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**dev110** · 28-05-2012, 14:28

My neighbour was out to me on Friday saying that they lost 2 ducks and a hen in the last 2/3 weeks. I was sure it was a vixen feeding cubs. I set 7 snares on Friday as I was working the weekend and do be in work at 7 am so had no time to go with the lamp.

After 3 days nothing even disturbed the snares. I found it funny while looking for passes and dens that there were no feathers at all.

I have now been told that 2 more ducks have been taken and again no feathers. I am now starting to wonder is it foxes at all.

Would a mink/stoat/pine martin be able to drag something that heavy?
I am limited to shotgun work as I no longer have my .223.

Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated

Eddie B · 28-05-2012, 14:57

Still think it's probably fox! Get a paint bucket and put some rabbit guts/meat in it, leave for couple of day's, then bore hole's in the bottom of it and hang out of a tree close to a good fox pass or two. Set your snares and you should get him!

A mink/ marten is strong enough to drag a dead chicken away, but would leave more sign's than a fox, i would imagine!

patdahat · 28-05-2012, 16:44

a lad up the road from me has had the same problem in the last 5 weeks 3 hens went in 1 day and then all was grand for 3 weeks then 2 more in 2 days, we walked some serious ground all around the place and not a sign of a fresh hole,got her in a cage last week Vixen, she mush have been travelling a deadly distance as we had every ditch examined in all the farms around the area. plenty of snares or a cage and youll get him.

**dev110** · 28-05-2012, 17:17

I'm just back from checking out the area.
It was a false alarm the ducks were just hiding

There is very heavy cover close to the farm yard with white-thorn and briar's. Found some nice passes so moved 3 snares. Fingers crossed it will result in a fox.

I will head out with the shotty tonight and see if anything is moving and might get lucky.

I'll keep ye posted.

28-05-2012, 14:28	#1
dev110 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Offaly Posts: 2,477 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Shooting	Advice Needed My neighbour was out to me on Friday saying that they lost 2 ducks and a hen in the last 2/3 weeks. I was sure it was a vixen feeding cubs. I set 7 snares on Friday as I was working the weekend and do be in work at 7 am so had no time to go with the lamp. After 3 days nothing even disturbed the snares. I found it funny while looking for passes and dens that there were no feathers at all. I have now been told that 2 more ducks have been taken and again no feathers. I am now starting to wonder is it foxes at all. Would a mink/stoat/pine martin be able to drag something that heavy? I am limited to shotgun work as I no longer have my .223. Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated

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28-05-2012, 14:57	#2
Eddie B Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Westmeath Posts: 578 Adverts \| Friends	Still think it's probably fox! Get a paint bucket and put some rabbit guts/meat in it, leave for couple of day's, then bore hole's in the bottom of it and hang out of a tree close to a good fox pass or two. Set your snares and you should get him! A mink/ marten is strong enough to drag a dead chicken away, but would leave more sign's than a fox, i would imagine!

28-05-2012, 16:44	#3
patdahat Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: out in the sticks Posts: 393 Adverts \| Friends	a lad up the road from me has had the same problem in the last 5 weeks 3 hens went in 1 day and then all was grand for 3 weeks then 2 more in 2 days, we walked some serious ground all around the place and not a sign of a fresh hole,got her in a cage last week Vixen, she mush have been travelling a deadly distance as we had every ditch examined in all the farms around the area. plenty of snares or a cage and youll get him.

28-05-2012, 17:17	#4
dev110 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Offaly Posts: 2,477 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Shooting	I'm just back from checking out the area. It was a false alarm the ducks were just hiding There is very heavy cover close to the farm yard with white-thorn and briar's. Found some nice passes so moved 3 snares. Fingers crossed it will result in a fox. I will head out with the shotty tonight and see if anything is moving and might get lucky. I'll keep ye posted.