Permitted methods of capturing birds and animals

Gin traps and self-locking snares are illegal. Free-running snares may be used but must be checked at least once during every 24 hour period. It is illegal to snare badgers and other protected animals and birds. The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 has considerably modified the legal use of snares in Scotland.

Larsen cage-traps that use live birds as decoys operate under a general licence. Some cage traps, such as funnel traps or ladder traps which do not use live decoys, have no restriction as to their use. The law imposes conditions regulating the use of permitted traps, governing such matters as where traps may be placed and how often traps must be inspected. Birds other than the pest species covered by a general licence must be released. The full details and an approved list of traps can be obtained from the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD).

Any bird caught in a trap is then captive and is protected by the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 which prohibits cruelty and ill-treatment. This also applies to the decoy bird in a Larsen trap.