Fieldsports Extreme

ash · Guest

Fox control is necessary in order to ensure that damage to game, wildlife and livestock by fox predation is reduced to acceptable levels, particularly at vulnerable times of the year e.g. nesting and lambing time.
It is the responsibility of all those involved in fox control to ensure their methods are legal, humane and carried out with sensitivity and respect for other countryside users. Snaring is subject to legal restrictions and when properly practised is an effective and humane form of fox control.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Section 11, and Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 Article 12 it is illegal to :

set in position any self-locking snare.
set in position any trap or snare calculated to cause bodily injury to any wild animal included in Schedule 6.
Schedule 6 includes, badger*, pine marten*, otter*, red squirrel*, wild cat*, polecat.
set in position any snare and fail to inspect it, at least once a
day.

* Note : pine marten, otter, red squirrel and wild cat are
now listed in Schedule 5 of the Act and are therefore fully protected. The badger and its sett are also protected under the Badgers Act 1992. Wild cat and polecat are excluded from the Order.
Under the Deer Act 1991, Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 and Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 Article 12 it is also an offence to :
• set in position any trap or snare calculated to cause bodily
injury to any deer coming in contact with it,
• use for the purpose of taking or killing any deer any trap or snare.

SETTING FOX SNARES

• Ensure that only foxes are using the site where snares are to be set.

The presence of foxes will be indicated by:

Fox tracks (footprints)
Long reddish brown hairs caught on bramble, twigs or wire.
Strong musty smell.
• If in doubt do not set a snare !

To snare foxes humanely, adhere to the following rules;

Only free running snares which contain a 'permanent stop', 9" (23cm) from the eye of the snare should be used.
Use good quality snares which incorporate a strong swivel. The wire must not be less that 460lbs (208 kilos) breaking strain.
Snares should be supported by a suitable 'tealer' or set-stick and set firmly in the ground. Tealers made from fence-wire are easy to conceal, set and make.
Snares must be firmly anchored.
Ensure that snares run freely and are free of 'kinks'. Snares which are frayed or damaged should be discarded.
Snares should be set so that the bottom of the loop is at least 9" (23cm) off the ground under normal conditions and up to a height of 12" (30cm) or more, on open ground. When setting snares at these heights the loop should be 6" to 7" (15/18cm)
at its deepest point.
The law requires that snares should be checked at least once a day. inspection at least twice a day and as soon after dawn as is practical.
Foxes should be dispatched quickly and humanely by a shot from a rifle, shotgun or pistol and the body disposed of responsibly e.g. by burying.
The displaying of carcases serves no useful purpose and can offend other countryside users.
AVOIDING THE CAPTURE OF NON-TARGET SPECIES

When setting snares every effort must be made to avoid the capture of non-target and protected species. A knowledge of the tracks, trails and signs of both target and non-target species is essential. Pay particular attention to the following;

BADGER

• Always look for any signs of badger activity, such as;

Well worn paths.
Badger tracks (footprints).
Coarse grey hairs with black tips, caught on bramble, twigs or wire.
Do not set snares in the vicinity of badger setts which can be identified by :

Signs of excavation linked by well defined paths.
Signs of bedding near the sett entrance.
The presence of 'dung pits'.

Avoid setting snares in holes through or under fence lines, in gaps through hedges or under gateways where badgers are present.
If in doubt do not set a snare !
DOMESTIC PETS

Do not set snares in the vicinity of houses.
Avoid setting snares on or near public footpaths, rights of way, or in areas used regularly for the exercising of domestic animals.
If in doubt do not set a snare !
DEER

• Always look for any signs of deer activity.

The presence of deer will be indicated by the following;

Deer slots (tracks).
Droppings.
Obvious signs of browsing or frayed saplings.
Avoid setting snares in holes through or under fence lines, in gaps through hedges or under gateways, particularly where roe or muntjac are present.
Do not attach snares to fences, as this increases the risk of entanglement and injury.
Avoid setting snares along the back of fence lines, particularly when they pass through woodland, as deer will often travel alongside them.
If in doubt do not set a snare !
FARM LIVESTOCK

Never set snares where livestock are grazing.
Avoid setting snares along the back of fence lines as cattle often lean over or push through to graze the grass on the opposite side.
If in doubt do not set a snare !
OTTERS

• Always look for any signs of otter activity, such as;

Otter tracks (footprints).
A regular feeding place such as a rock in midstream, which will be recognised by assorted food remains such as fish bones.
Otters have regular sites where they deposit their droppings or spraints.
Avoid setting snares on tracks alongside rivers and water courses.
Do not set snares on footbridges, fallen trees or logs spanning watercourses .
If in doubt do not set a snare !

druimmuir · Guest

Thanks for that Ash , made interesting reading as my wee springer bitch got her head caught in a snare on Saturday when we were out picking up, I was not a happy person !! and it was a very scarey experience :x

Nicola

Robb · Guest

druimmuir wrote: Thanks for that Ash , made interesting reading as my wee springer bitch got her head caught in a snare on Saturday when we were out picking up, I was not a happy person !! and it was a very scarey experience :x

Nicola

I know that feeling Nicola, i had my lab caught in 1 at the beginning of December, it was 2 days before the steam stopped exiting my ears :evil:

Bogratsteve · Guest

As standard practice we remove snares before we have a shoot day, especially round the pens, i have seen shoots that forget to turn of the electric fences round the pens also!!! why they have them on after the doors have been opened i never know!