First thinning of new woodland

[peds]

Are you controlling the squirrels at all? Tasty as they are, and all that... 

[spandit]

41 minutes ago, peds said:

Are you controlling the squirrels at all? Tasty as they are, and all that... 

I've trapped 3 so far

[Paul in the woods]

I own a couple of patches of woodland and have found if I can shoot/trap about 10 squirrels a year that gets the numbers down so the trees don't get damaged much. They quickly move back in so it has to be done every year if your neighbours aren't also controlling them.

 

We've had a lot of damage this year, about the only tree that escape are the ask which are being wiped out by ADB!

 

Annoyingly in a few years we may have to stop trapping them in the lethal traps due to pine martens.

 

By the way, I think the thinning size is 10cm dbh before a licence is needed. 

[openspaceman]

25 minutes ago, Paul in the woods said:

 

Annoyingly in a few years we may have to stop trapping them in the lethal traps due to pine martens.

 

not to mention polecats or hedge hogs iyou use lethal traps.

 

The perceive wisdom in the mid 70s was it was only worth control in the early spring to july.

[spandit]

I use live capture traps baited with peanuts and administer the coup de grace with a BSA Meteor

[Paul in the woods]

4 minutes ago, openspaceman said:

not to mention polecats or hedge hogs iyou use lethal traps.

I place traps up trees so little chance of hedgehogs. Not seen a polecat but I thought the risk with pine martens is they are more omnivorous and may go for baits aimed at grey squirrels. Aren't polecats more carnivorous? 

[spandit]

37 minutes ago, Paul in the woods said:

By the way, I think the thinning size is 10cm dbh before a licence is needed. 

 

To be honest I probably wouldn't have bothered asking but wanted their input. Also stand the chance of getting it registered!

[Rushes]

Recommend Kania traps for squirrels - work a treat and dispatch them instantly.

Edited December 14 by Rushes

[spandit]

56 minutes ago, Rushes said:

Recommend Kania traps for squirrels - work a treat and dispatch them instantly.

Don't seem to be available any more. Nothing in my live traps this morning

[woody paul]

2 hours ago, spandit said:

Don't seem to be available any more. Nothing in my live traps this morning

You talk to any good game keeper they will not try and catch squirrels this time, as still food about for them. 

Best off shooting them this time of year.