Magpie traps

[RodFishless]

What's the best and simplest magpie trap?

[6tmile]

12 gauge.

[fishead]

Kind of Demanding for post #1.

Try a thread search, be surprised what you might find.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Chicken wire cage followed by 12 gauge at 40 yards.

[Stinky Buffalo]

I built one of these with my boys over a couple of evenings.



Instructions are at this link. I used the 3/4 wire cloth from Rona, and used Pex tubing instead of a welded 1/4 rod for bracing. For the entrance, I traced the dimensions on a piece of cardboard first, then used it as a template to cut the shape out for the wire.

I also built one in the vein of what TreeGuy had (pic of his trap is below), just not as nice as his. I didn't do such a good job, and ended up dismantling it.



Some municipalities rent them out, too.

[LSLAKER]

Originally Posted by fishead

Kind of Demanding for post #1.

Try a thread search, be surprised what you might find.

There is nothing demanding for someone to ask on their first post "What's the best and simplest magpie trap?" That's what this forum is all about.

It's an interesting topic and the many replies have proven so.

I just may make one this evening with some surplus stucco wire that I have.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by LSLAKER

I just may make one this evening with some surplus stucco wire that I have.

Have fun! You may want to pick up hog ring pliers to stitch it all together, if you don’t already.

Oh, and watch the pointy ends.

[Stinky Buffalo]

This is how our new one turned out:

[HunterDave]

Yesterday the magpies were driving me crazy so I made a trap like the one above. This morning there were two magpies in there. My little terrier found a way of dispatching them without breaking the law of discharging a firearm in a built up area. He was quick to get inside the trap with them but he wasn't sure what he was allowed to do once in there. I gave him the go ahead and he took care of business.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Nice job, HunterDave!

Where'd you get your wire mesh?

[HunterDave]

I buy 100' rolls of 16 gauge at Continental Wire in Calgary to make muskrat colony and submarine traps. I may have to get into the magpie trap building business now. It's a heavier gauge wire than what's required but that's what I had on hand.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

I buy 100' rolls of 16 gauge at Continental Wire in Calgary to make muskrat colony and submarine traps. I may have to get into the magpie trap building business now. It's a heavier gauge wire than what's required but that's what I had on hand.

Heh! We think alike! While I was building mine with the boys, I told them that would be a good money-making venture for them... Building these traps... They wouldn't get rich off it, but at least it would keep them busy and out of trouble.

[rottie]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

Yesterday the magpies were driving me crazy so I made a trap like the one above. This morning there were two magpies in there. My little terrier found a way of dispatching them without breaking the law of discharging a firearm in a built up area. He was quick to get inside the trap with them but he wasn't sure what he was allowed to do once in there. I gave him the go ahead and he took care of business.

Hunter Dave, does this trap work with crows ? Its the darn crows in town that are being a pain in the butt.
Thxs

[HunterDave]

I don't know of any way to trap crows. They are a pain around here as well.

[rottie]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

I don't know of any way to trap crows. They are a pain around here as well.

Thxs Hunter Dave, will have to figure something out.

[Justfishin73]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

Yesterday the magpies were driving me crazy so I made a trap like the one above. This morning there were two magpies in there. My little terrier found a way of dispatching them without breaking the law of discharging a firearm in a built up area. He was quick to get inside the trap with them but he wasn't sure what he was allowed to do once in there. I gave him the go ahead and he took care of business.

Putting her out today. I have a jack russel cross that would love to dispatch some magpies, as they torture him daily---not worried about them pecking his eyes though?

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by Justfishin73

Putting her out today. I have a jack russel cross that would love to dispatch some magpies, as they torture him daily---not worried about them pecking his eyes though?

I never had an issue with magpies trying to peck his eyes but I caught a crow once and I won't let him go in the cage with one again.

[Justfishin73]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

I never had an issue with magpies trying to peck his eyes but I caught a crow once and I won't let him go in the cage with one again.

Gotcha--he picked a fight with the local tomcat---and did not come out on top---so needs to lay low. He was feeling spry enough to damn near catch a rabbit last night, though those cuts on a dime they do usually outsmart him.

[Justfishin73]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

I have one of these HunterDave made me--worked great---so good, don't need it anymore---in south Edmonton--$50 if anyone wants it.

I do have a mostly Jack Russell, he hates em!

[Stinky Buffalo]

They sure work great if there’s a magpie in there already.

I bought these to help... Haven’t tried them out yet since we reduced the population considerably last year.

[CaberTosser]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

They sure work great if there’s a magpie in there already.

I bought these to help... Haven’t tried them out yet since we reduced the population considerably last year.

There’s an idea, I’ve never seen a magpie decoy before. I did notice that a magpie in the trap attracted its brethren to join it, so I’m patient with their removal until the population is peaking. On occasion I’d neutralize the ones the wouldn’t get in the trap, but were hanging out on top of it. A trap full of ‘pies entices more to join the party.

I can’t imagine what the racket would have been like with 5 or 6 of those noisy birds caged when the dog was in there!

[graybeard]

Originally Posted by RodFishless

What's the best and simplest magpie trap?

This is pretty simple....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZCa_ucHk3g

Early in the thread it seems the 12 gauge is one method of magpie dispatch. Living in the city, a firearm is not an option.

What are your preferred methods; ringing the neck, blunt trauma, drowning....oh yeah and I don't own a Jack Russel.... lol..

Cheers,

[Ursuskoolus]

Chicken Wire Trap and dogfood

[FishOutOfWater]

Reviving an old thread instead of making a new one on the same topic...

What do the experts think ? Staged or a new magpie trap ?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oT4rVi8TaXU

[Who Da Fisherman]

Originally Posted by FishOutOfWater

Reviving an old thread instead of making a new one on the same topic...

What do the experts think ? Staged or a new magpie trap ?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oT4rVi8TaXU

I am going with Staged. At my lake lot every spring I would shoot 1 magpie and then leave it very visible for the others to see. Kept the other magpies away all summer.
WDF

[graybeard]

Originally Posted by Who Da Fisherman

At my lake lot every spring I would shoot 1 magpie and then leave it very visible for the others to see. Kept the other magpies away all summer.
WDF

They are smart birds and what they are doing is having a wake. And yes that displaying their buddy, takes care of your problem for months...

[LeroyvdH]

Will have to make one. Had a crow nest in a big tree. I don't think they are coming back. But magpies will.

[roper1]

Originally Posted by FishOutOfWater

Reviving an old thread instead of making a new one on the same topic...

What do the experts think ? Staged or a new magpie trap ?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oT4rVi8TaXU

Just last summer had a crow do the same thing on a fence made with 1st cut slabs. They're a bit uneven & he was hanging right by the gate for a day or two. Freaked the gals out a bit. Second time I've seen it in different spots