Fenn traps

[Mungo]

I am a novice at using these, and have started with them to trap grey squirrels.

I’ve encountered two problems:

1. Several squirrels have been still alive when I’ve got to them. Is this normal? And if so, what’s the usual way to despatch?

2. I’ve had about a third of the traps cleaned of bait (peanut butter) without triggering. Can anyone suggest what I might be doing wrong?

Thanks!

 

[mudman]

Never had a live squirrel when caught across the body. But if mis caught on a leg then yes alive.

I have had live weasels when caught across the body. Tough little things.

My traps are set in run through tunnels, if there is any bait then it is usually a handful of wheat to one side

 

[Goingback]

You could have too much clearance above the trap so when it springs. they can jump up a little on reaction.
Mice will take the foodstuff off without triggering the trap. If it is squirrels, put some food on the underside of the trigger plate.

 

[snake_2586]

Quick clean way to dispatch, carry an air rifle with you, couple of inches from the head and lights out, you also have the air rifle to hand if you see any in the trees as you are checking the traps.

 

[Rhodesianjess]

When you set the tunnel height,stand a fired trap inside and make sure there's just enough clearance for the trap to shut once triggered. Also not too much clearance once set on the sides, the Fenn trap works by nearly scraping the sides of the tunnel,this keeping the victim within the jaws. Too much room and the victim might not be caught properly and killed.
I bend the treadle plate on mine so that they're level or slightly below the jaw height when set, the victim then is within the jaws. Some from new,the treadle height is well above the jaws when set, certainly doesn't help when catching.
Peanut butter on the floor under the trap better than on the trap itself, just a dollop before setting trap on top. Personally for me,a hand full of wheat,half at each end of tunnel. If blind tunnel, handful outside not in tunnel.
Use as little pressure as possible to set trap off, using the tongue as shallow as possible. It is possible to set Fenns fine enough to catch mice! Least pressure required is best, generally a head or forequarters catch then.
Best of luck with your trapping.
Ps a squirt of aniseed on the trap certainly helps encourage squirrels into the tunnel.

 

[Ratel]

All as Jess says, but what size Fenn are you using? You need a six for squiggles, fours are not man enough really. Air pistol or Priest (non Catholic ) good thump does job.

 

[Bo Diddley]

My Border is an ace trap checker.... I read her well, she tells me if it's a cold corpse... warm corpse.. or a wriggler... no mistake when it's a wriggler and she's usually stopped it wriggling by the time I've slid out of the Gator.

 

[shakey jake]

Clean traps sounds like field mice to me.
If set on the ground be careful about the rules and stoats.
Several new traps on the market that wont have a risk

 

[Mungo]

All as Jess says, but what size Fenn are you using? You need a six for squiggles, fours are not man enough really. Air pistol or Priest (non Catholic ) good thump does job.

I’ve got 4s.

So you reckon I will end up with a fair number of live ones with these? That’s extremely useful to know.

Definitely a learning curve here.

 

[enfieldspares]

I am a novice at using these, and have started with them to trap grey squirrels.

I’ve encountered two problems:

1. Several squirrels have been still alive when I’ve got to them. Is this normal? And if so, what’s the usual way to despatch?

2. I’ve had about a third of the traps cleaned of bait (peanut butter) without triggering. Can anyone suggest what I might be doing wrong?

Thanks!

A good .177" air rifle (not a air pistol but an air rifle) and a shot to the back of the head. By good I mean one that the gunshop has tested on a chronograph to deliver at least 11ft/lbs of energy. Why not an air pistol? By law in the UK an air pistol must not exceed 6ft/lbs so most will be set gto only 5.5ft/lbs. If you can't get a .177" air rifle get a .22 air rifle. Again check the power before buying. Last but not least as it is for shots into the head from but one or two inches away any old tatty, scruffy, air rifle will do. So the gunshop may have such for maybe £30 or so.

 

[HarryG]

Hi Mungo - sorry to ask but are you setting the traps the right way round? Ie when set the trap is a rectangle when you look from above. The long side should be across the run. I used to set them the other way round until someone pointed this out and now it’s much more effective.

 

[Mungo]

Hi Mungo - sorry to ask but are you setting the traps the right way round? Ie when set the trap is a rectangle when you look from above. The long side should be across the run. I used to set them the other way round until someone pointed this out and now it’s much more effective.

I think so.

The jaws should close across the body (coming in from the side) rather than end-to-end, yes?

 

[HarryG]

I think so.

The jaws should close across the body (coming in from the side) rather than end-to-end, yes?

Yes that’s the right way round.

 

[Ratcatcher]

I’ve got 4s.

So you reckon I will end up with a fair number of live ones with these? That’s extremely useful to know.

Definitely a learning curve here.

A thin slice of mars/snickers, pressed onto the plate ( before you set it!) has always done the trick for me, 99% of mine are squirrels in lofts, never had a problem with 4s, but an air rifle is the tool in a loft, you'll be surprised how many you can shoot before the trap is set, or as you're checking it, as they just sit and look at you!

 

[Mungo]

Clean traps sounds like field mice to me.
If set on the ground be careful about the rules and stoats.
Several new traps on the market that wont have a risk

Which new traps would you recommend?

 

[Bo Diddley]

Which new traps would you recommend?

DOC150

 

[shakey jake]

Doc 150 as above

Which new traps would you recommend?

 

[Mungo]

Doc 150 as above

What are the advantages?

 

[shakey jake]

What are the advantages?

Massivly more powerfull than either fenn, when set in the correct way almost zero risk of target animal not being killed cleanly. Dont fall foul of the daft rules on stoats

 

[nun_hunter]

I've used Fenn traps and now have a DOC 150 (for rats and squirrels in the garden around quails and bird feeders).

Fenn needs a well made tunnel with a baffle to guide the squirrel into the right part of the trap to ensure a clean kill. Without this I've had a few squirrels that were still alive caught by a leg or the rear of their body.

The DOC 150 is far superior but comes with a price tag to match. I was very wary of setting it initially, as it would easily take the end of a finger off. However, once screwed down into a tunnel it becomes much easier and safer to set.