I don't feel trapping them and moving them elsewhere is going to do you any good. What will stop them from returning? I would contact your local animal control agent and ask them what has worked for them in the past and go from there first.

They are scavengers, and most scavengers rely heavily on scents to find food. I think you are going to have to use something smelly. Might not have to be a dead animal though. Maybe a small piece of meat or fat, suet, or maybe try some smelly cheese.

Can you obtain Havahart traps? I have caught bluejays in their raccoon size trap baited with corn - Seems a magpie would trip it as well.

If you can trap them alive ship them to jimmy carter cod. Hes the dumb azz that made them illegal .He needs them on his peanut farm.