ducks

jap gt

i have been walking my dog along the bank of the local rivers lately and noticed that there is very few duck around, went and spoke to a few lads in the club and we were thinking of releasing some ducks on the local rivers, anyone done this? whats best type, when to release etc

myself and 6 lads in the club do a load of vermin control, we have caught a good few mink, would these be the main reason for lack of duck,

Tackleberrywho

jap gt wrote: »

i have been walking my dog along the bank of the local rivers lately and noticed that there is very few duck around, went and spoke to a few lads in the club and we were thinking of releasing some ducks on the local rivers, anyone done this? whats best type, when to release etc

myself and 6 lads in the club do a load of vermin control, we have caught a good few mink, would these be the main reason for lack of duck,

Yes mink and a hard winter, frozen water = no food

Weak animals were whipped after 6 weeks or so of frost

jap gt

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

Yes mink and a hard winter, frozen water = no food

Weak animals were whipped after 6 weeks or so of frost

was thinking the same, but i used always see one or two when fishing/walking even going back 2 months..

Tackleberrywho

jap gt wrote: »

was thinking the same, but i used always see one or two when fishing/walking even going back 2 months..

Sounds more like mink then so, whipping eggs/chics from nests

Eddie B

It seems to be the opposite around my area!
I've seen lots of wild clutches that seem to be thriving!
Had some trouble with the duck on our man made pond though, where a pair of heron practically wiped out two clutches!

jap gt

the place must be moving with mink so, since the count in april we have i think 60 trapped

crackcrack30

jap gt wrote: »

the place must be moving with mink so, since the count in april we have i think 60 trapped

How many do ya need for a coat? how much is a coat worth?£££££!!!!!!
Thats impressive trapping

I was under the impression that there were more duck around than usual, sure dont they trive in northern type cold hemisphere weather? not to mind a month of frost in winter months.

(On a side note - I passed a pinemartin roadkill today, what do these guys live on? and -are they ever caught by accident in the mink traps)

Tackleberrywho

crackcrack30 wrote: »

How many do ya need for a coat? how much is a coat worth?£££££!!!!!!
Thats impressive trapping

I was under the impression that there were more duck around than usual, sure dont they trive in northern type cold hemisphere weather? not to mind a month of frost in winter months.

(On a side note - I passed a pinemartin roadkill today, what do these guys live on? and -are they ever caught by accident in the mink traps)

Similar diet to mink.
They are not normally in Mink areas though AFAIK

DavyDee

crackcrack30 wrote: »

How many do ya need for a coat? how much is a coat worth?£££££!!!!!!
Thats impressive trapping

I was under the impression that there were more duck around than usual, sure dont they trive in northern type cold hemisphere weather? not to mind a month of frost in winter months.

(On a side note - I passed a pinemartin roadkill today, what do these guys live on? and -are they ever caught by accident in the mink traps)

I know lads who had mink traps set an a pine martin made ribbons of it! Dont think yer standard mink trap is strong enough to hold your adult pine martin! Wouldnt go releasin duck without trappin the mink in the area first. Kinda like releasing pheasants in february without gettin your fox, rooks, grey crows and magpie numbers under control!

Eddie B

crackcrack30 wrote: »

(On a side note - I passed a pinemartin roadkill today, what do these guys live on? and -are they ever caught by accident in the mink traps)

This time of the year Pine martins feed mainly on birds eggs, chicks, and of course Squirrells, especially the young ones still in the drey!
During the winter they feed on rats, mice, squirrell, or whatever else they can catch! (uneducated game maybe!)

Unlike Mink, Martens don't catch fish and don't really like water!
I've caught a good few in the live cages the last couple of years, and there more plentyfull than most people think!

Just be carefull if your using fens or bodygrippers! Any area that has woodland near by, more than likely has Martens present, so you should use cage traps in these area's!

terminator2

did any of ye ever try to make a counterbalance trap for mink using 4"wavin pipe,or is it a non starter

jap gt

i tried it a few times just down the back of my house on a small stream, i caught one out of maybe four attempts, its much easier set a trap, for me anyway