Trapping

Trapping and removing crows can be a successful method of control at locations where a resident population is causing damage or where other techniques cannot be used. An example is trapping damage-causing crows near a high-value crop or in an areas where nesting waterfowl are highly concentrated. Often, however, the wide-ranging movements of crows and the time necessary to maintain and manage traps make this an impractical control.

Two types of traps have been used successfully to capture crows. These have been described by E.R. Kalmbach, and many of his observations are included here. First, crows have been captured uninjured with size 0 or 1 steel traps that have the jaws wrapped with cloth or rubber. These sets are most successful if placed at vantage points in areas habitually used by crows or if baited with a dummy nest containing a few eggs.

A second and more commonly used trap for crows is the Australian Crow Trap, a type of decoy trap. These traps are most successful if used during the winter when natural foods are scarce. Australian crow traps can be made in nearly any size but should be at least 8-to 10-feet (2.4 to 3 m) square and 5- to 6-feet (1.5 to 1.8 m) high. If desired, the sides and top can be constructed in panels to facilitate transportation and storage. To be successful, the trap should be placed where crows are likely to congregate. The preferred bait is meat, such as slaughterhouse offal, small animal carcasses, or eggs. Whole kernel corn, milo heads, and watermelon may also work. Place the bait under the ladder portion of the trap. Also provide water.

After the first baiting, the trap should not be visited for 24 hours. When birds begin to enter the trap, it should be visited and cared for daily. Any non-target birds captured should be immediately released unharmed. Remove all crows captured except for about five that should be left in the trap as decoys. As soon as the bait loses it fresh appearance, it should be replaced with fresh material. A well-maintained decoy trap can capture a number of crows each day, depending on its size and location, the time of year, and how well the trap is maintained. However, as mentioned previously, the time necessary to maintain the trap and the number of crows that can be captured compared to the total number in the area, often makes this technique less attractive than others for crow control.