Sparrow Trapping the Sportsman Way

JL Murray · Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:15 pm

It isn't like i didn't try to warn them first!

Matt F. · Fri Mar 29, 2013 9:00 pm

That is great.....

JamesG · Sat Mar 30, 2013 6:02 am

Well......they can't say they were not warned....

I love it...

Jeff Robinson · Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:44 am

Good morning chuckle!

What kind of trap is that, and how has it been working for you? Having no luck at all with the Uncle Blaine's sparrow trap I've had out for 2nd year now, regardless of what I put in it....fuzz, millet, feathers, popcorn, etc.

JL Murray · Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:57 am

Jeff Robinson wrote:Good morning chuckle!

What kind of trap is that, and how has it been working for you? Having no luck at all with the Uncle Blaine's sparrow trap I've had out for 2nd year now, regardless of what I put in it....fuzz, millet, feathers, popcorn, etc.

Jeff that's a Wire Baited Trap, http://shop.purplemartin.org/Wire_Sparr ... tails.aspx

I have had this Trap for 10 years and i can not tell you how many sparrows i have trapped in it, but it has been a lot.

I bait it with white bread or bird seed, it has two little seed cups on each side so you can use bird seed if you wish, but around nesting time i put s few small feathers and a small bit of straw in it.

All and all it has done its job and i have left it out in the weather for 10 years and its still going strong.

Jeff Robinson · Sat Mar 30, 2013 9:51 am

Thanks JL. I'll try the wad of break in what I have, and if that doesn't work, then I'll be looking for a top rated sparrow trap otherwise. Sounds like that one does just fine!

Jeff

JL Murray · Sat Mar 30, 2013 10:04 am

Jeff your Uncle Blaine's Trap is a GREAT trap i would try changing to a different bait to lure them in plain ole White Bread really works well in my opinion.

KathyF · Sat Mar 30, 2013 11:21 am

Jeff - that is a good trap - but it's only effective with proper placement and proper baits at the right time of year.

During the winter - place it on a flat table top near shrubbery where the HOSP are hanging out with milo birdseed. You can get the "poultry mix" at MFA here in MO and use that. You'll catch other birds, but eventually, you'll get the HOSP too.

During mating season, I use a Van Ert trap on a blue bird / tree swallow nest box, trap a HOSP then use him/her as 'bait' in my Uncle Blaine's trap. They march in like lemmings during mating season.

During the fall - when all the young HOSP have fledged is the BEST time to catch them - and their parents will follow them into the trap. Again - use the winter trapping methods to catch the young & dumb juveniles.

KathyF · Sat Mar 30, 2013 11:35 am

Oh - and JL - I LOVE your warning sign! LOL - I've been thinking about trying this trap also.

Craig Haddox · Sat Mar 30, 2013 11:50 am

If you catch a sparrow leave it in the center holding area. That bird will be your lure for other sparrows. It will also catch starlings but they can push the top up and get out.

Jim 1990 · Sat Mar 30, 2013 12:25 pm

I have been using this trap for many years and it is a great trap for catching HS I have caught a few starlings in it all so . I modified mine a little by cutting a hole in the bottom of the center holding cage.Then I took a old bird cage and attached it to the bottom of the trap this way it holds more birds and room for water and food to keep the decoys alive I think it also attracts other HS better as there is a clear view all the way around the bottom cage. works great.

JL Murray · Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:04 pm

Jim 1990 wrote:I have been using this trap for many years and it is a great trap for catching HS I have caught a few starlings in it all so . I modified mine a little by cutting a hole in the bottom of the center holding cage.Then I took a old bird cage and attached it to the bottom of the trap this way it holds more birds and room for water and food to keep the decoys alive I think it also attracts other HS better as there is a clear view all the way around the bottom cage. works great.

Jim I like the ideal of adding a birdcage to the bottom.

jr 2 · Sat Mar 30, 2013 3:52 pm

i have this same st1 trap and i have caught a few sparrows;i had a mockingbird in the trap this morning;;my spar-a-doors do a lot better;;caught 3 more sparrow today;;season total;;9;;;jr2

pear · Sat Mar 30, 2013 7:51 pm

Craig Haddox wrote:It will also catch starlings but they can push the top up and get out.

Try changing the spring to a heavier one that will fix that problem, or it has for me. Lost track of the number of birds I've caught with mine, but it's many.