Animal traps

[Gytrash]

I was walking on the moors up in Nidderdale a few weeks ago and came across some odd-looking things that looked like animal traps. They were wired to the top of drystone walls.

Don't suppose any of you erudite lot know what they're for?

The moors are managed for grouse, if that's any help. Here's a couple of pics of the trap (there were around a dozen of them along a few hundred yard length of the wall).








Cheers
Dave

[Annpan]

Wild cats??? though surley they are a protected species?

What would walk along the top of a wall?

Could it be badgers, or very big rats?

[Gytrash]

Wild Cats are a bit thin on the ground in Yorkshire!

[Annpan]

Are they? I know that you still get them around several places in Scotland - though I believe they are now a hybrid version of the original as they breed with feral domestic cats.

But what walks along the top of walls and would be about that size?

[Bonniegirl]

Maybe ferrets or similar??

Could do with one of them for possums!

[MKG]

Anyone released mink up there?

[ina]

Anyone released mink up there?

That might be it... I know they are a problem in some areas.

[MINESAPINT]

The gamekeepers use them round here (N Yorks). They put a plank across a stream which provides a suitable crossing place for whatever. I have assumed the target species is stoat, weasel, mink etc. They also use large cages about 10' x 10' x 6' high into which they place a live crow or magpie which in turn attract more. I suppose occasionally they come along and shoot them.

[Ellendra]

How wide is the opening at the end? I've seen similar traps for squirrels, raccoons, possums, weasels, etc. All depends on the size of the trap.