Capturing & Handling Part - I ADVANCED LEC 02 WILDLIFE TECHNIQUES University of Rio Grande Donald P. Althoff, Ph.D.

CAPTURING BIRDS: BAITED TRAPS Raptors—attract with “live” bait (pigeons, doves, mice, rats). This is decoy approach. One example is the bal- chatri design (TM:248). Pigeons/Doves/Quail *—attract with seeds (sometimes colored). Attraction based on “sight” attractant (vs. “odor” attractant which is typical of mammal bait trapping). Walk-in traps are common. Wild Turkey/Shorebirds –cannon nets…bait with corn/grain. Multiple captures possible. *generally low-risk of injury/death to bird(s)

BAL-CHATRI designs

WALK-IN TRAPS Multiple captures possible

ROCKET / CANNON PROPELLED NETS— _________ captures expected Take advantage of ____________ behavior

CAPTURING BIRDS: UNBAITED TRAPS/TRAPPING Songbirds—mist nets. Sometimes use both “_______” and “sound” (think song). Geese/Ducks—drop nets or drive into cage/fence/corral. Key: birds are ____________. May use bait, but typical to herd birds under the net.

CANADA GOOSE in flightless condition (i.e., molt)

CAPTURING BIRDS: SPOTLIGHTING Upland Gamebirds (pheasants, prairie chickens, sharp-tailed grouse)—netting off of front bumper of vehicle at night or walking Woodcock—netting birds (males) that are peenting (during spring breeding)

Take advantage of “_______________” behavior

CAPTURING MAMMALS: BAITED TRAPS/TRAPPING Rabbits/Rodents/etc.—conventional “treadle” cage/box traps Bears—culvert traps. “Round” box traps. Foxes, Coyotes, Bobcats, etc.—cage baited traps Foxes, Coyotes, Bobcats, etc.—leg hold traps (usually baited but “blind set” sometimes works

Conventional wooden rabbit trap “features” __________ “activated” __________ guard—front door “see through” back: a) __________________ through for rabbit b) tech can see “in” Wooden sides & top reduces ___________ (both weather and predators)

BEAR Culvert trap designs Custom vs Stock Why round design?

CAPTURING MAMMALS: BAITED TRAPS/TRAPPING Deer—drop nets, drive nets Feral pigs/jack rabbits—corral “traps”

CAPTURING MAMMALS: Corral Traps Deer/Bison Jackrabbits

CAPTURING MAMMALS: LEG-HOLD TRAPS Carnivores— attract by bait, urine/scent, or “blind” sets Much improvement in design last 20+ years to reduce foot injuries –yet still risk

______________ (double-to left; single long-spring common) ______________

Padded jaws Offset jaws Safety Improvements

CAPTURING MAMMALS: Helicopter Capture Deer/Elk/Moose misc. ungulates Coyotes

CAPTURING MAMMALS: Helicopter Capture Pros -quick; “shortened” trapping/capture days -focused area -no baiting/on-the-ground trapping over days Cons -expensive -must be “for hire” / contracted out -risk to flight crew -limited often by terrain/topography/landscape

In summary… Think about _____________ of animal Consider ways to “_______________” the animal ________________________ Always think about building “___________________”