Traps Vs. Snares

[Barrabas]

Made a few bird cages/snares as an experiment; Arapuca variants, and improvised snare for use on branches or ridgeline.(I know..my spelling stinks..please correct me), anyhow..my first attempts and associated impressions..started out as a discussion about a feather, but felt it more appropriate to focus on improvised trap comparisons. Thanks all for the contributions. Always tie your bait.

 

[spketch]

Leave the birds alone! Except for starlings or European sparrows (invasive pests), don't mess with the birds. Not only is it illegal to trap them, it is technically illegal to possess a feather collected in a non-idiotic way. Its nice that you feed the local and migrating birds, but don't screw with them if you really do care. If the lord wants you to have a feather it will be shed in your yard naturally.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migratory_Bird_Treaty_Act_of_1918#section_3

 

[upnorth]

Anything below a duck, like grouse etc. I'd just stick my finger up its arse, grab the legs, and pull the breast out. That's about all that was worth keeping.

 

[mewolf1]

I suggest you relax,lest you be judged.

Leave the birds alone! Except for starlings or European sparrows (invasive pests), don't mess with the birds. Not only is it illegal to trap them, it is technically illegal to possess a feather collected in a non-idiotic way. Its nice that you feed the local and migrating birds, but don't screw with them if you really do care. If the lord wants you to have a feather it will be shed in your yard naturally.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migratory_Bird_Treaty_Act_of_1918#section_3

 

[willseeyalater]

Two of my bird feeders have plexi panels that birds get under when the sunflowers get low. I have had to give a gentle hello/goodbye to three of them this winter. I take a second to watch to see that they fly away but otherwise I don't take souvenirs off of them while they need their gear. When their batteries run out naturally or I shoot one for a meal or they drop a feather on their own I keep such feathers as I can to add some color to my treasures. My wife thinks I keep to many pieces and parts but they remind me of adventures and the brevity of life and it being a gift from our maker. You know....deep water thoughts.

 

[20gauge]

spketch is right, and the penalties can be severe: 1yr in jail and $10,000 fine. I have known the Fish and Wildlife Service to come into nature centers with guns drawn.

 

[mewolf1]

spketch is right, and the penalties can be severe: 1yr in jail and $10,000 fine. I have known the Fish and Wildlife Service to come into nature centers with guns drawn.

Depends on where you live and what you have collected. Raptors are a HUGE no no, but I've never heard of anyone getting into trouble over a Blue Jay feather. The OP isn't talking about going into the feather trade, and didn't ask for legal counsel, or any other personal agenda.

 

[Barrabas]

Well, once again you guys help keep me in line..it seems I need to do some reading on local regulations, and sincerely appreciate the cross checks :thumbup:.If anybody has a feather recommendation, I'm still interested .

 

[Barrabas]

spketch,

but don't screw with them if you really do care. If the lord wants you to have a feather it will be shed in your yard naturally.

I asked the question, because I care.

The "if the Lord wants you to have.." logic..Got a question for you..Are you sincere, or does that only apply to only to situations you can critique from your computer? Do you believe that in other areas of your life too? Most people can't get many things in life without at least, a little, effort..not trying to be being combative, just don't appreciate the condescending tone, and unless you really live by that creed, pick a different stick to fight with.

I'm simply trying to figure out if I can get a feather in this way without hurting the bird..the want for the feather does not outweigh my concern for the Bird, or local regulations..I have conceded that, with no issue..still curious about this though.

 

[Codger_64]

On topic, most birds could easily survive the loss of one feather without affecting their health or flight. Where to get the feather, wing, body or tail, would be personal choice I would think, depending on markings and color, or size. As for pluck of snip, I suggest snip if not causing pain is in the equation. Perhaps cuticle scissors or toenail clippers.

 

[spketch]

Barrabas, I apologize for my attitude. I get worked up thinking of unnecessary harm coming to animals. Not trying to fight with you, no need to pick any "stick". What I mean by Lord willing is that most birds shed all of their feathers a couple times each year (not all at once). Looking around your feeders regularly should yield the occasional lucky find, especially around these times of molting.
Having volunteered at a wildlife rescue/rehabilitaion facility, I can tell you that songbirds are delicate creatures. They have small hearts that beat very fast, and the stress of capture and release can cause heart failure when they panic.
If you feel the need to catch them in a cage, their flapping around could very well loosen a few feathers without the need to clip anything or even touch them.

 

[Barrabas]

Codger Sir, you're still the man..that's what I was looking for..great call on the clips.
Sketch, peace Bro, and appreciate your perspective; thanks for the extra info..good thread..Didn't know the little guys could have a H.Attack.how likely is that?..may be a game changer.

 

[Barrabas]

Well..thought I'd share some pics with you, and some experience with some trap variations, so for those who don't like to read a lot, here's the synopsis..Snares are hands down a better, quick alternative compared to an arapuca bird trap in a "I need food yesterday" scenario.
Providing you have stuff you need, You can set one up in a 1/4 of the time at minimum, they are more wind resistant (BIG time consideration..lot of surface area on a arapuca..and virtually none on a snare, and snare is more reliable to catch varying sized fowl, I'm now a snare guy for a couple of other reasons too, but anyway, I'm not kidding..if you haven't made a bird trap before..(with or without youtube time), you're probably looking at an hour or 2 to get it right, and remember..birds are contorionisists..a space 1/3 their body size is an open door..again, if it's food, it'll be a snare for me until further notice.

Perfect northeast bird habitat..right by a creek..also great place to find saplings even in the winter, so you can pound cordage if wanted:

Here's a shot at one made with virtually no manmade cordage:

Here's another made from processed firewood..if I was going to make one again, definitely only would use tree sticks..processed pieces seemed to shift a lot:

0013_zps5e1d5fe3.jpg[/IMG]

To me, best way to go quick on these would be a shirt etc wrapped around an easy frame, but would have to be weighted well on any part of the base that touches the ground, they can use their beaks easily to get under a cage and leverage out..

Here are a couple of snare variations based off of using a Nikon ragefinder retractor (had planned to use a sapling, but then realized it might lose it's spring over time, and then thought of the retractor..which would easily hold up a wrist sized stick..great pull that won't lose it's tension if done right, and was too heavy to use at work, as would rip the plastic over time on a regular keycard carrier in a couple of days (I've done it).

Here's one: should have placed bait nearer or attached to trigger, but concept sound, made loop under decking for anchor point variation:

Realized I could use the pully itself as an lock for the trigger, and did not need to use the second ring in this scenario, or stick lever for that matter, (but could in other scenarios based off the Essee Key ring set up), in this case I just used it to attach food:

The Lord blessed me to figure out a few things..1, snares are easier to set up, more reliable in various weather conditions, and you can make a pocket snare kit, that you Know works; you can also use your cordage to make a anchor point out of log, rock, root, etc.:

IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o588/Barabbas1/IMG_0034_zps989c0680.jpg[/IMG]

Tools that got to play:

 

[Shotgun]

Barrabas, I apologize for my attitude. I get worked up thinking of unnecessary harm coming to animals. Not trying to fight with you, no need to pick any "stick". What I mean by Lord willing is that most birds shed all of their feathers a couple times each year (not all at once). Looking around your feeders regularly should yield the occasional lucky find, especially around these times of molting.
Having volunteered at a wildlife rescue/rehabilitaion facility, I can tell you that songbirds are delicate creatures. They have small hearts that beat very fast, and the stress of capture and release can cause heart failure when they panic.
If you feel the need to catch them in a cage, their flapping around could very well loosen a few feathers without the need to clip anything or even touch them.

I have to second his opinion. You're causing the bird a lot of stress and risk injuring it for a souvenir. Do what you like but I have a feeling if I came up with a Barrabas trap that you wouldn't want me to pull your hair out.

Nice work on the traps though. I like how you wove the smaller green branches together.

 

[hepclass]

Amen brother !:thumbup:

 

[Barrabas]

I have a feeling if I came up with a Barrabas trap that you wouldn't want me to pull your hair out.

Dude..you're right about that:thumbup:

Nice work on the traps though. I like how you wove the smaller green branches together.

thanks..but just to be on the up & up, it would have taken probably another hour minimum of weaving to make it sufficient, I think..but did learn that the R9's heft on the spine really made for a great tool to get the fibers spread out on the saplings for weaving..are those little willows?

If I were cold, wet or tired..snare is the way I'd go..with my limited skill set I think I could get three out to every one Arapuca..I couldn't even imagine trying to set up a Arapuca in the rain..would never last, at least with my skill set and a sensitive trigger.,good to know as a failsafe, but they are nothing more to me now; one last thing, they have to be not only almost airtight for wrens etc, but they have to be heavy enough to keep a larger birds from getting out..lots of various birds in our area..not wise use of time, if a snare is an alternative.

 

[hlee]

Barrabas, I'm not sure if "this side of eternity" is in the US, however, if it is here is a summary of applicable federal law...

From the USGS http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/about/faqs/birds/feathers.htm

A type of question that we commonly get involves well meaning people who want to rescue young or injured birds, secure feathers for artwork, or salvage eggs or nests for various purposes.

Anyone desiring to possess migratory birds or their parts or products should be aware that all of these are covered under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16U.S.C. 703-712), which implements a series of international treaties designed to protect migratory birds.

Some key provisions of the Act are worth keeping in mind:

Wording of the Act makes it very clear that most actions that result in "taking" or possession of a protected species or its parts or products is a violation of the Act. Specifically, the Act states:

"Unless and except as permitted by regulations, …it shall be unlawful at any time, by any means, or in any manner…to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, …possess, offer for sale, sell, …purchase, import…any migratory bird, any part, nest, or eggs of any such bird…"

It is a "strict-liability" law, meaning that there is no requirement for law enforcement agencies to prove "intent" to violate the law. That is, if you are found in possession of a protected species or its parts or products, you are automatically in violation of the law.
The provisions of the Act are nearly absolute; "...except as permitted by regulations ..." is the only exception. Some examples of permitted activities that do not violate the law are legal hunting of specific game birds, legitimate research activities, display in licensed zoological gardens, and bird banding under an appropriate permit.
The Act covers the great majority (83%) of all native birds found in the U.S. Many of the species not covered by the Act are covered by the Endangered Species Act , other Federal laws, or state laws, many of which are as stringent as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act . In the lower 48 states, all species except the house sparrow, feral pigeon, common starling, and non-migratory game birds like pheasants, gray partridge, and sage grouse, are protected.
Penalties upon conviction can be severe. Even if a sympathetic jury finds that you meant no harm in trying to rear an abandoned nestling or in picking a hawk feather, legal defense costs are clearly not worth the risk.

 

[Barrabas]

Thank you, hlee..Great info.

 

[Barrabas]

Learned a lot in this exercise, and thankfully birds still leave feathers around (occasionally) just to thank you for the grub.
Point is that a trap looks a lot simpler on the screen than they do in real life, anything we learn must be practiced in order to be a "skill", that hopefully, will never be utilized other than in the most dire of circumstances, thankful that a practice session has been it's only use..and that I don't have to rely on 1 or 100 traps to feed my family..I much prefer the fridge.