Duck trapping can be a fun and rewarding activity for those who enjoy the outdoors. Ducks make excellent additions to a backyard flock or can be trapped for relocation. Trapping ducks requires patience and the right equipment, but with some cleverness and care it can be done humanely and successfully. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about how to make your own duck trap.
Why Trap Ducks?
There are several reasons why you may want to trap ducks:
- To add ducks to your backyard flock – Ducks make great backyard pets and provide charming eggs. Trapping wild ducks is an affordable way to start or add to a homestead flock.
- To relocate ducks – If you have unwelcome duck guests taking up residence where they are not wanted, live trapping allows you to humanely rehome them to a more suitable spot.
- To band ducks for research – Banding ducks allows researchers to track migration patterns and survival rates. Traps allow ducks to be caught and banded safely.
- To temporarily confine injured/orphaned ducks – Using a pen-style trap can help confine ducks in need of medical care or young ducklings.
No matter your reasons for wanting to trap ducks, doing so correctly and humanely is important.
Choosing a Location
One of the keys to successful duck trapping is setting up in a spot they frequent. Here are some things to look for when selecting a trapping location:
- Look for spots where you already see ducks regularly visiting – This includes ponds, streams, flooded fields, and other waterways ducks are known to use.
- Areas near food sources like spilled grain or grazing pastures where ducks feed.
- Spaces with shelter from weather and hiding spots – Feeding areas around brush, logs, and stands of vegetation make good trap sites.
- Sites between roosting and feeding areas that ducks travel through.
Setting traps along the edges of waterways or wetlands ducks are known to travel is your best bet for success. You may need to experiment with a few locations to figure out where ducks are most active.
Choosing a Trap Design
There are a variety of duck trap designs to consider, each with their own pros and cons. Key factors in choosing a trap include:
- Live capture vs kill traps – For relocating or banding ducks, live capture cage or net traps are required. Kill traps that dispatch ducks are prohibited in many areas.
- Ease of construction – Simple traps made from basic and inexpensive materials are best for beginners.
- Size – The trap should be large enough to hold several ducks at once for efficiency.
- Mobility – Some traps are permanent structures while others are portable to allow checking multiple locations.
- Ground vs water set – Most traps are situated on land or shallow water. Some use bait to lure ducks out of deeper water.
Three of the most effective and practical duck trap designs include:
Wooden Box Trap
A simple box-style trap made of wood slats or wire mesh panels. It uses bait inside the box and a door drops down when ducks enter. Great for beginners and easy to build.
Funnel Cage Trap
Shaped like a funnel and made from mesh or netting formed around hoops. Ducks enter through the large opening, which tapers down to a collection area. Easily portable.
Net Trap
Uses bait under a mesh net propped up on sticks or frames. When pulled via a rope, it drops down and captures any ducks feeding underneath it. Compact and reusable.
For first-time trappers, the box or funnel style traps are likely the simplest to construct. Always follow any regulations on trap types in your area.
Constructing a Wooden Box Style Duck Trap
Now let’s go through how to build a basic wooden box trap, one of the easiest DIY designs:
Materials Needed
- 3/4″ thick plywood or lumber for the box sides – Standard 1×8 or 1×10 boards work well
- Lighter 1×2 inch lumber for the door
- Hinges and latch for the door
- Nails, screws, or staples for assembly
- Mesh wire or hardware cloth to cover openings
- Bungee cords, rope, or springs for door closure mechanism
- Green branches or burlap to camouflage the trap
Cutting the Box Pieces
- Cut 1 piece approximately 24″ wide by 48″ long for the bottom
- Cut 2 pieces 24” wide by 24” long for the sides
- Cut 1 piece 24” wide by 30” long for the rear
- Cut 1 piece 21” wide by 24” long for the door
Assemble into a box using nails, screws, or staples. Leave one 24″ side open for the door.
Adding Mesh Coverings
Use 1/2″ mesh wire or hardware cloth to cover the open side panels, nailing or stapling it on. This allows ventilation while keeping ducks contained. Leave the door uncovered.
You can also optionally add mesh on top of the trap, or make the rear panel solid wood for more shelter inside.
Hanging the Door
Use hinges to hang the 1×2 inch door piece on one side of the entrance opening. Attach a latch or other fastener to keep it closed.
Door Closure Mechanism
The key part that makes the trap work is the trip mechanism on the door to make it automatically close behind ducks when entered. This can be made with:
- A catch box – A piece that braces the door open until bumped by ducks
- Bungee cords or ropes with enough give to allow ducks to enter before pulling door closed
- Springs or pulleys attached to the sides or top that snap door shut
Test mechanism to ensure it closes quickly once one or more ducks steps inside.
Baiting the Trap
Place bread, cracked corn, greens, or other duck feed inside the trap as bait. Refresh it daily to keep trap appealing to ducks in the area. You may need to experiment to see which foods work best.
Placing the Trap
Locate the trap near water where ducks are frequently seen. Use branches, burlap sacking, or camo netting to disguise and naturalize the trap’s appearance so it blends into surroundings.
Checking and Using the Trap
Check traps at least twice daily – morning and evening are best. Gently remove captured ducks and place into crates or carriers. Relocate or band gently and quickly before release. Return any ducklings to the same location to reunite with parents.
Keep the trap baited and in working order at chosen location as needed until trapping activities are complete.
Baiting and Using Your Duck Trap
No matter which style of trap you construct, correct baiting and usage is key for success:
- Try different bait foods to see which attract ducks best – Bread, corn, rice, greens, and worms are common choices.
- Refresh bait daily or more in hot weather to stay appealing.
- Set traps at first light before duck activity to maximize chances.
- Camouflage and naturalize traps so they blend into surroundings.
- Use trail cameras or observe from a distance to see if ducks are wary of trap.
- Check traps very frequently – At least morning and evening, more if very hot or cold.
- Gently and quickly process trapped ducks to avoid stressing them.
- Return ducklings found in trap near original location so parents can locate them.
Following these best practices while trapping helps ensure things go smoothly for both you and the ducks.
Caring for Captured Ducks
Any ducks you trap will be in your care for a short time before release or rehoming. It’s important their brief stay is as low-stress and safe as possible:
- Gently but quickly remove ducks from trap and place into ventilated carriers.
- Keep ducks in calm, temperature controlled space while in captivity.
- Provide water and small amounts of feed if holding more than 2 hours.
- Release banded ducks immediately after processing and applying bands.
- Have brooder area or pen ready for rehoming trapped ducks.
- Limit handling and loud noises that stress trapped ducks.
- Never keep adult ducks in captivity more than 48 hours before releasing.
Following these tips will keep trapping a positive experience for you and the ducks being relocated or studied. Never keep adult wild ducks permanently.
Releasing and Relocating Trapped Ducks
For ducks that are being banded or those you wish to relocate humanely, carefully follow these steps:
- Always release ducks near water and shoreline cover so they feel secure.
- Release ducks as family groups if multiple were trapped together.
- Release ducks in early morning or late afternoon for safety.
- Open pen doors toward water so ducks can swim/fly away easily.
- Scatter some grain or feed near release site to aid ducks in adjusting.
- Make sure all young ducklings follow adults out of pen when opened.
- Carefully capture and re-trap any ducks that elude you initially.
By following these guidelines, released ducks will have the best chance of thriving in their new environment. Monitor them in coming days/weeks to ensure they have adjusted well.
Legal Considerations for Duck Trapping
There are a few key legalities to keep in mind if you plan to trap ducks:
- Trapping migratory bird game species like mallards may require permits – check regulations.
- Kill traps and live decoys are banned in the U.S. under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
- There are restrictions on trapping ducks out of season – know your local opening/closing dates.
- State and local laws may prohibit or restrict trapping in some areas.
- Banding ducks has permit requirements in most cases.
- Consider nuisance wildlife permitting if trapping ducks causing problems.
Always research federal, state, and local laws and obtain any required permits before trapping ducks. Follow all regulations to avoid potential illegal activity.
Troubleshooting Common Duck Trapping Problems
Despite your best efforts, you may occasionally run into issues while trapping ducks. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Ducks are wary of the trap
- Try leaving trap unset and baited so they grow accustomed to it over several days.
- Increase camouflage and natural materials around/over the trap.
- Use smaller mesh or wire size if they can see and are spooked by large openings.
- Consider relocating the trap a short distance away if ducks seem trap shy.
Trap fails to fully close after a duck enters
- Adjust tension on door closing mechanism so it shuts faster behind ducks.
- Enlarge the trigger plate/stick so ducks bump it reliably when entering.
- Eliminate any obstructions keeping the door from fully closing.
Non-target wildlife or pests get trapped
- Use smaller mesh wire to exclude smaller birds/animals not wanted.
- Situate traps in open spots away from brush that could shelter unintended species.
- Check traps more frequently to release any non-target animals.
Ducks won’t enter the trap
- Switch to different bait foods they may find more appealing.
- Make sure trap remains well concealed except for the entrance.
- Funnel or lane ducks toward trap using temporary fencing.
- Use decoy ducks inside the trap to attract wild ducks in.
With patience and troubleshooting adjustments, any challenges trapping ducks can be overcome. Just remember to always put the birds welfare first.
Conclusion
Constructing and using a duck trap takes some DIY skills and wildlife knowledge, but can be done successfully. Start with a simple and proven trap design, choose locations ducks naturally frequent, bait and conceal it well, check frequently, and handle trapped ducks with care. Follow all regulations and best practices, and trapping ducks can provide an enjoyable hobby or source of ducks for research purposes. Just be sure to always make the experience stress-free on the ducks.