[JOE PA]

Sorry, this is about our for humans sweet corn plot. We have an acre planted, maturing in weekly intervals. About two weeks from maturity, the ***** show up and start stealing what was to go to the food bank. Boss has some havahart traps out, but no luck with those. Any ideas how to deal with the *****? It’s on the property of a local university, so lights an shooting them is off the table. Just want to save as much as possible, and any help is most appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Jack Pine]

Jeff, answered your post on CT, but to repeat, when ***** are after corn, they will only be baited with something they like better. Bait those Havaharts with canned sardines or canned fish-based cat food.

 

[KTownKiller]

Then take 'em out somewhere...and SHOOT 'EM!!!!

 

[JOE PA]

Thanks Cal! KTK, if I could, sure. Just not a place where it’s possible.

 

[jac63]

Electric fence around the perimeter. 3 strands spaced at 4,8,&12 inches from the ground. Battery or solar fencer you don't even need electricity on sight.

 

[Spot-on-arrow]

You could use the wire cage traps if you aren't allowed to kill. Just haul them away.

 

[JOE PA]

Thanks very much, Cal. First night with sardines!

 

[Jack Pine]

Thanks very much, Cal. First night with sardines!

View attachment 182099

LOL, with all those chewed up cobs layin around, he can't deny he did it. They can't keep their paws off of stinky sardines or fishy cat food. One of these days I'm gonna try those marshmallows Beervo2 suggested. The Lord knew what He was doin when He put a black mask on those stealin varmints!

 

[JOE PA]

Funny thing was, in that trap, I just added the sardines to what was left of the boss’s lunch and an ear of corn. When I checked the traps early this morning, all of that was gone.

 

[JOE PA]

Still only caught that one. Setting the traps for groundhogs (cantaloupe), but will try Joe Thompson’s idea of PB & honey too. Animals still taking some, but not as bad as before. Got 3 full bins this morning. Going to the food bank along with the first 5 bins of spuds.

 

[Jack Pine]

Hats off to ya Jeff for doin the work you do, lots of folks havin a hard time right now, through no fault of their own (thank you China, this was 1 import we didn't need).
Corn is next on my list. Just came in from pickin a 5 gallon and 2 gallon bucket of green beans. Mrs. Pine is stemmin em right now, then they'll go in jars, then the canner. Our canner will pressure can 21 quarts at a time, and this batch will give us 63 quarts. We use about 60 quarts a year, especially when she makes green bean casserole. Still have tons of beans left, but we give these to the senior center and the folks at church.
I'll barely get done with the beans and start cannin corn. Way more than we need so we'll find a home for the extra ears. We always overplant so we can give a bunch away. Some see that as dumb since we could sell the surplus at the local farmer's market, but this suits us better.

 

[TX_RDXguy]

I trapped 20 this year and didn't make a dent in their population..... Pretty disappointed in that effort.

 

[Jack Pine]

Still only caught that one. Setting the traps for groundhogs (cantaloupe), but will try Joe Thompson’s idea of PB & honey too. Animals still taking some, but not as bad as before. Got 3 full bins this morning. Going to the food bank along with the first 5 bins of spuds.
View attachment 182898

Best corn ever Jeff, 2 and 3 ears on every stalk. Tender and sugar-sweet! The Lord has really blessed us this year.

 

[JOE PA]

Well, got a bigger one this morning. It was also a harvest day.

 

[SavedWretch]

It’s like this at all of my stand sites. 6-8 ***** at each one every night.
**** population are very cyclical and they are at a high point this year in my area. Next year I will begin to see sick, staggering ***** as a result of over population. Many will die from decease and the cycle will start all over again.

 

[robertyb]

Sick staggering ***** usually have rabies around here.

 

[SavedWretch]

Sick staggering ***** usually have rabies around here.

I've always been told it's distemper. They act like they're drunk staggering back and forth.

 

[loneranger]

DP traps with dog food in em. They work all the time. got 20 my place. Lots of mice tho in AG country. If mice get to traps first,,,they eat the bait.! always something?

 

[Tnmtns]

Two weeks ago I went out to the chicken pen and all 15 of my layers were dead and half eaten,including my sole rooster! In the last two weeks I have shot one and trapped 5. I went and bought 11 pullets last weekend,but they won't be laying for a while yet. Bought my first dozen eggs in over 8 years last week......I have been using canned cat food and they can't resist....

 

[JOE PA]

Two weeks ago I went out to the chicken pen and all 15 of my layers were dead and half eaten,including my sole rooster! In the last two weeks I have shot one and trapped 5. I went and bought 11 pullets last weekend,but they won't be laying for a while yet. Bought my first dozen eggs in over 8 years last week......I have been using canned cat food and they can't resist....

Sorry to hear about your chickens. Reloaded the traps with sardines and the “triggers” are set as light as I dare. Hoping for a few more.