How to Build a Ladder Trap

A workshop instruction sheet for this construction is available to download from the BASC website: basc.org.uk/ad...
A ladder trap is commonly used by farmers and gamekeepers for pest control. It provides a very efficient and humane way to catch various types of corvids.
All forms of animal trapping in the UK is strictly regulated. Anyone engaged in such activity is wholly responsible for making sure they are abiding by the relevant laws and regulations. Ignorance provides no excuse in the eyes of the law. Experts at BASC are on hand to give help and advice to all members about using and building ladder traps. Yet another reason to join BASC.
BASC is the largest shooting organisation in the UK.
If you shoot, you should join.
To join or find out all about the benefits of membership see
basc.org.uk/joi...
or call us on 01244 573000

[@tunnelvision_space]

Thank you so much for all the hard work you have put into this and the downloads you provided. We are going to use the Ladder Trap here in Thailand 🇹🇭 As the Crows have decimated the smaller beautiful bids that used to live here like the Hummingbirds. Hopefully they will return after the Crows have gone!! 🙏❤️🌹

[@celticwisdom.7430]

Great trap I have being using them for nearly 20 years and have caught thousands of grey crows and magpies . location, bait and an out of town call bird are the secrets to success.

[@celticwisdom.7430]

@rats arsed I prefer a Brazilian call bird.😅😅😅

[@ccdogpark]

What is a call bird ??

[@jimgresham5529]

So what do you do with the unwanted birds ?

[@geotom2023]

I think its about the exit entry space between the ladder rungs thats smaller than the birds fully extended wing span . Although i dont if crows are quite smart enough to hang on the rung and crawl out. If it works it works !

[@titija100]

would be perfect to have the same video of Larsen trap building

[@deanguando1335]

Nice trap - well illustrated - must hold a lot of birds when full.

[@DS-sg1vv]

slipping driver bit, you could do with changing your Phillips to a Pozi (PZ2) bit

[@birdwatcher4147]

Just wondering, i have my ladder made for Magpies, if i make a new ladder for Grey Crows will the Magpie be able to escape. Great job and video.

[@BASCfilms]

In my experience, constructing a ladder for your cage to allow larger species to enter, such as carrion crows, could potentially allow smaller species, e.g. magpies, to escape from the cage. Attaching rabbit netting (Roughly 14 inches in depth) to either side of the ladder below the opening will elevate this problem. It’s also worth bearing in mind that if larger predator species are in the cage, this could deter smaller species from entering. Ged Hunston BASC's gamekeeping and working dog advisor

[@hawssie1]

With the proper sized mesh and ladder spacing this should work well for European or House Sparrows. It may be able to be downsized some as well since it appears the main reason for the large height might be so the targeted bird's wings have a chance to be fully opened and flapping when they contact the roof (ladder) and also to keep them from being able to leap to the opening and escape. A sparrow is much smaller and quick to fly, but I could be wrong on this.

[@ShigekiHizashi]

I want to make one of these to double as a chick brooder. Chicks + feed would mean permanent irresistible bait. Walk in at night and dispatch all but two males since their the most vocal and would further entice more in

[@Stevelemontrudy]

If you want to catch house sparrows, I suggest the Deluxe Repeating Sparrow Trap. It's a live trap which allows you to easily release what you don't mean to catch. With the addition of an auxiliary nesting box you can catch sparrows almost non-stop. Recommended by lots of birders.

[@Zafartom]

Отлично все показано, спасибо!!!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@SgtGideonsDad]

How far apart must the spaces be in the ladder to deal with sparrows one of the most destructive pests in the States.

[@M_Blowing_shorts]

So impressive

[@anfearmor9616]

Nice one Bud. Well done. I must start and make one as a present for the "pesky magpies" that have invaded my space. Best video on this particular subject that i have seen mate. Ten out of Ten.

[@anfearmor9616]

I am wondering can the Magpies escape through the bigger ladder for the crows. I am considering making another ladder to trap some crows. But if Magpies go into it, can they escape through the bigger ladder. ??????

[@lepaul26]

Good video How do you get them out?

[@nickwhite3686]

Is it possible to make one half the size by just halving the measurements for everything? Do you think it would still be effective?

[@combinelover8988]

Sure is!

[@honeybuns4513]

If going for the species designed for then you would still have to make sure that the bottom of the ladder is at least a meter or more high off the ground so that the birds can't fly out. A meter is 39 inches. So keep the ladder for crows and such at least 39 to 42 inches from the ground! The rest of the trap can be cut in half size length wise, but width & height, I think you can't really cut it in half. So if portability is your issue, you might want to make it folding or in more collapsible portions for yourself!

[@drinkavodkaeveryday]

thanks a lot! it's very usefully!

[@k.mohmed7868]

Nice job..thank you

[@johnson1573]

good job

[@CCoburn3]

Great video. I’m also glad to see that British wood is just as bad as American. I thought our stores had a monopoly on selling shitty boards.

[@carlocuppone8303]

Good job ,,, what do you suggest for bait ? I'm surrounded of magpies, Thank you Sir

[@LegacyCTW]

carlo cuppone I’ve been told cat food works and is cheap

[@flugschulerfluglehrer7139]

A call bird

[@honeybuns4513]

Most birds like bread, seeds, and the like. Crows will also go after corn, and also dead animals like squirrels, rabbits, the kind of stuff that they find on the road from roadkill! So use your imagination, and also watch what you see birds eating! Worms, fruit, etc.

[@patrickcleburneuczjsxpmp9558]

@@flugschulerfluglehrer7139 What's a call bird and how does a person get one?

[@flugschulerfluglehrer7139]

@@patrickcleburneuczjsxpmp9558 A call bird, „Lockvogel“, « oiseau leurre » is a living magpie (or a craw if you are trying to catch craws) that you put inside the trap. This bird will be quite annoyed, that it cannot escape. Ravens are very curious animals and if one of their kind is in distress the will come and have a look. This lures them into the trap. I know, you need to catch a call bird first. But that is a totally different story 😉

[@88frko88]

Wuld it work for a Eurasian Jay bird (Garrulus glandarius)? they are many in my region and they destroying the crops

[@honeybuns4513]

It will work for any type of bird, you just have to size it correctly for each type of bird! How far they can jump, wing span, and other important information! You'd have to do a little research on the type and species of bird you're going after to catch!

[@terryhdbailey]

how far apart would ladder rungs be for trapping starlings?

[@pathfinderwildlife9814]

Looks like it was 15mm

[@pathfinderwildlife9814]

15cm, not mm, also 6 inches

[@hawssie1]

Wrong question to ask a Brit. Starlings are the darlings of the Europe, they're only pests over here.

[@monkeydragonravenking5653]

Nick Caspar am british and my local farmers hates them they come in and nick all the grain and shit all over the cows, had me going round with a falcon doing abatement

[@Caleb1995trapman]

great video

[@honeybuns4513]

Totally Awesome! Really liked how informative this video was! I appreciate all of the information! I assume that in a survival situation, one can always make the mesh with thin saplings and tie everything together with roots or vines in lieu of nails, staples, screws, and zip ties! I plan to make one this year just to understand the entire concept of it much better! Awesome Job describing the entire construction of this ladder trap! Appreciate it so, so very much! Thanks for the post! Awesome Job!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Starlings our the pest we need to trap in America. Need to know rung size for these beasts.

[@pathfinderwildlife9814]

You can see them mark at 15mm

[@pathfinderwildlife9814]

15 cm, not mm, also 6 inches

[@HILUXCHAINSAW]

It's 150mm for Rooks and Crows and 75mm for Jacks and Magpies. A starling is way smaller than any of these birds and a lot more agile when in flight. You would have to experiment with rail size for these birds. If you've got a Starling problem try using a green laser. I heard the other day of a farmer that had a green laser pointed at a Disco ball and they wouldn't go near his barn.

[@carterlynch4104]

.177 cal. 9.1g

[@nukadahl]

What are side slopes for?

[@honeybuns4513]

To confuse the birds on how to get out! They try to go to the upper most part to try and get out in lieu of the ladder area! This trap always intrigued me since I was a kid!

[@grizz1108]

Love it!

[@_Mikekkk]

Very nice and detailed explanation. I hate crows, its very difficult to shoot them, noooow they are very dead!

[@bullswoodworks8398]

They are actually dilicious.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

How does it work?

[@honeybuns4513]

Birds fly to trap for bread or other bait, then drop down through the ladder for the food. Once inside, they can't get out with their wings open! Once one is in, it calls for help! Other birds of it's kind come to help and they too get stuck inside! They too call for help! So once you catch a bunch of birds, bag up what you need, rebait, and always leave one inside to call for more help to catch more birds!

[@petercziglan130]

One two can jump jumps

[@honeybuns4513]

Because of the height of the trap, the birds can't jump out! The birds need to fly out, however because the ribs of the ladder are close enough together, the birds with their wings open can't fly out and are trapped!

[@davemyers7507]

Cool 😎

[@jimbrosnan8214]

The comments on this video are so stupid A ladder trap like this Is designed for catching crows and magpies and ravens For crows 6”x6” rungs

[@billwilliams9897]

Can it just have a flat roof made out of plywood then? and cut 6" x 6' holes?

[@ronyerke9250]

How do you get the birds out without just setting them free or getting pecked?

[@panzerstrelok]

Mass execution, if its crows do it in the dark

[@honeybuns4513]

Gloves, thick long gloves! Claws are what hurt when catching without gloves! Grab, and put into a cloth bag! Can use an military laundry bag that has draw strings. The birds won't really peck you, just fly away from you, so getting scratched by the claws on the feet are the issue!

[@ronyerke9250]

@@honeybuns4513 ty

[@IowaKim]

A butterfly net.

[@oliviajensen2052]

Everyone seems to be here to catch crows to kill them. But honestly I'm here because they are super intelligent and loyal, so I want one for a pet.

[@pl2222]

olivia jensen You do realize that it would be illegal to do that. The Migratory Bird Act, first implemented in 1916, bans anyone (with the exception of licensed wildlife rehabilitators) from owning any migratory bird native to the United States. Protected species include the American crow and its close relative, the common raven.

[@honeybuns4513]

They are intelligent! I heard of old times that taught them how to speak too! Just like a parrot!

[@PolishGypski]

You are better off getting a baby to hand raise. It would e tough to train an adult bird compared to a young one.

[@SRLappbeelachia]

Link to instruction sheet is here: basc.org.uk/advice/how-to-make-a-ladder-trap/

[@user-ii2gr5wo7d]

👍👍👍👏👏👏

[@woody5109]

Finally, metric measurements, so sick of that third world stone age imperial crap. Well done

[@JKDDarthSniper]

lighten up Francis

[@billwilson2160]

Metric is for bird-brains

[@patrickcleburneuczjsxpmp9558]

Look what's happened to the UK since it adopted the metric system. The imperial system was called "imperial" for a reason, and it wasn't because it was third world.