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How to Set Bird Traps With a Rubber Band

Using nets to trap birds is one of the most humane and fool-proof ways to capture birds. Setting the nets with the aid of rubber bands makes them even safer for the bird because the rubber bands act as shock absorbers when the bird flies into the net. It is essential that if you set up nets to trap birds you monitor them numerous times a day to remove birds soon after they become trapped to prevent extreme entanglement that may require you to cut them free from the net.

Things You'll Need

Fine mesh net
Rubber bands
2 heavy duty poles with small holes every 2 feet
Shovel

Instructions

- 1
  Find a good location to set the trap. Locations in a bird's flight path include places near water, food or frequent perching places.
- 2
  Dig two holes to accommodate the heavy duty poles using the shovel. Holes should be at least 2 feet deep or deeper depending upon the length of the poles. You want the poles to be anchored to the ground securely when in place.
- 3
  Place poles in the ground, and fill in any gaps in the hole with the loose dirt. Pack down the dirt around the poles. Loop three to five rubber bands around the end of each pole. Decide how high you want the net to be. Choose the hole in the pole that is closest to this desired height. Hold one of the rubber bands that you looped over the pole near the hole. Send the rubber band through the hole from the non-net side so that it comes through the pole hole on the net side.
- 4
  Repeat the process of sending rubber bands through pole holes in each hole below the first one. Do this on both poles until you have all the rubber bands secured in the holes. Tie the ends of the rubber bands that went through the holes to the net in the appropriate locations to hang the net tightly.

Animals & Science