Techniques for trapping Stoats and other mustelids

Forest and Bird, Issue 302, 1 November 2001, Page 37

Techniques for trapping Stoats and other mustelids

SARAH GIBBS

Forest and Bird conservation officer

shares her field experience.

toats are ‘public enemy number one’ when it comes to conservation of kiwi and many other bird species. As long as there is bush habitat available, the best way for individuals to protect birds and other native animals in their area is to trap stoats. When trapping for stoats, ferrets and weasels (a group of animals known as mustelids) it is important to place the traps in areas the animals will use. Stoats and other mustelids cover large distances and will find a trap if it is on a route they usually travel along. Spreading traps sparsely (for example, one trap per hectare) can be more successful than clustering traps in a small area. Wellplaced traps means that greater areas can be covered more effectively. Stoats use waterways, fencelines, tracks and boundaries between two habitat types (eg, the boundary between a forestry block and a farm paddock) in the same way humans use roads. Also look for raised vantage points, especially when there is a chicken coop or similar attraction on or near that vantage point. Although they like some cover, stoats will travel along raised areas when it gives them a view into an area where prey, such as rabbits or birds, may be present. Don’t worry if your trap does not catch something immediately. It may take a while for animals to get used to the trap and for your human scent to wear off the trap. Also, as stoats do cover large areas, they may not

encounter your trap immediately. If after a month or so you still haven’t caught anything and think you have a better place for your trap, try a new location. Egg is still the most commonly used bait for stoat traps. It lasts reasonably well, is easy to obtain and attracts stoats as well as almost any other bait. To obtain extra scent around the traps, some trappers use salted rabbit meat. Fish can also be used to target ferrets, but may not work as well for stoats. Meat in general will also mean that you catch more rats. This is good as rats also eat birds’ eggs and prevent forest regeneration by eating seeds and vegetation from some plant species (eg kowhai). Don’t hesitate to experiment with different baits. Animals in different areas may be ‘tuned in’ to different scents. When to trap depends on your objective. If your objective is to catch the highest number of stoats, trap in autumn (FebruaryApril) when young stoats are around. If your objective is to protect birds in your area, trap when the birds are breeding and in need of the most protection. For most bird species this occurs in spring and summer (September-January). Above all, don’t get discouraged if you only catch a small number of stoats. Predatory species such as stoats survive in low densities, and the one stoat you do catch may be the one that is targeting the birds you are trying to protect.