Help with trapping magpies!
05-01-2014, 01:42 PM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 2
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
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
05-02-2014, 05:01 AM
#2
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,230
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.
05-02-2014, 11:54 PM
#3
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 2
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.
05-04-2014, 05:20 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,834
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.
05-05-2014, 06:49 AM
#5
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North Central Illinois
Posts: 848
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.
