Best legal (unlicensed) way to get rid of magpies ?

peasant

There's currently three pairs of magpies trying to establish themselves in our hedgerow and they are a nuisance.

First of all they're constantly fighting each other over territory, creating one hell of a racket day and night and secondly they are disturbing (and will soon be preying on) all the songbirds that we have fed through the winter so far.

So I'd like to get rid of them.

I don't own a firearm and I don't want to own one either ...but unfortunately just shouting at them and throwing sticks and stones doesn't do the trick ..they just move out of reach and come back as soon as I'm gone.

What can I legally use (without a licence) that carries with a bit of distance (20 m or more) and enough of a punch to convince them to leave.

- air rifle or air pistol is out as far as I understand
- what about a slingshot? anything out there that's more than just a kid's toy?
- some kind of non-lethal crossbow perhaps?

There are all sorts of contraptions on the internet that look like they might do the job ...but I'm not sure they would and also if I can just go and order them without getting into trouble if my parcel is checked by customs / guards / whoever.

Any recommendations ?


Something like this?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hunting-Slingshots-Handmade-inchesshot-Catapult/dp/B00LU6P116/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1422703237&sr=8-12&keywords=slingshot

Bogwoppit

A Larsen trap is your only man, all guns and crossbows have to be licensed. I don't know much about slingshots but I highly doubt it would do the job.

Larsen traps are designed for magpies, if you don't want to go to the expense of buying one then you might be able to borrow one off someone on here.

philmire

Your best bet would be find a local hunter and ask him nicely would he shoot them for you if your not in a built up area or a larsen trap would also do the trick

peasant

Hmm, a Larsen trap won't work either. We've got cats and dogs patrolling the grounds, I'd probably catch them several times over before bagging a magpie

(Either way ...the magpies don't come down to the ground in our place because of the pets)

So a crossbow needs to be licensed as well ...guess that leaves a slingshot only then.

I don't necessarily mean to kill or hit the magpies, that would be a bit difficult at 20 m or more. Just hoping that enough stones (or steel balls or whatever) whizzing through the hedge close by might enduce them to settle in a quieter neighborhood.

Anyone got any recommendations where to buy / how to make a powerful slingshot?

deerhunter1

peasant wrote: »

There's currently three pairs of magpies trying to establish themselves in our hedgerow and they are a nuisance.

First of all they're constantly fighting each other over territory, creating one hell of a racket day and night and secondly they are disturbing (and will soon be preying on) all the songbirds that we have fed through the winter so far.

So I'd like to get rid of them.

I don't own a firearm and I don't want to own one either ...but unfortunately just shouting at them and throwing sticks and stones doesn't do the trick ..they just move out of reach and come back as soon as I'm gone.

What can I legally use (without a licence) that carries with a bit of distance (20 m or more) and enough of a punch to convince them to leave.

- air rifle or air pistol is out as far as I understand
- what about a slingshot? anything out there that's more than just a kid's toy?
- some kind of non-lethal crossbow perhaps?

There are all sorts of contraptions on the internet that look like they might do the job ...but I'm not sure they would and also if I can just go and order them without getting into trouble if my parcel is checked by customs / guards / whoever.

Any recommendations ?


Something like this?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hunting-Slingshots-Handmade-inchesshot-Catapult/dp/B00LU6P116/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1422703237&sr=8-12&keywords=slingshot

Perfect for the job, a bit of practice and away you go, i have used sling shot in close/built up areas and sorted the problem

philmire

peasant wrote: »

Hmm, a Larsen trap won't work either. We've got cats and dogs patrolling the grounds, I'd probably catch them several times over before bagging a magpie

(Either way ...the magpies don't come down to the ground in our place because of the pets)

So a crossbow needs to be licensed as well ...guess that leaves a slingshot only then.

I don't necessarily mean to kill or hit the magpies, that would be a bit difficult at 20 m or more. Just hoping that enough stones (or steel balls or whatever) whizzing through the hedge close by might enduce them to settle in a quieter neighborhood.

Anyone got any recommendations where to buy / how to make a powerful slingshot?

Look up the slingshot channel on YouTube if your set on using them but in my experience they willnt leave for long if you'r not killing them I have a magpie coming to the chicken food every day even tho I shoot them second he sees you look out the window even he is gone for the day but comes back

Gormley85

Can you give us a rough idea to where you are based..?? No doubt there will be someone on here that would stop by and help you out. Or maybe contact your local gun club, as far as I know at the end of the year they send off vermin counts and recieve funding- obviously more vermin = more money.

I dont particularly support the idea of a slingshot, but yes it would work. Something like this:

http://www.shoot.ie/barnett-cobra.html

Coupled with some steel bearings and you wont be long getting rid of them.

peasant

Thanks for all the answers!

Having the magpies shot by people with real guns is not an option due to proximity of road, houses, people, livestock, etc...

I'll invest in a slingshot so..

DeBurca

When using any instrument that fires a projectile it not about what you hit its about what you miss as the background ALWAYS has to be taken into account as when you miss the projectile keeps going and can also hit a non intended target especially if as you say "proximity of road, houses, people, livestock, etc..."

peasant

DeBurca wrote: »

When using any instrument that fires a projectile it not about what you hit its about what you miss as the background ALWAYS has to be taken into account as when you miss the projectile keeps going and can also hit a non intended target especially if as you say "proximity of road, houses, people, livestock, etc..."

I understand that.
In my case the background is safe enough at almost all angles (even for a proper rifle) ...but I'd still get into trouble with the neighbours if they'd hear a gun being fired so close

Cass

You cannot hunt any protected wild Animal/Bird with Slingshots, Spears, Catapults, bows, etc. It's illegal. (will check on exact legislation shortly)

OP you've three options:

• Leave them alone
• Try get rid of them yourself with a trap
• Get someone to get rid of them for you by any means

With all due respect this is the hunting forum. Not the pest control forum. We have laws and guidelines to abide by. IOW our help can only go so far.

peasant

Magpies aren't protected, are they?

I've no intention of hunting (i.e. killing or hurting ) them ..I just want to make this place very uncomfortable for them before they settle again for the breeding season and prey on all the songbirds that nest in the same hedge. (like they've done in previous years)

Birdnuts

peasant wrote: »

Magpies aren't protected, are they?

I've no intention of hunting (i.e. killing or hurting ) them ..I just want to make this place very uncomfortable for them before they settle again for the breeding season and prey on all the songbirds that nest in the same hedge. (like they've done in previous years)

All wild birds are protected under Irish and EU law, but derogations under these laws allow the control of certain bird species (magpies as well as as some crow and pigeon species) via shooting or cage trapping if they are causing problems to agriculture or wildlife. If you don't want to go down that route then some sort of scarecrow would appear to be your only choice.

LIFFY FISHING

All wild birds are protected... you should aquaint your self with the wild life act before you attempt to dispatch any bird as there are laws/ regulations in place for this, a projectile no matter what it is should be carefully considered before discharging it as to its resulting consaquences and landing point, a bird is a small target for an unproficcent hunter.

drdeadlift

Strong elastic band+unail

peasant

Birdnuts wrote: »

All wild birds are protected under Irish and EU law, but derogations under these laws allow the control of certain bird species (magpies as well as as some crow and pigeon species) via shooting or cage trapping if they are causing problem to agriculture or wildlife. If you don't want to go down that route then some sort of scarecrow would appear to be your only choice.

Thanks for the clarification !

So I have two choices ...kill them outright (and properly/in a legal way) or leave them alone ...

In that case I guess I'll just put up with them as I don't really want to see them dead. (Except at dawn when they wake me with their cackling )

OpenYourEyes

Not sure what your hedgerow looks like exactly, but could you put some random objects in the way of where they look like they might build a nest? As in to physically block them getting at it? e.g. a bit of wood put in the way, or an old football stuck into the branches etc? It might help to get creative like that!

Once they have a proper nest built then you can't do much about it legally, or certainly not easily, but if theres only a few sticks there at the moment you should still have some time to do something about it.

(and they won't eat all your songbirds, but thats a discussion for another day :P)

CJmasgrande

OP doesn't have a valid reason to kill them. The derrogation doesn't cover your reasons for wanting rid of them.

aaakev

CJmasgrande wrote: »

OP doesn't have a valid reason to kill them. The derrogation doesn't cover your reasons for wanting rid of them.

They will prey on the song birds eeggs and young, op is covered if they decide to have them killed.

OP if you do decide to kill them, someone with an air rifle will be the best way i reckon because then your neighbours wont be complaining about shotgun blasts!

CJmasgrande

aaakev wrote: »

They will prey on the song birds eeggs and young, op is covered if they decide to have them killed.

OP if you do decide to kill them, someone with an air rifle will be the best way i reckon because then your neighbours wont be complaining about shotgun blasts!

No your wrong, only covered if they are killing a crop of pen reared birds bred in captivity, Shor killing wild birds is the natural thing what they do

cookimonster

CJmasgrande wrote: »

No your wrong, only covered if they are killing a crop of pen reared birds bred in captivity, Shor killing wild birds is the natural thing what they do

Not true, check 2014 schedule it states - threat to human health, spread of disease, prevent serious damage to livestock, protect fauna. Control VIA shooting or trapping.
The new amendment is up for review but the current one runs till April 30 2015.

CJmasgrande

cookimonster wrote: »

Not true, check 2014 schedule it states - threat to human health, spread of disease, prevent serious damage to livestock, protect fauna. Control VIA shooting or trapping.
The new amendment is up for review but the current one runs till April 30 2015.

You must have a good reason to kill magpies, if someone doesn't like them and wants them eradicated is not covered under the derogation.

A derogation doesn't give anyone the right to kill them without valid reasons.

Test it in a court.

cookimonster

peasant wrote: »

There's currently three pairs of magpies trying to establish themselves in our hedgerow and they are a nuisance.

First of all they're constantly fighting each other over territory, creating one hell of a racket day and night and secondly they are disturbing (and will soon be preying on) all the songbirds that we have fed through the winter so far.

So I'd like to get rid of them

There's enough justification to deal with them. I had several in my suburban garden which I didn't mind until they established a colony of 14+. These pushed out my usual throng of small birds that where there and raided my dogs water and food aswell as creating early morning rackets. Trapping was the answer and they soon learned to avoid the garden.

OpenYourEyes

cookimonster wrote: »

Not true, check 2014 schedule it states - threat to human health, spread of disease, prevent serious damage to livestock, protect fauna. Control VIA shooting or trapping.
The new amendment is up for review but the current one runs till April 30 2015.

I know 'protect fauna' is very vague, but I doubt a concern over a pair of Magpies possibly taking from a songbird nest in the garden would be enough to get a derogation? It's NPWS that gives out derogations isn't it?

cookimonster

OpenYourEyes wrote: »

I know 'protect fauna' is very vague, but I doubt a concern over a pair of Magpies possibly taking from a songbird nest in the garden would be enough to get a derogation? It's NPWS that gives out derogations isn't it?

This topic has been discussed several times on this forum. There is an amendment made to the wildlife act to allow the control of grey crows, rooks, magpies, jackdaws, wood pigeon and feral pigeons. This amendment states when, how and why theses birds are to be controled. This is a state wide policy and individuals are not required to 'apply' for a derogation. The control of these birds is quite legal once you work with in the letters of instruction.
As I said submission for this years amendment are underway and no doubt the office of the will Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht release thier findings around May.

Vegeta

OpenYourEyes wrote: »

I know 'protect fauna' is very vague, but I doubt a concern over a pair of Magpies possibly taking from a songbird nest in the garden would be enough to get a derogation? It's NPWS that gives out derogations isn't it?

"Protect fauna" is indeed vague but an individual or group does not have to apply for a derogation. Once the derogation is signed by the Minister those are the terms under which the birds can be controlled.

extremetaz

The application of the derogations are outlined correctly above, and wrt Magpie the derogation extends out to April as listed on the NPWS website(or at least it did last year - they haven't updated the page :rolleyes:).

So yes, your options are to trap them, have them shot, or leave them be - it's that simple.

Personally, if you're in a build up area I'd go for trapping.
If larson isn't an option then you could try a ladder trap, or you could simply fence the dogs out from around the larson impeding access to it from the ground - ie: they'd have to land inside the fence to get to it..

OpenYourEyes

Vegeta wrote: »

"Protect fauna" is indeed vague but an individual or group does not have to apply for a derogation. Once the derogation is signed by the Minister those are the terms under which the birds can be controlled.

I blame tiredness - I certainly used to know that, don't know why it didn't come to mind last night! My bad!

Vegeta

I've just removed a suggestion here that was illegal and infracted the user. All further posts in the same vein will be deleted and users also infracted

Kat1170

I would suggest trapping them and removing them from the area. No guarantee more won't just move in to fill the void, but you takes your chances.

If you decide to go down the catapult route be prepared for a Magpie hopping around your garden in pain with a broken wing, birds don't take too well to being hit with things.

Air rifle or trap are your two humane choices that I see.

cookimonster

AFAIK the use of catapults for hunting is illegal in Ireland, so any suggestion of use even for scaring would be a NO NO......