An Evaluation of Techniques for Capturing Raptors in East-Central Minnesota
ABSTRACT
To meet the objectives of a study, several species of raptors had to be trapped on a 9,880-hectare study area of heterogenous habitat types. Bal-chatri, mist net, Swedish Goshawk, and automatic bow-net traps (and combinations of these traps) were used in several general habitat situations. Mist nets combined with a baited bal-chatri or tethered bait were most successful in capturing birds, and the bal-chatris alone and mist nets alone were next most effective. Trapping was found to be most productive in deciduous upland habitats where an opening in the canopy or break in the understory occurred. Trapping along a woodlot-field edge was also effective. Strigiformes were most often trapped just before sunrise or just after sunset, while falconiformes were most often captured in the late morning and late afternoon. Trapping was least efficient from December to February. A different trap type from that used in the initial capture is often most effective for recapturing raptors. Maintenance of healthy bait animals and frequent trap checks are emphasized.
