Bait Trapping

Recaptured Mallard Hen, this one has a reward band.

While we still are brood driving we have started bait trapping. Bait trapping consists of a welded wire fence loop that has the open end for a funnel. The top is covered with deer fencing. The trap is zip-tied to rebar and stuck in a cleared area of mud or shallow water. Barley and corn is spread around the outside of the trap and through the funnel and inside. Eventually once the birds know about the trap only the funnel and inside is baited. The birds can't seem to find the way out, like a fish trap. We roll up to the trap and open a section of the top and fish the birds out with a dip net.

Currently we are catching mostly ducklings and occasionally the attending hen. We are beginning to catch molting males.

We have been catch the same eight mallard duckings for the last three weeks. They are in the same trap at least once a day. We refer to them as "the family".