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Homemade Bird Traps & Cages

Trapping is the art of luring and catching animals using various devices to outsmart the animal. When trapping birds for either food or relocation, you can use items available at home or in nature. Remember the two keys to trapping a bird, patience and the right bait, and you'll be well on your way to catching birds to your heart's content.

Things You'll Need

Sharp knife
Birch bark, small rectangle and thin strips
Stick
Pine tree sap
Bait
Stove pipe, 6 inches
Chicken wire
Duct tape

Instructions

Trapping for Food
- 1
  Cut a piece of birch bark loose from its tree using a sharp knife.
- 2
  Roll the birch bark into an ice cream cone shape, making sure to close off the point completely so that no light can pass through.
- 3
  Tie strips of bark around the cone to hold it in position.
- 4
  Cut a small square out of a pine tree using the sharp knife. Sap will begin flowing over the injured section of the tree. Catch the sap with a stick.
- 5
  Rub the sap inside the cone.
- 6
  Set the trap on the ground and form a trail of bait leading to the trap. The bird will follow the food trail, the sap will drip into its eyes, and it will instinctively lie down, thinking it's time to sleep.
Trapping for Release
- 7
  Cover the end of a 6-inch stove pipe with chicken wire.
- 8
  Secure the chicken wire in place with some duct tape.
- 9
  Set the trap on the ground with a bait trail and a pile of bait inside. The bird will follow the food into the trap and will be unable to leave, as birds cannot reverse themselves.
- 10
  Lift up the trap and transport it to a safe location for the bird.

Birding