I AM HEADED YOUR WAY!
Whoa, caps.
Anyone here know about stoats?
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I AM HEADED YOUR WAY!
Whoa, caps.
Anyone here know about stoats?
stoats- duh everybody knows about stoats
check out this little bad ass, that kill has got to be three times his size
http://www.isleofjura.com/images/stoat02.jpg
The stoat is a member of the mustelid family, along with weasels and ferrets. It was introduced to New Zealand late last century to control rabbits and hares.
Stoats and weasels are similar in colour and general appearance, but stoats are larger, have longer tails and a straight line where the brown fur on their backs meets the white belly fur. Ferrets are much larger and more stocky than stoats, generally lighter coloured, and have a dark `mask' on their face.
The stoat moves with a bounding gallop and leaves groups of small footprints with large gaps in between. Its droppings are long and thin, often with a tapering twist at each end. They are filled with fur, feathers and bone fragments and are often placed conspicuously - for example on a stone in the middle of a track. Stoats carry their kill under cover and rarely leave messy remains. Smashed eggs and chewed bird bodies are more likely to be the work of rats.
Why are stoats a problem?
The introduction of stoats is commonly regarded as one of the worst mistakes ever made by European colonists in New Zealand. Stoats are now by far the most common of the mustelids and are widespread in forest and on farmland.
Stoats are extremely agile climbers and have a devastating effect on native birds by preying on adult and young birds and raiding nests for eggs. At Kowhai Bush, Kaikoura, a two year study in the late 70s showed that mustelids, mostly stoats, had robbed over 50% of 149 nests of native and introduced birds.
Methods of control
The main control method is the manual Mark IV Fenn trap, which is a powerful and effective kill trap.
To be safely set, however, the trap needs to be placed inside a tunnel-like trap-box to ensure that birds, children or pets cannot get access to it. The box also orients the stoat in the right direction to be caught in the trap, disguises the trap, and protects it from the weather. Surprisingly, tunnels also seem to draw a stoat's interest.
Moulded plastic tunnels are commercially available, or a simple wooden tunnel can easily be built at home. Using 200mm x 25mm (8" x 1"), construct a three-sided tunnel with an internal width of about 150mm and height of 200mm. The width is important as the box needs to be wide enough to fit the trap, but not so wide that it will allow a stoat to squeeze round the outside of the trap. The tunnel should be at least 700mm long. End walls should then be added, with 50-60mm circular entrance holes cut just above ground level. Finally, a lid should be added using 200mm x 25mm, and either fastened with hinges or blocks to hold it in place. A hook, or rock on top of the lid, will ensure it doesn't open accidentally.
The tunnel should be placed along a natural runway so that approaching animals must either pass over the trap or turn back. Suitable sites are along fences, hedges or the banks of a stream, in bush among tree roots, beside fallen logs or in dry culverts. The entrance must be cleared of leaves and weeds.
It is preferable to bait traps, though a well-placed trap can still catch stoats without bait. Fishy cat food or freshly killed rabbit or chicken is excellent but does not keep well. A longer-lasting alternative is an egg which can be left whole or broken. Alternatively two eggs can be used. Make a small hole in one egg to provide a scent and leave the second egg whole to provide a long-lasting visual lure.
Setting the trap can be a little tricky, so make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions and take care with fingers. The trap should be set in the middle of the box, with the bait as close to it as possible. For eggs, a netting basket can be suspended inside the box, just off to one side of the trap. An alternative is to set two traps in the one tunnel, with the bait in-between. If doing this, ensure the traps are far enough from the trap entrance not to catch ground-feeding birds by the beak, which is worse than instant death.
It is a common mistake to set Fenn traps the wrong way in the tunnel. Make sure you set the trap with the spring and trigger facing the side of the tunnel, not the end.
In time the traps may rust, but painted with fisholene or dipped in hot wax they will last a lifetime. The smell will also help attract stoats.
It pays to spend some time getting the tunnel and traps set just right. Stoats have highly developed instincts, so if something is not quite right they will not go near. They may also avoid newly set traps until the human smell has disappeared.
Stoats are very difficult to catch so don't expect instant results. Three or four captures per trap in a year is a very good result. If stoats are avoiding your traps, try leaving the tunnel empty for a time. Even the wariest old adults will get used to running through the tunnel and will be caught when the traps are next set. You can also try cutting a section out of the base of the tunnel, so that the traps are set level with the ground. Or try laying scent trails by taking a piece of fish or meat bait for a walk on a string from the tunnel out in various directions.
An alternative to trapping is the development of suitable poison baits. The first on the market is the anticoagulant poison, Pestoff Ferret Paste, which does not require a licence and is suitable for use with stoats as well as ferrets.
I'll be the goofy looking kid at Alpenglow with the radio and public enemies this weekend, and stroats look badass, ask for change..
http://www.stroat.nl/home/images/main_logo.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by ak_powder_monkey
Odin-
how long you gonna be in Anchorage? I'm up on the slope right now, working for Peak. I get back on the 22nd. I think my brother still has your #. I'll tell him to give you a call
Whoa!Quote:
Originally Posted by Alyeska_Skibum
We are working for the same company!!!!
You workin at the ball mill?
Yeah, number is still the same have him give me a call.
Yeah, I'm at the ball mill.
Gayball Buttcheeks (aka Gary Kimble) told me that your were working for them. He and I are on opposite hitches