dano
New Member
Posts: 7
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Foxes
Mar 12, 2013 11:55:21 GMT -5
Post by dano on Mar 12, 2013 11:55:21 GMT -5
Hey guys, I was wondering if it was possible to trap a fox? I've got a local one that has been grabbing my chickens to the point that we aren't letting them free range anymore. Is it possible for me as a home owner to set up a trap for them and if so, how would I go about doing it?
As luck would have it, as my chickens have been cooped up these past few months I've now got a weasel that has gone after a few of them, my wife saw the little bastard one day going after one of them. I was at work at the time and she called me and said she figured out what had been attacking our chickens in the coop. She said he was cute but must die. Love my wife.
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Foxes
Mar 12, 2013 15:55:07 GMT -5
Post by ecgreen on Mar 12, 2013 15:55:07 GMT -5
It is legal to trap a fox on your own land at any time of the year without a license too, although you cannot keep the pelt out of season - this is my understanding of the law, so someone correct me if I am wrong. Even so, I would call your local eco and let him know what you are doing, it will go a long way with them, trust me from experience.
Yes, I do believe you could trap that fox yourself, but the learning curve can be a bit steep. That same eco might be able to hook you up with a local trapper who might help you out. Feel free to ask any questions about trapping and I will do my best to help answer them. Just to get you rolling, you can forget about cage trapping him. I have done it, but it is very hard to do and a trap that size is EXPENSIVE. You need to go with foothold traps. From there, you need to learn how to make a dirthole set and bed and anchor your trap properly (a 1.5 coilspring will work just fine).
Your other option, IMHO is to set up a bait pile and kill him at night with a gun and a light. Sit in your barn and wait him out.
Sean
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Foxes
Mar 12, 2013 15:55:56 GMT -5
Post by ecgreen on Mar 12, 2013 15:55:56 GMT -5
THe weasel is easy to trap! Do a google for weasel box. A rat trap, a box and some chicken livers and you can trap him tonight!
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dano
New Member
Posts: 7
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Foxes
Mar 12, 2013 16:09:47 GMT -5
Post by dano on Mar 12, 2013 16:09:47 GMT -5
Yeah Sean I already built a box weasel trap but the little bastard is one lucky little shit. He's tripped it a couple of times. Last time he tripped it he just barely missed getting caught as there were some hairs under the bar. One of the local mice wasn't so lucky. On the plus side, he hasn't killed any chickens in a few weeks.
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Foxes
Mar 12, 2013 16:29:31 GMT -5
Post by ecgreen on Mar 12, 2013 16:29:31 GMT -5
LMOA! You actually succeeded in scaring a weasel,....now THAT is hard! HOw big is your hole in the box? Sounds like he might be seeing that trap before he jumps in
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dano
New Member
Posts: 7
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Foxes
Mar 13, 2013 5:18:20 GMT -5
Post by dano on Mar 13, 2013 5:18:20 GMT -5
I think the hole is either 1 1/2 or 2 inch. I'll have to measure it one of these days. It can be easily replaced if need be. How big should it be in your opinion?
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Foxes
Mar 13, 2013 16:39:16 GMT -5
Post by ecgreen on Mar 13, 2013 16:39:16 GMT -5
1 1/2 should be fine. Probably just a small weasel. I am assuming your using victor rat traps? Anyhow, keep us posted!
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dano
New Member
Posts: 7
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Foxes
Mar 15, 2013 5:25:56 GMT -5
Post by dano on Mar 15, 2013 5:25:56 GMT -5
Well I measured the hole saw I used and it was actually a 2 inch hole. I checked yesterday and no sign of the little bugger. I am using the victor rat traps, ordered some off of amazon, the ones with the larger yellow trigger plate. I may try and build a second trap with a smaller entrance hole if I don't catch this little bastard soon.
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