Advice

[Thomas Maddox]

I've seen a HOSP hanging around my PM house for a while now. I haven't been able to get a decent shot at it(I am thinking about getting a blind). I have 2 cavities where fledging should occur any day. Should I wait until they fledge to lower the house and set a trap or go ahead and do it now? I remember reading not to lower it this close to fledging though...

[C.C.Martins]

Thomas,
I'd do the blind and whack it vs lower and trap cuz it may be that you will lower and raise more than once. Fledges may jump early.
It doesn't sound like a desperate moment, if it does become desperate you could lower and plug the cavities with older chicks but dont think you are there.
Place your blind, get them used to seeing it. Could be simple as a big box, heck can even be a car or truck pulled up.

[Martintown33]

Agree Thomas, at this point , I would try shooting it, first.. a blind of some type… anything to hide in or behind , so the HOSP can’t see you, works. The main thing is to have something to stabilize your barrel on, for accuracy… just fyi… I made my blind by ripping fence pickets, lengthwise, into 3 inch wide pieces, then using them to frame a “box” big enough for me to comfortably sit in, on a short stool. I sheathed the “box” with thin paneling and cardboard to keep it light and moveable… I cut a porthole to shoot through, and attached a piece of fence picket, to the bottom of the porthole to rest (stabilize) my gun barrel on.. it really works great.. HOSPS never know what hit them… makes them sitting ducks when they can’t see you..
Good luck
Rob

[Thomas Maddox]

Thanks! I'll go that route. My biggest problem is getting a steady shot off. My gun is zeroed pretty well, but hard to get a stable shot off.

[C.C.Martins]

Its a bit easier while lying in wait and brace it, even a rolled up towel to rest it on. My favorite is to shoot them off the trap when they come investigate. Everything's ready. They come, look, and as Rob describes...pow.
If on a gourd rack, you know where they are going to be. Just wait for them.

[Thomas Maddox]

Update:
I took my ST1 trap to a local hardware store where HOSPS are abundant. With permission, I hid the trap in their parking lot and baited it with bread and crackers. Within 2 hours, I caught a female. I took her home, clipped her wings, and sat the trap at the base of my PM house. Within 3 hours, I caught the female living in my PM house and later in the afternoon, caught the male. I'm going to keep them fed for a few days to see if anymore are in the area.

[C.C.Martins]

No kidding!!!!!! No way! Great job!!!!!!! I love those traps. Great, just great. Wow, that is dedication. Yeah keep them alive for a while, never know when you need them.
Had a male at my neighbors across the street, this was last month, calling and calling apparently it found a crack in the roof. It just wouldn't come over so I could get him. Did the same thing, woke him up Sunday morning and asked if I could put a trap down under the bird, got the ok, but used the bird barrier audio call box. Sat in my truck with binoculars, 35 minutes had him.
Soooooo, makes me think now, hmmmmmm who would say yes to a bit of discreet trapping?
Very nice update

[Thomas Maddox]

Thank you! I guess these HOSPS in the cities are used to people and eating human food scraps, so they gladly enter. I've had my trap out for days without any success, but after I caught the city bird, the 2 at my house were easy as it gets.

[C.C.Martins]

That is wonderful thinking, you did great. Wow, talk about problem solving. Those are some good friends, gonna have to remember them during Christmas!