Fenn vs Bodygrip for squirrels

[Tyla]

I am looking to harvest the collective wisdom please.

I have caught many hundreds of squirrels in tree boxes using fenn traps, 4s and 6s. The tree boxes seem to reduce mustelid by catch which is important to the boss and, if you get the height right, the birds leave them alone too.

However, the 6s being wider sometimes seem to catch them further up the body than i'd like and I've had a few foul catches in the 4s. I'm about to set out on a new trapping project and considering trying body grips which I have never used.

Are they better? Whats the best way to use them? Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

 

[Smallholder]

I've used bodygrip traps set in a wooden box and they've worked well. Details here: Fourteenacre | Fineren Bodygrip Box for Squirrels

 

[Andyquadra]

I am looking to harvest the collective wisdom please.

I have caught many hundreds of squirrels in tree boxes using fenn traps, 4s and 6s. The tree boxes seem to reduce mustelid by catch which is important to the boss and, if you get the height right, the birds leave them alone too.

However, the 6s being wider sometimes seem to catch them further up the body than i'd like and I've had a few foul catches in the 4s. I'm about to set out on a new trapping project and considering trying body grips which I have never used.

Are they better? Whats the best way to use them? Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

@Leupsak Have you still got a couple of squirrel jobs on the go?

 

[Tyla]

I've used bodygrip traps set in a wooden box and they've worked well. Details here: Fourteenacre | Fineren Bodygrip Box for Squirrels

Thank you, they look great but I suspect the bosses budget won't run to that. I usually have a line of 20 on the go in several woods at a time so would be quite an investment. I might copy the concept though

 

[Tyla]

Anyone else using body grips in basic home made boxes?

 

[Bo Diddley]

The traps aren't too expensive, more than a Fenn granted, look at how long they last, and it amounts to tuppence ha'penny per year, even less per squizzer.
Just buy one of the boxes as a pattern and make the other 19 yourself. A chop saw, hammer & nails, a hinge & screws.. Bob's your uncle, Fanny's your aunt!

 

[Smallholder]

Thank you, they look great but I suspect the bosses budget won't run to that. I usually have a line of 20 on the go in several woods at a time so would be quite an investment. I might copy the concept though

Many years ago went on a squirrel trapping course with Mr Fineren, he was going to publish plans IIRC but I don't know if any exist. I just measure an old box and make another when I need them.

The boxes have offset holes and when I've used them for squirrels I've never caught anything else. I put the boxes up and bait with a few peanuts for a few days and when I set the traps I can often get a squirrel in an hour or two.

The downside is if you don't reset them quickly another squirrel can try and gnaw in. The boxes don't last for ever but if removed when not in use they can last for several years.

I also find after a bit of practice the body grip traps are very quick and easy to set.

 

[Bo Diddley]

There you go, @Tyla, get the dimensions of the boxes from @Smallholder, and that will save £60 quid or so on a template box, £60 will buy a good few meters of sawn softwood from the merchants.
The traps are about £17 a pop, if you use them for 10 years, that's £1.70p a year.... not much cost per day

 

[the_greenman]

I've got one in my garden on a fence post. Any squirrels wandering off national trust land usually don't wander back that way once they've explored the box. I had a look at the box designs on sites and you tube and made my own. Fairly easy to do with bits of leftover wood. The only bycatch I've ever had was a mouse trying to climb down to get at a maize cob I'd put in the bottom.

 

[purdeydog]

Fenn trap. However Doc 150 is my go to trap for squirrels.